Development: Cross-Country Training Camp in Val di Fiemme

Following an exceptionally warm summer and unusually mild autumn, the FIS Development Programme for Cross-Country kicked off in Val di Fiemme, Italy, in early December 2023. Developing nations such as ARG, BIH, BRA, CHI, ESP, GEO, GRE, HUN, LAT, LBN, LTU, MKD, ROU, SRB, and THA made their way to the snow in Val di Fiemme, with a total of 47 motivated participants.

They took advantage of the track in Passo Lavazè and the Olympic 2026 cross-country ski courses in Lago di Tesero. For many teams, this marked their first time on snow after the dry season, while others, like South American teams, had recently concluded the winter season in the southern hemisphere.

The primary goal of the training camp was to enhance the technique, knowledge, and skills of cross-country skiing to support the development of aspiring nations. Under the guidance of experienced coaches, athletes and their coaches had the opportunity to improve their skills in both classic and skating techniques. In addition to training, all athletes benefited from video analysis with dedicated sessions for both techniques.

The entire group also participated in a seminar about ski preparation, with a focus on the fluor ban. Furthermore, coaches had the opportunity to delve deeper into technique through various dedicated sessions with staff members. At two different moments, staff members presented their project work to participant coaches. E. Becchis discussed the use of rollerski as a means of training, while M. Genuin presented his project to introduce children to cross-country skiing.

A big thank you goes to all FIS Development Coaches for their readiness to assist all participants and share their knowledge and experience. Special thanks are also extended to APT Val di Fiemme for their invaluable assistance in organizing the entire camp.