Category: XCFeeds

At this moment I am sitting on the couch listening to some chill tunes with my feet up, soaking in some sun in Beitostolen, Norway. I must say… don’t think life could get much better at this moment! I am a lucky person to be involved in such a sweet sport! For the past 3 months I have moved from house to house, venue to venue, and country to country racing- and I am now truly starting to appreciate it. Some of the first countries were a bit uncomfortable and extraordinary, which left me with a bit of a homesick feeling… but lately I have been getting super lucky!

I have always liked the traveling part of ski racing. I think many people struggle with switching beds so often, and living out of a suitcase- but for me, I love it! I love how many different lifestyles we get to live, all the sweet places we see, and all the cool people we meet. If we raced similar venues every weekend, and traveled to simple places… it would be boring! I like constantly switching it up every week. I have to admit though… there are a lot of times I wish I could just have a switch of clothes. Wearing the same 3 shirts and 2 sweatshirts for 3 months is a LONG time!

Jessie and I in the stadium

Last week classes started back up for me at APU. All the courses I am taking this semester are online courses…but don’t let the word “online” fool you. Class still meets at a specific time, just “online”. What this means is my 7PM-9PM classes in Alaska meet at 5:00 in the morning Norway time. Because we don’t have internet directly in our room, I set my alarm-clock for 4:45 in the morning and wake up and head down the hill for class ☺ Good fun! The good news is I only have this for 3 more weeks here twice a week… so I think I will make it. But it is nice to have schoolwork to consume my time again. I always miss that stress when I am without it!

Yummy Norwegian Food

The past two days I have been racing here in Beitostolen for some Norwegian National Cup races. Many of the national team members are here, mostly the sprinting team, but lots of speedy people! It has been super fun though to see what racing in Norway looks like. I have always had an image in my head, but it is even more impressive then I imagined. Yesterday 890 people started!! That is sooo many skiers!

Stadium full of people

So Friday was a skate sprint, which went pretty well for me. I was 4th in the qualifier, and then moved down a bit in the heats. The heats were interesting, as the course was short- and there was no room for passing- so the order at the end of the first straight away was the order coming across the finish. In my semi-finals, I didn’t have the best start, so I came to the end of the straight away in 5th, and crossed the line in fifth…. which meant I moved down to 9th place for the day. The other US girls also did very well. Jessie Diggins got a bit tripped up in her semi’s, so wasn’t able to move on, but Ida got fourth in my heat and moved on as lucky loser- to finish the day in 5th.

Leading my quarter finals heat out of the stadium– Thanks to Scott for the sprinting photos!

Yesterday was the 5k classic, which also went very well. Once again the US ladies were packed in there for the top places. I came in 4th, about 36 seconds off the leading pace, with the other US ladies close behind in 8th, 11th, 16th, and 20th I believe.

Today I opted to sit out the 15km skate race to prepare for next weekends world cups and then world champs. I heard though that the ladies kicked butt again. Think Mo and Liz were 2nd and 3rd and Jessie won the juniors race. Its fun to see everyone on their game right now- think we will be bringing a strong team to Oslo, which will make that week so much more fun!
We train here a couple more weeks and then head back towards Oslo, to Drammen where I will enter my first World Cups next weekend!! Can’t wait!

a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u15kQwoofi0/TVhnrNLnS3I/AAAAAAAAGdM/bEaoTvbPo0U/s1600/DSC_0126.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u15kQwoofi0/TVhnrNLnS3I/AAAAAAAAGdM/bEaoTvbPo0U/s400/DSC_0126.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573318530841398130″ //aHere are some pictures that Austin took at the BKL Wild Wings race this afternoon. Skiing was great and all of the kids looked fast and happy! Good job everyone and thanks to the volunteers for putting on a nice event. br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLMOdkQBJXw/TVhnRyhM1kI/AAAAAAAAGdE/o8q2KQ7585k/s1600/DSC_0124.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLMOdkQBJXw/TVhnRyhM1kI/AAAAAAAAGdE/o8q2KQ7585k/s400/DSC_0124.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573318094187451970″ //aPip.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-o1EP42MeA/TVhm43NK8CI/AAAAAAAAGc8/Yoi4iQ9xYLU/s1600/DSC_0107.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-o1EP42MeA/TVhm43NK8CI/AAAAAAAAGc8/Yoi4iQ9xYLU/s400/DSC_0107.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573317665948889122″ //aTess.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8EMXVA0xrQs/TVhmiUSLMtI/AAAAAAAAGc0/YLiQriEe7cs/s1600/DSC_0095.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8EMXVA0xrQs/TVhmiUSLMtI/AAAAAAAAGc0/YLiQriEe7cs/s400/DSC_0095.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573317278617514706″ //aKatharine.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G7iEUTUQodg/TVhmHNXTViI/AAAAAAAAGcs/i4eVOIP16EU/s1600/DSC_0085.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G7iEUTUQodg/TVhmHNXTViI/AAAAAAAAGcs/i4eVOIP16EU/s400/DSC_0085.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573316812903503394″ //aHelena and Mackenzie.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jVxqT__gJ7w/TVhlserQqgI/AAAAAAAAGck/XQk68WE3UHE/s1600/DSC_0071.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jVxqT__gJ7w/TVhlserQqgI/AAAAAAAAGck/XQk68WE3UHE/s400/DSC_0071.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573316353694149122″ //aMackenzie.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ko1Z-ozKmo/TVhlXvhnwgI/AAAAAAAAGcc/DI5d9I9XrKk/s1600/DSC_0064.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ko1Z-ozKmo/TVhlXvhnwgI/AAAAAAAAGcc/DI5d9I9XrKk/s400/DSC_0064.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573315997439869442″ //aAlex.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oCX-d6jl06o/TVhk-s-yGYI/AAAAAAAAGcU/_SDQsQTQ_M0/s1600/DSC_0059.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oCX-d6jl06o/TVhk-s-yGYI/AAAAAAAAGcU/_SDQsQTQ_M0/s400/DSC_0059.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573315567260146050″ //aSophie.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/–Ux5QYPyHRg/TVhkjRY5DtI/AAAAAAAAGcM/ajHuqGczevo/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/–Ux5QYPyHRg/TVhkjRY5DtI/AAAAAAAAGcM/ajHuqGczevo/s400/DSC_0054.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573315095996993234″ //aScott.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-80yY1G2KbCk/TVhkEiFtomI/AAAAAAAAGcE/SKNHrZ2IovE/s1600/DSC_0052.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-80yY1G2KbCk/TVhkEiFtomI/AAAAAAAAGcE/SKNHrZ2IovE/s400/DSC_0052.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573314567904010850″ //aKoby.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SM5ocLI-9b0/TVhjv8_YerI/AAAAAAAAGb8/7HiKkbQ6ck8/s1600/DSC_0051.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SM5ocLI-9b0/TVhjv8_YerI/AAAAAAAAGb8/7HiKkbQ6ck8/s400/DSC_0051.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573314214347963058″ //aMae.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNoUgnEdBn4/TVhjYx23d9I/AAAAAAAAGb0/libE_k2Wu8Q/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNoUgnEdBn4/TVhjYx23d9I/AAAAAAAAGb0/libE_k2Wu8Q/s400/DSC_0044.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573313816222463954″ //aCarly.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd2G9J1NPkw/TVhjBaPYDwI/AAAAAAAAGbs/-3G9XDdjPoo/s1600/DSC_0036.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd2G9J1NPkw/TVhjBaPYDwI/AAAAAAAAGbs/-3G9XDdjPoo/s400/DSC_0036.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573313414745820930″ //aMehana.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qL7XGGWwRX0/TVhit1JstkI/AAAAAAAAGbk/dx5GABPddrs/s1600/DSC_0032.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qL7XGGWwRX0/TVhit1JstkI/AAAAAAAAGbk/dx5GABPddrs/s400/DSC_0032.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573313078372382274″ //aRussell.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjrvFBGO6Sk/TVhie75fetI/AAAAAAAAGbc/ZNxIIuz6u90/s1600/DSC_0025%2B%25281%2529.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjrvFBGO6Sk/TVhie75fetI/AAAAAAAAGbc/ZNxIIuz6u90/s400/DSC_0025%2B%25281%2529.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573312822485416658″ //aEli.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MFVrv2NbW6Y/TVhiKyF2qNI/AAAAAAAAGbU/dOEOl_hCjCo/s1600/DSC_0023.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MFVrv2NbW6Y/TVhiKyF2qNI/AAAAAAAAGbU/dOEOl_hCjCo/s400/DSC_0023.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573312476255529170″ //aMae.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBEbMQ3uxoE/TVhh5YRJnrI/AAAAAAAAGbM/PqZKcfq-YVA/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBEbMQ3uxoE/TVhh5YRJnrI/AAAAAAAAGbM/PqZKcfq-YVA/s400/DSC_0019.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573312177265811122″ //aLillian.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ateEKqLCbE/TVhhm9cJPII/AAAAAAAAGbE/-MMm5OpBnR0/s1600/DSC_0014.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ateEKqLCbE/TVhhm9cJPII/AAAAAAAAGbE/-MMm5OpBnR0/s400/DSC_0014.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573311860826520706″ //aGrace.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hsvfu_1tf9Y/TVhhOQecvWI/AAAAAAAAGa8/fmxPbyh8ZAs/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hsvfu_1tf9Y/TVhhOQecvWI/AAAAAAAAGa8/fmxPbyh8ZAs/s400/DSC_0009.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573311436439731554″ //aSam.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88gDLW6q46g/TVhgwoDW1iI/AAAAAAAAGa0/TH0RHPF_kq0/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88gDLW6q46g/TVhgwoDW1iI/AAAAAAAAGa0/TH0RHPF_kq0/s400/DSC_0006.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573310927372473890″ //aBen.div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4680416899705879324-8032489361869019801?l=smsxc.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

Thank you Maine! (photo: Viktoria Franke)

Maine seems to agree with me. After a stellar weekend in Presque Isle, the World Cup moved up the road to Fort Kent for three more races: a sprint, pursuit and mass start. With only 57 women here, I was guaranteed at least 2 starts, but would have to earn my place in the mass start since only the top-25 overall World Cup ranked women, plus the next top-5 from the weekend of racing qualify. Not being in the top-25 overall, and having never made a mass start before in my career, I knew it would be tough, but certainly attainable.

After a clean sprint on a VERY cold day earned me a 17th place, I was in a good position. It felt great to have another clean race here in Maine, and though I didn’t feel the courses here agreed with me as much as in Presque Isle, I was very pleased with the outcome. Warmer temperatures greeted us for the pursuit race, but my ski speed just wasn’t there. Despite only 3 penalties on the range, I dropped down to finish 27th. Not that I’m complaining about another top-30 finish, but I thought my chances for the mass start were gone. Luck was on my side, though, and with a few women pulling out of the mass start, I grabbed the last spot: bib number 30. My first World Cup mass start ever, and on US soil! I was excited-this would be an experience to remember.

After two weeks of racing, and three days in a row on the tough Fort Kent courses, we were all pretty tired. You could tell right away that the big hill on the course (nicknamed the Mt. Everest of biathlon by some of the Germans) was not going to be a place to get away, but simply to get through. My strategy was to try and shoot well, and just enjoy the experience. Being my first Mass Start, I wanted only to have a solid race and gain the experience of starting with the 30 best women on the World Cup. I only had one hiccup in my plan, missing 2 targets in my second shooting stage, but otherwise I was clean, and skied fairly well. I finished 23rd, with time to give a wave of thanks to the crowd as I finished. All in all, it was a great weekend and an amazing experience to race World Cups in the US. Hopefully it won’t be so long before we’re back!

I’m now back in Lake Placid for a week before leaving for World Championships in Russia. The work is pretty much done now, just some fine-tuning left. The final stretch is here!

Thank you Maine! (photo: Viktoria Franke)

Maine seems to agree with me. After a stellar weekend in Presque Isle, the World Cup moved up the road to Fort Kent for three more races: a sprint, pursuit and mass start. With only 57 women here, I was guaranteed at least 2 starts, but would have to earn my place in the mass start since only the top-25 overall World Cup ranked women, plus the next top-5 from the weekend of racing qualify. Not being in the top-25 overall, and having never made a mass start before in my career, I knew it would be tough, but certainly attainable.

After a clean sprint on a VERY cold day earned me a 17th place, I was in a good position. It felt great to have another clean race here in Maine, and though I didn’t feel the courses here agreed with me as much as in Presque Isle, I was very pleased with the outcome. Warmer temperatures greeted us for the pursuit race, but my ski speed just wasn’t there. Despite only 3 penalties on the range, I dropped down to finish 27th. Not that I’m complaining about another top-30 finish, but I thought my chances for the mass start were gone. Luck was on my side, though, and with a few women pulling out of the mass start, I grabbed the last spot: bib number 30. My first World Cup mass start ever, and on US soil! I was excited-this would be an experience to remember.

After two weeks of racing, and three days in a row on the tough Fort Kent courses, we were all pretty tired. You could tell right away that the big hill on the course (nicknamed the Mt. Everest of biathlon by some of the Germans) was not going to be a place to get away, but simply to get through. My strategy was to try and shoot well, and just enjoy the experience. Being my first Mass Start, I wanted only to have a solid race and gain the experience of starting with the 30 best women on the World Cup. I only had one hiccup in my plan, missing 2 targets in my second shooting stage, but otherwise I was clean, and skied fairly well. I finished 23rd, with time to give a wave of thanks to the crowd as I finished. All in all, it was a great weekend and an amazing experience to race World Cups in the US. Hopefully it won’t be so long before we’re back!

I’m now back in Lake Placid for a week before leaving for World Championships in Russia. The work is pretty much done now, just some fine-tuning left. The final stretch is here!

Thank you Maine! (photo: Viktoria Franke)

Maine seems to agree with me. After a stellar weekend in Presque Isle, the World Cup moved up the road to Fort Kent for three more races: a sprint, pursuit and mass start. With only 57 women here, I was guaranteed at least 2 starts, but would have to earn my place in the mass start since only the top-25 overall World Cup ranked women, plus the next top-5 from the weekend of racing qualify. Not being in the top-25 overall, and having never made a mass start before in my career, I knew it would be tough, but certainly attainable.

After a clean sprint on a VERY cold day earned me a 17th place, I was in a good position. It felt great to have another clean race here in Maine, and though I didn’t feel the courses here agreed with me as much as in Presque Isle, I was very pleased with the outcome. Warmer temperatures greeted us for the pursuit race, but my ski speed just wasn’t there. Despite only 3 penalties on the range, I dropped down to finish 27th. Not that I’m complaining about another top-30 finish, but I thought my chances for the mass start were gone. Luck was on my side, though, and with a few women pulling out of the mass start, I grabbed the last spot: bib number 30. My first World Cup mass start ever, and on US soil! I was excited-this would be an experience to remember.

After two weeks of racing, and three days in a row on the tough Fort Kent courses, we were all pretty tired. You could tell right away that the big hill on the course (nicknamed the Mt. Everest of biathlon by some of the Germans) was not going to be a place to get away, but simply to get through. My strategy was to try and shoot well, and just enjoy the experience. Being my first Mass Start, I wanted only to have a solid race and gain the experience of starting with the 30 best women on the World Cup. I only had one hiccup in my plan, missing 2 targets in my second shooting stage, but otherwise I was clean, and skied fairly well. I finished 23rd, with time to give a wave of thanks to the crowd as I finished. All in all, it was a great weekend and an amazing experience to race World Cups in the US. Hopefully it won’t be so long before we’re back!

I’m now back in Lake Placid for a week before leaving for World Championships in Russia. The work is pretty much done now, just some fine-tuning left. The final stretch is here!

Caitlin starting the 5km Classic

Blue skies, warm temperatures, cold snow, and hard wax.  It doesn’t get much better for a classic race.  Today’s 5/10k in Aspen was a great event.   Although it is taking a while for the results to be posted, everything else was awesome

I finished 8th today, 53 seconds behind Sylvan.  I was only about three seconds out of the money but am still pretty content with the result.  I feel like a paced my race well and was able to push hard into the finish.  The course had a lot of long gradual striding and I was able to relax and felt good climbing.  I have worked a lot on my gradual striding and it was great to feel so good on the course.  It was fun to be racing up high again and I am excited for tomorrow’s mass start skate race.  Caitlin had a bit of a rough day but is ready to bounce back for tomorrow.

Adjusting to the sun, snow and thin air of Aspen

The Super Tour provided us with a great hotel during the races. We have been enjoying some luxury living in Aspen. Aspen is one of the most expensive towns in the US, but we have made friends with the front desk staff so that we can use the hotel kitchen. We have had some sweet hotel room cooked meals.

Tomorrow it is time to throw down and make some money.  We are both looking forward to the 21km Owl Creek Chase.

Update: Results at http://www.teamavsc.org/Forms/Nordic/ANF_Results_Classic_Overall_FEB_12_2011.pdf

I have skied in some really awesome places. On snow in Hawaii, Norway, Methow, Italy, Hayward. 15km in the Windy City was unlike anything else.  Watt and a few others I know have roller skied Vegas, I am guessing that few have ever skied downtown Chicago.

Not your everyday ski trail

Karl and I flew into Chicago after Climb to the Castle for a weekend ski clinic.  A huge thanks to Tom Devoratchek and Body Physics  for organizing the weekend.  T

What a crazy story for Lowell Bailey today! Too bad, hopefully he can channel the frustration into skiing fast next time around.

Related posts:

1. <Race Snapshot: IBU WC 1 Men/Women’s Pursuit
2. <Race Snapshot: IBU WC 2 Men’s Pursuit
3. <Race Snapshot: IBU WC 2 Women’s Pursuit

Everything is better when you are skiing

After the Houghton Super Tours, the next stop on the Super Tour circuit is Aspen, Colorado.  My season goals changed this year after US Nationals.  I decided to stay stateside and pursue the Super Tour Distance title.  With Aspen at 8,500 feet, the Boulder Mountain Tour offering $3,000, and a cheap Southwest Airlines flight into Boise a trip out west was born.

Previewing the finish of the Boulder Mountain Tour. Course Description: Slightly downhill and flat

The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation hosted a co-ed sprint race on Thursday before the BMT.  It was a great spectator event consisting of 3 rounds of 2*300m laps.  Bonfires, a band, and $1,000 on the line brought a big crowd to the park downtown.

Me and Kate Whitcomb skied to 5th place. Thanks Kate for coming out of 'ski' retirement and a full work day for the race

I am not sure how Ian took this picture of me by myself. I spent the entire race in a pack of skiers until the finish. Photo: Ian Harvey

Boulder Mountain Tour Champs: Sylvan Elefson and Evelyn Dong

US National 50km Course and Super Tour Finals Venue

I will be back in Sun Valley in March and it was great to preview the courses and hammer out some intervals on them.  I skied the 50km course clockwise my first day in town and it was ridiculously hard.  Thankfully we go counter-clockwise in the 50km.  Still the course has two ‘A’ climbs, one with 50m of climbing and the other with 37m of climbing. We will do each 7 times.  It is going to be awesome.

Now I am in Aspen.  Feeling good about the Altitude and ready for Saturday’s 5/10k Classic Race.  The RMISA Collegiate crew is here and a good crew of Super Tour racers.  Game on.

Another down week with World Cup action on the cross-country side of things, but Drammen and World Champs are just around the corner.

• Last weekend saw the return of the Rybinsk World Cups, a pursuit and a sprint. We also had the first weekend of biathlon World Cups over here in the US with some pursuits and sprints; and then more sprints this week.
• I editorialized somewhat on the recurring complaints about the strengths and weaknesses of athlete ranking lists.
• We assessed just how well (or poorly) the Rybinsk races were, along with recapping some of the specific performances.
• I also checked in on some of the US results from the Scandinavian Cup races over the past few weekends.
• I weighed in, lightly, on the somewhat odd debate that flared up at FasterSkier over whether men and women should race the same distances.
• I decided that some graphs I made for looking at the performance of the Norwegian men’s distance team were interesting enough to apply to several other nations as well.
• Finally, I lamented the fact that cross country’s sprint racing format involves five quarterfinal heats. I feel dirty just writing that.

Related posts:

1. <Week In Review: Friday, June 11th
2. <Week In Review: Friday Nov 12th
3. <Week In Review: Friday Dec 10th

It’d be nice if we could get Sara Studebaker and Laura Spector skiing fast (and shooting well) at the same time. But maybe I’m just being picky.

Related posts:

1. <Race Snapshot: IBU WC 1 Women’s Sprint
2. <Race Snapshot: IBU WC 4 Women’s Sprint
3. <Race Snapshot: IBU WC 5 Women’s Sprint

a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9-flDsWyQM/TVWPBiqf2aI/AAAAAAAAGas/jzumzsHBZhY/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9-flDsWyQM/TVWPBiqf2aI/AAAAAAAAGas/jzumzsHBZhY/s400/IMG_1040.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572517370588551586″ //aWith this being an non-EC weekend, we have skiers on many different schedules. Skyler is racing in Norway, Paddy and Heather are skiing easy distance to recover from their trips, we had 5 skiers go to the Dartmouth Carnival today, we have two racing at the VT Qualifier on Sunday, a bunch did skate intervals at school today and our BKL skiers race at Wild Wings on Sunday afternoon. Phew…we’re glad we have 3 coaches to take care of everyone!br /Here are some pictures from the skate race today. The Carnival scene is fun because we have so many alums racing for different colleges. br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6MXt-bdX_7M/TVWOvFeG4lI/AAAAAAAAGak/bcj_7FEIn-g/s1600/IMG_1041.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6MXt-bdX_7M/TVWOvFeG4lI/AAAAAAAAGak/bcj_7FEIn-g/s400/IMG_1041.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572517053514310226″ //aAustin and Nick head out for their forerunning duties.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3uAn3L7QZNI/TVWOcBAZFXI/AAAAAAAAGac/2OJPWodLfl0/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3uAn3L7QZNI/TVWOcBAZFXI/AAAAAAAAGac/2OJPWodLfl0/s400/IMG_1043.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572516725898417522″ //a’murph.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ROA3ku7MdRI/TVWOPuZJNTI/AAAAAAAAGaU/2dASlelZ5hI/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ROA3ku7MdRI/TVWOPuZJNTI/AAAAAAAAGaU/2dASlelZ5hI/s400/IMG_1045.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572516514743530802″ //aBridger.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kAlgyaVCkq0/TVWOCJjIlxI/AAAAAAAAGaM/v0Gt4OKX65o/s1600/IMG_1047.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kAlgyaVCkq0/TVWOCJjIlxI/AAAAAAAAGaM/v0Gt4OKX65o/s400/IMG_1047.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572516281515022098″ //ada boys.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P0DT5Wu2L9g/TVWNuzk3wMI/AAAAAAAAGaE/SyYIJ9dWtG8/s1600/IMG_1052.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P0DT5Wu2L9g/TVWNuzk3wMI/AAAAAAAAGaE/SyYIJ9dWtG8/s400/IMG_1052.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572515949199212738″ //aHallie and Rachel got to ski their first Carnival.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0segEsAiRrA/TVWNg5YRTZI/AAAAAAAAGZ8/7mBBHjTm2CQ/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0segEsAiRrA/TVWNg5YRTZI/AAAAAAAAGZ8/7mBBHjTm2CQ/s400/IMG_1053.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572515710238805394″ //aSophie and Izzy.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omJNHYB1DzM/TVWNPA18XQI/AAAAAAAAGZ0/RV2tmDqREYo/s1600/IMG_1058.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omJNHYB1DzM/TVWNPA18XQI/AAAAAAAAGZ0/RV2tmDqREYo/s400/IMG_1058.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572515403004665090″ //aAustin, Chase and Anya.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Sjg7f7fA9E/TVWNDhOarKI/AAAAAAAAGZs/2JD5hv21TaY/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Sjg7f7fA9E/TVWNDhOarKI/AAAAAAAAGZs/2JD5hv21TaY/s400/IMG_1062.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572515205538819234″ //aHallie.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4c1yKubwj4/TVWM7APFY5I/AAAAAAAAGZk/yqEnn6kPgMk/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4c1yKubwj4/TVWM7APFY5I/AAAAAAAAGZk/yqEnn6kPgMk/s400/IMG_1064.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572515059244295058″ //aGage.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9PAWohMIwmU/TVWMvtoNV5I/AAAAAAAAGZc/DvwYSOHeedA/s1600/IMG_1065.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9PAWohMIwmU/TVWMvtoNV5I/AAAAAAAAGZc/DvwYSOHeedA/s400/IMG_1065.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572514865270839186″ //aMegan.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzB86niONIk/TVWMheCuSRI/AAAAAAAAGZU/D0pwY6whFFc/s1600/IMG_1067.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzB86niONIk/TVWMheCuSRI/AAAAAAAAGZU/D0pwY6whFFc/s400/IMG_1067.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572514620568914194″ //aHilary.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OzapjVFW0go/TVWMVnrnEvI/AAAAAAAAGZM/6ejaGx43viY/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OzapjVFW0go/TVWMVnrnEvI/AAAAAAAAGZM/6ejaGx43viY/s400/IMG_1068.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572514416997896946″ //arachel.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yATq_ayx_I8/TVWMIsMTkYI/AAAAAAAAGZE/Np4bNFYVUHk/s1600/IMG_1069.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yATq_ayx_I8/TVWMIsMTkYI/AAAAAAAAGZE/Np4bNFYVUHk/s400/IMG_1069.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572514194870473090″ //abr /Stephanie.br /Apologies to the alums not shown, keep up the good work :).div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4680416899705879324-7864456823456654196?l=smsxc.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div