After placing second in last year’s state championship, the girls’ ski team is starting their training earlier than normal this year in hopes of placing one higher to achieve the state title this coming season.

The captains are enacting various changes to their dryland training as well as making sure that they hit the slopes as soon as there is snow on Mount Southington, where they train.

“Every single member has so much belief in each other,” Captain Maddie Steele ’19 said. “What we now need to work on is improving specific parts of everyone’s individual technique.”

During dryland,  rather than simply doing strength training as they have done in the past, they are trying various new workouts specifically pertaining to skiers. They are practicing balance to prepare for being on the edge of their skis during sharp turns and are increasing their amount of leg training.

During the early stages of this training  they also try to integrate new members of the team smoothly through various icebreaker activities.

Captain Kayla Sirlin ’19 attributes part of their placing first in their league, CISL, last season with their emphasis on team bonding which is what also contributes to “the underclassmen meshing super well with the rest of the team,” she said.

Many team members have been skiing since they were young, adding to the love of the sport which further bonds the team.

“I try to make sure all members are having as much fun as I am by relentlessly cheering for each and every one of them,” Izzy Gerrard ’21 said.

The captains encourage any students who love the sport, even if they have only skied recreationally, to try out for the team.

“The team is super supportive of all skill levels,” Sirlin said. “Also, being able to ski on a school night is a pretty unique opportunity that you’ll remember forever.”