Alpine Skiing – Middle School
The Middle School Alpine Ski Team is open to students who want to learn to race or to improve their racing skills. Skiers do not have to have racing experience, but they should be able to safely ski intermediate to advanced trails. The season begins with dry land training, focusing on developing stamina and strengthening the muscles used in skiing. In January, we begin training once or twice a week at Pat’s Peak where skiers practice running slalom and giant slalom courses and work on improving their form and speed. During the season students attend three daylong races, competing against other middle school students.
The Middle School Alpine Ski Team is open to seventh and eighth graders who want to learn to race or to improve their racing skills. Skiers do not have to have racing experience, but they should be able to safely ski intermediate to advanced trails. The season begins with dry land training, focusing on developing stamina and strengthening the muscles used in skiing. In January, we begin training once or twice a week at Pat’s Peak where skiers practice running slalom and giant slalom courses and work on improving their form and speed. During the season students attend three daylong races, competing against other middle school students.
Meet Our Coaches
Coach Feitlinger
Ross Feitlinger, Head Coach
Email: rfeitlinger@derryfield.org
Sports have always been a part of his life. Growing up in New Jersey he played soccer and baseball in town leagues and a plethora of other sports at summer camps. His family made frequent ski trips to ski Killington in Vermont. He moved to Arizona where he played keeper on a traveling soccer team. Throughout his teenage years, he stayed active in sports, even finding places out west to go skiing. Attending the University of Vermont, skiing became a part of his winter schedule, but he picked up a new sport in ultimate disc (Frisbee). When he became a teacher he was asked to coach soccer and baseball at his first school. At another school, he added alpine skiing and ultimate to his coaching resume.
Coach Donovan
James Donovan, Assistant Coach
Email: james010901@gmail.com
Coach Donovan’s coaching philosophy is to enable each athlete’s development to his or her full potential by offering an appropriate blend of guided free-skiing, skill enhancement, technical improvement, and race course tactics, in an atmosphere of fun and encouragement. His goal is to create outstanding citizens and expert versatile skiers first; recognizing that with further coaching, many will become outstanding racers.
