Whistler Sliding Centre to partner with Olympian Joe Cecchini to elevate skeleton programming
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Whistler, BC: The Whistler Sliding Centre is proud to announce a prominent addition to its coaching team, and a new format for the track’s development programming for the sport of skeleton.
Starting in the 2020/21 winter season which is set to begin late October, the Centre partners with Olympian Joe Cecchini and his “Snipers Skeleton Club”, to offer comprehensive multi-day training camps to aspiring skeleton athletes.
Cecchini, himself an accomplished skeleton athlete up to World Cup and Olympic level, founded the Snipers skeleton camps in 2018 to support development athletes on their pathway to Canada’s national team. The comprehensive multi-day training camp concept includes on-track sliding, equipment education, off-ice theory and analysis as well as strength and conditioning. The camps are suitable for current and future skeleton athletes of all skill levels.
Joe Cecchini will oversee the camps at the Whistler Sliding Centre together with Eric Nielson, Barrett Martineau and Micaela Widmer, all of them world elite skeleton athletes and experienced coaches.
Cecchini is excited to combine forces and resources with the experienced team at the Olympic legacy track: “Our goal is to create an environment where sliders learn the fundamentals of the sport, while building the confidence and skills required for national team selection and to compete at the international level.” Tracy Seitz, Managing Director of the Whistler Sliding Centre, sees the collaboration as an important step in the organization’s mission to grow sport: “Working with Joe will elevate the sliding and training experience for our athletes, and solidify our status as Canada’s national training centre. It will provide a comprehensive pathway for new prospects who want to learn and advance in the sport of skeleton.”
The first training camp is scheduled for October 27. Current and future skeleton athletes of all skill levels are invited, the minimum age to participate is 14. Camps can be combined with accommodation at the Whistler Athletes’ Centre.
The Whistler Sliding Centre will also offer a Novice Skeleton Program as well as one-session “Discover” programs for first timers to try the exciting sport. All information about the 2020/21 skeleton sport programming is available here.