Category: XCFeeds

A collection of live feeds from cross-country ski blogs around the web.
  • Anchor Down: Trondheim, Norway

    After a little xc race series back in the states, I packed up the bags, hopped a freighter and put the anchor down in the North Sea port of Trondheim, Norway. The locals here speak with the treacherous Trondersk accent. The morning’s start with a bowl of Havregryn, topped with dried Washington cherries and maple syrup from my mom’s family’s little farm in Lost Lake, Minnesota. And the trails groomed for miles stretch far farther than the kilometers I’ve racked up.

    My favorite section of the city sits on the banks of the Nidelva River. Former shipbuilding buildings now have given way to studios, studies, kafes and personal dwellings. Somedays, you can take your car across the bridge into downtown. Otherdays, you cannot. One street here is so steep and so many people ride bikes, there is lift (not unlike the alpine resort’s magic carpet ride) to take one atop the hill to the university and the hill where the locals would bombard Swedish Vikings looking to pillage the place.

    When the springtime comes, I hear the crust skiing is crazy good. Getting my first taste in the sun at Ski Stua.

    I titled this photo, Trondheim’s Splendor. I think the name should suffice. On a fine winter’s day in Trondheim could you suffer from the spears and arrows of outrageous fortune?

    In other news, 6/7th of the field at the SuperTour in Minneapolis had to be disqualified for obstruction for not completely clearing their tails from the tips of the skier they were overtaking.

  • West River BKL Practice at SMS!

    The SMS coaches had a great afternoon with the West River BKL skiers! We had a crew of 11 up at the mountain zipping around on skis and having a bunch of fun. Sverre led everyone in some great drills – the bungee drill, slaloms, skiing on one foot, a relay race with the coaches, and some no pole skiing. Matt took the crew on a loop around the Solstice trails, which included a really fun downhill that we all whipped down! We wrapped up by practicing our V2 and our tuck skate and then headed back to SMS for some hot chocolate and cookies (thanks Carol & Elkie!) before calling it a day. Pictures below & many more pictures here on our team’s photo site.
    The SMS team braved the steady rain this morning at Wild Wings (no pictures, too wet!). The older kids got out for a nice recovery ski (and hit the gym this evening for strength), while the younger kids did some L3 work, all in preparation for our upcoming weekend in Stowe for the Eastern Cups.

    The bungee drill: tons of fun! We had guest coaches Kate Boobar (athletic trainer at SMS & Matt’s wife!) & Carson Thurber (SMS ’02/admissions associate at SMS) join us for practice.

    Grace works on her balance on the slalom course.

    Eli navigates his way around a cone.

    Carson was super fast on an old pair of Andy Newell’s skis!

    Ben gives Scott a lift up the hill.

    Carter and Owen work together.

    Holt and Asa bungee their way uphill.

    Mae and Charlotte.
    Sverre’s balance is perfect!

    Holt and Asa charging down the hill.

    Scott getting nice high hands.

    Ben O. doing some skating without poles.

    Emma’s V1 is looking good!

    Charlotte cruises downhill.

    Everyone follow Sverre!

    Group photo to end practice! Thanks for coming everyone!
  • Muscle-Headed Estonians and Holy MosCOW