New Alpine selection criteria published

Dear Athlete, Coach, Parent or Sponsor,

It is my pleasure to introduce the new selection process for BSS Alpine Squads and Teams.  This process has been designed to increase Selections ability to forecast elite performance.  The process incorporates some sound systems of the past and one or two from current research.

It has been my experience that the adoption of evidenced based objective and subjective information has led to greater performance success, particularly when the subjective factors have been generated and validated by extensive research.

Alpine Selection is now a two stage process with stage one (Race Finishes) providing a mechanism to progress to stage two (Athletic Capacity Camp).  The cumulative assessment and achievements from stage one and two will be submitted to the selection committee for consideration.  It will not be enough to be a successful U16 or U14 racer, you will need to be athletic and have the mental capacity to become a world class athlete and ski racer.

To that end the new selection process uses a triangulation of information to make more informed decisions.  Selection will incorporate the following to differing degrees for each squad.  Please read the documents relating to you squad to gain a full understanding.

• Athlete Tracker - Using FIS performance related data we will accurately track to reveal the % Behind the Best in World of each athlete.
• Athletic Capacity- In order to create world class athletes we are measuring Athletic Capacity of each athlete.
• Athletic Performance Predictor - A new and precise method of tracking and measuring the more subjective aspects of human performance such as mental toughness, physical resilience, progression speed, training commitment, lifestyle and Olympic potential.

The above selection criteria brings together a number of areas, it draws upon the factors important to high performance selection.  It will not be enough to be winning races the athletes need to improve athletic and mental capacity levels.

Thanks for your time and attention, good luck and remember hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.

Warm regards,

Paddy Mortimer,
BSS Performance Director