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Tag: Jackson NH

  • Thom Perkins Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Ski NH

    Thom Perkins Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Ski NH

    UNH Nordic Ski Team coach Cory Schwartz and Ben Wilcox present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Thom Perkins; Ski NH
    UNH Nordic Ski Team coach Cory Schwartz (r) and Ben Wilcox (c) present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Thom Perkins (l). (Photo: Ski NH)

    (Press release)

    Thom Perkins of Intervale, NH, has been given the lifetime achievement award from Ski NH. The award recognized his contributions to Nordic skiing in New Hampshire. The award was presented by Cory Schwartz, the UNH Nordic Ski Team coach, and Ben Wilcox from Cranmore Mountain Resort.

    As the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation Executive Director since 1976, Perkins was instrumental in transforming the village of Jackson, NH into one of the nation’s premier cross country skiing and snowshoeing venues. Passionate about the sport of Nordic skiing, Thom developed the trail system from a modest offering of trails to the present far-reaching network of 150 kilometers. Perkins’ retirement goals include increasing the number of great cross country ski facilities available to the public by using his extensive background to help small and midsized areas develop and grow through facilities design, business management and marketing. He has started a consulting company to do just that.

    An active member of the cross country skiing community, a 2014 nominee to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and the 2010 winner of the Ski NH Al Merrill Award for outstanding contributions to cross country skiing, Perkins has provided training opportunities for skiers from school children, college teams, Paralympic and Junior National competitors to Olympic level athletes. During his time at Jackson, Perkins organized competitions ranging from local citizen races to World Championships. His expertise in facilities design and use was drawn on for the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympic sites to help plan the use of the venues after the completion of their respective Olympic Games.

    Cory Schwartz in his introductory remarks at the presentation ceremony spoke about one particularly challenging NCAA National Championship event when rain had washed away the snow from the competition venue, “Within minutes, Thom was developing a plan. … Ten hours later we held a national championship {at an alternative site}….something that no one else had accomplished and I am not sure if there are many people who could have.”

    Thom Perkins is a founding member and Board Member Emeritus of the international trade association of Nordic ski areas – CCSAA. He was the recipient of the 2011 North American Ski Journalist Association Lifetime Achievement Award and was named one of 25 Nordic Heroes in the United States in a feature article in Cross Country Skier Magazine.

    Thom’s full bio and contact may be found at thomperkinsconsulting.com

    Ski NH is the statewide association representing 33 alpine and Nordic resorts and more than 200 lodging and guest service properties in New Hampshire. – See more at: http://www.skinh.com/

  • R&R Woodworkers Donate Timing Trailer to Jackson XC

    R&R Woodworkers Donate Timing Trailer to Jackson XC

    Jackson, N.H. – The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation is the recipient of a timing trailer to use in conjunction with XC center’s newly FIS homologated (internationally certified) race course. Robin Kosstrin and Bob Yanuck contributed their travel trailer to complement the Foundation’s renovated and expanded race arena by providing an indoor timing facility.

    “This 31’ trailer is perfect for our timing crew’s needs. It’s roomy enough to house electronic timing crew and an announcer. It’s big enough so that enthusiasm of the announcer doesn’t interfere with the concentration required to accurately time the high level races that Jackson’s facility attracts,” said Thom Perkins, Executive Director. “It will also help us to take better care of our delicate timing equipment and the volunteers and staff who have to put in a long day in a variety of weather conditions.”

    Longtime skiers, Kosstrin and Yanuck own R&R Woodworkers which specializes in hand crafted cedar Adirondack furniture. Their shop is located on Carter Notch Road, in Jackson, and their furniture is also available worldwide via the website www.RandRWoodworkers.com. The couple expressed their pleasure at knowing the travel trailer which had not been used in years will now help the Touring Foundation with events that bring visitors and media coverage to Jackson.

    This year the Foundation will play host to several races including the first College Invitational Criterium on January 10th, the White Mountain Classic on January 24th, the University of New Hampshire College Carnival races on January 30 and 31 and a New Hampshire High School Championship race in early February. The race arena in Jackson is one of the most spectator-friendly xc sites in New England, and the new trailer/timing facility provides an optimal announcing booth, which is a key factor in helping the audience cheer for their favorite athletes. Details on races and ski conditions are available at www.jacksonxc.org.

    The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation is the recipient of a timing trailer to use in conjunction with XC center’s newly FIS homologated (internationally certified) race course.   Bob Yanuck (left) and Robin Kostrin (center) are pictured with JSTF Executive Director Thom Perkins (right) in front of the  travel trailer they contributed to complement the Foundation’s renovated and expanded race arena.