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02 02 12 >> Fall-line magazine - Grom feature
Fall-line magazine - Grom feature - Stoked!
02 02 12 >> What it takes!
So just work up this morning to see that its started snowing hard in Breckenridge which is good as you can never have too much snow but sort of puts a dint into training on the mountain today. But got to say, I could not be more stoked on how hard are GB athletes are training over here. Yesterday was a fine example of what are athletes do on a regular basis. We get up around 7am so we can be on the mountain for around 9am and get straight into it. At the moment im coaching are halfpipe and slopestyle athletes and luckily I have found a great area where I can base myself so I can see the pipe and the slopestyle course on Freeway so its easy to see the athletes and give feedback and film. Murray Buchan, Pete Speight, Becky Hammond, Rob Taylor and snowbaorder Dom Harrington were all working super hard in the pipe and Woodsy, Andy M, Tomo were hitting the slope course in Freeway. There's pretty much some of the biggest name pro's here in Breck training at the moment with their coaches and support team and there is a great atmosphere amongst everyone I feel. Everyone is super focused and all working on different things. It probably sounds like the perfect life and that the athletes are having the time of their lives which in away they are but at the end of the day they are working towards their goals 101% and this takes a lot of dedication. What I don't think many people know is that at the end of the days training they will come back, get changed and go to the gym for a couple of hours and this is without me making them do it or trying to convince them that they have to do it, they just do it! I have found myself saying this a lot recently but to make it up with the worlds best, its not only about been a talented skier who skis hard on the mountain all day and learns new tricks. Thats only about 50% of it. The other 50% is full on hard graft in the gym, strength and conditioning, keeping yourself healthy with a good diet and been totally dedicated and focused. Are sport has changed so much over the last 10 years and when I first got in to it, everyone was way more relaxed and not bothered about keeping yourself in shape as much as we should. But with the way the sport has gone now, and the tricks that the guys are doing at the highest level, you really do have to be the ultimate athlete too otherwise you will not make it! Its really crazy to say but it true and thats why Im super proud of my athletes, they are working super hard as athletes off the mountain as well as on.

Thanks for reading.
Pat
31 01 12 >> GB team Training - Breckenridge
So training here in Breckenridge has been full on for the last few days. It was super busy over the weekend but things have calmed down loads now but pretty much all the big name pro's are here training too as I think Breckenridge really does have the best pipe and jumps in the world right now. Poor boyz productions are also filming here which is cool to see and are GB athletes have been working super hard in training, like really hard! We've had a few crashes and little injury's and one big injury which I will let you know more about later on but I can say there going to be 100% fine and im picking them up from the hospital this afternoon. Got some amazing video today but don't have time to edit anything just yet but maybe soon. We have been training pipe as well as slope today which worked really well. Thanks for reading.

Pat
30 01 12 >> Salomon sponsor the GB Freeski team with Jackets
Were very excited to announce that Salomon have sponsored the GB Freeski team with new team jackets. Most of are athletes have their own personal clothing sponsors which they will use for competitions but we also wanted a team jacket for when were events such as the World champs and other FIS events. We can also add the logos of sponsors who are supporting the team which included the Ferguson family and Berkeley Group.
28 01 12 >> Back to base in Breckenridge with team GB and new Skis
So im finally back to the US after the Youth Olympics and I went straight to X Games in Aspen to meet Woodsy who was on the reserve list to compete in the Slopestyle. Yes thats right, a reserve. After picking up 3rd place at Euro X Games and all his other awesome results he still couldn't get in which was devastating for him as this is his dream and we were both pretty heartbroken specially as he was skiing incredible in training on the X slopestyle course and I really do believe he could have been up there with the top few but instead we had to watch the event from the bottom. I massively respect the X Games organisers and they know what there doing but just so up setting for Woodsy. So after the finals of the slope and the incredible tribute to Sarah Burke we headed back to Breckenridge and have started getting back in training mode with team gB athletes, Paddy Graham joined us for a couple of days and I was so stoked to see him back in the park and totally killing it! Other athletes here with me are Murray Buchan, Joe Tomo Tomlinosn, Pete Speight, Andy Matthew, Becky Hammond, James Webb, Rob Taylor, Josh Ingram and Britain's no1 snowboarder Jenny Jones has moved in with us for a while so full house here in Breck. Im trying to divide my time between Halfpipe and slopestyle training as im the only Freeski coach at the moment but im hoping very much to have an assistant soon. Im really proud of all the gB athletes as everyone is really focussed and always have that get up and go in them. they train hard on the mountain and then head to the gym most days. They don't go out partying and drinking like most people who spend winters away and their main goal is to improve and work on their own performance. Im really proud to be working with such dedicated athletes. Whats also been nice is that salmon have hooked me up with what I think are the best skis I have ever used in my life and thats saying something because I have used a lot of skis and often get to put m,u own input into some of the new Salomon skis. The new skis I have are called Rocker 2 which you may have seen or even have. But the ones I have are the new improved and different Rocker 2s which will be realised in 2013 and they make me super excited to put them on each morning even if I do bed up standing at the top of a slopestyle course or halfpipe. So things are all running pretty good. The only thing that is really hard is not seeing Vanessa (my wife) enough which im finding super hard. She has been the most supportive person in my career and life and I would not be doing what im doing now if it wasn't for her! As many of you will know, were expecting a little Sharples in April so she's having to deal with her pregnancy without me at the moment which makes me feel like the worst person in the world. So think I will leave it there for now. Thanks for reading.

Pat Sharples
24 01 12 >> Youth Olympics - Katie & Tyler.
So we got back last week from the first ever Youth winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck which was one of the most amazing experiences of our lives! We went out there with Team GB lead by my mentor Mr Sir Clive Woodward and the rest of the crew who couldn't have looked after us any better. I was not only coaching Katie Summerhayes and Tyler Harding but also snowbaorder Lewis Courtier Jones who I have known since he was 4 years old in Courchevel France when I used to live there. All our athletes performed amazing and we achieved our goals. There was a lot of pressure on my athletes to do well i thought, specially Katie and I had to keep explaining how Halfpipe is not her main discipline as she is a slopestyle skier and so is Tyler so we had to work extra hard over the 6 months to prepare them for this event and in the end Tyler placed 10th overall and Katie came 5th both making it into the finals. Lewis also made finals which was awesome! Katie was also picked to be the GB flag bearer and BBCs Blue Peter and BBC sport featured all the action. Its really opened my eyes and I feel I will be much more prepared leading up to the winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014. We have a lot of work a head and im up for the challenge.
I have to say a huge thanks to everyone for all your support you gave me and my athletes over the 2 weeks a the youth Olympics on Facebook and Twitter.
08 01 12 >> Laax pre youth Olympic training camp
Happy 2012

Pre Youth Olympic & British Development team training camp.
Happy new year to everyone and hope your all settled into 2012. I had a great Christmas with my wife Vanessa and family and im now currently on a coach heading to Laax in Switzerland where im running a pre Youth Olympic & British Development team training camp. its so good to see all the snow in Europe as I kept hearing the stories from friends who are skiing some of the best snow in the last 10 years. There wont be much powder skiing for us this week as we have a lot of training to work on but I have said to the team that we will go and it some fresh first thing in the mornings when were doing are warm ups. So with me this week I have our 2 selected youth olympic athletes Katie Summerhayes and Tyler Harding as well as Rowan Cheshire, Anna Vincenti, Beanie Milnholme and Becky Hammond. I also have a Strength and conditioning coach Ian and a physio, Michelle along with us that TASS have provided us with to keep out athletes in tip top condition so im stoked! Were going to be using the Laax halfpipe mostly this week but were also hitting the new Freestyle academy where they have trampolines and jumps into foam pits which is great for learning new tricks.
Will be adding updates most days here so please follow us and keep up to date with how the team is getting on.
Thanks for reading.
Pat
17 12 11 >> Winter Youth Olympics Games 2012 - British athletes named. Were going!
Im so excited to announce that Katie Summerhayes and Tyler Harding have been selected to compete in the first ever Youth Olympics in Innsbruck to represent team GB. Im also honoured to have been selected at the British Youth Olympic Freeski and Snowboard head coach for the Games and could not feel more proud! I have known this was on the cards for sometime but its only been in the last few days since we have been given the official head nod! There will be a team of a approx 34 athletes, coaches and staff going to Innsbruck led by a hero of mine, Mr Sir Clive Woodward. (Yes, the Sir Clive Woodward who won the Rugby World cup for England) For any of you know me, you will know I have been working really hard getting my athletes ready for this event and Katie and Tyler have been working as equally as hard in training for this too. Im going to be totally honest, this will be a tough event to make the podium as all the best 14 - 16 year olds on the plant will be there too but I also believe we can do amazingly well! What everyone does have to remember is that Katie and Tyler have always been Slopestyle skiers more so than pipe skiers. But whats the most impressive thing, they have both been working so hard on halfpipe recently leading up to this event that I feel they have a great chance. Tyler qualified 4th at his first Europa cup in Saas fee and Katie came 3rd overall. Fair enough, the Americans and the Canadian athletes weren't there or the NZ athletes led by my friend and father of arguably the best Freeski family on the plant Bruce Wells farther of Jessi Wells and co. But we still have more training time and we have something that you need to be a winner. Belief! Please give your support to Tyler and Katie and one of our snowbaorders who I will announce as soon as im aloud and follow them on a history making journey to the Youth Olympics in 2012. BBCs Blue Peter and Children's BBC will be following this so be sure to watch all the action.

Thanks for your support GB.
Pat Sharples - (A very proud British Youth Olympic coach)
12 12 11 >> Update from team GB in the USA
So thought is was time for a big blog to explain what I have been up to recently. If you have been reading the past blogs I have been writing you will know I am currently in the US Colorado coaching the GB Freeski team. I took this job on in September and will be working with our British Freeski athletes in Slopestyle and Halfpipe leading up the Olympics in 2014 and beyond and travelling with them to events as well as coaching them full time. I will however be still working for Salomon UK as the Freeski team and community manager which I have done for many years now and totally love.
So this week we have been training and competing at the World cup Halfpipe event which was the first big event of the season and now ere training for the DEW tour which kicks off this week and we have 3 athletes representing us in this. In the Halfpipe qualifiers we have James Machon who is the current British Halfpipe champion and Pete Speight who placed 3rd at the Brits last year. In Slopestyle we have our very own James Woodsy Woods who is now regarded as one of the Worlds best which he has proved on many occasions recently and he has even been given a wold card to compete in the whole Dew tour so this means him not even having to compete in qualifiers this year which takes the pressure off. We have been training in Keystone this week on the BIG jump line where pretty much every big name pro skiers and snowbaoder were also training and getting them selves prepared for the up and coming DEW tour and the X Games which will kick off at the end of January. Katie Summerhayes has also been training with me none stop and she has in extra hard as she is training for the Youth Olympics which will also be in January in Innsbruck Austria and she's still also training for Slopestyle events and she was not holding back on the BIG pro line of kickers the other day! Other athletes out here with us are Murray Buchan who placed in the top 30 in the Word cup pipe event last week, Joe Tomlinson, Peter Speight and Rob Taylor. They have all been training and working so hard its incredible and I could not be more lucky to have such a great group of athletes here with me. Im cooing back to the UK with Katie at the end of the week for Xmas and getting ready for the Youth Olympics which is going to be crazy!

Thanks for reading.

Pat
03 12 11 >> Training day 1. Breckenridge US
So today was the first official day of training here in Breck. It was so good to have team GB together and getting into the swing of things. Its going to be a busy couple of weeks for me as Im going to be dividing my time between Halfpipe and slopestyle training but im positive it will all workout really well. We have our first WC Halfpipe event in a few days and not long until the Dew tour which kicks off on the 15th. Were off to Copper mountain tomorrow to checkout the Halfpipe so exciting times
02 12 11 >> GB team training - Breckenridge
So this is officially the start of the winter for Team GB and myself. Katie Summerhayes and me arrived here in Breckenridge Colorado late last night after a super long journey and met up with Murray Buchan Rob Taylor and got all settled in to our new winter home base which is awesome! The rest of the team are al on their way and everyone should be here by tomorrow so we already have plans to head up the mountain on the first lift and get stuck into training. Its snowing a little here and im feeling positive that the snow will come hard soon and im keeping my fingers that it will back in Europe too as I know their are a lot of very nervous people at the moment. So I will be keeping you all up to date with little blogs here most days and letting you know how things are going so please keep following us.

Thanks
Pat
11 11 11 >> Bearsden - Grom camp tomorrow
Don't forget to reserve your place on tomorrows Grom camp. Its going to be off the hook on one of the best ski centres in the UK
17 10 11 >> London 2011 ski show time!
So im currently on the train to London as its the 2011 ski show at Earls court this week. I was trying to work out how many years I have been going to the ski show now and to be honest its been that long I really don't know but I think its around 14 years and 6 or 7 of them were performing the demo's on the ski jumps there. The show is now only 5 days long but back in the day it was 10 days. Since I became too old to do the demos (haha) I then started doing the MCing for the London ride and Best of Brits big air events and also been their supporting Salomon and my athletes which is always so much fun. I also end up having about a million different meetings which will be no different this year but for the first time ever I wont be there the full week as Im taking some of our GB athletes out to Saas fee for the first Halfpipe comp of the winter which im so excited about! Im gutted to miss the last few days of the show specially as we now have a Salomon Grom camp riders area but Vanessa will be looking after that so if your going make sure you go and say hi. Tonight is the Ride Freesports film festival which i will be hosting and im super excited to see Paddy Grahams new movie even though i have seen it already and not forgetting the new Unity production movie.
If I don't see you at the show have a great time.

Pat
28 09 11 >> Inspired
What a day myself and Tyler Harding had today. we went to a school in Bradford to do a snow sports chat about whats going on with our sport, how to get involved and just to get the kids inspired but it was us who got totally inspired! What a great bunch of kids and so much fun. I have just finished another 18 hour day and need to sleep. Another busy day tomorrow as I am heading to Leeds Castleford for a salomon ski test then to Manchester for the Grom.
26 09 11 >> Its winter time!
So i have been very useless with the blogs over the last few weeks but thats about to change as there is so much exciting things coming up and I need to keep you updated about everything. I promise i will!
Pat Sharples
30 08 11 >> Tamworth snowdome Grom tonight
Dont miss the Grom camp tonight at Tamworth snowdome. All the top UK pros will be there including X games medalist and resident Grom coach James Woodsy Woods. Hope to see you there.
19 08 11 >> Great night
So last night proper rocked at the Grom camp in Manchester. Fun times and great to have team GB there too. Next camp will be at Tamworth Snowdome on the 30th Aug.
18 08 11 >> Salomon Grom camp today (18th August) at the Chill factore
Salomon Grom camp today (18th August) at the Chill factore
15 08 11 >> Britain's got skiers - Entry's need to be in by the 22nd August
Just another reminder that the Britain's got skiers entry edits need to be in by the 22nd August. So there is still plenty of time to get all your footage together and start editing or even head to your local slope to get some filming in. Remember, you need to add your entry to the facebook fan page - http://www.facebook.com/britainsgotskiers
14 08 11 >> Saas fee ride 2011 video competition info update.
Here is some recent news from the Ride Freesports crew.

This years Saas Fee Ride video competition is almost over! With only 6 days left riders are starting to get thier edits done in time for a chance at winning some of the 3050 CHF prize purse. The Saas Fee snow park has been in excellent condition over the last few weeks and has also been blessed with the good weather allowing the riders to really show off thier skills on the rails, kickers and in the pipe! If you have video from Saas Fee this summer and fancy a shot at winning some prize money then go to www.saasfeeride.com for more information about inscribing!