Regional talent targeted at latest National Games

Foreign expertise is giving the Chinese National Winter Games an upgrade as organizers bring the event in line with International Ski Federation (FIS) standards.

"China is less experienced in Alpine skiing, so we invited top specialists from abroad to guarantee world-class organization," said Guo Junchang, the chief umpire of the Alpine skiing race, as the Games began at Mylin Valley Ski Resort on Saturday.

"The top technical experts can upgrade the level of the Games. We are organizing domestic competitions in line with FIS standards and this will help attract more FIS events to China.

"The quality organization will benefit the skiers and also the development of the sport in China."

Hansjorg Plankensteiner, the Italian head coach of China's Alpine skiing team, was the event's technical director, while Austrian Gunther Gerhard was taking care of the flag pole positioning.

Italian Nicola Paulon is also active at Mylin Valley, training the Xinjiang team.

Paulon is the manager of Snowsport South Tyrol Italy, a sports management company which has been working in China since last year.

"I first had cooperation with China last year when I was training kids at Wanlong Ski Resort in Hebei province," said Paulon, who has worked as a coach at four Olympic Games.

That led to Paulon being entrusted with a project to train China's Alpine skiing team.

"We trained about 50 athletes who had been converted from other sports, for China's last snow season. That was a big project and very satisfying."

Xinjiang's Alpine skiing team next came calling for Paulon, who enlisted the help of former Olympians Marin Simari of Argentina and Italian Massimiliano Valcaregg.

"We've high hopes for the Xinjiang team, especially the boys－they are in good physical condition and highly motivated," said Paulon.

"I chose the two coaches from Argentina and Italy. Why did I choose them? They're not only good coaches, but they are also very good demonstrators.

"The athletes in Xinjiang don't have much experience, so they need good demonstrators."

Paulon had previously worked for skiing's international governing body the FIS for six years, an experience which ultimately led him to China.

"After the Sochi Olympics, Chinese organizers were approaching the FIS for information, to learn how to do things correctly. I met more and more Chinese at FIS technical meetings," Paulon explained. "These contacts helped me learn a lot about China and the business potential of the country."

Mylin Valley staged three medal events over the weekend－giant slalom, slalom and the team competition.

Paulon acknowledges that the Games are a vital way of leveling up the national team, but also suggests China needs to quickly start targeting the next generation of skiers.

"The level of regional teams is very important. If we can improve the regional teams, the national team will improve a lot," said Paulon, who owns Kronplatz Racing Center, a top ski club based in northeastern Italy.

"What's missing in China is the level of children's skiing, so the country needs to work much more with kids if it wants to have a bright future.

"Maybe not quite in the near future, but in the next four to five years, China can have athletes capable of competing at the World Cup.

"I saw some children in Wanlong who are already at a good level. I'm optimistic about Chinese skiers. I think you can have a lot of athletes competing at the 2026 Olympics in Italy after Beijing 2022."

Xinhua