Training can only get you so far. You’ve got to rest and recover—and yes, possibly sleep for 10 hours a night—in order to truly excel, reports Van Winkles.
In 2015, the U.S. Ski team opened a new sleep center inside their USSA Center of Excellence in Park City, Utah. Now, America’s most elite skiers take naps between training sessions and have their sleep studied by experts to help enhance recovery and performance.
“After the morning training session, athletes can use the sleep center,” said Matt Whitcomb, coach for the U.S. Ski Team’s cross-country team. “We notice significant improvements in the performance in the athlete’s p.m. sessions when they’ve taken the necessary means to recovery. The athletes who are sleeping better perform better.”
For an endurance sport like skiing, especially at the top level where races are determined by milliseconds, healthy sleep can make the difference between a spot on the podium or in the stands.
