FasterSkier

Category: XCFeeds

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

  • Adios, West Yellowstone

    In case you haven’t figured it out already, I prefer posting photos more than text.  Here is a collection of photos that I have received from people over the past couple of weeks in West Yellowstone.  Enjoy!

    Leading out the 2010 Season. Photo: Chris Magerl – Toko

    Santi Ocariz, getting after it! Photo: fasterskier.com

    Gregg and Compton, a.k.a. "Grompton" – Photo: xcskilife.com

    Of course, the Sisu Skiers/Kuzzy Kids Clinic was a real highlight.  Check out the article from the West Yellowstone News.

    Brian & Teague discuss the intricacies of skate technique. Photo: Bert Jackson

    The Utah Nordic Alliance. These kids know how to ski & have fun. Photo: Bert Jackson

    Gotta practice your balance. Photo: Rich Jehle

    . . .and your lunge. Photo: Mike Brown – Sisu Skiers

    And, of course, having fun! Photo: Mike Brown – Sisu Skiers

    Ben Popp, leading the way. Photo: Mike Brown

    A big thanks to the Sisu Skiers for their support of the clinic, both organizing and sponsoring it.  Ben Popp, Mike Nightengale, and Mike Brown all helped out with the clinic, even though their kids weren’t even in West.  They do some great things for the ski community in the Twin Cities and around the country.

    How's your 360? Photo: Mike Brown

    What do you do when you stand atop the podium? Photo: Mike Brown

    Needless to say, it’s been a solid couple of weeks in West Yellowstone.  We’re packing today and heading north tomorrow to Silver Star, British Columbia for more racing next weekend.

    If you still didn’t get your fix of winter photos, check out these shots from the Boston Globe–a great way to get fired up for winter.  Adios!

  • Düsseldork

  • Bird Feed

    This weekend we traveled to Forêt Montmorency (north of Quebec City) to find some snow.  They have plenty of snow here, with more falling as I write, and when the groomer decides to get out on the trails, the skiing is great.

    The ski lodge and trail system is owned by Université Laval and doubles as an ecology research station.  There are posters all over the walls depicting everything from forest fire regeneration to tree identification using winter buds to common wildlife.  Unfortunately there are all in French so I can only understand the basics of what they say.  Lauren promises to translate for me if I’m dying to read any in particular.

    The forest here has a much different feel than Craftsbury.  We are at the very southern edge of the Boreal Forest, a continuous belt of forest crossing the width of the continent and covering 60% of Canada.  Most of the trees are evergreens, spruce and fir especially, and they grow so thick that it is hard to imagine bushwhacking.   There is a good reason many of the early explorers traveled by water.  I’m not sure if all of the boreal forest looks so dense.   Left to its natural course, it would burn and regenerate through forest fire, but I suspect the section we are in has been logged and grown back thicker.

    We’ve been enjoying the wildlife.  The first day here, we found almost a kilometer of classic tracks destroyed giant moose tracks.  Yesterday I almost skied over a grouse chilling in the middle of the trail.  Closer to the lodge, there is a resident fox that steals leftovers from the cafeteria and a variety of birds looking for handouts at the birdfeeder.  Dylan, Pat and Hannah decided to try feeding the birds and had gray jays, chickadees, nuthatches, and grosbeaks all land on their hands.

    Dylan and a gray jay

    Dylan and a gray jay

    Before we left for Quebec, we celebrated Hannah’s birthday.  My favorite part of the day was returning home to find Ethan’s present for her sitting in the garage with a bloodied birthday card in its mouth.   Apparently he walked into the house and announced that he went for a walk in the woods (with his shotgun) and found her a birthday present.  “It has feathers,” is about all he said.

    Han's birthday present

    Han's birthday dinner

  • Great Skiing at MSA

    a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TPwTto0dwBI/AAAAAAAAFbo/9nxV4j-NEfA/s1600/IMG_9960.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/TPwTto0dwBI/AAAAAAAAFbo/9nxV4j-NEfA/s400/IMG_9960.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547330515786121234″ //aThe temps dropped into the low 20’s and we got 4-5″ of fresh snow so the skiing is fabulous now. Everyone took a 2 hr ski this morning and then we worked on technique with some pick-ups this afternoon.br /Now we’re home resting and cooking. We will have video review after dinner and then early to bed for this old man. 40+ km per day might be fine for the athletes, but it’s tough on me!br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TPwThsIoloI/AAAAAAAAFbg/d8cln54u–s/s1600/IMG_9963.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/TPwThsIoloI/AAAAAAAAFbg/d8cln54u–s/s400/IMG_9963.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547330310517593730″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TPwSwqk3v0I/AAAAAAAAFbY/4nQCc8ah6Bw/s1600/IMG_9966.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/TPwSwqk3v0I/AAAAAAAAFbY/4nQCc8ah6Bw/s400/IMG_9966.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547329468285566786″ //aAfter the afternoon ski, everyone waxed their skate skis in the lodge. They have a great set up here with 15 waxing “stations” in the base lodge.br /Tommorrow we are expecting another 6″ of snow and we will try striding.div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4680416899705879324-3603523858640382706?l=smsxc.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

  • Full Sass by Liz Stephen 2010-12-05 12:07:00








  • Full Sass by Liz Stephen 2010-12-05 12:07:00








  • Full Sass by Liz Stephen 2010-12-05 12:07:00








  • Full Sass by Liz Stephen 2010-12-05 12:07:00








  • Race Snapshot: IBU WC 1 Men/Women’s Pursuit

    Just the biathlon race snapshots today.  Kind of bummed I didn’t get up and watch the men’s race, as it sounds like it was quite the thriller.  I’ll have some posts up about the XC races in Düsseldorf tomorrow and Tuesday.

    As always, full versions below the fold.

    Related posts:

    1. <Race Snapshot: Gällivare
    2. <Race Snapshot: IBU World Cup 1 Women
    3. <Race Snapshots: IBU World Cup 1 Men


  • Adjö Sverige, Guten Tag Österreich!

    The final score here in Sweden left the parasite up two-nothing after not quite having the legs or shooting for a good enough sprint to move me on to the pursuit. Tomorrow we’re off to Hochfilzen, Austria and I for one am looking forward to re-starting the World Cup season. It’s been a rough week here in Östersund, but after talking to my coaches I’ve decided to take these races as practice and nothing more. I’m finally feeling normal while training and am confident the parasite will not follow me on to Austria.

    Internet is sometimes tricky in Hochfilzen, so in case I can’t update, you can follow the team on our website or at biathlonworld.com. Wish me luck!

    Getting ready for the COLD sprint race. Hopefully Hochfilzen is a bit warmer…

  • Adjö Sverige, Guten Tag Österreich!

    The final score here in Sweden left the parasite up two-nothing after not quite having the legs or shooting for a good enough sprint to move me on to the pursuit. Tomorrow we’re off to Hochfilzen, Austria and I for one am looking forward to re-starting the World Cup season. It’s been a rough week here in Östersund, but after talking to my coaches I’ve decided to take these races as practice and nothing more. I’m finally feeling normal while training and am confident the parasite will not follow me on to Austria.

    Internet is sometimes tricky in Hochfilzen, so in case I can’t update, you can follow the team on our website or at biathlonworld.com. Wish me luck!

    Getting ready for the COLD sprint race. Hopefully Hochfilzen is a bit warmer…

  • What Are The Conditions Like at ABR?

  • Race Snapshots: IBU WC 1 Men’s Sprint

    Tim Burke, getting back into the swing of things it seems…full version below the fold.

    Related posts:

    1. <Race Snapshots: Kuusamo Sprint
    2. <Race Snapshots: Kuusamo Classic 5/10km
    3. <Race Snapshot: IBU World Cup 1 Women


  • Mte Ste Anne Update

    a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TPq5OxX0KaI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/7Aeo55Rxk-8/s1600/IMG_9937.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/TPq5OxX0KaI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/7Aeo55Rxk-8/s400/IMG_9937.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546949554482719138″ //aToday was our first day skiing at Mte Ste Anne. There is not a whole lot of snow, but the skiing is quite good and they have 27 km. open. br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TPq46An4spI/AAAAAAAAFbI/TZTVpdiy8Us/s1600/IMG_9943.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 396px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TPq46An4spI/AAAAAAAAFbI/TZTVpdiy8Us/s400/IMG_9943.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546949197799404178″ //aThis afternoon Poppet arrived with 7 kids who are here for an early season development camp. We all worked on some skate drills and then took a short ski.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TPq4qUkS0TI/AAAAAAAAFbA/rdXI0TI35pE/s1600/IMG_9945.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 380px; height: 400px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TPq4qUkS0TI/AAAAAAAAFbA/rdXI0TI35pE/s400/IMG_9945.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546948928275140914″ //aNow everyone is back at our houses cooking dinner. Paddy and Bridger are making eggplant parmesan (Paddy says that is the French spelling) with fresh baked bread for the boys. We are looking forward to skiing some longer loops tomorrow morning.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TPq4W1258QI/AAAAAAAAFa4/aclhQMlcq8w/s1600/IMG_9950.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/TPq4W1258QI/AAAAAAAAFa4/aclhQMlcq8w/s400/IMG_9950.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546948593614188802″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TPq4BCMkJII/AAAAAAAAFaw/CBCNMJ8DQbs/s1600/IMG_9954.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/TPq4BCMkJII/AAAAAAAAFaw/CBCNMJ8DQbs/s400/IMG_9954.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546948218969138306″ //adiv class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4680416899705879324-8564065878289020118?l=smsxc.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

  • Race Snapshot: Düsseldorf Sprints

    Nice job, Kikkan!

    Full versions below the fold.

    Related posts:

    1. <Race Snapshot: Gällivare
    2. <Race Snapshots: Kuusamo Sprint
    3. <Race Snapshot: IBU World Cup 1 Women


  • C2 Erg TT – Testing Race Readiness

    In early November, when I was able to start training again after taking a month plus off due to mono, Scott and I had a long discussion (over email, as he was already in Norway with Torin) about how best to proceed with getting me back to race shape. I had already started enthusiastically planning on racing by early December, and wanted to plan whatever rebuilding schedule we devised around those hopes. Scott knew me too well, though. He proposed a more appropriate, progressive approach to the training, focusing first on re-establishing a good base before methodically adding in strength, then threshold intensity, and so forth. Finally, he suggested that as a litmus test for my race readiness, I perform a sprint simulation time trial on the C2 double pole ergometer. We liked this idea for two reasons: one, it’s objective and quantifiable. In contrast to a skiing time trial, we can monitor time, power output and recovery in a controlled environment. And second, we already had a data point. Last November just before we left for West Yellowstone I did a 1km time trial on the C2. At that point I was already falling prey to the overtraining which would hinder further racing in the season, but I managed a 3:09.05min 1km. Granted, I was positively WRECKED for the rest of the day. But either way, we figured we could use that as a marker for this year’s effort. If I could hit a time close to that and maintain it through four “heats”, we could safely assume I was race ready. However, if we saw a large drop off (10%+) in time and/or power output, we could figure I still need more work.br /br /This morning was the time trial which, in honor of Ruff and the Dartmouth team’s Oak Hill TT, I dubbed the C2 World Championships of the World. Being the sole competitor, I was feeling confident in my abilities to qualify for the rounds and emerge from the “A” final victorious.br /br /It hurt quite a bit, but I think it went well. Here are the stats from the day:br /br /(*I set the C2 to its maximum resistance; after the first heat it was questionable whether this was smartest but I opted to stay with it for continuity.)br /br /11am “Qualifier”: 3:13.06min, average watts 382br /12:05pm “Quarterfinal”: 3:16.06, average watts 368br /12:50pm “Semi-final”: 3:16.02, average watts 370br /1:15pm “A Final”: 3:20.01, average watts 349br /br /I definitely felt the hurt on the last one, but was pleased with the small margins between the first and last effort: 3.3% increase in time, and 8% decrease in power output in the last versus first effort.br /br /Race-ready? Perhaps!br /br /Some pics:a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mg2hQbkHkNs/TPrMALJcNLI/AAAAAAAAAhE/N3EBWh00ow0/s1600/DSCN2706.JPG”img style=”margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mg2hQbkHkNs/TPrMALJcNLI/AAAAAAAAAhE/N3EBWh00ow0/s320/DSCN2706.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546970194424640690″ border=”0″ //abr /div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mg2hQbkHkNs/TPrLRjws87I/AAAAAAAAAg8/yuYmqTr3ty4/s1600/DSCN2700.JPG”img style=”margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mg2hQbkHkNs/TPrLRjws87I/AAAAAAAAAg8/yuYmqTr3ty4/s320/DSCN2700.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546969393577915314″ border=”0″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mg2hQbkHkNs/TPrMgZ0LRfI/AAAAAAAAAhM/57D3Lqv6NN4/s1600/DSCN2710.JPG”img style=”margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mg2hQbkHkNs/TPrMgZ0LRfI/AAAAAAAAAhM/57D3Lqv6NN4/s320/DSCN2710.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546970748117796338″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-style: italic;”Nikki checking to make sure I’ll survive, following the “A” Finalbr //span/divdiv class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2910103639238326543-6705392169917528062?l=methowolympicdevelopment.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

  • Welcome to Montana

  • On Days Like This…It’s Hard to Train

  • Week In Review: Friday Dec 3rd

    Thanks once again to Skadi Nordic for sponsoring Week In Review!  They’re making some pretty cool custom ski scrapers these days…

    It was a full, jumbled week here at Statistical Skier:

    • Last weekend saw the rest of the Kuusamo Nordic Opener, with race snapshot graphs for the classic and skate portions of the three day competition.
    • My Kuusamo recap posts featured some cycling stage race style bumps charts, followed by a post highlighting the performance of the North American skiers.
    • With the biathlon World Cup races kicking off this week in Östersund, Sweden, I managed to squeak in my US biathlon team preview (men, women) posts just under the wire.
    • Part way through the biathlon World Cups in Östersund, we’ve seen race snapshot graphs for the women’s distance race, the men’s distance race, and the women’s sprint.
    • A little after the fact, but in light of Marit Børgen’s dominant performance in Gällivare, which she referred to as the best skate race of her life, I took a look at some data to see if that was in fact the case.
    • I waded into the compartment syndrome issue with some helpful comments on understanding the recent CSU survey on that topic.
    • Finally, Germany’s Nicole Fessel has had a rather stunningly good opening to her WC season, so I made some graphs showing just how impressive she’s been.

    Phew!  On to Düsseldorf this weekend…

    Related posts:

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


  • Race Snapshot: IBU WC 1 Women’s Sprint

    Another cold, cold day in Östersund today, but a great one for Finland’s Kaisa Mäkäräinen and Germany’s Miriam Gössner.  Full version below the fold.

    Related posts:

    1. <Most Improved: Women’s Sprint
    2. <Race Snapshot: Gällivare
    3. <Race Snapshots: Kuusamo Sprint