FasterSkier

Category: XCFeeds

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

  • Breadloaf Tour: Big Smiles and Frost Snow

    Tuesday we took a drive South to visit Breadloaf and the Rikert Touring Center.  We had a large group with the whole team and five Flex Termers along for the the day.  Abby Weissman from NENSA joined us as well. Some of the youngsters got a taste of the Bill Koch Festival venue, got to see the Robert Frost Cabin, and were treated like royalty by the staff at Rikert — even got to use the Middlebury Ski Team “Team Room!” Thank you to Tim and the staff for making us feel so welcome.

    The group headed out on the Wagon Wheel Trail behind the Frost Cabin.

    Leah Brams and Valentina Rugerio from EMBK.  Cruising around the stadium of the 2011 Bill Koch Festival.

    Noah Eckstein cruising through the fresh on a descent on the back side of  the Breadloaf Trails.

    Nathanael Kuzio carrying some nice speed.  Nathanael has improved a lot this year and he is getting into more dynamic positions every day. 

    Nell Shea, little sister of Dev Shea, joining us for some fun in the snow. All smiles, all day.

    What a great group for a tour in the woods!

  • Breadloaf Tour: Big Smiles and Frost Snow

    Tuesday we took a drive South to visit Breadloaf and the Rikert Touring Center.  We had a large group with the whole team and five Flex Termers along for the the day.  Abby Weissman from NENSA joined us as well. Some of the youngsters got a taste of the Bill Koch Festival venue, got to see the Robert Frost Cabin, and were treated like royalty by the staff at Rikert — even got to use the Middlebury Ski Team “Team Room!” Thank you to Tim and the staff for making us feel so welcome.

    The group headed out on the Wagon Wheel Trail behind the Frost Cabin.

    Leah Brams and Valentina Rugerio from EMBK.  Cruising around the stadium of the 2011 Bill Koch Festival.

    Noah Eckstein cruising through the fresh on a descent on the back side of  the Breadloaf Trails.

    Nathanael Kuzio carrying some nice speed.  Nathanael has improved a lot this year and he is getting into more dynamic positions every day. 

    Nell Shea, little sister of Dev Shea, joining us for some fun in the snow. All smiles, all day.

    What a great group for a tour in the woods!

  • Fort Kent: Just like freshman year… minus the homework.

    I’m back in Fort Kent, ME preparing for the second world cup in a two-week tour of the US. Well, not so much a tour, but a touchdown in Aroostook County. It’s been great to get a break from the European racing scene and finally make the world cup tour come over to our neck of the woods. Last week we had a great series of races in Presque Isle, just 45 minutes south of here. The organizers there put on a great show and I heard nothing but good things about the quality of the event they pulled off.

    After the Pursuit race on Sunday, we journeyed north to Fort Kent on Monday, with a short stop in Long Lake for lunch. I haven’t been back to Fort Kent since I lived here in 2005 and 2006 while competing with the Maine Winter Sports Center elite team. Although things seem pretty similar to when I left, one thing is much different: the rolling biathlon course of years past is no longer. Instead, I was confronted with possibly the longest, steepest climb of any world cup course I can recall! The course leaves the stadium and heads downhill for about 15 or 20 seconds. Then, it’s a grueling climb for about a minute or more, followed by a gradual section of about 100 meters, capped off by another brutal ascent. Basically, you go from the low point to the high point of the course within about 700 meters.

    But, the course was prepared really well and the stadium is put together nicely. Since Fort Kent is not a booming metropolis, there isn’t a whole lot of lodging. So, the organizers have set us up in the dorm rooms of the local university campus. It’s a trip back to freshman year – communal bathrooms, dining hall, and dorm room lodgings. But, the food is good and we are only five minutes from the venue so I’m content and looking forward to the racing. We have the first race on Thursday at 11:30am EST. Hope you can tune in!

    -Lowell

  • Fort Kent: Just like freshman year… minus the homework.

    I’m back in Fort Kent, ME preparing for the second world cup in a two-week tour of the US. Well, not so much a tour, but a touchdown in Aroostook County. It’s been great to get a break from the European racing scene and finally make the world cup tour come over to our neck of the woods. Last week we had a great series of races in Presque Isle, just 45 minutes south of here. The organizers there put on a great show and I heard nothing but good things about the quality of the event they pulled off.

    After the Pursuit race on Sunday, we journeyed north to Fort Kent on Monday, with a short stop in Long Lake for lunch. I haven’t been back to Fort Kent since I lived here in 2005 and 2006 while competing with the Maine Winter Sports Center elite team. Although things seem pretty similar to when I left, one thing is much different: the rolling biathlon course of years past is no longer. Instead, I was confronted with possibly the longest, steepest climb of any world cup course I can recall! The course leaves the stadium and heads downhill for about 15 or 20 seconds. Then, it’s a grueling climb for about a minute or more, followed by a gradual section of about 100 meters, capped off by another brutal ascent. Basically, you go from the low point to the high point of the course within about 700 meters.

    But, the course was prepared really well and the stadium is put together nicely. Since Fort Kent is not a booming metropolis, there isn’t a whole lot of lodging. So, the organizers have set us up in the dorm rooms of the local university campus. It’s a trip back to freshman year – communal bathrooms, dining hall, and dorm room lodgings. But, the food is good and we are only five minutes from the venue so I’m content and looking forward to the racing. We have the first race on Thursday at 11:30am EST. Hope you can tune in!

    -Lowell

  • Fort Kent: Just like freshman year… minus the homework.

    I’m back in Fort Kent, ME preparing for the second world cup in a two-week tour of the US. Well, not so much a tour, but a touchdown in Aroostook County. It’s been great to get a break from the European racing scene and finally make the world cup tour come over to our neck of the woods. Last week we had a great series of races in Presque Isle, just 45 minutes south of here. The organizers there put on a great show and I heard nothing but good things about the quality of the event they pulled off.

    After the Pursuit race on Sunday, we journeyed north to Fort Kent on Monday, with a short stop in Long Lake for lunch. I haven’t been back to Fort Kent since I lived here in 2005 and 2006 while competing with the Maine Winter Sports Center elite team. Although things seem pretty similar to when I left, one thing is much different: the rolling biathlon course of years past is no longer. Instead, I was confronted with possibly the longest, steepest climb of any world cup course I can recall! The course leaves the stadium and heads downhill for about 15 or 20 seconds. Then, it’s a grueling climb for about a minute or more, followed by a gradual section of about 100 meters, capped off by another brutal ascent. Basically, you go from the low point to the high point of the course within about 700 meters.

    But, the course was prepared really well and the stadium is put together nicely. Since Fort Kent is not a booming metropolis, there isn’t a whole lot of lodging. So, the organizers have set us up in the dorm rooms of the local university campus. It’s a trip back to freshman year – communal bathrooms, dining hall, and dorm room lodgings. But, the food is good and we are only five minutes from the venue so I’m content and looking forward to the racing. We have the first race on Thursday at 11:30am EST. Hope you can tune in!

    -Lowell

  • Fort Kent: Just like freshman year… minus the homework.

    I’m back in Fort Kent, ME preparing for the second world cup in a two-week tour of the US. Well, not so much a tour, but a touchdown in Aroostook County. It’s been great to get a break from the European racing scene and finally make the world cup tour come over to our neck of the woods. Last week we had a great series of races in Presque Isle, just 45 minutes south of here. The organizers there put on a great show and I heard nothing but good things about the quality of the event they pulled off.

    After the Pursuit race on Sunday, we journeyed north to Fort Kent on Monday, with a short stop in Long Lake for lunch. I haven’t been back to Fort Kent since I lived here in 2005 and 2006 while competing with the Maine Winter Sports Center elite team. Although things seem pretty similar to when I left, one thing is much different: the rolling biathlon course of years past is no longer. Instead, I was confronted with possibly the longest, steepest climb of any world cup course I can recall! The course leaves the stadium and heads downhill for about 15 or 20 seconds. Then, it’s a grueling climb for about a minute or more, followed by a gradual section of about 100 meters, capped off by another brutal ascent. Basically, you go from the low point to the high point of the course within about 700 meters.

    But, the course was prepared really well and the stadium is put together nicely. Since Fort Kent is not a booming metropolis, there isn’t a whole lot of lodging. So, the organizers have set us up in the dorm rooms of the local university campus. It’s a trip back to freshman year – communal bathrooms, dining hall, and dorm room lodgings. But, the food is good and we are only five minutes from the venue so I’m content and looking forward to the racing. We have the first race on Thursday at 11:30am EST. Hope you can tune in!

    -Lowell

  • Skiing Nordic Combined

    The Boulder Mountain Tour is a fast 32 k predominantly down.   Conditions were fast and really fast things that make skis go fast were key,  i.e. flex of the skis, wax, grind, and of course, the person driving.  The finish had me surrounded by the U.S. Olympic nordic combined guys.. 23 seconds back from the $3000 first prize.  Full results here

  • The Best Ski Loop In Alaska

    A quick peek around the internet today revealed that a lot of skiers and bikers were out on the back-country trails of Alaska getting in one last training run/ride/ski before the Susitna 100 in two weeks. Looks like most of them were on the Su 100 course somewhere between Point Mackenzie and Luce’s Lodge. It’s […]

  • Wax Tip: Pre-Birkie

  • Caitlin long pole

    Caitlin Compton surges ahead to win both the sprints and the freestyle City of the Lakes races this past week end.  What was her secret?  By using one long pole and one short pole she was able to fend off any one who would come close.  Caitlin reports “The technique startled some, but overall gave me the edge I needed.”  It was unknown if she was going to bring a long pole for Brian to use next week where she joins him for the Owl Creek Super Tour in Aspen, Colorado. 

    Thanks for loaning me a pole!

  • PB in PI


    As the Swiss coach told me after congratulating me on my performance in Presque Isle, I couldn’t have picked a better time for a stellar result. My 14th place personal best was also the best World Cup finish for a US woman in a decade. With my parents, grandpa, aunts, uncle, cousins and plenty more fans watching, it was a perfect day to have a great race. I cleaned my shooting and felt good skiing. I know that top-15 is not something to be expected always, but I’m getting there. It’s very exciting.

    Presque Isle Opening Ceremonies. Yes, they are dancing on rollerskis!

    The mixed relay and pursuit were also good races for me. Our team missed the flower ceremony (top-6) by one place, and on a windy and snowy pursuit day I was able to hold on for top-30 with 6 penalties. With such a good weekend, it gives me a lot of confidence that I’m peaking just at the right time. Starting to get faster now, and peaking just in time for World Championships in a few weeks was always the plan, and it seems as though the plan is coming together nicely.

    Exhausted after the tag-off in the mixed relay. (photo credit: AP)

    I’m currently in Fort Kent for one more weekend of US World Cup racing. A much needed snow storm has been raging all day, and the temperatures are supposed to dip to frigid tomorrow. Not exactly the weather we were hoping for, but at least it’s not warm and melting. The organizers and volunteers in both Ft. Kent and Presque Isle have been amazing. Being the home team, we’re been getting lots of pats on the back and “good luck,” but more than that, you can tell they really want everyone to enjoy these events and are doing what they can to make things perfect. Northern Maine may be far away for the Europeans to travel, but I think the hospitality and preparation has made it a trip to remember. Hopefully this weekend will be another one for the books!

  • PB in PI


    As the Swiss coach told me after congratulating me on my performance in Presque Isle, I couldn’t have picked a better time for a stellar result. My 14th place personal best was also the best World Cup finish for a US woman in a decade. With my parents, grandpa, aunts, uncle, cousins and plenty more fans watching, it was a perfect day to have a great race. I cleaned my shooting and felt good skiing. I know that top-15 is not something to be expected always, but I’m getting there. It’s very exciting.

    Presque Isle Opening Ceremonies. Yes, they are dancing on rollerskis!

    The mixed relay and pursuit were also good races for me. Our team missed the flower ceremony (top-6) by one place, and on a windy and snowy pursuit day I was able to hold on for top-30 with 6 penalties. With such a good weekend, it gives me a lot of confidence that I’m peaking just at the right time. Starting to get faster now, and peaking just in time for World Championships in a few weeks was always the plan, and it seems as though the plan is coming together nicely.

    Exhausted after the tag-off in the mixed relay. (photo credit: AP)

    I’m currently in Fort Kent for one more weekend of US World Cup racing. A much needed snow storm has been raging all day, and the temperatures are supposed to dip to frigid tomorrow. Not exactly the weather we were hoping for, but at least it’s not warm and melting. The organizers and volunteers in both Ft. Kent and Presque Isle have been amazing. Being the home team, we’re been getting lots of pats on the back and “good luck,” but more than that, you can tell they really want everyone to enjoy these events and are doing what they can to make things perfect. Northern Maine may be far away for the Europeans to travel, but I think the hospitality and preparation has made it a trip to remember. Hopefully this weekend will be another one for the books!

  • PB in PI


    As the Swiss coach told me after congratulating me on my performance in Presque Isle, I couldn’t have picked a better time for a stellar result. My 14th place personal best was also the best World Cup finish for a US woman in a decade. With my parents, grandpa, aunts, uncle, cousins and plenty more fans watching, it was a perfect day to have a great race. I cleaned my shooting and felt good skiing. I know that top-15 is not something to be expected always, but I’m getting there. It’s very exciting.

    Presque Isle Opening Ceremonies. Yes, they are dancing on rollerskis!

    The mixed relay and pursuit were also good races for me. Our team missed the flower ceremony (top-6) by one place, and on a windy and snowy pursuit day I was able to hold on for top-30 with 6 penalties. With such a good weekend, it gives me a lot of confidence that I’m peaking just at the right time. Starting to get faster now, and peaking just in time for World Championships in a few weeks was always the plan, and it seems as though the plan is coming together nicely.

    Exhausted after the tag-off in the mixed relay. (photo credit: AP)

    I’m currently in Fort Kent for one more weekend of US World Cup racing. A much needed snow storm has been raging all day, and the temperatures are supposed to dip to frigid tomorrow. Not exactly the weather we were hoping for, but at least it’s not warm and melting. The organizers and volunteers in both Ft. Kent and Presque Isle have been amazing. Being the home team, we’re been getting lots of pats on the back and “good luck,” but more than that, you can tell they really want everyone to enjoy these events and are doing what they can to make things perfect. Northern Maine may be far away for the Europeans to travel, but I think the hospitality and preparation has made it a trip to remember. Hopefully this weekend will be another one for the books!

  • PB in PI


    As the Swiss coach told me after congratulating me on my performance in Presque Isle, I couldn’t have picked a better time for a stellar result. My 14th place personal best was also the best World Cup finish for a US woman in a decade. With my parents, grandpa, aunts, uncle, cousins and plenty more fans watching, it was a perfect day to have a great race. I cleaned my shooting and felt good skiing. I know that top-15 is not something to be expected always, but I’m getting there. It’s very exciting.

    Presque Isle Opening Ceremonies. Yes, they are dancing on rollerskis!

    The mixed relay and pursuit were also good races for me. Our team missed the flower ceremony (top-6) by one place, and on a windy and snowy pursuit day I was able to hold on for top-30 with 6 penalties. With such a good weekend, it gives me a lot of confidence that I’m peaking just at the right time. Starting to get faster now, and peaking just in time for World Championships in a few weeks was always the plan, and it seems as though the plan is coming together nicely.

    Exhausted after the tag-off in the mixed relay. (photo credit: AP)

    I’m currently in Fort Kent for one more weekend of US World Cup racing. A much needed snow storm has been raging all day, and the temperatures are supposed to dip to frigid tomorrow. Not exactly the weather we were hoping for, but at least it’s not warm and melting. The organizers and volunteers in both Ft. Kent and Presque Isle have been amazing. Being the home team, we’re been getting lots of pats on the back and “good luck,” but more than that, you can tell they really want everyone to enjoy these events and are doing what they can to make things perfect. Northern Maine may be far away for the Europeans to travel, but I think the hospitality and preparation has made it a trip to remember. Hopefully this weekend will be another one for the books!

  • Where Skiing Can Take You 2011-02-08 18:56:00

  • Rybinsk: Sprint Recap

    I only have the raw result this time around, so nothing fancy. Instead, we’ll just pick out some people who looked like they had some unusually good races again.

    There’s a lot less to say here, since it’s a lot harder to measure sprinting performance in ways that account for the strength of the field. A few things do stand out to me, though.

    Martin Jaeger’s race seems genuinely good, even with the weak field. He’s been in the top ten before, but that was two years ago, and it was only once. On the other hand, Peeter Kummel’s result seems somewhat less impressive than at first glance. Unlike Jaeger, he’s had top ten’s before on a fairly regular basis. That’s certainly not a typical result for him, but it’s not unusual for him to pop up in the top 10/15 once or twice a season, is what I’m saying.

    Related posts:

    1. <Recap: Davos Sprint
    2. <Liberec Sprint Recap
    3. <Rybinsk: Does Anyone Care?


  • Lake Placid Loppet and JOQ

    (Start of the 50k Free at the Lake Placid Loppet)
    It was a epic weekend for all of the members of R.N.R. The senior team made the trip north to Lake Placid to take part in the Lake Placid Loppet. The junior team headed east to take part in the final Junior Olympic qualifier in Old Forge. After breaking out the new suits at the Super Tour two weeks ago the rest of the state is fully aware of who is hunting them down !
    For the senior team Lake Placid has become a second home this winter as we have been in Lake Placid three out of the last four weekends, and are starting to contemplating buying a house to set up winter residency, well maybe not a house but at least a snow fort! Until that happens we have found a home away from home at the High Peaks Guide House ! Brian Delaney the owner of High Peaks is a vital part of the Nordic community not only in Lake Placid but across the state as he has dedicated his shop to being one of the best in the country offering a world class selection of equipment, stone grinds, and information. He also goes out of his way to sponsor all events in the area and now offers lodging at the guide house. Click here to see some pictures and details on the property. http://highpeakscyclery.com/articles/high-peaks-vacation-house-pg101.htm
    Having a home away from home helped the senior team gather some impressive results at the Loppet. I was lucky enough to get off to a good start and led the race through about the first 5k I knew that the jacked up old man was behind me as well as last years winner Jake Hollenbach so after getting out to a good position slowed a little to try to get them to take a little pull, as anyone who knows Duncan well knows he is at home out on Porter Mnt and letting him get to the front was probably not the best idea as he took off as if he was shot out of a cannon, I was able to hang on to him and Jake for a little while but they ended up skiing away leaving myself and fellow New Yorker Mike Wynn skiing together for the next 20k, it was nice to have someone to ski with as we had a gap over the rest of the field after the first lap I was able to ski away from Mike and hold on to 3rd place. Chad and Marty were in the chase pack for the entire race with a bunch of other guys and both had strong races. Marty was able to rally over the last 5k to move up a few spots. Chad and Marty went 1,2 in the 25-29 age group and finished 12th, and 13th overall. Derrick decided to skip the 50k and race the 25k race. He was able to hang on to 4th place in his 18-24 year age group which was won by Olympian Wynn Roberts. Congratulations to everyone who raced the 25k and 50k races this weekend. The Lake Placid Loppet course is no joke and anyone who competes is pretty freaking tough! In saying that the toughest man out their had to be 81 year young Lenord Robinson who did the 50k classic, he competed in the 1st loppet 29 years ago and gid willing will compete in the 30th anniversary race next year!
    (Jason Getting a feed)
    (Chad and Libby with a clean hand-off)
    (Marty not looking like he wants a drink this time around)
    While the Loppet was taking place the junior team headed to Old Forge to race in the last JOQ of the year. Coratulations to Reed for winning the J1 boys race and having the fastest time of the day! The rest of the crew also had great results with Alyssa and Margot taking 3rd and 4th in the J1 girls race ! Katie and Keena also had good races competing in the J2 race and taking 5th and 8th ! Dylan, Mike and Eric also where in the J1 race and skied to 5th, 12th, and 14th respectively. Dylan had a great race finishing 4th and securing a spot on this years Junior Olympic team. Gavin and Marco were in the J2 race and skied to 4th and 7th place. Gavin and Eric are in a tight fight for most improved skiers this year. Eric has established himself as one of the top skiers in the state while Gavin has come strait of the Alpine hill to be a force not only in the J2 ranks but across all age groups ! It’s pretty impressive to have someone skiing so well his first year competing in nordic and with some hard work could become a real forge within the next two years!
    (Alyssa striding out of the start)
    (Marco getting after it)
    (Eric)
    (Mike getting ready to unleash some power on those poles)
    Not to be forgotten Steve decided to head south to the Art Roscoe Loppet and try to get the elusive victory that has escaped him the last two years. He was closer this year than ever but fell victim to the finishing sprint and finished in 3rd. It’s always a hard game to play in a mass start of when to make your move but I think he has learned to drop the hammer a little earlier and lay it on the line instead of leaving it up for a spring. I’m already looking forward to seeing what happens next year as I know he is going to be looking for the win again!
    Next up for the juniors is the Section Five race this weekend ! I wish them all the best of luck and can’t wait to see what happens!
    !
    (Some of the Junior Team all smiles after the race!)

  • Lake Placid Loppet and JOQ

    (Start of the 50k Free at the Lake Placid Loppet)
    It was a epic weekend for all of the members of R.N.R. The senior team made the trip north to Lake Placid to take part in the Lake Placid Loppet. The junior team headed east to take part in the final Junior Olympic qualifier in Old Forge. After breaking out the new suits at the Super Tour two weeks ago the rest of the state is fully aware of who is hunting them down !
    For the senior team Lake Placid has become a second home this winter as we have been in Lake Placid three out of the last four weekends, and are starting to contemplating buying a house to set up winter residency, well maybe not a house but at least a snow fort! Until that happens we have found a home away from home at the High Peaks Guide House ! Brian Delaney the owner of High Peaks is a vital part of the Nordic community not only in Lake Placid but across the state as he has dedicated his shop to being one of the best in the country offering a world class selection of equipment, stone grinds, and information. He also goes out of his way to sponsor all events in the area and now offers lodging at the guide house. Click here to see some pictures and details on the property. http://highpeakscyclery.com/articles/high-peaks-vacation-house-pg101.htm
    Having a home away from home helped the senior team gather some impressive results at the Loppet. I was lucky enough to get off to a good start and led the race through about the first 5k I knew that the jacked up old man was behind me as well as last years winner Jake Hollenbach so after getting out to a good position slowed a little to try to get them to take a little pull, as anyone who knows Duncan well knows he is at home out on Porter Mnt and letting him get to the front was probably not the best idea as he took off as if he was shot out of a cannon, I was able to hang on to him and Jake for a little while but they ended up skiing away leaving myself and fellow New Yorker Mike Wynn skiing together for the next 20k, it was nice to have someone to ski with as we had a gap over the rest of the field after the first lap I was able to ski away from Mike and hold on to 3rd place. Chad and Marty were in the chase pack for the entire race with a bunch of other guys and both had strong races. Marty was able to rally over the last 5k to move up a few spots. Chad and Marty went 1,2 in the 25-29 age group and finished 12th, and 13th overall. Derrick decided to skip the 50k and race the 25k race. He was able to hang on to 4th place in his 18-24 year age group which was won by Olympian Wynn Roberts. Congratulations to everyone who raced the 25k and 50k races this weekend. The Lake Placid Loppet course is no joke and anyone who competes is pretty freaking tough! In saying that the toughest man out their had to be 81 year young Lenord Robinson who did the 50k classic, he competed in the 1st loppet 29 years ago and gid willing will compete in the 30th anniversary race next year!
    (Jason Getting a feed)
    (Chad and Libby with a clean hand-off)
    (Marty not looking like he wants a drink this time around)
    While the Loppet was taking place the junior team headed to Old Forge to race in the last JOQ of the year. Coratulations to Reed for winning the J1 boys race and having the fastest time of the day! The rest of the crew also had great results with Alyssa and Margot taking 3rd and 4th in the J1 girls race ! Katie and Keena also had good races competing in the J2 race and taking 5th and 8th ! Dylan, Mike and Eric also where in the J1 race and skied to 5th, 12th, and 14th respectively. Dylan had a great race finishing 4th and securing a spot on this years Junior Olympic team. Gavin and Marco were in the J2 race and skied to 4th and 7th place. Gavin and Eric are in a tight fight for most improved skiers this year. Eric has established himself as one of the top skiers in the state while Gavin has come strait of the Alpine hill to be a force not only in the J2 ranks but across all age groups ! It’s pretty impressive to have someone skiing so well his first year competing in nordic and with some hard work could become a real forge within the next two years!
    (Alyssa striding out of the start)
    (Marco getting after it)
    (Eric)
    (Mike getting ready to unleash some power on those poles)
    Not to be forgotten Steve decided to head south to the Art Roscoe Loppet and try to get the elusive victory that has escaped him the last two years. He was closer this year than ever but fell victim to the finishing sprint and finished in 3rd. It’s always a hard game to play in a mass start of when to make your move but I think he has learned to drop the hammer a little earlier and lay it on the line instead of leaving it up for a spring. I’m already looking forward to seeing what happens next year as I know he is going to be looking for the win again!
    Next up for the juniors is the Section Five race this weekend ! I wish them all the best of luck and can’t wait to see what happens!
    !
    (Some of the Junior Team all smiles after the race!)

  • Lake Placid Loppet and JOQ

    (Start of the 50k Free at the Lake Placid Loppet)
    It was a epic weekend for all of the members of R.N.R. The senior team made the trip north to Lake Placid to take part in the Lake Placid Loppet. The junior team headed east to take part in the final Junior Olympic qualifier in Old Forge. After breaking out the new suits at the Super Tour two weeks ago the rest of the state is fully aware of who is hunting them down !
    For the senior team Lake Placid has become a second home this winter as we have been in Lake Placid three out of the last four weekends, and are starting to contemplating buying a house to set up winter residency, well maybe not a house but at least a snow fort! Until that happens we have found a home away from home at the High Peaks Guide House ! Brian Delaney the owner of High Peaks is a vital part of the Nordic community not only in Lake Placid but across the state as he has dedicated his shop to being one of the best in the country offering a world class selection of equipment, stone grinds, and information. He also goes out of his way to sponsor all events in the area and now offers lodging at the guide house. Click here to see some pictures and details on the property. http://highpeakscyclery.com/articles/high-peaks-vacation-house-pg101.htm
    Having a home away from home helped the senior team gather some impressive results at the Loppet. I was lucky enough to get off to a good start and led the race through about the first 5k I knew that the jacked up old man was behind me as well as last years winner Jake Hollenbach so after getting out to a good position slowed a little to try to get them to take a little pull, as anyone who knows Duncan well knows he is at home out on Porter Mnt and letting him get to the front was probably not the best idea as he took off as if he was shot out of a cannon, I was able to hang on to him and Jake for a little while but they ended up skiing away leaving myself and fellow New Yorker Mike Wynn skiing together for the next 20k, it was nice to have someone to ski with as we had a gap over the rest of the field after the first lap I was able to ski away from Mike and hold on to 3rd place. Chad and Marty were in the chase pack for the entire race with a bunch of other guys and both had strong races. Marty was able to rally over the last 5k to move up a few spots. Chad and Marty went 1,2 in the 25-29 age group and finished 12th, and 13th overall. Derrick decided to skip the 50k and race the 25k race. He was able to hang on to 4th place in his 18-24 year age group which was won by Olympian Wynn Roberts. Congratulations to everyone who raced the 25k and 50k races this weekend. The Lake Placid Loppet course is no joke and anyone who competes is pretty freaking tough! In saying that the toughest man out their had to be 81 year young Lenord Robinson who did the 50k classic, he competed in the 1st loppet 29 years ago and gid willing will compete in the 30th anniversary race next year!
    (Jason Getting a feed)
    (Chad and Libby with a clean hand-off)
    (Marty not looking like he wants a drink this time around)
    While the Loppet was taking place the junior team headed to Old Forge to race in the last JOQ of the year. Coratulations to Reed for winning the J1 boys race and having the fastest time of the day! The rest of the crew also had great results with Alyssa and Margot taking 3rd and 4th in the J1 girls race ! Katie and Keena also had good races competing in the J2 race and taking 5th and 8th ! Dylan, Mike and Eric also where in the J1 race and skied to 5th, 12th, and 14th respectively. Dylan had a great race finishing 4th and securing a spot on this years Junior Olympic team. Gavin and Marco were in the J2 race and skied to 4th and 7th place. Gavin and Eric are in a tight fight for most improved skiers this year. Eric has established himself as one of the top skiers in the state while Gavin has come strait of the Alpine hill to be a force not only in the J2 ranks but across all age groups ! It’s pretty impressive to have someone skiing so well his first year competing in nordic and with some hard work could become a real forge within the next two years!
    (Alyssa striding out of the start)
    (Marco getting after it)
    (Eric)
    (Mike getting ready to unleash some power on those poles)
    Not to be forgotten Steve decided to head south to the Art Roscoe Loppet and try to get the elusive victory that has escaped him the last two years. He was closer this year than ever but fell victim to the finishing sprint and finished in 3rd. It’s always a hard game to play in a mass start of when to make your move but I think he has learned to drop the hammer a little earlier and lay it on the line instead of leaving it up for a spring. I’m already looking forward to seeing what happens next year as I know he is going to be looking for the win again!
    Next up for the juniors is the Section Five race this weekend ! I wish them all the best of luck and can’t wait to see what happens!
    !
    (Some of the Junior Team all smiles after the race!)

  • Lake Placid Loppet and JOQ

    (Start of the 50k Free at the Lake Placid Loppet)
    It was a epic weekend for all of the members of R.N.R. The senior team made the trip north to Lake Placid to take part in the Lake Placid Loppet. The junior team headed east to take part in the final Junior Olympic qualifier in Old Forge. After breaking out the new suits at the Super Tour two weeks ago the rest of the state is fully aware of who is hunting them down !
    For the senior team Lake Placid has become a second home this winter as we have been in Lake Placid three out of the last four weekends, and are starting to contemplating buying a house to set up winter residency, well maybe not a house but at least a snow fort! Until that happens we have found a home away from home at the High Peaks Guide House ! Brian Delaney the owner of High Peaks is a vital part of the Nordic community not only in Lake Placid but across the state as he has dedicated his shop to being one of the best in the country offering a world class selection of equipment, stone grinds, and information. He also goes out of his way to sponsor all events in the area and now offers lodging at the guide house. Click here to see some pictures and details on the property. http://highpeakscyclery.com/articles/high-peaks-vacation-house-pg101.htm
    Having a home away from home helped the senior team gather some impressive results at the Loppet. I was lucky enough to get off to a good start and led the race through about the first 5k I knew that the jacked up old man was behind me as well as last years winner Jake Hollenbach so after getting out to a good position slowed a little to try to get them to take a little pull, as anyone who knows Duncan well knows he is at home out on Porter Mnt and letting him get to the front was probably not the best idea as he took off as if he was shot out of a cannon, I was able to hang on to him and Jake for a little while but they ended up skiing away leaving myself and fellow New Yorker Mike Wynn skiing together for the next 20k, it was nice to have someone to ski with as we had a gap over the rest of the field after the first lap I was able to ski away from Mike and hold on to 3rd place. Chad and Marty were in the chase pack for the entire race with a bunch of other guys and both had strong races. Marty was able to rally over the last 5k to move up a few spots. Chad and Marty went 1,2 in the 25-29 age group and finished 12th, and 13th overall. Derrick decided to skip the 50k and race the 25k race. He was able to hang on to 4th place in his 18-24 year age group which was won by Olympian Wynn Roberts. Congratulations to everyone who raced the 25k and 50k races this weekend. The Lake Placid Loppet course is no joke and anyone who competes is pretty freaking tough! In saying that the toughest man out their had to be 81 year young Lenord Robinson who did the 50k classic, he competed in the 1st loppet 29 years ago and gid willing will compete in the 30th anniversary race next year!
    (Jason Getting a feed)
    (Chad and Libby with a clean hand-off)
    (Marty not looking like he wants a drink this time around)
    While the Loppet was taking place the junior team headed to Old Forge to race in the last JOQ of the year. Coratulations to Reed for winning the J1 boys race and having the fastest time of the day! The rest of the crew also had great results with Alyssa and Margot taking 3rd and 4th in the J1 girls race ! Katie and Keena also had good races competing in the J2 race and taking 5th and 8th ! Dylan, Mike and Eric also where in the J1 race and skied to 5th, 12th, and 14th respectively. Dylan had a great race finishing 4th and securing a spot on this years Junior Olympic team. Gavin and Marco were in the J2 race and skied to 4th and 7th place. Gavin and Eric are in a tight fight for most improved skiers this year. Eric has established himself as one of the top skiers in the state while Gavin has come strait of the Alpine hill to be a force not only in the J2 ranks but across all age groups ! It’s pretty impressive to have someone skiing so well his first year competing in nordic and with some hard work could become a real forge within the next two years!
    (Alyssa striding out of the start)
    (Marco getting after it)
    (Eric)
    (Mike getting ready to unleash some power on those poles)
    Not to be forgotten Steve decided to head south to the Art Roscoe Loppet and try to get the elusive victory that has escaped him the last two years. He was closer this year than ever but fell victim to the finishing sprint and finished in 3rd. It’s always a hard game to play in a mass start of when to make your move but I think he has learned to drop the hammer a little earlier and lay it on the line instead of leaving it up for a spring. I’m already looking forward to seeing what happens next year as I know he is going to be looking for the win again!
    Next up for the juniors is the Section Five race this weekend ! I wish them all the best of luck and can’t wait to see what happens!
    !
    (Some of the Junior Team all smiles after the race!)