crystal clear sky and breathing SUPER fresh
air (who doesn’t)
And start hiding inside to get away from the
oppressive heat (AND humidity)
I quit maintaining the hot tub (the thought of a
good “post ski” soak!)
And start the ^#@&ing lawn mower (that tor-
ture machine)
I quit reading snow reports (it’s not happening
now)
And start reading the air conditioning manual
(it’s just never cold enough!)
I quit sharpening ski edges (nice tools -
thanks to a ski pal)
And start sharpening the lawn mower blades
(not the “turns” I prefer...)
I quit/miss seeing my ski friends (why, sum-
mer is SO overrated!)
And start thinking of winter (is it too early?)
THEN I smile. (Because we’re one day clos-
er)
Ray Zemke
St. Mary’s Point, Minn.
To Be Continued…
Bravos, huzzahs, kudos, hoorays, to athletes,
coaches and the piste crews! But your 2010-
2011 season isn’t over. It’s really a 12-month
to-do list. I like the way poet William Browne
may have framed a ski season:
“There is no season such delight can bring/
As summer, autumn, winter, and the spring.”
There is but one season, replete with obvious
weather changes, and your 2010-11 ski season
probably had a direct correlation with both the
USSA philosophy on the pursuit of excellence
and the elements of its sports psychology program.
My interpretation of the USSA philosophy on
excellence applies to Aristotle’s admonition
that “excellence is an infinite pathway to performance paved with mind/body and body/mind
skills that must be committed to practice, practice, practice.” On this pathway there are those
elements of serious theatre and the Great White
Circus in which we experience ethical, logical,
humorous, and dramatic moments.
The 12-month, USSA Sports Psychology Program is based on coach and athlete commitment to and evaluation of:
1. Energy Management
2. Goal Setting
3. Imagery
4. Focus
5. Self-talk
6. Performance Planning
In particular, as the six parts apply to the ath-
letes, coaches, and crews, I believe that you all
excelled in goal setting through the process of:
a. Learning of and about the different tools and
skills
b. Seeing how good you are at using them as
building blocks and stepping stones
c. Practicing the skills in both mental and phys-
ical training
d. Applying the skills to competition (conducting
a race and working with the athletes’ to mentally
and physically achieve an outcome that meets
and/or exceeds their performance plan)
See y’all next season...if not sooner!
Coach “Deanski” Tonkin
Seattle, Wash.
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