April 3, 2009 (Hayward, WI) – Central Cross Country Ski Association is pleased to announce the opening of the application process for the CXC Junior Development Program. This year the CXC Junior Development Program will be led by Igor Badamshin. Igor (born 1966) is a former Soviet/Russia cross country ski racer who competed from 1989 to 1997. He won a bronze medal at the 1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun and earned his best individual finishes of 5th twice at the World Championships (1989: 50 km, 1993: 30 km). Igor’s best individual finish at the Winter Olympics was 14th in the 50 km event in 1994.

Igor has a very extensive coaching career working with athletes from US Junior to International Elite while winning at every level; US Junior Olympics, World Cups, World Championships and Olympic Winter Games. Igor has been coaching at Gunstock Ski Association in New Hampshire for the last 5 years and has been our CXC High Performance Advisor for the last 3 years. Many of his ideas were implemented in the CXC Elite Team training plan by Bryan Fish, CXC Elite Team head coach.

“This is a huge addition in expertise, experience and knowledge to our athletic programs. The CXC Junior Development Program has shown positive growth for the last two years. Each year we have had more coaches, clubs and programs interested in partnering with CXC to provide their athletes the best training opportunities. We have several applications submitted even before the program announcement which is a new and very exciting step for CXC” – commented Yuriy Gusev, CXC Executive & Athletic Director.

Click here for the application form and further program information.