Doug's update

Hello all ski racers

2009-12-16T13:57:00.000-08:00

Hi Guys!

Conditions are getting better here all the time. We are getting natural snow and it is cool enough that they have been making too. Looks better than last year now.

Just some tips when you arrive here to start your training. Before we start skiing on the hill, please make sure you warm up and stretch your body out! Have your skis tuned to match the condition of the snow. ( hard, compact snow). Your attitude is positive , and expect to perform at your personal best! Lets take advantage of the time we do have on the snow.

This past week Rossignol had a business meeting and ski test in Sugadaira. They stayed at Zonntaggu. The event went well. Skis and boots have change for next year. The skis feel very good. The boots also look good. Did not get to try them though.

I am looking forward to seeing you!

Doug

O U Maru ski JO?

2009-12-09T14:38:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

Our was first weekend of skiing was at a new ski area for me. Around 40 minutes from Sugadaira. The run that was open was short and flat. We were able to do great basic training though.

During the week we skied at the same ski area but we were lucky enough that they opened the top ski lift too. The top has medium terrain. It was nice and compact too.

We are skiing at Omatsu Yama today. I will let you know what it is like.

Bye for now.

Doug

Hello Japan

2009-12-07T01:20:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

It is very exciting to be back in Japan. Not a lot of snow yet but we did do some great basic training on a flat slope. The exciting point is that all the racers that came skied very solid! We worked on balance changing initial edging from the ankle and steering with the shin muscle, and pole planting.

I am looking forward to seeing more of you!

Bye for now.

Doug

New Pictures

2009-11-27T20:32:00.000-08:00

Last day at Sun Peaks

2009-11-27T19:53:00.000-08:00

Hi all! What a great day here! Sunny Blue sky, Hard snow, long runs. Nice! We trained during the morning. In the afternoon we free skied on all the different runs. There are Three different mountains here. We skied on all of them. Long runs, it was amazing.

Enjoy the pictures

US thanks giving

2009-11-26T22:49:00.000-08:00

It's US thanks Giving today, so our dinner was turkey, mash potatoes, vegetables and stuffing. Lemon pie for desert.

It was warm today. Snow was melting. It rained yesterday. Tonight is suppose to be cold, so it should be nice and icy.

We have definitely put in a lot of km skiing here. Otani San and his daughter, Haruka have improved in basic movements! Yes, only 2 came this year so it was like a private camp. it was great for them!

See you soon

Doug

Sun Peaks Camp

2009-11-24T17:30:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

Well, this season the snow here is amazing. Lots of it. Many different chair lifts are open so we are able to ski on Different slopes. We started off skiing on the flats. Doing proper balance changes, initial edging from ankles and shins, staying stacked over our feet, upper body forward, upper body down the fall line on deep turns, and steep slopes, and tuck turns.

The number of skiers here is small so it has been a very private camp.

Chrissy and Makaiya are here. Makaiya has been helping Chrissy cook. Of course she has her home work to do. She skied with me a little today.

Bye for now

Doug

The Austrain Women were training GS today !

Chrissy's new GS flags

2009-11-19T12:54:00.000-08:00

Hello,

Another year another stack of new GS flags. Chrissy made another seasons supply. They look great!

The Canada camp starts in a few days. Lots of snow this year. I have heard most of Sun Peaks is open. We are going to start off on the flats doing many long runs, repeating basic movements. As the week progresses we will then move to medium then steep slopes. I a really looking forward to it. Working on each persons pre race plan is also on the schedule.

Bye for now.

Doug

Christmas Ginger bread house

2009-11-15T20:08:00.000-08:00

Yes, Christmas is in the air in the Ito House. Since I leave at the beginning of December we try to do some fun Christmas activity's. Last night we built a Ginger bread house. We all pitched in to build it. The best part is eating it for me. Some family's just leave it standing to look at. Not me! i ate some this morning! Hee hee!

See you soon.

Doug

First snow of the year in Kelowna!

2009-11-13T09:01:00.000-08:00

Yes the first snow fall in Kelowna!

It was cold last night and it snowed in the early morning. When we drove Makaiya to school the roads were very slippery. Many people do not have winter tires and we saw a few accidents.

I have receently tuned my new Rossignol ski boots. There is more room around the toe area, but very narrow around the mid foot. I had to do a lot of punching, and grinding in the mid foot area. They are ready to go! I am looking forward skiing and coaching up at Sun Peaks!

Bye for now.

Doug

Beer Fridge

2009-11-12T21:17:00.001-08:00

Hello again,

So in the last pictures our fridge was full of beer. That is not our normal fridge, just so you know! That is our extra one down stairs. We do have food in our normal one up stairs!

It is very cool in Kelowna. Sun Peaks has lots of snow and the camp looks like it will be great! Not many people are booked but we will have great long runs working the basics.

Bye for now.

Doug

Chrissy's home Brew!

2009-11-08T21:16:00.001-08:00

Hello all,

It is definitely Fall here. Snow in the hills and cool.

This year for the Sun Peaks camp, Chrissy made some home Brew Beer. Yes, Chrissy went to this business where you order the beer. In 2 weeks it is ready to be bottled or canned. Chrissy used cans this time. They taste great. They are much cheaper than normal liquor stores. One batch made 150 cans. And it cost $130. What a deal! They only last 6 months though. Because they are all natural.

Bye for now.

Doug

Cow tongue

2009-11-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

This late summer my friend I work with slaughtered his cow. I asked "what do you do with the tongue?" "I throw it away", he said. I asked if I could have it, and he gave it to me. He gave it to me frozen in a plastic bag. His friend also gave me his cows tongue. So that is 2 frozen tongues. Chrissy and the family thought I was crazy! People in Canada do not usually eat cow tongue! They think it is disgusting! Anyway, I took the skin off. Which was very difficult! When we eat it eat I use our meat slicer and cut it very thin. It was delicious! Once I prepared it properly and cooked it Yaki niku style, every one loved it. Especially Tajanna and Makaiya!

Bye for now.

Doug

Scotch seminar

2009-11-04T22:51:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Chrissy bought me 3 tickets to a scotch seminar. I took my mom and Chrissy's dad with me. We had 6 Scotches to taste. It was fun. Yes, I did get a little tipsy. I like the peaty scotches the best. A smokey taste.

I had a day off today . I worked on my new ski boots. Punching them out in soar spots. My ankles. Also played golf. Shot 78. my best of the year.

Bye for now.

Doug

Halloween

2009-11-02T21:22:00.000-08:00

Hi!

October 31 is Halloween in Canada. Makaiya dressed up as a girl pirate. We went to Orchard Park mall to trick or treat. All the stores give candy out to the kids.

In the evening Chrissy took her to a haunted house. Not a real one. Just one that a family made up to be one.

A week and a half ago Tajanna came down with the H1N1 Virus. She was very sick. She did go to the doctor right away. She started medication and was better in a few days. No worries she has completely recovered, and is back at work. While she was sick Makaiya and I stayed at my dads house.

It has been warm recently. Yesterday I played golf. Shot 81. I took lessons about 1 month ago. I learned many things, but it did hurt my scoring. I was thinking too much and was not relaxed. I am now able to be relaxed and use the new technique. This helps me with how some of you may feel when you are learning new movements in ski racing.

I am looking forward to seeing you all.

Bye for now.

Doug

Sashami with White fish

2009-10-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

Hi !

So the fish my Dad and I have been catching are called White fish. They are in Okanagan lake. The season for fishing for them are during the Fall.

The flesh is white, it has a firm texture and a light fish taste. The only problem is that there some small bones that are throughout the meat. The taste is very good though.

Enjoy the pictures.

Doug

Kitchens at South Wind

2009-10-16T17:49:00.001-07:00

Hi All,

I am finally coming to the end if my big condo project. My self and 2 others worked on it. I am the one that is finishing the final details though. Here are some of kitchens we did.

Bye for now.

Doug

Work pictures

2009-10-13T19:33:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures form the big condo I have been working on. I am on my last kitchen now. I should finish tomorrow. More pictures next time.

Bye for now.

Doug

Canadian Thanks Giving

2009-10-11T23:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

It was Canada's Thanks Giving today. Usually most family's eat Turkey and mash potatoes vegetables. We ate that 2 weeks ago at another family dinner. So we decided to cook sea food. We had Alaskan King crab, Sea food pasta, fish that we caught today and salad. Oh, and for desert, pumpkin pie.

As I said we went fishing again today. We have been going every weekend. My dad is very happy to do so! So am I.

bye for now

Doug

Oct ,10 Update

2009-10-10T21:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Things here for me have still been busy. My dads health has been the main focus for us. Work of course has been keeping me busy. I will take some pictures of some of my work soon.

My dad did give me a certificate for golf lessons with a popular golf coach in Kelowna. I took them and enjoyed them very much. It is great to learn a new sport! I be honest my golf swing was not what a good golf swing should be like. He taught me a proper set up (pre hit routine), And proper way to strike the ball. The club head lags back behind everything. It is very difficult to do it. He taught me to start by doing chip shots and pitches. I am slowly getting it. The key is not try to learn the movement with your driver doing full swings. So for us in skiing it is the same thing. We learn the basic movements skiing slowly on flat slopes. Not Going full blast down steep slopes. Also as I said before it takes 10 000 hours to learn a sport to be at the highest levels.

That is why the Canada camp is a great way to start the season. Lots of hours on snow, long runs, on flat to medium slopes. I hope to see some of you in Canada.

Bye for now.

Doug

Fishing with Family

2009-10-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

So as I said my dad is battling stomach cancer. He is finding things to do that make him Happy. He bought a used truck and camper. Yes, he wants them so he can go on Fishing trips. He is still taking chemo so we must stay close to home. We fished on Okanagan lake at so log booms. fished for white fish. We heard they are good for Sashami. Firm meat.

It is cooling down in Kelowna. I heard it snowed 15 cm in Calgary. Crazy!

Bye for now.

Doug

Sept, 30th Update

2009-09-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Sorry for my long span between Blogs. I have had problems with my PC and things lately have been crazy with work and family!

My Dad has stomach Cancer and we have been supporting him very much. He is on Chemo therapy, and the tumors are shrinking which we are all thrilled about! It has brought our small family together. even our Cousins from Vancouver and Japan. The whole experience has highlighted to me how important our health is. To live every day like it is our last, make time for family, and take care of our body's. Exercise, healthy food and a positive state of mind. I sure appreciate my health, my family and all of you !

bye for now.

Doug

Aim 2 win Factor 2

2009-09-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

Good morning,

It is Tuesday morning here. We just finished a long weekend holiday. It was nice. As a family we did a few chores around our house and my dads. After the work we went to a place called energy Plex. It has a climbing wall, gym area with trampolines, swimming pool, and the energy cube. An area you climb through with slides and tunnels. I think I had more fun than the kids though.

We also went to the Armstrong Fair. It had amusement rides and lots of farm animals to see. We actually saw a baby calve being born. Very interesting.

The next Factor to the new Aim document is Fundamentals of Athleticism. Your children should be introduced to different movements as early as possible. and done on and in earth, water, air and on ice. movements of such as speed, jumping, climbing, agility balance, co ordination, swimming, skipping, skating, hopping, throwing, dribbling, kicking, throwing, hitting and catching.

RECEIVING movements: Catching, stopping, Trapping
Sending movements: Kicking, punting, rolling, Striking( ball, puck , ring),volley
Traveling with: Dribbling with feet, hands, and stick.

I our children can play practicing these skills , they could be skilled in any sport!

The 10 year rule

2009-09-02T07:10:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

In the Aim document gives us steps on Long term skier development. I will go over them in the order they are presented in.

The 10 year rule has been Scientifically researched. They found in most sports you will need a minimum of 10,000 hours of training to reach elite levels. This means 3 hours of physical activity every day, for 10 years.

Other research showed Olympic medalists start sport specific activity at age 8 to 10 years of age. Females slightly earlier.

This shows motor skills are being developed at an early age. So, start playing with your kids early.

Bye for now.

Doug

Aim 2 Win Foreword

2009-09-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

Another nice day in Kelowna. Only a few days of rain this summer. There are still forest fires burning in B.C. though. It is very dry in the forests.

The fore word of the Aim 2 win Document was written by Mark Sharp. He was the coach of Allison Forsythe. He was hires by Alpine Canada as the National Development Director. The Goal of Alpine Canada is to be the best at every level in Alpine ski racing. Something every Nation strives to be.

Mark has interviewed some successful racers and coaches. All said that lots of time on snow is a large piece of the puzzle. Ante Kostelic and Anders Pearson said the same things The kids skied almost everyday, but also played other sports in the off season. Gymnastics, soccer, swimming, etc... The goal was to be a all round athlete, ski, ski, ski, ski, and have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Kostelic kids from ages 9 to 12 skied around willow branches 1000 turns per day! That was 5 to 6 thousand turns per week for 3 years. Their father did change the course often so the kids had to adapt.

The key lots of time skiing and having fun doing it.

Bye for now.

Doug