FasterSkier

Category: XCFeeds

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

  • Western Race Tour Complete

    CXC Elite Team post race in Silver Star, BC
    Garrott, Gus, Bryan, Brian, Caitlin, Jennie, Brooke, Jason, and Jessie (photo: Rob Whitney)

    The ‘Western Race Tour’ as I like to call it came to an end today. It has been a great start to the season with 8 races in 3 venues. Here is a short synopsis of period 1 of the race season.

    West Yellowstone, MT
    Arrived 12 days early to adjust to the altitude and get on snow.
    4 races in 3 days kept the body working hard.
    Day 1: Classic and Skate 1.6km Sprints- 15th and 8th solid sprint qualifying positions for me.
    Day 2: 10km Skate- 9th went out hard and paid for it. Result a bit disappointing but felt great.
    Day 3: 15km Classic- 3rd best FIS points race ever, felt great (especially after skiing alone most of the race)

    Popped the big question to Caitlin during our weekly over distance ski… she said yes… very happy guy.
    Stayed in West Yellowstone for a big week of training. Plus a lot of planning and dreaming with my wonderful Fiance.
    Silver Star, BC, Canada
    Easier week of training in prep for a big race performance

    Day 1: Skipped Classic Sprint Race- decided to save some energy in the tank for the next day and the next week of racing.
    Day 2: 15k Skate- 3rd- went out conservative and skied progressivly faster. Lars caught me from 30 seconds back at 6km, I picked up the pace and hung with him almost to the finish. Very good result/race for me.

    Rossland, BC, Canada
    A lot of racing but also a lot of training in preparation for US Nationals the first week of January.

    Day 1: Skate Sprint: Qualifed 22nd, Finished 18th- slow qualifying, but went for it in my heat race led until final 200m. Felt good but out skied.
    Day 2: 10k Skate- 29th place- fast course and competitive field. Tight time gaps, fell on a hard left corner. Felt good but 1:08s out of first.
    Day 3: 15k Classic Pursuit Star- 8th- Went out hard and hungry to make up time I had lost. Great race/result for me in a super competitve field. 27sec out of the win for the day and 7sec out of 3rd.
    Overall Tour- 14th

    Merry Christmas
    Caitlin and I are off to the Methow Valley tomorrow for a 8 days of training and enjoying the holidays before flying out to Rumford, Maine for US Nationals.

  • Western Race Tour Complete

    CXC Elite Team post race in Silver Star, BC
    Garrott, Gus, Bryan, Brian, Caitlin, Jennie, Brooke, Jason, and Jessie (photo: Rob Whitney)

    The ‘Western Race Tour’ as I like to call it came to an end today. It has been a great start to the season with 8 races in 3 venues. Here is a short synopsis of period 1 of the race season.

    West Yellowstone, MT
    Arrived 12 days early to adjust to the altitude and get on snow.
    4 races in 3 days kept the body working hard.
    Day 1: Classic and Skate 1.6km Sprints- 15th and 8th solid sprint qualifying positions for me.
    Day 2: 10km Skate- 9th went out hard and paid for it. Result a bit disappointing but felt great.
    Day 3: 15km Classic- 3rd best FIS points race ever, felt great (especially after skiing alone most of the race)

    Popped the big question to Caitlin during our weekly over distance ski… she said yes… very happy guy.
    Stayed in West Yellowstone for a big week of training. Plus a lot of planning and dreaming with my wonderful Fiance.
    Silver Star, BC, Canada
    Easier week of training in prep for a big race performance

    Day 1: Skipped Classic Sprint Race- decided to save some energy in the tank for the next day and the next week of racing.
    Day 2: 15k Skate- 3rd- went out conservative and skied progressivly faster. Lars caught me from 30 seconds back at 6km, I picked up the pace and hung with him almost to the finish. Very good result/race for me.

    Rossland, BC, Canada
    A lot of racing but also a lot of training in preparation for US Nationals the first week of January.

    Day 1: Skate Sprint: Qualifed 22nd, Finished 18th- slow qualifying, but went for it in my heat race led until final 200m. Felt good but out skied.
    Day 2: 10k Skate- 29th place- fast course and competitive field. Tight time gaps, fell on a hard left corner. Felt good but 1:08s out of first.
    Day 3: 15k Classic Pursuit Star- 8th- Went out hard and hungry to make up time I had lost. Great race/result for me in a super competitve field. 27sec out of the win for the day and 7sec out of 3rd.
    Overall Tour- 14th

    Merry Christmas
    Caitlin and I are off to the Methow Valley tomorrow for a 8 days of training and enjoying the holidays before flying out to Rumford, Maine for US Nationals.

  • Old School Skiing with Billy Koch

    With Christmas just around a corner, I thought this might be just the time to share a little old school skiing of Billy Koch. I vividly remember watching this for the first time at my grade school friend’s Scotty house. He’d commandeered a copy and fired up the 16mm reel player, and seconds later I watched transfixed as the king of momentum did his thing on his skinny Silver 44s.

  • Old Skool Skiing – A Christmas Time Gift

    With school getting out for both Mrs. Beavon’s class at Liberty Bell Junior High and Mr. Peck’s 5th graders in Leavenworth, I thought the time couldn’t be better for a little old school skiing from Billy Koch. I vividly remember watching this for the first time at my boyhood friend Scotty’s house. He’d commandeered a copy and fired up the 16mm reel player, and seconds later I watched transfixed as the king of momentum did his thing on his skinny Silver 44s.

  • Old Skool Skiing – A Christmas Time Gift

    With school getting out for both Mrs. Beavon’s class at Liberty Bell Junior High and Mr. Peck’s 5th graders in Leavenworth, I thought the time couldn’t be better for a little old school skiing from Billy Koch. I vividly remember watching this for the first time at my boyhood friend Scotty’s house. He’d commandeered a copy and fired up the 16mm reel player, and seconds later I watched transfixed as the king of momentum did his thing on his skinny Silver 44s.

  • Avoiding Illness: Emergen-C and Echinacea-Goldenseal Can Help!

  • Rossland Wrap Up

  • Ramsau 2

    Today was the second day in Ramsau, Austria. Today made me realize things, and how hard work can really pay off and you can get the results easy when you put your mind to it! My brother Bryan got his career best, 8th place, in the Race today. He has worked his ass off all summer and fall to get in to good shape, to fight for points in every competition. He lost up to 20 pounds which puts him in good fitness and makes things way easier. But just a couple weeks before the season he was going in to the season hoping for points in most comps, but thinking a top 10 was out of the picture. Now he puts in view, that its not that far away for myself.

    For me, today was a much better day. I knew going in to the season, I was going to be fast. I didn’t have the form I was looking for in the first trip in November, but I knew it was going to take time before, I was going to be faster. On the jumping side, It is a long process, and I felt like I took some major step

  • What A Weekend

    a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ7BgKweKWI/AAAAAAAAFuI/n8YqLnjHx2A/s1600/IMG_0267.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ7BgKweKWI/AAAAAAAAFuI/n8YqLnjHx2A/s400/IMG_0267.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552588148982032738″ //aWe had our first Eastern Cup weekend with beautiful weather and well run races at Craftsbury and Jericho. It was almost like an old home weekend with current SMS skiers and Alumni posting great results. br /Above, Joe Galanes (SMS Olympian) was there to help his nephew and cheer on everyone. br /One of our team goals is to have podium finishes in each age group that we enter at the Eastern Cups. No questions about that on saturday in the sprint race with Brooke and Tyler winning for J2’s, Heather and Paddy winning for J1’s (with Cam and Rachel 2,3) and Skyler winning for OJ’s. Throw in Sophie winning the overall and great results from many other alums and it was very impressive.br /Here are a bunch of pictures. Click on any picture to enlarge it.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ7BIRW4xLI/AAAAAAAAFuA/IWnXvhJqOVM/s1600/IMG_0268.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ7BIRW4xLI/AAAAAAAAFuA/IWnXvhJqOVM/s400/IMG_0268.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552587738436912306″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ7Av0rHWDI/AAAAAAAAFt4/HajFeRFjuP4/s1600/IMG_0270.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ7Av0rHWDI/AAAAAAAAFt4/HajFeRFjuP4/s400/IMG_0270.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552587318420265010″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ7AdhKWHGI/AAAAAAAAFtw/gvoN8H4MLog/s1600/IMG_0271.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ7AdhKWHGI/AAAAAAAAFtw/gvoN8H4MLog/s400/IMG_0271.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552587003944901730″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ7ALi0Vt0I/AAAAAAAAFto/gCZxR2WnU40/s1600/IMG_0272.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ7ALi0Vt0I/AAAAAAAAFto/gCZxR2WnU40/s400/IMG_0272.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552586695151826754″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6_6iTTv7I/AAAAAAAAFtg/eOL8TSCRMqM/s1600/IMG_0273.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6_6iTTv7I/AAAAAAAAFtg/eOL8TSCRMqM/s400/IMG_0273.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552586402955509682″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6_l6jGQQI/AAAAAAAAFtY/S9CdBJ5Ybak/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 356px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6_l6jGQQI/AAAAAAAAFtY/S9CdBJ5Ybak/s400/IMG_0274.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552586048686932226″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6_R4opCnI/AAAAAAAAFtQ/Q-oZMXYk5ZY/s1600/IMG_0275.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6_R4opCnI/AAAAAAAAFtQ/Q-oZMXYk5ZY/s400/IMG_0275.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552585704575928946″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6-65wjRFI/AAAAAAAAFtI/BEGRIJcUld8/s1600/IMG_0278.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6-65wjRFI/AAAAAAAAFtI/BEGRIJcUld8/s400/IMG_0278.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552585309740549202″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6-htA9SMI/AAAAAAAAFtA/N21GCaBBH58/s1600/IMG_0281.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6-htA9SMI/AAAAAAAAFtA/N21GCaBBH58/s400/IMG_0281.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552584876822972610″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6-Sx6txAI/AAAAAAAAFs4/tPiogCuBZ2U/s1600/IMG_0282.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6-Sx6txAI/AAAAAAAAFs4/tPiogCuBZ2U/s400/IMG_0282.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552584620440929282″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6-A5UDvPI/AAAAAAAAFsw/NL_dLr9JjJw/s1600/IMG_0283.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6-A5UDvPI/AAAAAAAAFsw/NL_dLr9JjJw/s400/IMG_0283.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552584313188629746″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ69q6RQm1I/AAAAAAAAFso/6Cjdkf889vQ/s1600/IMG_0284.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ69q6RQm1I/AAAAAAAAFso/6Cjdkf889vQ/s400/IMG_0284.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552583935488203602″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ69aG1G5tI/AAAAAAAAFsg/_VQ8ymsDay8/s1600/IMG_0285.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ69aG1G5tI/AAAAAAAAFsg/_VQ8ymsDay8/s400/IMG_0285.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552583646802011858″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ69EavtXFI/AAAAAAAAFsY/q0XIWJHgrvQ/s1600/IMG_0287.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ69EavtXFI/AAAAAAAAFsY/q0XIWJHgrvQ/s400/IMG_0287.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552583274190953554″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ68zZRl3mI/AAAAAAAAFsQ/3FsaO74BS5c/s1600/IMG_0288.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ68zZRl3mI/AAAAAAAAFsQ/3FsaO74BS5c/s400/IMG_0288.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552582981738421858″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ68cKwMukI/AAAAAAAAFsI/cSkAm0LaU9s/s1600/IMG_0289.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ68cKwMukI/AAAAAAAAFsI/cSkAm0LaU9s/s400/IMG_0289.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552582582703274562″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ68H3KABxI/AAAAAAAAFsA/OMoIC8tvZLQ/s1600/IMG_0290.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ68H3KABxI/AAAAAAAAFsA/OMoIC8tvZLQ/s400/IMG_0290.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552582233845401362″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ67uOP6PlI/AAAAAAAAFr4/diGpCTg5wF4/s1600/IMG_0291.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ67uOP6PlI/AAAAAAAAFr4/diGpCTg5wF4/s400/IMG_0291.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552581793367604818″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ67bZO9WVI/AAAAAAAAFrw/99RqpQCXklQ/s1600/IMG_0292.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ67bZO9WVI/AAAAAAAAFrw/99RqpQCXklQ/s400/IMG_0292.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552581469898889554″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ67HyyzhnI/AAAAAAAAFro/DOWFlUQcjdM/s1600/IMG_0295.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ67HyyzhnI/AAAAAAAAFro/DOWFlUQcjdM/s400/IMG_0295.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552581133162743410″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ662mRMJRI/AAAAAAAAFrg/UlzS_azvQcU/s1600/IMG_0296.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ662mRMJRI/AAAAAAAAFrg/UlzS_azvQcU/s400/IMG_0296.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552580837742748946″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ66jobtjhI/AAAAAAAAFrY/VIHhbiyKMRY/s1600/IMG_0304.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ66jobtjhI/AAAAAAAAFrY/VIHhbiyKMRY/s400/IMG_0304.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552580511906237970″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ66GAGparI/AAAAAAAAFrQ/2Jr7Swf1k6k/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 400px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ66GAGparI/AAAAAAAAFrQ/2Jr7Swf1k6k/s400/IMG_0307.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552580002864261810″ //aBrooke wins for J2’s.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ65v-K2e2I/AAAAAAAAFrI/WicZPdZEj5g/s1600/IMG_0311.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ65v-K2e2I/AAAAAAAAFrI/WicZPdZEj5g/s400/IMG_0311.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552579624387902306″ //aTyler on top of the J2 podium.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ65U7HrzWI/AAAAAAAAFrA/sIo5vWviQZo/s1600/IMG_0313.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ65U7HrzWI/AAAAAAAAFrA/sIo5vWviQZo/s400/IMG_0313.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552579159712845154″ //aJr Podium (SMS sweep).br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ64-SV91CI/AAAAAAAAFq4/A5pfDOTUDck/s1600/IMG_0315.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ64-SV91CI/AAAAAAAAFq4/A5pfDOTUDck/s400/IMG_0315.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552578770809771042″ //aJr podium (SMS sweep).br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ64pGkWYDI/AAAAAAAAFqw/66SPECGSb14/s1600/IMG_0317.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ64pGkWYDI/AAAAAAAAFqw/66SPECGSb14/s400/IMG_0317.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552578406871621682″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ64T2g_I6I/AAAAAAAAFqo/pKGibi8_XUQ/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 326px; height: 400px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ64T2g_I6I/AAAAAAAAFqo/pKGibi8_XUQ/s400/DSC_0025.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552578041785295778″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ64JfHgMpI/AAAAAAAAFqg/LsLBR0c2Wls/s1600/DSC_0037.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 206px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ64JfHgMpI/AAAAAAAAFqg/LsLBR0c2Wls/s400/DSC_0037.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552577863705703058″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ63_ag7PEI/AAAAAAAAFqY/q6qKu1llc3g/s1600/DSC_0042.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ63_ag7PEI/AAAAAAAAFqY/q6qKu1llc3g/s400/DSC_0042.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552577690671463490″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ630G9aHnI/AAAAAAAAFqQ/KmjLVXKwx_4/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://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ630G9aHnI/AAAAAAAAFqQ/KmjLVXKwx_4/s400/DSC_0071.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552577496443657842″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ63rQZ3uVI/AAAAAAAAFqI/q6kyrHe_KfA/s1600/DSC_0076.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ63rQZ3uVI/AAAAAAAAFqI/q6kyrHe_KfA/s400/DSC_0076.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552577344360134994″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ63dy45xuI/AAAAAAAAFqA/ESTbwyag0uw/s1600/DSC_0087.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ63dy45xuI/AAAAAAAAFqA/ESTbwyag0uw/s400/DSC_0087.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552577113098929890″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ63SWLfQNI/AAAAAAAAFp4/JlnrEJbUI24/s1600/DSC_0088.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ63SWLfQNI/AAAAAAAAFp4/JlnrEJbUI24/s400/DSC_0088.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552576916413694162″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ63GkHRMiI/AAAAAAAAFpw/E7Um_lJoWM8/s1600/DSC_0093.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ63GkHRMiI/AAAAAAAAFpw/E7Um_lJoWM8/s400/DSC_0093.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552576713995661858″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ628yj7j0I/AAAAAAAAFpo/InVi1ZGZqIA/s1600/DSC_0111.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 392px; height: 400px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ628yj7j0I/AAAAAAAAFpo/InVi1ZGZqIA/s400/DSC_0111.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552576546075283266″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ62xrkGoWI/AAAAAAAAFpg/de0GPJd6iRc/s1600/DSC_0131.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 180px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ62xrkGoWI/AAAAAAAAFpg/de0GPJd6iRc/s400/DSC_0131.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552576355218399586″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ62hbVTCUI/AAAAAAAAFpY/JRUo1mpp_is/s1600/DSC_0134.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ62hbVTCUI/AAAAAAAAFpY/JRUo1mpp_is/s400/DSC_0134.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552576075983423810″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ62RW770WI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/CaMOuR6gClw/s1600/DSC_0136.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 194px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ62RW770WI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/CaMOuR6gClw/s400/DSC_0136.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552575799925395810″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ62EPzJs-I/AAAAAAAAFpI/x6wSAuVlgyE/s1600/DSC_0153.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ62EPzJs-I/AAAAAAAAFpI/x6wSAuVlgyE/s400/DSC_0153.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552575574671209442″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ61snHmmxI/AAAAAAAAFpA/WAU0VokOWNU/s1600/DSC_0159.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ61snHmmxI/AAAAAAAAFpA/WAU0VokOWNU/s400/DSC_0159.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552575168614144786″ //aHammish leads the J2 A final with Tyler close in pursuit.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ61d5qFSvI/AAAAAAAAFo4/Q85Rv9MQP6Q/s1600/DSC_0165.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ61d5qFSvI/AAAAAAAAFo4/Q85Rv9MQP6Q/s400/DSC_0165.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552574915892562674″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ60-Jk5HYI/AAAAAAAAFow/Lk8quM9NeFA/s1600/IMG_0322.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ60-Jk5HYI/AAAAAAAAFow/Lk8quM9NeFA/s400/IMG_0322.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552574370409946498″ //aCate, Heidi and Brooke were the class of the J2 field in todays race. br /We podiumed in each age class again and alums Sophie and Patrick O’Brien placed 1st and 2nd overall for women and men.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ60aAHMdgI/AAAAAAAAFoo/4JOHh217TeY/s1600/IMG_0325.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ60aAHMdgI/AAAAAAAAFoo/4JOHh217TeY/s400/IMG_0325.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552573749394175490″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6zxtAKBXI/AAAAAAAAFog/iUaFzK0loqM/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 400px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6zxtAKBXI/AAAAAAAAFog/iUaFzK0loqM/s400/IMG_0339.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552573057069614450″ //aSkyler had another excellent race cracking the top 10 overall and placing 2nd for Jrs behind Jr. National Champion Scott Patterson. Other notable SMS results for the boys include Patrick (Dartmouth, Green Team ) in 2nd, Fritz (UVM) in 4th, The Bedard brothers in 15th and 23rd, Chase and Austin Cobb (both Middlebury) in 16th and 31st, Austin Caldwell 39, Paddy 45 and Harrison Harb (UNH) 46. Nick (62), Bridger (63), Mac (86) and Charlie (88) all skied hardand had solid results. br /After two weeks with lots of training, everyone is going to take 3 easy days to recover.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6zfhPdd3I/AAAAAAAAFoY/3rxjkeLan8g/s1600/IMG_0340.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/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6zfhPdd3I/AAAAAAAAFoY/3rxjkeLan8g/s400/IMG_0340.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552572744674932594″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6zANF3ZtI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/vUhBxz-QoSk/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 395px; height: 400px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6zANF3ZtI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/vUhBxz-QoSk/s400/IMG_0359.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552572206690035410″ //aCharlie and Mac battle it out.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6xmRWTO6I/AAAAAAAAFoI/tX09LRHYNO4/s1600/IMG_0360.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 400px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TQ6xmRWTO6I/AAAAAAAAFoI/tX09LRHYNO4/s400/IMG_0360.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552570661644483490″ //aFor the second day in a row, SMS girls swept the Jr podium. Today it was Heather and alums Isabel Caldwell and Megan Killigrew (both at Dartmouth). These girls placed 3,4,5 overall and along with Sophies win gave SMS skiers 4 of the top 5 overall.For J1 girls, Heather, Cam, Hallie and Rachel were 1,2,3,4. It didn’t stop there.. with Stephanie, Cambria, Gage, Anya, Danielle, Hilary, Hallie and Rachel all finishing in the top 30 and Karmen close behind, it was like a student/alumni reuion!div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4680416899705879324-5585617299918733362?l=smsxc.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

  • Rossland NorAm – A Recap

    After much waiting and base training, it was time last weekend to pack the race boards and put things to the first test of the year. Rossland, British Columbia was the site last weekend of a North American Cup race, and a notable one at that. The skate sprint was to serve as World Championship Team trials for the Canadians, so the field would be top-heavy and points superb. MOD made a wise purchase this year of the Pacific Northwest Division’s old Madshus test skis, which along with two new pairs of matched Rossignols compiled a tidy fleet for wax and structure testing. On today’s circuit with its ever-increasing professionalism, wax and ski speed is a necessity few skiers can do without; having a good test fleet and diverse wax box is a boon to the competitive racer.br /br /SO, I checked the (correct?) forecast for Rossland snow and set to waxing 10 separate skis with 10 different glide waxes for testing when I arrived. I had arranged to stay with my friends on the XC Oregon racing team. These guys are true racers: they travel as a group and support each other at races, waxing and prepping skis, cooking and sharing lodgings, and driving between venues. It was great to mix in with them and have the ability to offer our test fleet and some elbow grease to get all our skis faster for the weekend’s races.br /br /The drive up was relatively uneventful; the border patrol lady was polite to point out I had taken a wrong turn and was facing a much slower route to my destination, and was also of suitable Christmas cheer that she didn’t chastise (or detain) me for the banana peels on my passenger seat. Bless you, Canadian customs officer. Now facing a longer finish to my drive, I upped the boomboom on my subwoofer and cranked the Tool blasting out my speakers. Then I nearly went off the road on the way-too-sweetly-named Strawberry Pass, where the roads were slicker than Torin Koos at a fancy dress ball. But I arrived unscathed, and after a half hour of fruitless searching through condominiums, found my compatriots just settling into a delicious soup and rice dinner.br /br /The weather. Apparently I was reading the forecast for the TOP of Red Mountain Resort, NOT the bottom, where the race venue lay. This of course meant a difference of almost 10 degrees in air temp, so Brayton and I set to re-applying glide waxes to our test fleet. On Thursday morning we spend an hour or so running the different skis underfoot through the sprint course, a twisty-turny fast little mother, one I was sure to enjoy the next morning. We picked our wax of choice and headed for home and lunch. I was feeling some nerves for the upcoming sprint; I hadn’t put myself through a true race trial in months (with the exception of my solo-run on the C2 a few weeks back), and with all the big guns at this race I wanted to make a decent showing. Waking up on Friday morning I felt a bit mixed; I knew I had the root speed to compete well but I was unsure as to how honed (if at all) my top-end speed was. Bah, I said; bring on the bacon.br /br /The tracks had hardened up nicely the night before, turning 2″ deep sugar into fast firm corduroy. A power-sprinter’s course. My confidence went up a notch. I warmed up well and arrived at the start. Rob Whitney, a good friend from way back at Nat Brown’s summer training camps, former champion skier and now photographer of the circuit, snapped some great shots of me during the race (see below).br /br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mg2hQbkHkNs/TQ7asbPHp8I/AAAAAAAAAhw/7fCi48FcuLA/s1600/Rossland10-sprint.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mg2hQbkHkNs/TQ7asbPHp8I/AAAAAAAAAhw/7fCi48FcuLA/s320/Rossland10-sprint.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552615847354673090″ border=”0″ //abr /The business: in the sprint I felt pretty good, though by halfway through the prelim I knew I wouldn’t be able to shift into my 5th gear. I felt strong, fit and capable, but the maximal speed and power wasn’t there yet. I fought hard to the finish and turned in a respectable (for the quality of the field) 20th. My quarterfinal which lay ahead of me turned out to be a strong one, and I took the opportunity to again test my gears. When Stefan (Kuhn; eventual race winner) made his break, I couldn’t match, and fell into 5th, then 6th place. I stayed on the pack through the finish but wouldn’t advance. Encouragingly though, I didn’t have terrible fatigue, and was able to ski a good cool-down and later get a half-hour run in that evening. More waxing, then on to Saturday’s 10K skate.br /br /Scott’s advice and my plan for Saturday’s distance race was to take it more as a workout than anything else. Especially after the revelations from the sprint, where I recognized my race speed was not yet present, we felt the most prudent course to take was to pace the distance race well but not to cook myself; this coming week would be too important for training to risk days off due to fatigue. It was a really good workout/race for me; I was able to push my HRs higher than the day before while still recovering well in transitions, and worked mostly on technique and relaxation/glide. The result sheet was rather dismal but I take more from the qualitative than the quantitative in this instance.br /br /Also great to report, Methow native and former MOD’er Sadie Bjornsen has been TEARING it up on the circuit. She was on the podium last weekend in Silver Star and this weekend she WON the sprint, got 5th in the skate race and 2nd in the classic! Here’s hoping Sadie finds a berth on the World Champs squad.br /br /Returning to the Methow last night my folks, Alison and I all met up to attend the local theater production of “A Christmas Carol” and share a dinner. Then today I got to visit my friends and former campers at the Methow Nordic Clinic at Sun Mtn. With 180km of trails open and Christmas approaching, it’s a great time to visit the Valley.br /br /Merry Christmas!div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2910103639238326543-321956113878974940?l=methowolympicdevelopment.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

  • Base Training and Prep

    (Ed. note: Ignore the date of this blog. Pretend it was posted one week ago…)br /br /Training here in the Methow has been going splendidly. We’ve been hit with the biggest snowstorm since 1996, the “Year Of The Shovel”, and the trails are in fine condition. In an exciting turn of events I moved up to Mazama to Alison’s little house at the base of Goat Wall, so now the trails are a mere twenty yards from my door. Which means that should I be in the middle of a workout and need that last little push, a nice doppio of espresso is but a thought away.br /br /Last Saturday night we got the big dump: nearly 19″ of heavy snow fell across the valley. My training plan had Sunday as a long O.D., and since the backcountry was avalanche-central with all the new stuff, it was time for a tour. We strapped on our tele gear (though I quickly reverted to my classic skis and boots for comfort) and headed out into the piles of snow.br /div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mg2hQbkHkNs/TQ6_yUGC3nI/AAAAAAAAAhY/5zK7zDzXY3w/s1600/BigSnow_Dec2010%2B005.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mg2hQbkHkNs/TQ6_yUGC3nI/AAAAAAAAAhY/5zK7zDzXY3w/s320/BigSnow_Dec2010%2B005.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552586261702827634″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-style: italic;”Nikki in her element!br /br //spandiv style=”text-align: left;”Despite facing a few feet of snow in 30-something degree temperatures with a steadily increasing drizzle, it was time to train. So, I loaded up my backpack with 100# of rocks and set out on a muscular endurance session. Alison was lucky enough to be quick with the shutter button, to catch this glimpse of me mid-interval:br /br /div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mg2hQbkHkNs/TQ7A5OIteUI/AAAAAAAAAhk/AyG34m729hs/s1600/BigSnow_Dec2010%2B008.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mg2hQbkHkNs/TQ7A5OIteUI/AAAAAAAAAhk/AyG34m729hs/s320/BigSnow_Dec2010%2B008.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552587479874107714″ border=”0″ //abr /div style=”text-align: left;”Strength is coming on strong and the fitness feels great. Rossland, B.C. is next on the travel docket, and my first races of the year! I’m looking forward to donning a bib and seeing how my recovery has been. The plan is to race a skate sprint, and probably treat the next day’s 10K skate as a “progressive distance workout”: not hammer much above threshold and work on technique and pacing. Rock on!br //div/div/div/divdiv class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2910103639238326543-41754928828431017?l=methowolympicdevelopment.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

  • La Clusaz Parte Deux

    The La Clusaz mass starts were great races, though surprising in lots of ways. I didn’t expect Northug to be playing his A- game (second!), and I didn’t expect either Kalla or Hellner to be playing their C- games (14th and 29th, respectively). Seeing Northug in the lead group with a thousand meters to go, I sure didn’t expect to see him get outsprinted. And I was happily surprised to see a bunch

  • Tour Day 2- 5k Skate

    Today was the second day of the mini tour here in Rossland, a 5k skate. It was one RIPPIN course, a 12 minute 5k.!!! I pretty much went with the goal of going as hard as I could the entire time, knowing there was no time to conserve energy. As Erik Flora would say, “go like-a-hell”. After 12 minutes of aggressive V2ing, some solid hop skating, some seriously gnarly corners, and one super steep climb- I crossed the line 5th place, only 3 seconds out of 2nd. What this means is tomorrow’s handicap start is going to make for some exciting times. 

    For tomorrows 10k classic, from what I have heard, Holly will go out first, I will head out second-7 seconds back, and Diggins will be close behind-12 seconds back from me. From there out, girls are packed in super tight. The first one to cross the line wins the overall tour. Should be some fun times!

    Congrats to APU skiers H. Brooks and Lars for their wins!
    Thanks to Rob Whitney for the pics from the race today.

  • Tour Day 2- 5k Skate

    div style=”text-align: center;”br //diva onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l4L_01UOs1s/TQ1ZYSa5Y6I/AAAAAAAAAlA/2mhzJbNAfkI/s1600/DSC_1501.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 203px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l4L_01UOs1s/TQ1ZYSa5Y6I/AAAAAAAAAlA/2mhzJbNAfkI/s320/DSC_1501.JPG” border=”0″ alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552192189414073250″ //adiv style=”text-align: center;”br //divToday was the second day of the mini tour here in Rossland, a 5k skate. It was one RIPPIN course, a 12 minute 5k.!!! I pretty much went with the goal of going as hard as I could the entire time, knowing there was no time to conserve energy. As Erik Flora would say, “go like-a-hell”. After 12 minutes of aggressive V2ing, some solid hop skating, some seriously gnarly corners, and one super steep climb- I crossed the line 5th place, only 3 seconds out of 2nd. What this means is tomorrow’s handicap start is going to make for some exciting times. divdivbr //divdiva onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l4L_01UOs1s/TQ1ZBu8aoTI/AAAAAAAAAk4/AI6U15DripY/s1600/DSC_1493.JPG”img src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l4L_01UOs1s/TQ1ZBu8aoTI/AAAAAAAAAk4/AI6U15DripY/s320/DSC_1493.JPG” border=”0″ alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552191801933865266″ style=”display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; ” //a/divdivFor tomorrows 10k classic, from what I have heard, Holly will go out first, I will head out second-7 seconds back, and Diggins will be close behind-12 seconds back from me. From there out, girls are packed in super tight. The first one to cross the line wins the overall tour. Should be some fun times!/divdiv style=”text-align: left;”br //diva onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l4L_01UOs1s/TQ1Zu1QNfOI/AAAAAAAAAlI/RSz0nunlryU/s1600/DSC_1770.JPG”img src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l4L_01UOs1s/TQ1Zu1QNfOI/AAAAAAAAAlI/RSz0nunlryU/s320/DSC_1770.JPG” border=”0″ alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552192576721616098″ style=”display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 320px; ” //adiv style=”text-align: center;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-weight: bold;”Congrats to APU skiers H. Brooks and Lars for their wins!/span/divdivbr //divdivThanks to Rob Whitney for the pics from the race today./div/divdiv class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2018521813175454198-6064425135032061266?l=sadiebjornsen.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

  • Podium Today! …. and a RACE tomorrow!

    Women’s podium left to right: Caitlin Compton, Holly (me) & Jessie Diggins

    It was a fast and furious 5k race today!  Perhaps the fastest 5k that I’ve ever raced with a final time of 12:06!  The course skied like two big intervals with lots of false flats and downhills that you had to work in between.  The small time gaps should set the stage for a huge drag race tomorrow.  We’re doing a “hunting start” where the first one to cross the line wins!  Congrats to my APU teammate and fello “old guy” Lars Flora for taking the men’s win today in a STACKED men’s field! Here are a couple of pictures courtesy of my husband, Rob Whitney!

    Racing 1k into the race

    Lars Flora – Men’s winner 

    Me and Lars 

    Men’s podium – Lars on top! Hometown favorite, George Grey in second and Drew Goldsack in third

    Teammates Taz Mannix followed by Sadie Bjornsen

    Brent Knight

    My dad made the trip up from Seattle to watch me race – thanks Dad! 

    Tomorrow’s the last race of this month-long tour and then it’s back to Alaska for Christmas! I’m ready for some head-to-head classic skiing tomorrow! 
    Cheers, 
    Holly 🙂 

  • Podium Today! …. and a RACE tomorrow!

    Women’s podium left to right: Caitlin Compton, Holly (me) & Jessie Diggins

    It was a fast and furious 5k race today!  Perhaps the fastest 5k that I’ve ever raced with a final time of 12:06!  The course skied like two big intervals with lots of false flats and downhills that you had to work in between.  The small time gaps should set the stage for a huge drag race tomorrow.  We’re doing a “hunting start” where the first one to cross the line wins!  Congrats to my APU teammate and fello “old guy” Lars Flora for taking the men’s win today in a STACKED men’s field! Here are a couple of pictures courtesy of my husband, Rob Whitney!

    Racing 1k into the race

    Lars Flora – Men’s winner 

    Me and Lars 

    Men’s podium – Lars on top! Hometown favorite, George Grey in second and Drew Goldsack in third

    Teammates Taz Mannix followed by Sadie Bjornsen

    Brent Knight

    My dad made the trip up from Seattle to watch me race – thanks Dad! 

    Tomorrow’s the last race of this month-long tour and then it’s back to Alaska for Christmas! I’m ready for some head-to-head classic skiing tomorrow! 
    Cheers, 
    Holly 🙂 

  • Second day Rossland

  • Minnesota Cup 2/USBA IBU Trials Sprint

    It was a good day for MWSC athletes, in the women’s race BethAnn lead the way in second place with strong shooting and skiing with only Haley Johnson (former MWSC teammate) in front of her. Katrina Howe struggled a little with shooting but posted one of the faster ski times for the day to keep her right in contact in fifth place. Junior Corrine Malcome notched up another strong ski performance but struggled on the shooting range.

    In the men’s race Raleigh Goessling and Ben Greenwald put in yet another great set of performances showing that they are coming into great form prior to world junior trials to be held at the end of the month in Jericho Vermont. Both put in strong skiing efforts from the start and cleaning the first shooting stage, continuing to ski strong they were able to stay in contention with a strong senior competitor and former 2010 olympian Wynn Roberts. In the final shooting stage both Raleigh and Ben picked up two penalties to finish the day with a strong 80% shooting.

    We have just one more race tomorrow, a pursuit format (four shooting stages, two prone, two standing) individual start race. Below are some photos from todays event. Also check in on our XC team in their first events of the season in the NENSA Eastern Cup openers, good luck to all of them.


    Ben Greenwald


    Raleigh Goessling


    Katrina Howe


    Haley Johnson


    BethAnn Chamberlain


    Corrine Malcome

  • Minnesota Cup 2/USBA IBU Trials Sprint

    It was a good day for MWSC athletes, in the women’s race BethAnn lead the way in second place with strong shooting and skiing with only Haley Johnson (former MWSC teammate) in front of her. Katrina Howe struggled a little with shooting but posted one of the faster ski times for the day to keep her right in contact in fifth place. Junior Corrine Malcome notched up another strong ski performance but struggled on the shooting range.

    In the men’s race Raleigh Goessling and Ben Greenwald put in yet another great set of performances showing that they are coming into great form prior to world junior trials to be held at the end of the month in Jericho Vermont. Both put in strong skiing efforts from the start and cleaning the first shooting stage, continuing to ski strong they were able to stay in contention with a strong senior competitor and former 2010 olympian Wynn Roberts. In the final shooting stage both Raleigh and Ben picked up two penalties to finish the day with a strong 80% shooting.

    We have just one more race tomorrow, a pursuit format (four shooting stages, two prone, two standing) individual start race. Below are some photos from todays event. Also check in on our XC team in their first events of the season in the NENSA Eastern Cup openers, good luck to all of them.


    Ben Greenwald


    Raleigh Goessling


    Katrina Howe


    Haley Johnson


    BethAnn Chamberlain


    Corrine Malcome

  • Minnesota Cup 2/USBA IBU Trials Sprint

    It was a good day for MWSC athletes, in the women’s race BethAnn lead the way in second place with strong shooting and skiing with only Haley Johnson (former MWSC teammate) in front of her. Katrina Howe struggled a little with shooting but posted one of the faster ski times for the day to keep her right in contact in fifth place. Junior Corrine Malcome notched up another strong ski performance but struggled on the shooting range.

    In the men’s race Raleigh Goessling and Ben Greenwald put in yet another great set of performances showing that they are coming into great form prior to world junior trials to be held at the end of the month in Jericho Vermont. Both put in strong skiing efforts from the start and cleaning the first shooting stage, continuing to ski strong they were able to stay in contention with a strong senior competitor and former 2010 olympian Wynn Roberts. In the final shooting stage both Raleigh and Ben picked up two penalties to finish the day with a strong 80% shooting.

    We have just one more race tomorrow, a pursuit format (four shooting stages, two prone, two standing) individual start race. Below are some photos from todays event. Also check in on our XC team in their first events of the season in the NENSA Eastern Cup openers, good luck to all of them.


    Ben Greenwald


    Raleigh Goessling


    Katrina Howe


    Haley Johnson


    BethAnn Chamberlain


    Corrine Malcome