Remarks from New OPAST Head Coach, Nick Kwasniak
The group of 5 athletes (2, standing 3-track and 3, sitting skiers) was very welcoming and easy to work with given my late appointment.
We spent the fist day on snow getting to know each other and then got down to business. Jumping into the first FIS-Para race ever held in North America, given the volume of training the team met their expectations for the event. Including a podium finish for Rebecca Mideros (3rd SG1)
For the rest of the project most of the time was spent working with our siting skiers (Andrea Nelson, Janie Duguay, Jess McPhee) as our standing athletes (Abbey Van Duzer, Rebecca Mideros) continued with the CADS AB coaches and will spend the season in the west with CADS AB as CPAST identified athletes.
No surprise, these athletes are dedicated to getting the most out of every training opportunity, eager to get out in any condition (it was COLD!) and happy to ski beyond the available training window.
There was some good development and I am exited to get into our next training block here in ON as we prepare for the coming race season.
I look forward to getting out to many of the clubs and taking advantage of ski up opportunities for the team with both Para and able bodied athletes as the winter progresses.
See you on the track,
Nick Kwasniak, OPAST Head Coach