Desly Hill, Preparing a Team

On the eve of the European Senior Championships, we talked to Desly Hill - coach of the Dutch Senior Team - about what is involved in those 'final days', getting a team of athletes ready for a major Championship.

How are the team preparing? What is the typical day for the skaters right now?

This year we have made some small changes in the training from last year: With some of the girls, we went on a great training camp in Australia. In Holland, we have spent some time doing indoor training and we have worked harder on all the basic things. The team was also selected earlier so that I could get a smaller group and be more specific with them. I also stayed home (in Holland) for the first time during their taper, rather than going to Denmark with the Juniors (for the EK Juniors).

A typical day as we are 3 days out from Euros is very specific now to what each skater needs. Over the next 24 hours I will work with each athlete specifically, together with our physio Leon, to make sure we are doing the best possible for each of them to be at their best. For some, like Ingmar Berga, that means slowing them down and preventing them from using up too much energy, and just spending valuable time on quality efforts.

The skaters are in great shape and they just want to hammer because they feel good and its my job to make sure that comes on the right time.

Visualise this
The Coach talks her charges through what they're going to do

What do you do with the athletes to give them a ‘mental break’ in the leadup to the competition starting?

They don’t really want a break from staying in good mental shape - that's something they need to keep on top of 24/7. Its important that our staff and everyone who comes into contact with the athletes remain very positive and have a confident attitude that insures they have optimum self-belief.

Confidence and self-belief are the most important components for winning. However, that doesn't mean that they must stay FOCUSED every second. The athletes know what they are here for and at the same time fun is important too, like today was one of the skaters birthdays and he wanted to go bowling with the team. We will do that soon, but after they are rested and relaxed from the trip and after they have skated a few laps.

Having fun is what keeps them relaxed and happy.

Two schools of thought
Junior & Senior Coaches discuss the racing

What do you think of the track? Who is going to like it, and who isn’t?

We were lucky that this year we got to come to Gera on a training camp and we also had great weather for the few days that we were here. This track is tricky and it suits half of my team. The road is rough and tough - that suits the other half. You don't have to be on your favorite track to win and there is no pressure on us - many people have counted us out before we have started. I am not sure what's going to happen, but I do know that they will perform the best they ever have on the track and the road. We have a good team and they cant wait to show that.

In competition-dress for a long day in the sun
Cap, glasses, bag, papers, pen, and draped in clothes

As Coach, what is the biggest challenge you face in trying to get the best out of the team (and individuals) for the week of Euros?

Funnily enough I think that our biggest enemy and also our best friend is the media. We need publicity, but its unfortunate that sometimes they find it hard to focus on the good things. I am hoping that over the next few days we give them something good to focus their attention on. This team is easy to work with in general, they are hungry for success and they love to work hard. That's the thing I love about Holland and the Dutch culture - they are not afraid to work hard and they just love speed skating, so I really enjoy working with them.

Confidence in the key, and that’s getting better and better as we go along.

So what will be on YOUR mind as you go to sleep on Saturday night?

Its the same as when I competed myself. I wake myself up about 5.00am every morning running and I am re-running races in my head - with all the possible scenarios, trying to work out what is best for us. At night I spend time troubleshooting: If any negative thoughts come into my mind they are quickly replaced with something positive.

I also spend a lot of time working out the best ways to deal with my athletes, to motivate them to be at their best. That is a real challenge as they are all different. I don't care about losing sleep though, I'm really grateful to have the opportunity to work with this team, and I love my job.

What its all about
Some scenes Desly is confident will be bettered in Gera this coming week