An update from Gary Richter, reporting on Kai’s experiences in British Columbia this year!
Pugs from afar
One of our original Pug-era skiers, Kai Richter, reporting in from afar, continues to spread the MNC spirit and work ethic.
Consistent and typical of his style, Kai reports near death experiences running at 11,000 ft.+ elevation near Mammoth Lakes, California with his new training partner, Remi Drolet and Alex Harvey. Yes,….that Alex Harvey. See attached. The super thin air made him “…feel like I was dying!” or at least hallucinating, so took this snap to confirm reality. Of course speaking of near death, now that he has had a shirtless hug from Alex, he can stoke that off his bromance bucket list.
Kai has just finished three weeks of altitude training there with the Black Jack ski team of Rossland, B.C. Although Kai reports that the Canadian national team program appears to be currently in a shambles, it was cool to have constant access to them and talk and interact with athletes at that level.
Kai reports that he has learned the most this season from a blind man. Yes,…the most decorated blind skier in history, Brian McKeever of Canada’s Paralympic team, has provided extensive technique instruction including some totally new insights to this pug. Brian’s 13 paralympic medals including 3 golds in Vancouver give him huge cred and Kai reports his sense of humor and approachability make him a real contributor.
(For those not aware, Kai is doing his grade 12 year in Rossland, B.C., skiing with the Black Jack Ski Team, coached by 26 year veteran former national coach Dave Wood, and studying at Seven Summits Learning Center. Rossland has 200 km+ of maintained single track, lit ski trails that pass under the highway from Kai’s host home on lower slopes of Red Mountain to town, commonly used by bikers, skiers and black bears, and a cappuccino cafe : human ratio of about 1:200,…or so it seems,…maybe it’s the caffeine. Oh,…and he is also working on his Canadian accent, eh? )
-Gary
Kai and Alex Harvey!
Nice views at training
Getting that altitude training in
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