Category: XCFeeds

I am staying and training with the MOD Squad here in Bend, Oregon.  Grooming starts at Mt. Bachelor on Monday with the US and Canadian National Team camps.  We decided to get to town a bit earlier to get settled and adjust to the altitude.  We had a nice tour today.

Torin, Erik and Scott ready to go

Big Meadow

We broke trail through a few inches of fresh snow.  Waxing was a bit tricky as we went from slick, too much kick and back again with the same wax.  Zero skis were the real ticket.

I love to Ski

a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_igkFSEInI/AAAAAAAAC28/jJIR1UxrOkM/s1600/IMG_4141.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/S_igkFSEInI/AAAAAAAAC28/jJIR1UxrOkM/s400/IMG_4141.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474301888822518386″ //aWe had a busy day today with a mid day bike ride in Putney followed by our Prom. The team showed that they could bike and that they clean up pretty well!br /You can click on any picture to enlarge it.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_ifpKvsLmI/AAAAAAAAC20/KKiDRoJcT7U/s1600/IMG_4139.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/S_ifpKvsLmI/AAAAAAAAC20/KKiDRoJcT7U/s400/IMG_4139.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474300876676673122″ //aPatrick O’Brien came down from Dartmouth.He has 2 more weeks before he graduates and heads north to join the Green Team.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_ieff7PXbI/AAAAAAAAC2s/UBIeA3ViCKw/s1600/IMG_4143.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/S_ieff7PXbI/AAAAAAAAC2s/UBIeA3ViCKw/s400/IMG_4143.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474299611051941298″ //aThe boys and Izzy are all smiles before our bike. Thanks to the West Hill Shop for organizing the ride. There were about 100 riders biking the legendary Tour Of The Valleys course. The 62 mile loop starts with pretty mellow terrain, but cranks it up towards the end. br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_id6ESxneI/AAAAAAAAC2k/7BlmbiY0v_A/s1600/IMG_4148.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/S_id6ESxneI/AAAAAAAAC2k/7BlmbiY0v_A/s400/IMG_4148.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474298967979302370″ //aBrattleboro.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_idf5nF83I/AAAAAAAAC2c/oKuLdymmRcU/s1600/IMG_4150.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/S_idf5nF83I/AAAAAAAAC2c/oKuLdymmRcU/s400/IMG_4150.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474298518435132274″ //aNewfane.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_idBs5dASI/AAAAAAAAC2U/vRpdIYv709o/s1600/IMG_4153.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/S_idBs5dASI/AAAAAAAAC2U/vRpdIYv709o/s400/IMG_4153.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474297999626404130″ //aTownshend.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_icd9WF4XI/AAAAAAAAC2M/YO2as9oQ2DM/s1600/IMG_4154.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_icd9WF4XI/AAAAAAAAC2M/YO2as9oQ2DM/s400/IMG_4154.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474297385566200178″ //aSaxtons River.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_ib6hgyHBI/AAAAAAAAC2E/0Bk4PIB_N-I/s1600/IMG_4164.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/S_ib6hgyHBI/AAAAAAAAC2E/0Bk4PIB_N-I/s400/IMG_4164.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474296776799427602″ //aBridger pulls Hunter over one of the last hills.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_iba4eGkSI/AAAAAAAAC18/fe_VVZdIYUY/s1600/IMG_4171.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/S_iba4eGkSI/AAAAAAAAC18/fe_VVZdIYUY/s400/IMG_4171.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474296233206386978″ //aBike ride is done, time to get ready for the evening.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_iabmCUCgI/AAAAAAAAC10/jcJr0j9Jp1E/s1600/IMG_4213.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/S_iabmCUCgI/AAAAAAAAC10/jcJr0j9Jp1E/s400/IMG_4213.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474295145926232578″ //aThe boys feeling dapperbr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_iaAL5hU1I/AAAAAAAAC1s/fSeZ-eUWbqo/s1600/IMG_4220.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/S_iaAL5hU1I/AAAAAAAAC1s/fSeZ-eUWbqo/s400/IMG_4220.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474294675053564754″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_iZmmGMyEI/AAAAAAAAC1k/i6vvXGqP51M/s1600/IMG_4223.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/S_iZmmGMyEI/AAAAAAAAC1k/i6vvXGqP51M/s400/IMG_4223.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474294235409467458″ //aThe girls waiting for their dates.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_iZJPZwZ4I/AAAAAAAAC1c/oerhWYx7NjQ/s1600/IMG_4230.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/S_iZJPZwZ4I/AAAAAAAAC1c/oerhWYx7NjQ/s400/IMG_4230.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474293731101271938″ //adiv class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4680416899705879324-5463699177588037814?l=smsxc.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

Spring is the rest/vacation/down time for an athlete, and within reason, coaches usually suggest you don’t start training until you really feel you want to again. That means lots of fun “workouts” and general stay-in-shape activities for a few weeks before the real training starts. So I’ve taken that approach with my blog and not written anything until I was inspired. Hope you won’t mind a quick pictorial look at some of my spring activities.br /br /div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXir6pEwI/AAAAAAAAApg/6BM7fUeT4lA/s1600/IMGP3114.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXir6pEwI/AAAAAAAAApg/6BM7fUeT4lA/s320/IMGP3114.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474643812949758722″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”Relaxing on our porch in Mexico. A warm climate, a good book, and a great view = the perfect post-season vacation./spanbr /br //divdiv style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXi24I7bI/AAAAAAAAApo/3NVmcvJi0Q4/s1600/IMGP3115.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXi24I7bI/AAAAAAAAApo/3NVmcvJi0Q4/s320/IMGP3115.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474643815892053426″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”Dinner with Zach’s brother, Christopher, in Mexico. Incidentally, Christopher is a GREAT cook./spanbr /br //divdiv style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nj9e1m2pI/AAAAAAAAAqA/vmOlttPRGv4/s1600/P1000459.JPG”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nj9e1m2pI/AAAAAAAAAqA/vmOlttPRGv4/s320/P1000459.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474657467434982034″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”Pozole-our last meal in Mexico!/spanbr /br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nj-EylVEI/AAAAAAAAAqI/42K7j0sasQc/s1600/P1000582.JPG”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nj-EylVEI/AAAAAAAAAqI/42K7j0sasQc/s320/P1000582.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474657477622846530″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”Speaking to students at Boise High School-my alma mater./spanbr /br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXjAc5YII/AAAAAAAAApw/IDXNUIzrmIo/s1600/IMGP3119.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXjAc5YII/AAAAAAAAApw/IDXNUIzrmIo/s320/IMGP3119.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474643818462142594″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”View of the Washington Monument, just before going in to the White House to meet the President./spanbr /br //divdiv style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXjRHTKcI/AAAAAAAAAp4/WLu08RPCIRA/s1600/IMGP3126.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXjRHTKcI/AAAAAAAAAp4/WLu08RPCIRA/s320/IMGP3126.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474643822934960578″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”In the blue room at the White House!br /br //spana onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nj-eAHJxI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/1M1iiRFD2No/s1600/P1000593.JPG”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nj-eAHJxI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/1M1iiRFD2No/s320/P1000593.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474657484390475538″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”May in Lake Placid…luckily it’s gotten more spring-like since then.br /br //span/divNow I’m back in Lake Placid and already back in full training mode again. Our first National Team camp started this past week, and though the re-organization of US Biathlon means a bit smaller training group, it’s a good group and I’m looking forward to the season ahead. I made some big jumps in results last year and was named to the National A Team, so will compete in the December World Cups along with one other woman who will be named after trials in November. Right now the focus remains on the basics and volume to re-set us all for the new season ahead. With World Championships in March this year, it will be a long season. Starting a little later this year has helped everyone recover a bit from a stressful Olympic season and really be ready for what’s to come. Ready…begin.div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5588342252406387658-2535349765602097923?l=sarastudebaker.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

Being a twin is great

Took about 5 minutes to fill the jar and complete the paper work. Awesome.

img src=”http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l2siwyJjq21qzt3xbo1_400.jpg”/br/br/pSend your nomination to johnnyklister@gmail.com./p

pKris Freeman/p
pNikolai Anikin/p
pAndy Newell/p
pFast Female/p
pThe Steinbock Guy/p
pYuri Gusev/p
pJan Buron/p
pSimi Hamilton/p
pNat Herz/p
pTad Elliot/p
pBilly Demong/p
pThe Nordic Combined Team/p
pDave Jarrett/p
pCollege Skiing/p
pCXC/p
pAPU/p
pSVSEF/p
pKikkan Randall/p
pMatt Whitcomb/p
pChad Salmela/p

a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_cHdsodCeI/AAAAAAAAC1U/udlf2QxN3kY/s1600/IMG_4120.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 140px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_cHdsodCeI/AAAAAAAAC1U/udlf2QxN3kY/s400/IMG_4120.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473852078870563298″ //aThis afternoon we went to Lot 1 to work on our skating technique and have a little fun. Over the last several years we had worked on having a forward ankle flex and a quiet upper body in skating. Last winter we starting working on getting a more fluid motion. We are now pushing the forward position, but really working on making the whole movement more relaxed and continuous. We feel that by pressing and holding our position we became a bit static and that may have increased the likelyhood of compartment syndrome.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_cHK5ZGnnI/AAAAAAAAC1M/cnAp_A2qO7Y/s1600/IMG_4117.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_cHK5ZGnnI/AAAAAAAAC1M/cnAp_A2qO7Y/s400/IMG_4117.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473851755878325874″ //aWe started with a bunch of no pole skating, trying to find a nice flow.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_cG0SHpDJI/AAAAAAAAC1E/ufjF-eIs3FU/s1600/IMG_4112.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 258px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_cG0SHpDJI/AAAAAAAAC1E/ufjF-eIs3FU/s400/IMG_4112.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473851367378979986″ //aNext, we played a game of keep away to work on balance etc..br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_cGdd0r6OI/AAAAAAAAC08/esa5tVGVU08/s1600/IMG_4133.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/S_cGdd0r6OI/AAAAAAAAC08/esa5tVGVU08/s400/IMG_4133.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473850975383709922″ //aWe finished by adding the poles and then went back to school for some strength. It was a beautiful warm day and a good time was had by all.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_cDv1V7sqI/AAAAAAAAC00/K5YUNn5U66c/s1600/IMG_4135.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 357px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S_cDv1V7sqI/AAAAAAAAC00/K5YUNn5U66c/s400/IMG_4135.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473847992399934114″ //adiv class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4680416899705879324-8236697063595953667?l=smsxc.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

El Nino Winters might start late. But the winter days last long into the usual days of sun. Today I woke up, hoping to put on my skate skis and scramble up to the top of the Cinder Cone at Mount Bachelor, then point them straight down the hill to the faithful truck waiting below. I got a report from my training mate Lars saying we might be in for some powder and decided to throw the heavy metal gear into the back. Good choice. br /br /The tools of the trade: Lightweight backpack with electrolyte-filled beverages, poles, skins and skis.br /br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qy8LpbgYOag/S_cGvjyOSKI/AAAAAAAAAVg/COZmObxaqDc/s1600/email+-+tools+of+the+trade.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/_Qy8LpbgYOag/S_cGvjyOSKI/AAAAAAAAAVg/COZmObxaqDc/s400/email+-+tools+of+the+trade.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473851286221637794″ //abr /br /The Chairlifts might be overhead, but with the mountain closing down last weekend, it makes for quiet trails. While this certainly equates to fewer gravity assisted turns, it also means fresher stashes of pow and no worries about getting in the way of paying customers if you want to trek to the top.br /br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qy8LpbgYOag/S_cDIvo1v8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/yJyZmJdFqNo/s1600/email+-+tools+of+the+trade.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/_Qy8LpbgYOag/S_cDH1joFZI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/yfKFrpBa8do/s400/email+-+chairlifts+are+for+slackers.jpg”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qy8LpbgYOag/S_cDIvo1v8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/yJyZmJdFqNo/s400/email+-+tools+of+the+trade.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473847320853725122″ //abr /br /Turn it around, and head back up one more time? Why not. It’s the time to earn some hours and build that base for the next time.br /br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qy8LpbgYOag/S_cDHVUU2NI/AAAAAAAAAVI/MvFbufEJRJM/s1600/email+-+B%26W+running+hotlaps+at+Bachey.jpg”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qy8LpbgYOag/S_cDHVUU2NI/AAAAAAAAAVI/MvFbufEJRJM/s400/email+-+B%26W+running+hotlaps+at+Bachey.jpg” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473847296608491730″ //abr /br /Until next time. br /-Torindiv class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2691525267872963085-6906373301635774508?l=in-the-arena-torin.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

I picked up a few new pairs of 2011 Salomon skis this year while I was racing in Europe.  They are awesome.  Chuck, you have to try this wet klister ski.

2011 Salomons- these skis are awesome

Mark has a really slick system to flex the pockets of each ski. I mark each ski the same to help speed up the process of how best to wax them.

Mark and the Mantec

Mark and Nordic Ultratune help me manage my ski fleet each year.  Mark does some of the best stone grinds in the world including many skis that were used in Vancouver in February.  The Ultratune shop is a ski technicians dream and I could and do spend a lot of time in there.  You can tell Mark is an engineer; everything is very organized and exact.

I spent the morning using feeler gauges to mark the kick pockets on my new skis.  After fresh grinds they will be ready to go for the 2010/11 race season. It was pretty entertaining to watch the stone grinding process and how excited Mark would get when each grind came out.  Each time he would bring the ski over to me to show how nice it looked, just like a proud father.  Mark is way in to it and a great guy to have working with your skis.

img src=”http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l2q8f0bbT61qzt3xbo1_400.jpg”/br/br/pThe Johnny5.  Back for 2010.  Nominate now.  The criteria is simple: Anyone that pushed American skiing forward in the 2009 | 2010 season in a big way is on the map.  The 2008 | 2009 winners: Zach Caldwell, The Nordic Combined Team, Kikkan Randall, Fasterskier.com, Pete Vordenberg.  Send along your nominations to johnnyklister@gmail.com.  Winners receive nothing but pride.  But in US skiing, that’s a big commodity.  Bring it./p