The Alberta Ski Team’s dynamic coaching duo has finally received some accolades.
Richard Jagger and Duane Baird captured the Dave Murray Canadian Ski Coaches Federation Coach of the Year Award, recognizing their stellar work transforming Alberta’s top young skiers into Canada’s top skiers.
“It was neat to have the two of us recognized. From what I’ve been told, it’s the first time they’ve recognized two coaches together, and I’m OK with sharing,” Baird said.
“In sport, it’s all of the coaches and team working together making it happen,” Jagger said.
The two started working together with the Banff Alpine Racers and graduated to the provincial program six years ago. Taking different roles, they complemented each other’s skill sets while running a tight program.
With Jagger taking care of strategic planning and Baird running the day-to-day planning, the two have helped a litany of athletes. Skiers such as Andy Trow, Erik Read, Trevor Philp, Tristan Tafel and Brady Leman all came to Jagger and Baird as raw talents, and they all graduated as polished, national-level athletes.
“What works is sticking to what we believe to be the right process. We’re happy to set up the right environment,” Baird said.
“The team works hard. We maximize the time on snow and volume they’re able to ski. We have a lot of support with the team, exceptional world class facilities off snow at the Canmore Nordic Centre and, being at Nakiska, we have amazing training,” Jagger said.
The right balance of coaching plus good facilities has helped Jagger and Baird groom so many elite skiers.
“Some of the things we’re proud of is the amount of athletes we’ve been able to move to the national team. They haven’t all stayed there, but we don’t have control over that. We’re really bridging the gaps between the clubs and the national team… our job is to take those athletes and move them through with the highest level of ability possible,” Jagger said.
Doing so with limited time makes their accomplishments more impressive.
“The athletes don’t spend that much time with us. They spend maybe eight to 10 years with their clubs, and then they spend maybe four years with our program. If they make the national team, they’re there for 15 years,” Jagger said.
“When they come to us they’re more of a raw material. There are some edges that may be polished, but a lot of the work is on their part, to focus on their physical preparation and stick with their technical and tactical skills,” Baird said.
Since the Canadian Alpine Ski Team doesn’t have a development progam, there is a greater onus on provincial squads to prepare their athletes. Jagger and Baird said Alberta has a natural advantage in a plentiful supply of ski hills, but must make due with limited resources.
“We don’t have the same number of staff as a national team, so we divvy up the roles,” Jagger said.
“Being in the mountains helps. We have a little advantage being centralized. Keeping it tight and focused really helps,” Baird said.
Alberta Alpine Athletics Director Brett Zagozewski praised their work, stating the award was well deserved.
“It’s great to see these guys win this award,” said Zagozewski. “For as long as I’ve been in the province, they have always been two coaches that everyone has looked up to and respected. They are professional, hard working and, most importantly, have a proven track record of making athletes ski fast.”
The duo wrapped up their season at Norquay on Saturday (April 14), however, planning for next season has already begun.
Such is the case for Alberta’s dynamic ski duo – their work is never done.
