FasterSkier

Category: XCFeeds

A collection of live feeds from cross-country ski blogs around the web.

  • Fired up!

    Our crew arrived in Stockholm today in preparation for Wednesday’s city sprint.  While Lahti was a fun experience, it’s great to be in Stockholm were the sun is shining and the coffee is excellent!  This will be my first city sprint and what better place than the World Cup Finals around the royal palace.  It certainly doesn’t feel like a ski venue – and that’s because it’s not!

    Here is a video of the women’s final last year:

    Also, Casey Fagerquist, APU wax tech has joined our small crew straight from working OPA cup finals. I’m really looking forward to the next couple of days!

    Until then, have a good one, 
    Holly 🙂 
    PB at the top of the hill pushing snow around in the front of the palace!
    The narrow, cobblestone streets of Stockholm are awesome!

  • Team Work

    Cross country ski racing for the most part is an individual sport. With the exception of team sprints and relays, the result is based on your own performance. Only one person climbs to the top step of the podium, however there are many people that help the champion get there. Thousands of hours are spent training and many times it is only through the support of your teammates that you can really push yourself to the max.

    Brian and Matt with chips together tying for the win at the
    Sleeping Giant Loppet in a three-legged finish
    This past weekend my teammates: Caitlin, Matt and I went up to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada for the Sleeping Giant Loppet a 50km freestyle race. The race offered a cash prize of $1,000 for first and we were both keen on taking the check home.
    Matt and I race at almost the exact same level. The previous week before Matt and I finished the American Birkebeiner 50km Freestlye race separated by just .40 seconds. We knew it would be a real battle to the finish so we decided to make a pact and work together in the race, splitting the winnings. We were going to share the work of pulling at the front of the pack. Matt even carried a backpack with spare water bottles for both of us.
    Our main competition were two locals from Thunder Bay who are although semi-retired from racing professionally are very fast. We had raced Adam a few weeks earlier and he beat both of us.
    20km into the race Matt and I made our move. Charging hard off of the front of the lead pack and rotating leads until we were out of sight of the chasers. Our plan worked perfectly and Matt and I were able to break away to come in for the win, albeit just 20 seconds ahead of third.
    Matt is one of my good friends and training partners. Although we are good friends we are still both fierce competitors when we are racing. It is all business from the start gun to the finish line, but as soon as one of us cross the line we are cheering for the other to come in too. It was fun to do a race working and finishing together.
    Another part of the team that is often not seen when the winner climbs to the top of the podium is the support team: Coaches, Wax Technician, and Feeders. Sometimes it takes doing a race without your regular support crew to realize how great they are. A bit thanks to Jason, Gus, CXC and my many supporters for all your hard work behind the scenes.

  • Team Work

    Cross country ski racing for the most part is an individual sport. With the exception of team sprints and relays, the result is based on your own performance. Only one person climbs to the top step of the podium, however there are many people that help the champion get there. Thousands of hours are spent training and many times it is only through the support of your teammates that you can really push yourself to the max.

    Brian and Matt with chips together tying for the win at the
    Sleeping Giant Loppet in a three-legged finish
    This past weekend my teammates: Caitlin, Matt and I went up to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada for the Sleeping Giant Loppet a 50km freestyle race. The race offered a cash prize of $1,000 for first and we were both keen on taking the check home.
    Matt and I race at almost the exact same level. The previous week before Matt and I finished the American Birkebeiner 50km Freestlye race separated by just .40 seconds. We knew it would be a real battle to the finish so we decided to make a pact and work together in the race, splitting the winnings. We were going to share the work of pulling at the front of the pack. Matt even carried a backpack with spare water bottles for both of us.
    Our main competition were two locals from Thunder Bay who are although semi-retired from racing professionally are very fast. We had raced Adam a few weeks earlier and he beat both of us.
    20km into the race Matt and I made our move. Charging hard off of the front of the lead pack and rotating leads until we were out of sight of the chasers. Our plan worked perfectly and Matt and I were able to break away to come in for the win, albeit just 20 seconds ahead of third.
    Matt is one of my good friends and training partners. Although we are good friends we are still both fierce competitors when we are racing. It is all business from the start gun to the finish line, but as soon as one of us cross the line we are cheering for the other to come in too. It was fun to do a race working and finishing together.
    Another part of the team that is often not seen when the winner climbs to the top of the podium is the support team: Coaches, Wax Technician, and Feeders. Sometimes it takes doing a race without your regular support crew to realize how great they are. A bit thanks to Jason, Gus, CXC and my many supporters for all your hard work behind the scenes.

  • Team Work

    Cross country ski racing for the most part is an individual sport. With the exception of team sprints and relays, the result is based on your own performance. Only one person climbs to the top step of the podium, however there are many people that help the champion get there. Thousands of hours are spent training and many times it is only through the support of your teammates that you can really push yourself to the max.

    Brian and Matt with chips together tying for the win at the
    Sleeping Giant Loppet in a three-legged finish
    This past weekend my teammates: Caitlin, Matt and I went up to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada for the Sleeping Giant Loppet a 50km freestyle race. The race offered a cash prize of $1,000 for first and we were both keen on taking the check home.
    Matt and I race at almost the exact same level. The previous week before Matt and I finished the American Birkebeiner 50km Freestlye race separated by just .40 seconds. We knew it would be a real battle to the finish so we decided to make a pact and work together in the race, splitting the winnings. We were going to share the work of pulling at the front of the pack. Matt even carried a backpack with spare water bottles for both of us.
    Our main competition were two locals from Thunder Bay who are although semi-retired from racing professionally are very fast. We had raced Adam a few weeks earlier and he beat both of us.
    20km into the race Matt and I made our move. Charging hard off of the front of the lead pack and rotating leads until we were out of sight of the chasers. Our plan worked perfectly and Matt and I were able to break away to come in for the win, albeit just 20 seconds ahead of third.
    Matt is one of my good friends and training partners. Although we are good friends we are still both fierce competitors when we are racing. It is all business from the start gun to the finish line, but as soon as one of us cross the line we are cheering for the other to come in too. It was fun to do a race working and finishing together.
    Another part of the team that is often not seen when the winner climbs to the top of the podium is the support team: Coaches, Wax Technician, and Feeders. Sometimes it takes doing a race without your regular support crew to realize how great they are. A bit thanks to Jason, Gus, CXC and my many supporters for all your hard work behind the scenes.

  • Team Work

    Cross country ski racing for the most part is an individual sport. With the exception of team sprints and relays, the result is based on your own performance. Only one person climbs to the top step of the podium, however there are many people that help the champion get there. Thousands of hours are spent training and many times it is only through the support of your teammates that you can really push yourself to the max.

    Brian and Matt with chips together tying for the win at the
    Sleeping Giant Loppet in a three-legged finish
    This past weekend my teammates: Caitlin, Matt and I went up to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada for the Sleeping Giant Loppet a 50km freestyle race. The race offered a cash prize of $1,000 for first and we were both keen on taking the check home.
    Matt and I race at almost the exact same level. The previous week before Matt and I finished the American Birkebeiner 50km Freestlye race separated by just .40 seconds. We knew it would be a real battle to the finish so we decided to make a pact and work together in the race, splitting the winnings. We were going to share the work of pulling at the front of the pack. Matt even carried a backpack with spare water bottles for both of us.
    Our main competition were two locals from Thunder Bay who are although semi-retired from racing professionally are very fast. We had raced Adam a few weeks earlier and he beat both of us.
    20km into the race Matt and I made our move. Charging hard off of the front of the lead pack and rotating leads until we were out of sight of the chasers. Our plan worked perfectly and Matt and I were able to break away to come in for the win, albeit just 20 seconds ahead of third.
    Matt is one of my good friends and training partners. Although we are good friends we are still both fierce competitors when we are racing. It is all business from the start gun to the finish line, but as soon as one of us cross the line we are cheering for the other to come in too. It was fun to do a race working and finishing together.
    Another part of the team that is often not seen when the winner climbs to the top of the podium is the support team: Coaches, Wax Technician, and Feeders. Sometimes it takes doing a race without your regular support crew to realize how great they are. A bit thanks to Jason, Gus, CXC and my many supporters for all your hard work behind the scenes.

  • All American x 2

    This season has been a season of first. Alyssa started it off by being the 1st member of R.N.R to win a state championship. Now we have our first ALL AMERICAN !
    Congratulations to Gavin Hess as he became a TWO TIME ALL AMERICAN this past week at Junior Nationals finishing in 10th place in the Freestyle Sprint as well as the Classic Mass Start. More updates from Junior Nationals to come !
    Yea Buddy !

  • All American x 2

    This season has been a season of first. Alyssa started it off by being the 1st member of R.N.R to win a state championship. Now we have our first ALL AMERICAN !
    Congratulations to Gavin Hess as he became a TWO TIME ALL AMERICAN this past week at Junior Nationals finishing in 10th place in the Freestyle Sprint as well as the Classic Mass Start. More updates from Junior Nationals to come !
    Yea Buddy !

  • All American x 2

    This season has been a season of first. Alyssa started it off by being the 1st member of R.N.R to win a state championship. Now we have our first ALL AMERICAN !
    Congratulations to Gavin Hess as he became a TWO TIME ALL AMERICAN this past week at Junior Nationals finishing in 10th place in the Freestyle Sprint as well as the Classic Mass Start. More updates from Junior Nationals to come !
    Yea Buddy !

  • All American x 2

    This season has been a season of first. Alyssa started it off by being the 1st member of R.N.R to win a state championship. Now we have our first ALL AMERICAN !
    Congratulations to Gavin Hess as he became a TWO TIME ALL AMERICAN this past week at Junior Nationals finishing in 10th place in the Freestyle Sprint as well as the Classic Mass Start. More updates from Junior Nationals to come !
    Yea Buddy !

  • All American x 2

    This season has been a season of first. Alyssa started it off by being the 1st member of R.N.R to win a state championship. Now we have our first ALL AMERICAN !
    Congratulations to Gavin Hess as he became a TWO TIME ALL AMERICAN this past week at Junior Nationals finishing in 10th place in the Freestyle Sprint as well as the Classic Mass Start. More updates from Junior Nationals to come !
    Yea Buddy !

  • Bretton Woods Marathon

    Back on the homefront last weekend a group of us travelled up to Bretton Woods to see what it’s like to ski a longer race. It’s getting near the end of the racing season, and it’s a good time to lay it all out there on the line. Go ahead, dig yourself into a bit of a hole. It’s ok. And actually fun. The pacing for a longer race is such a different experience for our younger group, and a good feather to have in your cap when you step on the line for a 5k, or even your first 10k. Most of us weren’t up for the full marathon, but we all thought we could handle the 25k.

    We had a nice easy ski on Friday. The trails were very scenic and the recent rainfall and snowmelt had the nearby streams roaring. We were also treated to a nice end of season Swix sale with good deals on some nice stuff. Mac scored with a cool Swix shirt.

    The Mt. Washington Hotel itself is such an awesome sight. After our easy ski on Friday I let the kids loose in the Hotel for awhile to explore. It’s such an amazing place – there’s even an old speakeasy “cave” downstairs.


    Mac and Nick contemplate the innate beauty and history of the Hotel.

    Saturday we awoke to much better weather than we had expected – no rain – and actually a patch or two of blue sky! Fortunately temps overnight hadn’t dropped too much and the wax we had used the day before was something we knew would probably get us around the course. Thanks to John Ogden, Charlie, Rick Gordon and Jim Levins for doing the klister thing, in the parking lot, with the torch, and a bit of wind. If you’re a coach you know these times of cold and stickiness can, well, bring out the best in all of us 🙂 We waxed up 15 pair of skis in no time and jogged off to the start – no warm up needed 🙂

    Sorry for no pics from the race. I was too busy trying to catch and stay up with Ben Ogden, but I can say that we all were smiling at the finish. John Ogden had to bring home a prize for his wife, so he had to win. Nick got second. Mac third. I managed a 3rd place in the women (thanks for the pacing Ben). Ben won his age group, Russell second. Koby first and Scott second for J3’s. MacKenzie won J3 girls, while Katherine, Tess and Chloe took a more leisurely time with it.

    After, we were treated to a post race pasta lunch and awards ceremony.

    I think Mac sufficiently refilled his glycogen stores.


    Here’s our group just before heading home. Lots of prizes in hand. Many thanks to the folks at the New England Ski Museum, Bretton Woods Resort and Touring Center for a wonderful experience. It’s something we want to come back to next year!

  • Lahti Sprint Recap

    As always, the sprint heat times are thanks to Jan at WorldOfXC.com. I was travelling yesterday, so not only did I not watch these races, I haven’t even really read about them yet either. So this will be an interesting guessing game for me, to see how much I can infer from just the the heat times. First up the men:

    That’s a different trend than we typically see for the men, with the heat times becoming gradually faster as the day went on. Emil Jönsson seemed to be skiing fast all day long. Something unusual must have happened to Kriukov and Pettersen Modin (I’ll try to fix the graph later) in the final. Looks like there were 2-3 crashes in the quarters and then some more again in the semis. Seems weird for a classic sprint.

    Not much of a difference in the two semifinals:

    On to the women:

    This pattern of faster times with each round is fairly standard for the women. It looks like there was just one potential crash-like incident in the semis. Bjørgen skied the fastest heat of the day in the final, so how’s that for fitness? Unlike the men, there seemed to be a bit of a split between the women’s semis yesterday:

    Not only were Semifinal 1 skiers faster in the semis, but they were faster in the quarters, too. Not sure what to make of that, except that random stuff does happen from time to time.

    Related posts:

    1. <Düsseldorf Sprint Recap
    2. <Recap: Davos Sprint
    3. <Otepää Sprint Recap


  • Yahoo Publishes My Birkie Article 3 Days Late

    I’ve been messing around publishing articles on the Yahoo Contributors Network just to see if it actually makes me any money.  The good news is that it does…although it only trickles in, but that’s always the case with writing.
    Anyway, when I write with Yahoo Contributors, I use my alter ego Walter Rhein as my byline (that’s the name I use for most of my publishing these days…just because I

  • Yahoo Publishes My Birkie Article 3 Days Late

    I’ve been messing around publishing articles on the Yahoo Contributors Network just to see if it actually makes me any money.  The good news is that it does…although it only trickles in, but that’s always the case with writing.
    Anyway, when I write with Yahoo Contributors, I use my alter ego Walter Rhein as my byline (that’s the name I use for most of my publishing these days…just because I

  • Idaho Nordic

    Once again, I had the pleasure of putting on a ski clinic for the Idaho Nordic Master’s group, in Boise this weekend. Instead of conducting a dryland camp, which most of the clinic’s are, I was able to give these master’s some help on-snow. After working with this group for the past four years, it is amazing to see the vast improvements they have made…and great to see the growth in beginning skiers as well. (Pictures soon to come)

    Unfortunately, the Super Tour race in Truckee, California scheduled for this next weekend was canceled!!!! Big bummer!!!! Instead our team will stick around Sun Valley and continue to get good training and preparation in for the U.S. Distance Nationals and the Super Tour final the end of this month. The snow is good and the skiing is great around here!

    I will keep you posted on the upcoming races!

    Cheers!

  • Idaho Nordic

    Once again, I had the pleasure of putting on a ski clinic for the Idaho Nordic Master’s group, in Boise this weekend. Instead of conducting a dryland camp, which most of the clinic’s are, I was able to give these master’s some help on-snow. After working with this group for the past four years, it is amazing to see the vast improvements they have made…and great to see the growth in beginning skiers as well. (Pictures soon to come)

    Unfortunately, the Super Tour race in Truckee, California scheduled for this next weekend was canceled!!!! Big bummer!!!! Instead our team will stick around Sun Valley and continue to get good training and preparation in for the U.S. Distance Nationals and the Super Tour final the end of this month. The snow is good and the skiing is great around here!

    I will keep you posted on the upcoming races!

    Cheers!

  • Idaho Nordic

    Once again, I had the pleasure of putting on a ski clinic for the Idaho Nordic Master’s group, in Boise this weekend. Instead of conducting a dryland camp, which most of the clinic’s are, I was able to give these master’s some help on-snow. After working with this group for the past four years, it is amazing to see the vast improvements they have made…and great to see the growth in beginning skiers as well. (Pictures soon to come)

    Unfortunately, the Super Tour race in Truckee, California scheduled for this next weekend was canceled!!!! Big bummer!!!! Instead our team will stick around Sun Valley and continue to get good training and preparation in for the U.S. Distance Nationals and the Super Tour final the end of this month. The snow is good and the skiing is great around here!

    I will keep you posted on the upcoming races!

    Cheers!

  • Idaho Nordic

    Once again, I had the pleasure of putting on a ski clinic for the Idaho Nordic Master’s group, in Boise this weekend. Instead of conducting a dryland camp, which most of the clinic’s are, I was able to give these master’s some help on-snow. After working with this group for the past four years, it is amazing to see the vast improvements they have made…and great to see the growth in beginning skiers as well. (Pictures soon to come)

    Unfortunately, the Super Tour race in Truckee, California scheduled for this next weekend was canceled!!!! Big bummer!!!! Instead our team will stick around Sun Valley and continue to get good training and preparation in for the U.S. Distance Nationals and the Super Tour final the end of this month. The snow is good and the skiing is great around here!

    I will keep you posted on the upcoming races!

    Cheers!

  • Idaho Nordic

    Once again, I had the pleasure of putting on a ski clinic for the Idaho Nordic Master’s group, in Boise this weekend. Instead of conducting a dryland camp, which most of the clinic’s are, I was able to give these master’s some help on-snow. After working with this group for the past four years, it is amazing to see the vast improvements they have made…and great to see the growth in beginning skiers as well. (Pictures soon to come)

    Unfortunately, the Super Tour race in Truckee, California scheduled for this next weekend was canceled!!!! Big bummer!!!! Instead our team will stick around Sun Valley and continue to get good training and preparation in for the U.S. Distance Nationals and the Super Tour final the end of this month. The snow is good and the skiing is great around here!

    I will keep you posted on the upcoming races!

    Cheers!

  • Race Snapshot: Lahti Classic Sprint

    As you can see, I’m running a bit behind today. I should be back to my regular schedule starting tomorrow with some recaps of the weekend’s racing in Lahti, and maybe some general recaps of the biathlon World Champs later in the week.

    Related posts:

    1. <Race Snapshot: TdS Classic Sprint
    2. <Race Snapshot: IBU WC 4 Men’s Sprint
    3. <Race Snapshot: Otepää Classic Sprint