Talent and hard work cannot go anywhere without opportunities to capitalize on talent and put hard work to use.  It is these opportunities we must create.

We have to put in place a development system.  Though the previous development system received a lot of criticism it played a big role in bringing us into the position we are in today – top five world cup results and the best results in over 20 years.  We have to improve on this system while stepping up the support for the athletes currently on the US Ski Team.  Also we obviously we need a women’s team.  And once these programs are in place we can’t let them evaporate as the former programs did (this is purely a financial issue).

The ultimate goal of these programs is to create champion skiers – but what they really must aim to do is create a culture of preparation where all aspects of preparing – training, resting, mental, equipment, technique, etc are addressed at a level that exceeds that of our competition.

As for the sort of comments here at Team Today non-constructive negativity is worse than a waste of time as it detracts from positive change.  Constructive criticism on the other hand is vital.  This can be a venue for such criticism.

So if you look forward to a time when we are achieving more as a ski nation then contribute to the process.  This is not hard.  In fact that is what this site is about.  We have gained a promise of more support from the National Governing Body – not just next year but into the future – and you can help us secure this by contacting the NGB (the USST) at www.usskiteam.com or www.ussa.org - go to contacts and then either cross country or athletics management or executive. 

You can support your local athletes, your local club, your region, your national team, the national cross country ski education foundation (www.nccsef.org) and of course you can donate to Team Today – right here.

If these solutions don’t tempt you please email me and I can suggest other ideas (I have many).  As always keep up the constructive comments and if you have personal criticisms or comments for me or the staff you can email them to me directly.

To truly celebrate the success we have had and will have and to sincerely earn the right to criticize the setbacks we face and the frustrations we endure you must first participate in the process of trying to succeed.

Pete Vordenberg

pvordenberg@ussa.org