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Olympic champion Alexandre Bilodeau is revising his approach to competition and the way he trains moguls.
Taking the lead from other elite-level athletes, Bilodeau will carefully select the competitions in which he will participate in 2011-2012. This new approach to competition will give him time to work on each technical element in his skiing in order to be in peak form when he goes to Sochi.
“In the usual race calendar, competitions are scheduled close together, which doesn’t give us enough time to work on certain aspects of my technique. We took inspiration from other athletes at the top of their sport, like Usain Bolt (track and field) and Michael Phelps (swimming), who use a similar approach. My team and I felt it was time to revisit the way we do things and we’ve opted for a reduced competition schedule, with priority on improving my technique and fitness. I want to be ready for the world Championships next year, and especially for the Sochi Olympics in 2014, where I intend to defend my title. I don’t ski to come in second,” explained Bilodeau.
Bilodeau hopes to take part in some competitions where conditions will most closely resemble those for these two big challenges. “We will be strategic in our choices so as to put Alexandre in a competitive context that is similar to what he will face at the FIS World Championships and the Olympics,” said his coach, Michel Hamelin. “For example, we can already tell you that he’ll be at the starting line in Deer Valley in February, because the course, the time of year and the atmosphere there will prepare him for the Olympics. For other races, we’ll decide in the short term so we can stay focused on our goal,” he added.
Athletic trainer Scott Livingston is already working with Bilodeau and Hamelin to develop a customized program that will take into account the Bilodeau camp’s new approach. “With experience and maturity, I’ve gained a better understanding of how my body and my mind react. I know that Scott’s program will make me stronger and that Michel will take my skiing to a new level. For the mental aspect, I’m going to keep working with Wayne Halliwell. And since I’m committed to my studies, I will be continuing with my university courses at the same time, so my head will be in two good places,” concluded the Olympic champion.
