FasterSkier

Category: XCFeeds

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

  • Methow Valley Nordic Team 2011 Junior Olympics Vidoe Update

  • Methow Valley Nordic Team 2011 Junior Olympics Vidoe Update

  • Methow Valley Nordic Team 2011 Junior Olympics Vidoe Update

  • Methow Valley Nordic Team 2011 Junior Olympics Vidoe Update

  • Methow Valley Nordic Team 2011 Junior Olympics Vidoe Update

  • Methow Valley Nordic Team 2011 Junior Olympics Vidoe Update

  • Pictures from JN Skate Race

    Here are a bunch of pictures that Herve Pelletier took of the SMS skiers from todays race at the Jr National Championships. Read the story below to see how everyone did.

    Thanks Herve!




















  • Week In Review: Friday Mar 11th

    I managed to post a fair bit this week, though not today really, despite being out of town. Thanks again to Skaði Nordic for sponsoring Week In Review.

     

    Related posts:

    1. <Week In Review: Friday Dec 17th
    2. <Week In Review: Friday Jan 14th
    3. <Week In Review: Friday Jan 21st


  • Another Stellar Day For SMS at JN’s

    We had another great day at the Jr National Championships in Minneapolis. Today was the individual start skate race and we were led by Tyler Foulkes who crushed the J2 field over the last 1 km of his 5 km race to win by a 19 second margin. This was all the more impressive because he was in a 4 way tie for first with 1 km to go. Luckily for Tyler the race course ended with a tough uphill and in skating, this is where he excels. Congratulations to Tyler!

    Brooke took off in her least favorite race (skate distance) with a bit of fear and apprehension, but skied very well and finished 8th (3 seconds out of 5th) for J2’s.
    Next came the J1 girls and the SMS team killed it again with Heather, Cam, Rachel, Hallie and Issy placing 2,3,10,18 and 33 in a field of the 87 best girls in the country.
    Paddy and Skyler placed 5th in the J1 and OJ boys classes respectively. The top 9 boys overall were separated by 16 seconds in their 10 km race. This shows how impressive Tyler’s 19 second victory in his 5 km race was.
    Adding to these impressive results, Bridger placed 13th and Austin 32nd for OJ boys and Charlie 45th for J1 boys.
    Wow… another National Champ and 7 more top 10’s.
    Tomorrow we wrap up with the 3X3.3km classic relay. It should be fun!

  • One Windy Day in Khanty…

    When I set my goal of having fun and staying relaxed in the Individual race and World Championships, I could not have know how tough that would be. After days of sunny, breezy weather, we awoke on Wednesday to a blizzard with gale force wind gusts…not ideal for a shooting race such as the 15km. I kept my mind off the weather, however, realizing that everyone would have to deal with the wind and it was not worth stressing about. As the day went on, the wind calmed slightly…meaning there was less danger of mats blowing away…it was still quite windy. At zero, though, I realized there were moments of predictable wind, and with a good zero, I was confident I could wait for the breaks and still shoot well. While some women went ahead and shot their normal cadence, my plan to wait and risk spending more time in the range worked out well. I hit 18 of the 20 shots and skied a fantastic last loop to a 17th place finish. Only one woman shot clean and one had only 1 miss, making 10 people of 93 finishers who shot 90% or better-something unheard of in an Individual race where the shooting is so important. I was ecstatic with my result and my effort. It was a tough day and I was pleased to have been able to overcome the elements and give myself a great World Champs race to remember.

    Heading out for a classic ski to enjoy the sun the day after the Individual race.

    Now the US women are looking forward to the relay on Sunday. After the men’s 6th place performance today, we are pretty excited to see what we can put together. It will be a fun way to end the 2011 World Champs…then it’s off to Oslo for one last World Cup. We’re on the home stretch now…

    Lowell Bailey and the rest of the men’s relay field in the first leg.

    The men at the flower ceremony after their 6th place performance. Congrats guys!

  • One Windy Day in Khanty…

    When I set my goal of having fun and staying relaxed in the Individual race and World Championships, I could not have know how tough that would be. After days of sunny, breezy weather, we awoke on Wednesday to a blizzard with gale force wind gusts…not ideal for a shooting race such as the 15km. I kept my mind off the weather, however, realizing that everyone would have to deal with the wind and it was not worth stressing about. As the day went on, the wind calmed slightly…meaning there was less danger of mats blowing away…it was still quite windy. At zero, though, I realized there were moments of predictable wind, and with a good zero, I was confident I could wait for the breaks and still shoot well. While some women went ahead and shot their normal cadence, my plan to wait and risk spending more time in the range worked out well. I hit 18 of the 20 shots and skied a fantastic last loop to a 17th place finish. Only one woman shot clean and one had only 1 miss, making 10 people of 93 finishers who shot 90% or better-something unheard of in an Individual race where the shooting is so important. I was ecstatic with my result and my effort. It was a tough day and I was pleased to have been able to overcome the elements and give myself a great World Champs race to remember.

    Heading out for a classic ski to enjoy the sun the day after the Individual race.

    Now the US women are looking forward to the relay on Sunday. After the men’s 6th place performance today, we are pretty excited to see what we can put together. It will be a fun way to end the 2011 World Champs…then it’s off to Oslo for one last World Cup. We’re on the home stretch now…

    Lowell Bailey and the rest of the men’s relay field in the first leg.

    The men at the flower ceremony after their 6th place performance. Congrats guys!

  • One Windy Day in Khanty…

    When I set my goal of having fun and staying relaxed in the Individual race and World Championships, I could not have know how tough that would be. After days of sunny, breezy weather, we awoke on Wednesday to a blizzard with gale force wind gusts…not ideal for a shooting race such as the 15km. I kept my mind off the weather, however, realizing that everyone would have to deal with the wind and it was not worth stressing about. As the day went on, the wind calmed slightly…meaning there was less danger of mats blowing away…it was still quite windy. At zero, though, I realized there were moments of predictable wind, and with a good zero, I was confident I could wait for the breaks and still shoot well. While some women went ahead and shot their normal cadence, my plan to wait and risk spending more time in the range worked out well. I hit 18 of the 20 shots and skied a fantastic last loop to a 17th place finish. Only one woman shot clean and one had only 1 miss, making 10 people of 93 finishers who shot 90% or better-something unheard of in an Individual race where the shooting is so important. I was ecstatic with my result and my effort. It was a tough day and I was pleased to have been able to overcome the elements and give myself a great World Champs race to remember.

    Heading out for a classic ski to enjoy the sun the day after the Individual race.

    Now the US women are looking forward to the relay on Sunday. After the men’s 6th place performance today, we are pretty excited to see what we can put together. It will be a fun way to end the 2011 World Champs…then it’s off to Oslo for one last World Cup. We’re on the home stretch now…

    Lowell Bailey and the rest of the men’s relay field in the first leg.

    The men at the flower ceremony after their 6th place performance. Congrats guys!

  • One Windy Day in Khanty…

    When I set my goal of having fun and staying relaxed in the Individual race and World Championships, I could not have know how tough that would be. After days of sunny, breezy weather, we awoke on Wednesday to a blizzard with gale force wind gusts…not ideal for a shooting race such as the 15km. I kept my mind off the weather, however, realizing that everyone would have to deal with the wind and it was not worth stressing about. As the day went on, the wind calmed slightly…meaning there was less danger of mats blowing away…it was still quite windy. At zero, though, I realized there were moments of predictable wind, and with a good zero, I was confident I could wait for the breaks and still shoot well. While some women went ahead and shot their normal cadence, my plan to wait and risk spending more time in the range worked out well. I hit 18 of the 20 shots and skied a fantastic last loop to a 17th place finish. Only one woman shot clean and one had only 1 miss, making 10 people of 93 finishers who shot 90% or better-something unheard of in an Individual race where the shooting is so important. I was ecstatic with my result and my effort. It was a tough day and I was pleased to have been able to overcome the elements and give myself a great World Champs race to remember.

    Heading out for a classic ski to enjoy the sun the day after the Individual race.

    Now the US women are looking forward to the relay on Sunday. After the men’s 6th place performance today, we are pretty excited to see what we can put together. It will be a fun way to end the 2011 World Champs…then it’s off to Oslo for one last World Cup. We’re on the home stretch now…

    Lowell Bailey and the rest of the men’s relay field in the first leg.

    The men at the flower ceremony after their 6th place performance. Congrats guys!

  • Congrats to the US Men’s 6th place Relay!!! – w/ photos

    Lowell in the mix of it on the first lap.
    Congrats to Lowell, Jay, Tim, Leif and the USBA staff for an excellent World Champs Relay!!!!

    www.biathlon.teamusa.org

    26 men’s teams on the firing line.
    Tim, Austria and Canada.
    Amazing sunset and typical Eurosport shooting view.
    Ecstatic Russian fans – Russia had a great home race placing 2nd. 
    Photo finish! The results show the shooting results: USA 0 penalty loops + 14 extra rounds, 38.1 seconds beyond. Germany on the other hand, with 3 penalty loops and 16 extra rounds.
    The boys getting their flowers at the Flower Ceremony.

  • Congrats to the US Men’s 6th place Relay!!! – w/ photos

    Lowell in the mix of it on the first lap.
    Congrats to Lowell, Jay, Tim, Leif and the USBA staff for an excellent World Champs Relay!!!!

    www.biathlon.teamusa.org

    26 men’s teams on the firing line.
    Tim, Austria and Canada.
    Amazing sunset and typical Eurosport shooting view.
    Ecstatic Russian fans – Russia had a great home race placing 2nd. 
    Photo finish! The results show the shooting results: USA 0 penalty loops + 14 extra rounds, 38.1 seconds beyond. Germany on the other hand, with 3 penalty loops and 16 extra rounds.
    The boys getting their flowers at the Flower Ceremony.

  • Congrats to the US Men’s 6th place Relay!!! – w/ photos

    Lowell in the mix of it on the first lap.
    Congrats to Lowell, Jay, Tim, Leif and the USBA staff for an excellent World Champs Relay!!!!

    www.biathlon.teamusa.org

    26 men’s teams on the firing line.
    Tim, Austria and Canada.
    Amazing sunset and typical Eurosport shooting view.
    Ecstatic Russian fans – Russia had a great home race placing 2nd. 
    Photo finish! The results show the shooting results: USA 0 penalty loops + 14 extra rounds, 38.1 seconds beyond. Germany on the other hand, with 3 penalty loops and 16 extra rounds.
    The boys getting their flowers at the Flower Ceremony.

  • Congrats to the US Men’s 6th place Relay!!! – w/ photos

    Lowell in the mix of it on the first lap.
    Congrats to Lowell, Jay, Tim, Leif and the USBA staff for an excellent World Champs Relay!!!!

    www.biathlon.teamusa.org

    26 men’s teams on the firing line.
    Tim, Austria and Canada.
    Amazing sunset and typical Eurosport shooting view.
    Ecstatic Russian fans – Russia had a great home race placing 2nd. 
    Photo finish! The results show the shooting results: USA 0 penalty loops + 14 extra rounds, 38.1 seconds beyond. Germany on the other hand, with 3 penalty loops and 16 extra rounds.
    The boys getting their flowers at the Flower Ceremony.

  • Thoughts from Lahti

    I’m well over-due for a blog update so I suppose that I will pull myself away from the live skiing on TV and attempt to use the caterpiller-speed internet! 
    The famous jumps of Lahti, Finland
    I’m currently in Lahti, Finland on the eve of the “Lahti Winter Sports Games.”  Lahti is a regular, annual stop on the World Cup and this is my first World Cup experience that is not right before a Championship series.  Tomorrow’s 10k pursuit will be my 5th World Cup and Sunday’s classic sprint will be my 6th. 
    I’m psyched for this opportunity to experience what I feel is more representative of the “real” World Cup (if that’s fair to say.)  I’m here with a small group from the US, namely the World Cup “A team.”  Lars Flora, my APU teammate and I both have the opportunity to be here as “Continental Cup, Super Tour” leaders.  Basically, each continent has a “cup series” where the leaders gets start rights to participate in the World Cup beyond a country’s regular start right quota.  I recently learned that as CC leader I also have the opportunity to attend and participate in World Cup finals in Sweden following the race in Lahti.

    One of the things that has struck me while being in Europe (or simply high level ski racing in general) is how tired one can become from competing at a high level.  My experience on the road is a complete, 180 difference from my life at home. In Alaska I’m a multi-tasker, I thrive on being busy.  I often train twice per day, coach at least once, complete some school work, spend time with friends and family, take care of my house, etc, etc.  In comparison, over here is feels as if it takes triple the energy to complete daily tasks, even if it’s a short one hour ski and eating lunch that is prepared for you buffet style!  I really think there is an incredible amount of subconscious energy that’s expended by being so far away from home.  Sometimes my lack of ambition and energy frustrates me but then again, rest & recovery is a really important part of this business.  
    Nonetheless, I have been taking some mental notes on things that help – both comfort wise, and perhaps making it feel a bit more like home. Or, just ways to embrace being on the road.  Some of those things are even as simple as buying some cheap flowers for your hotel room or traveling with a jar of peanut butter (not popular over here) that I bring to breakfast with me.
    Flowers, coffee, hand sanitizer and LIVE skiing on the Tube! 
    Finnish PB is actually quite good
    The other thing that I always find a bit shocking is how fragile my body starts to feel at this time of year. It’s good at one thing and one thing only.  For example, I woke up this morning and found that my hamstrings are a bit sore.  Now, is this because I ran for 30 minutes rather than 20 yesterday or because I took 6 flights of stairs because our huge hotel has one closet-sized elevator?  During the training season I pride myself as someone who can mow the lawn and complete an awesome interval set afterwards, or even someone that can train three times per day.  Sometimes, being in “race shape” towards the end of the season when the racing density is high because you physically cannot do much other than race and rest.  Personally, I love racing but I also love training and I always wish I could ski MORE during this period of the year.  However, I know that it would only be detrimental and make me more tired than I already am! It’s just funny to think that I train incredibly hard year round for this time of year and if you asked me to do a dozen pull-ups right now, I might struggle with it whereas other times of the year, it’s no problem.
    The race venue is just a short walk from our hotel… the “Grand”
    I certainly don’t want to give the wrong impression. I am stoked to be here and stoked to have the racing opportunities that I have in the next month.  
    I’m excited for this weekend in respect to my own racing and also excited for the APU junior competing at JOs in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  This is the first time in five years that I haven’t coached at Junior Olympics but I got a chance to Skype with a bunch of the APU junior athletes last night.  They’re having an awesome time at JOs and skiing really well! (I am one proud coach!)
    APU kids at JOs!  (Thanks for being patient with the horrible internet guys!)
    The start list is out for tomorrow’s pursuit and the filed looks tough and deep.  The competition at any Scandinavian World Cup is fierce and I know that tomorrow is going to be tough. There are seventy-two female starters and I am #46. I’ll give it everything I’ve got!
    Thanks for reading,
    Holly 

    Ski jumpers are also staying at our hotel. I have to say, I’m certainly glad that I don’t have to travel with one of those bags! 

  • Thoughts from Lahti

    I’m well over-due for a blog update so I suppose that I will pull myself away from the live skiing on TV and attempt to use the caterpiller-speed internet! 
    The famous jumps of Lahti, Finland
    I’m currently in Lahti, Finland on the eve of the “Lahti Winter Sports Games.”  Lahti is a regular, annual stop on the World Cup and this is my first World Cup experience that is not right before a Championship series.  Tomorrow’s 10k pursuit will be my 5th World Cup and Sunday’s classic sprint will be my 6th. 
    I’m psyched for this opportunity to experience what I feel is more representative of the “real” World Cup (if that’s fair to say.)  I’m here with a small group from the US, namely the World Cup “A team.”  Lars Flora, my APU teammate and I both have the opportunity to be here as “Continental Cup, Super Tour” leaders.  Basically, each continent has a “cup series” where the leaders gets start rights to participate in the World Cup beyond a country’s regular start right quota.  I recently learned that as CC leader I also have the opportunity to attend and participate in World Cup finals in Sweden following the race in Lahti.

    One of the things that has struck me while being in Europe (or simply high level ski racing in general) is how tired one can become from competing at a high level.  My experience on the road is a complete, 180 difference from my life at home. In Alaska I’m a multi-tasker, I thrive on being busy.  I often train twice per day, coach at least once, complete some school work, spend time with friends and family, take care of my house, etc, etc.  In comparison, over here is feels as if it takes triple the energy to complete daily tasks, even if it’s a short one hour ski and eating lunch that is prepared for you buffet style!  I really think there is an incredible amount of subconscious energy that’s expended by being so far away from home.  Sometimes my lack of ambition and energy frustrates me but then again, rest & recovery is a really important part of this business.  
    Nonetheless, I have been taking some mental notes on things that help – both comfort wise, and perhaps making it feel a bit more like home. Or, just ways to embrace being on the road.  Some of those things are even as simple as buying some cheap flowers for your hotel room or traveling with a jar of peanut butter (not popular over here) that I bring to breakfast with me.
    Flowers, coffee, hand sanitizer and LIVE skiing on the Tube! 
    Finnish PB is actually quite good
    The other thing that I always find a bit shocking is how fragile my body starts to feel at this time of year. It’s good at one thing and one thing only.  For example, I woke up this morning and found that my hamstrings are a bit sore.  Now, is this because I ran for 30 minutes rather than 20 yesterday or because I took 6 flights of stairs because our huge hotel has one closet-sized elevator?  During the training season I pride myself as someone who can mow the lawn and complete an awesome interval set afterwards, or even someone that can train three times per day.  Sometimes, being in “race shape” towards the end of the season when the racing density is high because you physically cannot do much other than race and rest.  Personally, I love racing but I also love training and I always wish I could ski MORE during this period of the year.  However, I know that it would only be detrimental and make me more tired than I already am! It’s just funny to think that I train incredibly hard year round for this time of year and if you asked me to do a dozen pull-ups right now, I might struggle with it whereas other times of the year, it’s no problem.
    The race venue is just a short walk from our hotel… the “Grand”
    I certainly don’t want to give the wrong impression. I am stoked to be here and stoked to have the racing opportunities that I have in the next month.  
    I’m excited for this weekend in respect to my own racing and also excited for the APU junior competing at JOs in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  This is the first time in five years that I haven’t coached at Junior Olympics but I got a chance to Skype with a bunch of the APU junior athletes last night.  They’re having an awesome time at JOs and skiing really well! (I am one proud coach!)
    APU kids at JOs!  (Thanks for being patient with the horrible internet guys!)
    The start list is out for tomorrow’s pursuit and the filed looks tough and deep.  The competition at any Scandinavian World Cup is fierce and I know that tomorrow is going to be tough. There are seventy-two female starters and I am #46. I’ll give it everything I’ve got!
    Thanks for reading,
    Holly 

    Ski jumpers are also staying at our hotel. I have to say, I’m certainly glad that I don’t have to travel with one of those bags! 

  • Thoughts from Lahti

    I’m well over-due for a blog update so I suppose that I will pull myself away from the live skiing on TV and attempt to use the caterpiller-speed internet! 
    The famous jumps of Lahti, Finland
    I’m currently in Lahti, Finland on the eve of the “Lahti Winter Sports Games.”  Lahti is a regular, annual stop on the World Cup and this is my first World Cup experience that is not right before a Championship series.  Tomorrow’s 10k pursuit will be my 5th World Cup and Sunday’s classic sprint will be my 6th. 
    I’m psyched for this opportunity to experience what I feel is more representative of the “real” World Cup (if that’s fair to say.)  I’m here with a small group from the US, namely the World Cup “A team.”  Lars Flora, my APU teammate and I both have the opportunity to be here as “Continental Cup, Super Tour” leaders.  Basically, each continent has a “cup series” where the leaders gets start rights to participate in the World Cup beyond a country’s regular start right quota.  I recently learned that as CC leader I also have the opportunity to attend and participate in World Cup finals in Sweden following the race in Lahti.

    One of the things that has struck me while being in Europe (or simply high level ski racing in general) is how tired one can become from competing at a high level.  My experience on the road is a complete, 180 difference from my life at home. In Alaska I’m a multi-tasker, I thrive on being busy.  I often train twice per day, coach at least once, complete some school work, spend time with friends and family, take care of my house, etc, etc.  In comparison, over here is feels as if it takes triple the energy to complete daily tasks, even if it’s a short one hour ski and eating lunch that is prepared for you buffet style!  I really think there is an incredible amount of subconscious energy that’s expended by being so far away from home.  Sometimes my lack of ambition and energy frustrates me but then again, rest & recovery is a really important part of this business.  
    Nonetheless, I have been taking some mental notes on things that help – both comfort wise, and perhaps making it feel a bit more like home. Or, just ways to embrace being on the road.  Some of those things are even as simple as buying some cheap flowers for your hotel room or traveling with a jar of peanut butter (not popular over here) that I bring to breakfast with me.
    Flowers, coffee, hand sanitizer and LIVE skiing on the Tube! 
    Finnish PB is actually quite good
    The other thing that I always find a bit shocking is how fragile my body starts to feel at this time of year. It’s good at one thing and one thing only.  For example, I woke up this morning and found that my hamstrings are a bit sore.  Now, is this because I ran for 30 minutes rather than 20 yesterday or because I took 6 flights of stairs because our huge hotel has one closet-sized elevator?  During the training season I pride myself as someone who can mow the lawn and complete an awesome interval set afterwards, or even someone that can train three times per day.  Sometimes, being in “race shape” towards the end of the season when the racing density is high because you physically cannot do much other than race and rest.  Personally, I love racing but I also love training and I always wish I could ski MORE during this period of the year.  However, I know that it would only be detrimental and make me more tired than I already am! It’s just funny to think that I train incredibly hard year round for this time of year and if you asked me to do a dozen pull-ups right now, I might struggle with it whereas other times of the year, it’s no problem.
    The race venue is just a short walk from our hotel… the “Grand”
    I certainly don’t want to give the wrong impression. I am stoked to be here and stoked to have the racing opportunities that I have in the next month.  
    I’m excited for this weekend in respect to my own racing and also excited for the APU junior competing at JOs in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  This is the first time in five years that I haven’t coached at Junior Olympics but I got a chance to Skype with a bunch of the APU junior athletes last night.  They’re having an awesome time at JOs and skiing really well! (I am one proud coach!)
    APU kids at JOs!  (Thanks for being patient with the horrible internet guys!)
    The start list is out for tomorrow’s pursuit and the filed looks tough and deep.  The competition at any Scandinavian World Cup is fierce and I know that tomorrow is going to be tough. There are seventy-two female starters and I am #46. I’ll give it everything I’ve got!
    Thanks for reading,
    Holly 

    Ski jumpers are also staying at our hotel. I have to say, I’m certainly glad that I don’t have to travel with one of those bags!