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From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.

Tag: new moon

  • From the World Cup Wax Truck – Awesome Weekend for US Ski Team

    From the World Cup Wax Truck – Awesome Weekend for US Ski Team

    The Davos Switzerland cross-country world cup weekend is in the books. It was a great one for the US Ski Team.  Rosie Brennan won both the sprint and the distance races, claiming both the overall World Cup leader bib and the Sprint Cup bib all in the same weekend.  On top of Rosie’s success, the young skier’s team had a breakout weekend with JC Schoonmaker qualifying for the sprints in fifth and Scott Patterson finishing the distance day in 16th.  Although the Scandinavian teams were sitting out this weekend, many big-name sprinters and distance skiers were still in the race.

    Behind the scenes, the waxing was really good and we ended up making some of the fastest skis in the competition both Saturday and Sunday.  We had ample testing time leading up to the races over the weekend and our techs combined have experience with multiple different brands, and the team utilized many of these.  We tested up to 20 different powders, blocks and liquids, leaving us with 60+ products tested, not including hand structure.

    Conditions were a bit tricky with the snow coming in. In Davos, the new snow is incredibly dry, making it challenging to settle on just one product or even one type of a product.  We used colder dry waxes, we used warm dry waxes and we used wet condition products as well.  Having a cohesive and knowledgeable tech group, we were able to build on our fast skis in the morning competitions and make them better in the afternoon.

    Period one of racing will finish in Dresden this week, but I will be heading home for some rest before a big string of races on the Tour de Ski starting January 1st.  From there, we will travel up to Scandinavia for race weekends in Finland and Sweden!  Until next time I hope everyone has a happy holiday and a good start to the new year!

  • An Interview with Toko All Star Jennie Bender

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    jennie bender

    Jennie Bender is just coming off a dominating performance at US Nationals.  She has had some bad luck the past few years with her health (Mononucleosis and back injuries) and it has been so inspiring to see her fight through it all with both patience and dogged determination.  Congratulations Jennie!
    Toko All Stars: Jennie Bender
    1.  Who was your skiing role model when you were growing up and why?
    I looked up to each person who reached out and helped me learn. Not growing up in a nordic family, I didn’t hear skier names being thrown around, so never really globbed on to anyone. Instead I looked up to those in my life who stepped forward and shared their experience through coaching. Truthfully, Lance Armstrong and the William sisters were more my athlete role models. And now, I’d love to meet Ronda Rousey.
    2.  What skier inspires you currently and why?
    Never met her, but Lindsey Vonn seems pretty rad. She works hard, motivates me to keep at it, to work through it, and rocks the media component of being a celebrity athlete.
    3. Favorite race course and why?
    I’m a big fan of Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis. It’s fluid, good for power athletes, and it’s one of the best  cheering demographics around! 
    4.  Favorite workout and why?
    Max strength. We workout at an old Golds Gym here in Bozeman, so max strength is the only time I too, can grunt and walk around with my chest puffed out.
    5.  Favorite place to train and why?
    Training in Montana is pretty rad. We have on average cooler temperatures and few to no bugs. After growing up in mosquito haven in VT, and tick city in Wisconsin, I’d way rather carry around the occasional bear spray.
    6.  Favorite movie line and why?
    “Shake and Bake Baby” – Ricky Bobby, Talladega nights
      7.  Favorite Toko glove model (and/or color) and why?
    I really like the Toko Arctic, because Ive gotten frost bite so much, I wear thick gloves all the time. 

    jennie bender

    jennie bender

    Buy Jennie’s Favorite Gloves: The Toko Arctic Glove in Flag
    This is the warmest 5 fingered glove cross country ski glove on the market. It also is touch screen capable!  MSRP $53.  Buy at (click for direct link):