A week in Oberstdorf

Now in Stams, Austria, we're halfway through Europe training Camp #2.   We spent the last week in Oberstdorf, Germany, jumped almost every day and explored the mountains when we weren't jumping.  

The view from the top of the Nebelhorn. Nothing beats a steep hike up and a lift ride down to save the legs.

I flew over with Brett, Michael, Nick and Todd. Getting to Oberstdorf is usually pretty quick, but we had some miscommunications with the rental van company and had to take a series of trains and a bus to get there from Munich.  European train systems are fairly slick, but with 4 ski bags and a half dozen heavy duffels, the transfers were a bit stressful.  We did somehow make it in time to get in some rollerskiing.  

 We met up with Bryan, Bill and Taylor, who were competing in the Summer Grand Prix.  We were training during the first grand prix, but we got to watch the grand prix finale, two jumps and a 15km race.  FIS is testing out a weekend challenge format, similar to the Tour de Ski, with the first two races counting towards the final times of the last one.  Unfortunately, with the large time gaps and 15km race on a 1.7km loop, far too many competitors were "lapped out" on the final race.  Less than 20 racers actually finished the last race, the rest were pulled after being caught by the leaders.  Nonetheless, it was a fun race to watch, and we were happy to see Taylor ski a strong race to the finish.  

Another shot from the Nebelhorn hike, looking down on Oberstdorf.

Slackline slow imitations.

Here's some training action.

Racing the steep hills of Oberstdorf's rollerski track. Unfortunately I think this photo is blurry due to the camera rather than my speed.

Oberstdorf HS105 from Adam Loomis on Vimeo.

Oberstdorf 09:5 Rollerski Race from Adam Loomis on Vimeo.

Down time activities included alpine coasting, spear chucking, rock golf, slacklining and vicious games of spoons.  

The Hotel Oberstdorf, where we ate our lunch and dinners.

A highlight was watching Michael attempt to eat 50 scoops of ice cream for a 100 euros (if he made it).  39 scoops in the toilet was calling, and he kept the streak of Nordic Combined eating challenge failures going.  I think he may have suffered more here than in the rollerski race we did.  

All in all, it was a fun and extremely productive week in Germany.  Oberstdorf is an awesome place for training, and we still have close to a week here in Stams.