Posted: 04/02/2010
Please spread the word that Saturday, April 10th at 6:30 we will be hosting, in conjunction with the 10th Mtn Ski Club, our End of Season Potluck at the Stockholm School in Stockholm. This evening is an opportunity for the ski community of Northern Maine to come together and enjoy a social evening with good food and good company.
Everyone is asked to bring some sort of food, desert, or beverage to share. We will be giving out 2010 Aroostook Cup Awards, as well as presenting a slideshow from the busy ski season! To help keep everyone from bringing the same dish please go by the following:
If your last name starts with:
A-F Please bring a Beverage
G-L Please bring a Dessert
M-S Please bring a Salad
T-Z Please bring a Hot Dish
Prior to the potluck, please join us for a ski community roundtable discussion at 4:00 PM (location in Stockholm; TBA). Our goal is to bring together parents, coaches, club members, athletes, ski leaders and more to discuss a variety of topics that affect our ski community in Aroostook County. Some of the topics to discuss include:
-Club and Rec Programming
-Middle School & High School Skiing
-The Aroostook Cup
-Youth Programming
-Masters Programming
-Ski rentals
Come and be heard on these topics and more. Together as a community we can work to steer the skiing in Aroostook County towards successful seasons to come.
Again, the community roundtable starts at 4:00, the potluck starts at 6:30. We hope to see you in Stockholm! For directions to the school please call the MWSC Office at 492-1444, or MWSC Coach Mike Smith at 227-0250.
Group shot of all the girls!
Posted: 03/30/2010
On Thursday March 25, 35 top athletes and coaches from the United States and Canada gathered at the Madawaska Elementary School in Madawaska, Maine to team up with hundreds of young girls in northern Maine for a day of skiing and confidence building to introduce sports as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.
Fast and Female is an organization that was started by Olympian Chandra Crawford and is dedicated to the empowerment through sport of young women ages 9 to 19. They are a trademark organization who sponsor and put on events all over the US and Canada to get girls out skiing. The mission (taken from their website) is to host “events led by athletic champions who serve as healthy role models and inspire girls to gain the confidence and leadership they need to reach their full potential in life and sports. In parallel, Fast and Female educates parents, coaches, and sports leaders to ensure they foster the most supportive environment for their young female athletes.”
Girls from ages 9-19 gathered in Madawaska on Thursday morning to meet their instructors, decorate their colorful headbands, and create a group name and cheer. After an introduction by Kikkan Randall, US Ski Team member and three-time Olympian, the girls got their skis and headed out to four skill-building ski stations. For the next hour and a half they got to ski with some of the best female athletes in North America. Games, obstacle courses, a limbo, slalom courses, and a radar gun speed challenge kept the girls busy and smiling during the ski portion of the event.
The rest of the day included a scrumptious lunch prepared by the kitchen staff at Madawaska Elementary, a slideshow with pictures of the morning’s events, an introduction of each of the athletes, a question and answer period, and an autograph signing session.
The girls went home at the end of the day with huge smiles, lasting connections with many of these top athletes, and a great introduction to Nordic skiing.
The instructors included past and present Olympians, National Team Members, and other top athletes. This event was held in conjunction with a National Championship Cross-Country race series that was held at Four Seasons Trails in Madawaska and the 10th Mountain Lodge in Fort Kent.
Fast and Female in Madawaska would not have been able to happen without the support of organizations across the United States: Reno and Becky Deprey’s generous donation, Isis apparel, and SKIDA hats. Thank you to all of the amazing volunteers that gave their time and love to this event!
Posted: 03/28/2010
Fort Kent, Maine Fort Kent has one of the best small alpine ski areas in New England, and one of the top nordic venues in the world. On sunday the USSA SuperTour Final put both to use with the Hill Climb event. It was a little over 4k that took the top skiers in North America up some of the cross country trails before sending them up the alpine mountain and finally heading into the 10th Mountain Center for the finish.
The skiers went off in a pursuit start that took into account the total time of the previous two races in the week. There were also time bonuses accumulated during the week that played into your start. Andy Newell went out first for the Men and had a sizable lead over fellow American Torin Koos and Canadian Olympian, Ivan Babikov. By the top of the grueling climb all three were in a pack, with Babikov having taken the lead. Newell, one of the world's top sprinters, tucked in behind Babikov and with about 300 meters to go both started hammering, before Newall pulled away at the end.
On the Women's side, US Olympian, Kikkan Randall continued her domination of the field by leading from start to finish.
Photo Gallery: gallery.me.com/mwsc/100493
Hilary pulling away from the field in Junior Final
Posted: 03/27/2010
Madawaska, Maine MWSC's Hilary McNamee ended the season on a high note by running away with the Junior Sprint at the SuperTour Final. US Ski Team's Kikkan Randall, one of the top sprinters in the World, continued her dominance of the field by also taking the Women's Sprint by a wide margin. US Ski Team's Andy Newall, a week removed from a Sprint podium on the World Cup, was nipped at the line by fellow US Team member, Torin Koos.
Posted: 03/26/2010
Madawaska, Maine Years of volunteer effort are about to reach an exciting milestone for the Four Seasons Ski Club and the town of Madawaska, as they prepare to host the USSA SuperTour Final weekend starting this afternoon. The Mens' 10k Classic Mass Start will get under way at 3:30 and the Women's 7.5k will get going at 5PM.
Temperatures are expected to be in the upper teens and breezy under sunny skies as the race gets underway - a dramatic shift from the balmy weather we've had over the past six weeks. Check here later for results and a photo gallery.
Posted: 03/26/2010
Madawaska, Maine Andy Newell took the Men's 10k Mass Start classic race today, just ahead of Lars Flora. Ivan Babikov had led from start to almost the finish, before he headed out onto the course again rather than into the finish area. He skied a hundred meters before realizing his mistake. He finished in fifth place.
For the full story click here: blogs.fasterskier.com/continentalcup/2010/03/26/craziness-as-predicted-the-mens-10km-mass-start-at-supertour-final/
Photo gallery: gallery.me.com/mwsc/100469
Posted: 03/26/2010
Madawaska, Maine Madawaska is hosting their first national race this afternoon and Kikkan Randall made sure it was a memorable introduction. She led from start to finish in the Women's 7.5K Mass Start.
Winterfest 2010 Poster
Posted: 02/26/2010
The 2nd Annual Winterfest is coming right up! February 26th - 28th!
Grab the Winterfest Poster below:
Posted: 02/23/2010
The 2010 US 30km/50km Championships and SuperTour Finals are just a month away, and organizers in Madawaska and Fort Kent, Maine are preparing for an outstanding event. With ample snow at both the 4 Seasons Lodge in Madawaska and the 10th Mountain Lodge in Fort Kent (host of 2004 and 2011 Biathlon World Cup events), competitors can expect excellent racing conditions and challenging courses. The SuperTour Finals will follow a tour-de-ski format, which will yield daily champions in a 10/7.5km classic race, a classic sprint, and a freestyle hill-climb, as well as overall champions of the three-day event. The total purse to be awarded throughout the four days of racing is $16,000.
These races are expected to draw the US National and Olympic teams as well as many Canadian National and Junior National team members. Director of US Nordic Skiing, John Farra, explained, "We are all excited about this series of USSA SuperTour events that will close out the 2010 season. This has the makings of the best points races of the year [in the United States] with the expectation that all the U.S. World Cup athletes will be able to be present." The strength of the field will also likely result in the best USSA and FIS point races in North America this season with the exception of World Cup and Olympic competitions.
In addition to excellent racing, a Fast and Female clinic will be hosted by a group of the top women in attendance. Local girls will have the opportunity to meet, ski with, and get to know some of the fastest women in the country in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Posted: 02/23/2010
Despite gray skies and soft snow a field of 30 competitors from around northern Maine took the trails at the Caribou Country Club this past Sunday for the 35th annual Henry Anderson Ski Dag. The race, overseen by the Caribou Rec Department, was a 5.4 km classical event shortened due to challenging conditions from an 8 km race.
In the men’s field UMPI skier Aaron Schmersal took the win, followed by Finn Bondeson of the Northern Skiers Club in second, and Seth Hubbard of the Nordic Heritage Ski Club in third. On the women’s side Alice Goodwin of the Maine Nordic Club took first, while Patricia Hebert and Bonnie Cyr, both of the 10th Mtn Ski Club took second and third place respectively.
With two races left in the series, club point standings find the 10th Mtn Club of Fort Kent still holding a strong lead with 95 points. The Nordic Heritage Sports Club of Presque Isle is in second with 65 points, and just behind in third is Caribou’s Northern Skiers Club with 63 points.
The next race is the C-ME Ski Event, scheduled for this Saturday the 27th at the Aroostook Wildlife Refuge in Limestone. For more information on that race as well as a complete listing of results and Aroostook Cup point standings please visit: http://www.fourseasonstrail.org/Aroostook_Cup__.html.
Posted: 02/22/2010
Fort Kent, Maine The 10th Mountain Center has announced the second annual Maine Biathlon Club Championships will be held during U.S. National Biathlon Championships on March 20. This is a chance for everyone who has ever had an interest in biathlon to come out and give it a shot.
Posted: 02/22/2010
Fort Kent US National Team coaches will be holding a talent ID and development camp for skiers aged 14-19 in Fort Kent, March 18-21. The event will follow JO National Championships being held in Presque Isle the following week. For more details read the attached document.
Posted: 02/15/2010
Whistler, Canada Maine Winter Sports Center veteran Jeremy Teela made Olympic history with his 9th place finish in today's 10k Sprint, in spite of two misses on the range. The previous Olympic best for the United States in biathlon was 14th place. The U.S. Team also made history with all 4 Americans qualifying for the Pursuit on Tuesday.
With weather conditions changing by the minute and ranging from sun to rain to heavy wet snow and back to sun again during the race, the athletes had more than the world's best competitors to deal with. Full results biathlon.teamusa.org/
Posted: 02/15/2010
Whistler Olympic Park—Ben Koons, of Sidney, Maine and a New Zealand citizen, along with 11 other Nordic athletes, was issued a “start prohibition” for high hemoglobin levels today, shortly after arriving at the Olympic Nordic skiing venue. According to a statement released by the International Ski Federation (FIS) this “start prohibition is not a sanction, but is in order to protect the health of the athlete.” Skiers with high levels are routinely suspended for five days.
Koons pursued a very aggressive three-week high-altitude training camp at over 8,000 feet just prior to his arrival in Vancouver for the Olympic Games. Koons’ high hemoglobin levels are believed to be a result of his extended stay at this altitude. Following the suspension period, athletes are retested and allowed to start if hemoglobin levels have returned to within the limits set by the FIS.
“Ben clearly would have been better off staying with the more typical 10-day altitude plan,” said Andy Shepard, President of the Maine Winter Sports Center. “While we are all disappointed that Ben will miss today’s start, we look forward to his Olympic debut in the Mass Start Pursuit Race on the 20th.”
Posted: 02/14/2010
2-14-2010
A fresh dusting of snow and mild temperatures brought out the crowds at the 8th annual Karen Sprague Memorial Ski Day. A record breaking field of nearly 90 competitors, from age 4 to 78, took to the Snowy Mountain Trails in Stockholm, to make the day a success.
Costumes, kisses and fun were the name of the game at the Sweetheart Relay--a two lap, two person classic race. The MWSC/UMPI team of Austin Ross and Chandra Wisneski took the race out hard, followed closely by MWSC coach and athlete duo of Gary Colliander and Grace Boutot. At the exchanges, the MWSC/UMPI team of Fred Bailey and Justine Cyr put up a furious fight, but the crowd was rooting for the home teams of Jonathan Sprague and Anna Sprague Van der Rhee and Will Sweetser and Sarah Dominick. In the end, Sweetser and Dominick had just a bit more course saavy and were able to eke out the win over Bailey and Cyr.
Age group winners included Gannon Therien and Sarah Doak, Derek Rowe and Vicky Bernard, and Norman Paige and Connie McClellan.
In the Aroostook Cup Pursuit, competitors toed the line for a 3km classic/3km freestyle continuous pursuit. MWSC Team members Fred Bailey and Welly Ramsey staged a break away from the rest of their teammates and coaches to claim the top two spots, with Bailey taking top honors and 3 Aroostook Cup points for the Northern Skiers Club. In the women's race, it was Sarah Dominick and Anna Van der Rhee, both of the Snowy Mountain Club, crossing the line in first and second.
After this weekend's racing, the home club of Snowy Mountain has made up significant ground in the overall Aroostook Cup standings. For full results and Aroostook Cup points updates, please visit:
www.fourseasonstrail.org/Aroostook_Cup
The next Aroostook Cup event is the Henry Anderson Ski Dag, February 21 at the Caribou Country Club.
Posted: 02/10/2010
Fort Kent, Maine Nancy Thibodeau, Event Director for the 10th Mountain Ski Club in Fort Kent, along with the Maine Winter Sports Center and the U.S. Biathlon Team, announced today that Fort Kent will again host the world for a Biathlon World Cup. The event is planned for mid-February of next season at the 10th Mountain Center.
Fort Kent last hosted a Biathlon World Cup in March of 2004 and quickly became a favorite of the athletes and IBU officials. The village atmosphere, large and passionate stadium crowds and the warmth and generosity of the people made an immediate impression on all who attended. Olympic schedules, Korea’s bid to become an Olympic site and a reduction in the number of events to be held each season have made everyone wait much longer than intended for the second World Cup in northern Maine.
“Fort Kent is excited to host the world again in 2011,” said Thibodeau. “The World Cup Organizing Committee is in its initial planning stage, with the goal of creating a World Cup experience that surpasses 2004.”
The 2004 event was the largest sporting event ever held in Maine, with over 50 million world-wide TV viewers and close to 20,000 spectators in the stadium. In the United States there was over 17 hours of national coverage on the Outdoor Life Network.
“These events are a critical tool in our economic development strategy for northern Maine,” said Andy Shepard, President of the MWSC. “The TV coverage in 2004 created significant awareness of Aroostook County as a destination for people from around the world.” “The hope is that this event will build on that awareness of the area as a world-class destination for outdoor recreation.” “The Allagash, Saint John and Fish Rivers are among the best paddling and fishing waterways in North America and the massive Northern Forest offers some of the best four-season outdoor recreation anywhere.” “These events are critical to shining a light on this remarkable resource.”
The 10th Mountain Center has been busy over the past seven years, preparing itself for the next World Cup event. Continued support from the Portland-based Libra Foundation allowed the venue to increase spectator capacity, pave the parking lot and extend the finish area for more exciting television coverage. The 10th Mountain Center will also present two new significant climbs on the trail system. All of this is intended to make the event more comfortable and exciting for spectators in the stadium and guarantee the most exciting TV coverage.
“For the athletes of the US Biathlon Team the chance to compete in Fort Kent is like coming home,” said Max Cobb, Executive Director of the U.S. Biathlon Team. “The excellent organization and enthusiastic fans make Fort Kent a favorite place to compete.” “We just can’t wait to be back in Maine!”
With this announcement, the Fort Kent World Cup Organizing Committee will now begin its search for a title sponsor and supporting sponsors to make this event possible.
Nancy Thibodeau – Event Director – Fort Kent World Cup Organizing Committee nancyt@fairpoint.net (207) 436-0003
Andy Shepard – President/CEO – Maine Winter Sports Center
Max Cobb – Executive Director – U.S. Biathlon Team
Posted: 02/10/2010
Last Sunday's edition of the New York Times featured a story about Aroostook County's ski heritage and the biathlon development pipeline. Find the full story at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/sports/olympics/07maine.html?pagewanted=1.
Posted: 02/07/2010
Caribou, Maine Read the story of MWSC's first cross country Olympian - Ben Koons, and his coach, Alexei Sotskov, from UMaine Presque Isle.
Posted: 02/02/2010
Rumford, Maine Maine's Collegiate All-State Team was named yesterday at the Chummy Broomhall Cup.
Posted: 02/01/2010
Black Mountain Colby College’s Lucy Garrec skied to a decisive win in the Women’s championship, and teammate, Wyatt Fereday, nipped fellow Colby skier Sam Mathes for the Men’s title in the fourth annual Chummy Broomhall Cup, Maine’s Collegiate Nordic Ski Championships.
Maine has more Division I college ski teams than any other state in the country, and those college teams are now competing successfully against the top schools in the US. The Chummy Broomhall Cup was started four years ago to celebrate Maine college skiing with a head-to-head state championship. Teams from Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, and UMaine Presque Isle’s division I programs competed against club programs from UMaine Orono, Farmington and Fort Kent, as well the Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) team.
Garrec and Natalie Ruppertsberger from Bates pulled away early in the Women’s 10K Mass Start race and stayed away. Garrec put in a blistering pace on the final 5k to pull away from Ruppertsberger for the win by 24.9 seconds. Bates’s Beth Taylor was third, 51.1 seconds off the pace set by Garrec. Colby’s Olga Golovkina and Bowdoin’s Hannah Wright rounded out the top five.
On the Men’s side Fereday and Mathes battled Maine Winter Sports Centers Fred Bailey, Walt Shepard and Pavel Sotskov around the tough 10K course before pulling away on the last kilometer. Fereday took Mathes at the line by .5 seconds. MWSC’s Bailey was 12.2 seconds off the pace for third place. Shepard and Sotskov finished out the top five in the overall results. Bates’s Harry Poole placed third in the college division, with teammate Lucas Milliken and Colby’s Jake Barton rounding out the top five in the college division.
Colby beat Bates for the third time in the four-year history of the Chummy Broomhall Cup, continuing its position as the top college ski team in Maine.
The Chummy Broomhall Cup recognizes Broomhall, a Rumford native, who has been an international force in cross-country skiing for over 60 years. Chummy is a two time Olympian, organized the 1950 Cross Country World Championships in Rumford, as well as hundreds of other events over the years, including countless national cross country, jumping and biathlon championships, NCAA championships and regional and state championships. He is also responsible for introducing machine grooming to the ski industry as the Chief of Course during the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics. Chummy is still the energy behind the Chisholm Ski Club, which has been hosting World Championships and National competitions for over 50 years.
Posted: 01/30/2010
Torsby, Sweden The Sprint competition is on tap for today. Go to www.biathlonworld3.de/en/ to get the full results.
Posted: 01/28/2010
Torsby, Sweden The day started with the Youth Women's 10K Individual Race and MWSC's Andrea Mayo, in her first international race, was the top American with a 57th place finish. Mayo had 6 penalties to finish 9 minutes 31.1 seconds off the pace of Russia's Olga Galich.
MWSC's Grace Boutot, last years Silver Medalist at World Youth Championships in Canmore, Canada, was 34th in the 12.5K Junior Race. A strong result for Boutot who is competing for the first year as a Junior. Boutot had 5 penalties and was 7 minutes 53.7 seconds off the winning time of Reka Ferenzc of Rumania, who shot clean.
The competitors take a day off and are back at it again on Saturday with the Sprint competitions
Posted: 01/27/2010
Torsby, Sweden The World Junior/Youth Biathlon Championships are underway in Torsby, Sweden, roughly six hours north of Stockholm. In the first day the Men's Individual Race saw Ethan Dreissegacker post the top finish for an American in the Youth 12.5K race with 6 penalties, 6 minutes, 37.6 seconds off the winning time of Martin Maier of Austria who shot clean.
As the Junior Men's 15K Individual race got underway heavy snow began to fall making it an advantage to have an earlier start number. American Leif Nordgren started 45th, but still posted the best finish for an American in the early stages of the championships with an 11th. Nordgren had 4 misses and finished 3 minutes 46.6 seconds off the winning time of Yann Guigonnet of France who had only one miss.
The Women's Individual Races are tomorrow
Posted: 01/25/2010
Caribou, Maine The MWSC launches a new newsletter to keep people up with the MWSC athletes on Olympic Teams. OLYMPIC NEWS will have stories on the athletes, post schedules for events and results as the games progress. We will post the newsletters through our website news section. The first edition is on the biathletes on the Olympic Team. The second edition will be on MWSC's Ben Koons from Sidney, Maine, who will represent New Zealand on their cross country team.
Tom Shay Photo
Posted: 01/24/2010
Madawaska, ME
1/24/10
Before Monday’s winter drizzle set in, residents of Aroostook County enjoyed perhaps the nicest weekend of the winter season thus far. Nowhere was the sunshine and blue sky more appreciated than in the rolling hills of Madawaska. As Saturday slowly warmed to a mild afternoon, members of the Four Seasons Trail Association could be found outside their bustling lodge preparing a newly constructed sprint course for Sunday’s third Aroostook Cup event, the Madawaska Valley Classical Ski Sprints.
As Sunday’s temperatures reached their peak, men and women took their turn racing, in the classical ski discipline, around a 1.3k course to qualify for head to head heats later in the afternoon. Racers advanced through quarter and semi-final rounds to eventually take their turn in heats of five to six competitors attempting to earn top honors for the day.
In the men’s final round it was John Dixon of the Nordic Heritage Sports Club in first, Joey Bard of Caribou’s Northern Skiers Club in second, and Seth Hubbard also of the Nordic Heritage Sports Club in third. Filling out the final heat for men were Derek Rowe (4th), Nick Michaud (5th) and Austin Ross (6th).
On the women’s side, Eileen Carey of Presque Isle’s Nordic Heritage Sports Club took the win, with Vicky Bernard of the 10th Mtn Club in second, and Sarah Dominick of the Snowy Mtn Ski Club in Stockholm taking third. Danni Anderson, Alice Goodwin, and Sherry Dubis finished 4th, 5th and 6th respectively.
After three Aroostook Cup events the club leader remains the 10th Mtn Club of Fort Kent with 75 points, the Nordic Heritage Sports Club is in second and gaining ground with 45 points, and the Northern Skiers Club remains in third with 35 points. For full results and point standings, please visit http://www.fourseasonstrail.org/Aroostook_Cup__.html. The next race in the Aroostook Cup series is the Karen Sprague Memorial Race in Stockholm, on Sunday February 14th.
Tom Shay Photo
Tom Shay Photo
Tom Shay Photo
Posted: 01/18/2010
Rumford, Maine MWSC's Russell Currier, buried his disappointment from U.S. Biathlon Trials by pushing America's top cross country skier to the limit in yesterday's 15k Freestyle race at Black Mountain. Kris Freeman qualified as the top American in distance events for the U.S. Olympic cross country team and took the title at the Black Mountain Eastern Cup on Sunday with a time of 35:24.7. Russell Currier, showing that biathletes can also ski fast, posted the second best time of the day, 1 minute, 7.7 seconds off the pace. The MWSC put five in the top 15 with Ben Koons taking 5th, Pavel Sotskov 7th, Fred Bailey 13th and Joey Bard 15th.
In the Women's 10k Freestyle, Hilary McNamee, a MWSC vet and now skiing for Dartmouth College, had an impressive 9th place finish.
For full results click here: www.chisholmskiclub.org/chisholm_results/2009-10/09-10_results_frameset.htm
Posted: 01/18/2010
Do you enjoy skiing, yet crave a little more adventure than your normal winter routine provides? Do you ever think about travelling into the winter backcountry, and wonder what it takes to make it happen? This winter season Maine Winter Sports Center is proud to offer an exciting opportunity for novice and experienced skiers alike, designed to put the adventure in your skiing:
Baxter Ski & Climb 2010
“Katahdin” is a native Penobscot word meaning “Great Mountain”. Resting at the heart of Baxter State Park, one of Maine’s most impressive wilderness areas, Katahdin truly is a great mountain. This winter the Maine Winter Sports Center is offering you the chance to spend a week in the winter wilderness skiing and hiking in the Katahdin area. Take the opportunity to spend five days and four nights at the base of our state’s most impressive peak. Discover the thrill of skiing away from the crowds, and into the winter landscape. Wake up each morning to the view of sun pouring over snow covered mountains and pine forests. Spend your days learning the basics of winter backcountry travel, both skiing cross-country and hiking to impressive views. No previous experience is required, just the desire to share in the adventure. Join us for the Baxter Ski & Climb, and see where skiing can take you.
Dates: February 15th – 19th
Price: $250 – Fee includes food, lodging, guides, technical equipment and transportation!
Eligibility: Open to individuals 18 years of age and older
Fore More Info: Contact Mike Smith at Maine Winter Sports Center
207-227-0250 / mikes@mainewsc.org
Posted: 01/18/2010
MWSC Athlete Sarah Dominick is holding an afternoon on skis just for girls this Wednesday, January 20th, from 4 PM to 6 PM, in Caribou at the high school ski building. This is aimed at middle school girls, and the goal is to have fun on snow! Participants will cross-country ski, play games, and hopefully do a lot of laughing.
If there are girls who need equipment, they should plan to be there early. MWSC will make sure there is equipment on hand for those who need it.Please pass the word along to any middle school-aged girls who like to ski, or would like to learn. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get outside and have fun with other girls in Aroostook County!
Posted: 01/17/2010
Mars Hill, Maine Carrabassett Valley Academy (CVA) will be at Bigrock Ski Area on Saturday, January 23rd to talk about the school and the Alfond Scholarship Program, a scholarship fund for Aroostook County student-athletes to attend CVA. A formal presentation will be made at 1:00 p.m. in the Bigrock Base Lodge’s Last Run Lounge. CVA representatives will be available before and after the presentation for individual conversations.
Founded in 1982, CVA is a fully accredited co-educational boarding school for grades eight thru post-graduate located at the base of Sugarloaf/USA. The Academy’s mission is to foster individual student development by providing the optimum balance of excellence in athletic training with a focus on skiing/snowboarding, college preparatory academics, and responsible living. Notable alumni include: Olympians Seth Wescott (gold medalist in snowboardcross in 2006); Bode Miller (two silver medals in 2002); Brenda Petzold (bronze medal in 1998); Kirsten Clark, and Emily Cook. In twenty eight years CVA has produced 12 Olympians, 72 National Titles, 18 NCAA and USCSA All-Americans, two overall alpine world cup titles, four individual alpine world cup titles, 28 national team members, and six world champions.
This is an exceptional opportunity for two high school age students from Maine. Priority for selection goes to Aroostook County, but motivated students from around the state looking to develop their skiing ability and chase Olympic dreams should apply.
For more information, please contact MWSC Program Director Mark Shea at 207-425-6711 or markshea@bigrockmaine.com, or visit www.gocva.com.
Posted: 01/17/2010
Caribou, ME
Nearly 70 participants came out to the Caribou Ski Trails this Sunday to participate in the season’s second Aroostook Cup Series event, the 2010 New Year’s Ski Race and Scavenger Hunt. Volunteers from the Northern Skiers Club and Cary Medical Center were on hand to deliver a fast and fun 5k freestyle race and tour, followed by a ski and snowshoe scavenger hunt.
January’s cool temperatures and lack of precipitation in combination with diligent grooming and trail maintenance resulted in a blazing fast race course. Taking advantage of the awesome conditions were Will Sweetser and Sarah Dominick of Stockholm’s Snowy Mountain Ski Club. Sweetser and Dominick took the fastest overall time for men and women with a time of 12:40 and 13:42 respectively.
On the men’s side Jeff Dubis of the 10th Mtn Club took second, while Anthony Drouin, also of 10th Mtn, took third. In the women’s field Sherry Dubis (10th Mtn) took second to Dominick, while Patricia Hebert (10th Mtn) took third.
In the Aroostook Cup Club Standings Fort Kent’s 10th Mtn Club remains in the lead with 64 points, while the Nordic Heritage Club of Presque Isle holds on to second place with 26 points, just ahead of Caribou’s Northern Skiers Club at 22 points. The next event in the Aroostook Cup is the Madawaska Valley Ski Sprints, being held at Madawaska’s Four Seasons Trails next Sunday, January 24th. These sprints will bring a new race format the Aroostook Cup that is sure to bring forth regional talents not yet seen. For more information check out www.fourseasonstrail.org.
Ben Koons dominates his quarterfinal heat
Posted: 01/16/2010
Rumford - A bright sun and warm temperatures greeted over 300 competitors in the second weekend of racing in New England Nordic Ski Association’s TD Bank Eastern Cup series, held at Black Mountain in Rumford. On today’s docket was a 1.4km classic sprint for J2 boys and women and a 1.7km sprint for men. Early in the day, temperatures peaked above freezing and remained there throughout the day, creating glazed tracks and loose snow on corners and uphills and making the day’s contest more about finesse than pure speed.
MWSC’s John Dixon blazed through the morning qualification round and posted the second fastest time on the men’s course. Ben Koons and Joey Bard joined Dixon in the top thirty and thereby earned themselves spots in the afternoon elimination heats. In the six-person heats, the MWSC three proved to be a force as they all advanced into the semi-final heats. Koons and Dixon both cruised through their semi-final heats and into the A-finals. In the final race of the day, Koons skied away from the pack and current Eastern Cup sprint leader Skyler Davis for the clear win. The victory makes Koons two for three in Eastern Cup action for this season. Stratton’s Davis captured 2nd place and Green Mountain Valley School’s David Sinclair rounded out the podium in 3rd place. Dixon finished the day in 6th place and Bard skied to a fourth place finish in the B-finals to end up in 10th place on the day.
On the women’s side, young skiers dominated the heats. J2s took the top two places on the podium, with Stratton’s Heather Mooney edging out Cambridge Sports Union’s Corey Stock for the win. Third place went to Elena Leuthi of Green Mountain Valley School.
Eastern Cup competition resumes at Black Mountain tomorrow with mass start freestyle races. J2s will ski 5km, women will complete 2 laps of the course for 10km and the men will race 15km.
Posted: 01/11/2010
Anchorage, AK--The sun finally broke the low clouds along Turnagain Arm and lit the Kincaid Park Nordic Ski Center for the final day of the 2010 U.S. National Cross-Country Ski Championships. This last day of competition was a day for the sprinters, as athletes contested a 1.5km course in the classic technique. And once again, Kikkan Randall proved that she is the class of the field.
Randall easily outdistanced the women's field in the qualifying round and marched through the quarters and semis to an easy championship in the finals. Vermont native Ida Sargent was second in qualifying and held on for her first U.S. National podium finish, earning the bronze just a few short meters behind Randall's APU teammate Laura Valaas.
In the men's field, Garrott Kuzzy, of CXC Team Vertical Limit, qualified first and looked as though he'd march right on to the finals before falling late in the quarter finals. Kuzzy's early departure left the door open for Alaskan junior Eric Packer to advance. And in the men's final, Packer was joined by 4 other Alaskans and one Swede. In the end, Erik Soederstroem, a Swedish skier at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, out-poled the Alaskans for the win. However, silver-medalist Tyler Kornfield, a 19-year-old Alaskan native and Soederstroem's teammate at UAF, earned his first U.S. National title. Mike Hinckley, of APU, earned the bronze.
For the MWSC team, David Chamberlain led the way with a 25th place in qualifying. A stumble in his quarter finals took him out of the race and brought his Olympic hopes to a close.
Pavel Sotskov finished the day 13th for U23 athletes, capping a fantastic week of racing. Sotskov just missed a berth on the U.S. Team to the World U23 Championships. His excellent racing during the week left him ranked 9th in the age category. Nick Michaud, of Fort Kent, finished the week ranked 10th on the J1 age group list. Joey Bard leaves Anchorage as the 19th ranked Junior, overall, earning him an automatic start at the Junior Olympic Championships, slated to be held in Presque Isle this March.
Posted: 01/10/2010
Altenburg, Germany Lowell Bailey had already secured a nomination to the team by being the top American in the first two races in the trials, but Kevin Patzoldt was hoping for something special in today's Pursuit race to get consideration for the fifth and final spot - that was not to be.
Bailey missed five targets and dropped from 9th to 19th Place, 1 minute, 38.4 seconds behind the winner, German, Toni Lang. Patzold was hoping that the four shooting stages today would give his typically superior shooting a chance to make a difference. While wind and snow were a factor yesterday, fog was the weather condition du jour and Patzold wound up, like Bailey, with 5 penalties. He finished in 57th spot, moving up one position from his start, and was 7 minutes 31.9 seconds off the winning time.
To see full results:
services.biathlonresults.com/DataCenter_IBU.aspx
Posted: 01/10/2010
Altenburg, Germany The final day of Olympic trials, for which all seven Americans had qualified from Saturdays Sprint Race, has been cancelled due to heavy fog. We are waiting for word from the U.S. Biathlon Association on how they will decide the final spots on the Women's Team. Stay tuned.
To see Composite results from the first two days results:
Posted: 01/10/2010
Pineland Farms, Maine The International Competition Committee of the U.S. Biathlon Association conducted a final review of results from the IBU Cup races in Altenberg, Germany this morning. As a result, the U.S Biathlon Association will forward the following list of athletes to the United States Olympic Committee.
Men’s Nominations:
1) Tim Burke, Paul Smith’s, NY- prequalification from 2008-2009 season (2 top 15 results at WC)
2) Jay Hakkinen, Kasilof, AK- prequalification from 2008-2009 season (2 top 15 results at WC)
3) Jeremy Teela, Park City, Utah- qualification from Dec 2009 WC (1 top 30 at WC)
4) Lowell Bailey, Lake Placid, NY - overall points winner, Altenberg
5) Wynn Roberts, Battle Lake, MN - discretionary selection. Roberts was 2nd overall (behind Bailey) based on the Percent Back Points from the Altenberg races and lead the Trials races held in Minnesota in December.
The Women’ selection was more complex because of the cancellation of today’s Women’s Pursuit at Altenberg. Contingency “C” from the Olympic Team Selection Procedures was required and is stated below:
Contingencies: In the event one or more of the competitions in a series are cancelled the following will apply as appropriate to the situation:
a. If four races are held the best three of four will be scored.
b. If three races are held, the best two of three races will be scored.
c. If less than three races are held; the top American in each race, not already nominated to the respective team, will be nominated to the IBU Cup team or the Olympic team, respectively, and the ICC in accordance with the USBA Principles of Discretion (see Section II.B.), will determine the remaining nominations.
Contingency “c” requires winners of the two races (Time Trial and IBU Cup Sprint) to be nominated to the team, with the remaining athlete named by discretionary selection of the ICC.
Women’s Olympic Team Nominations:
1) Haley Johnson, Lake Placid, NY- qualification from Dec 2009 WC (1 top 30 result)
2) Sara Studebaker, Boise, ID- winner Time Trial, Altenberg, Germany
3) Lanny Barnes, Durango, CO- winner Sprint Event, Altenberg, Germany
4) Laura Spector, Lennox, MA- discretionary selection, Altenberg, Germany. Laura was ranked 2nd based on the Altenberg Percent Back points list.
Below is the Altenberg Percent Back points list:
The International Competition Committee would like to congratulate the nominees for the Olympic Team and wish them luck at the upcoming WC races in Rupholding, Germany and Antholz, Italy. Also, best wishes for the IBU Cup team athletes who will move on to racing at the IBU Cup in Nove Mesto, Czech, where the U-26 Team Selection process will continue.
Piotr Bednarski
Chair, International Competition Committee
US Biathlon Association
Posted: 01/10/2010
Temperatures in the single digits and beautiful sunny skies greeted skiers in the St. John Valley on Sunday for the opener of the 2010 Aroostook Cup tour series. Volunteers from the 10th Mtn Ski Club hosted the annual Frostbite XC Ski Race series including a 40k, 20k and 5k freestyle race.
Skiers from clubs throughout northern Maine and western New Brunswick were in attendance to try their hand at a challenging course. In the men’s 40k it was Marco Boucher of Madawaska’s Four Seasons Trails taking third at 2:18:18, while the 10th Mtn’s own Jeff Dubis claimed second completing the course in 2:15:54, and Seth Hubbard of the Nordic Heritage Sports Club in Presque Isle took a definitive first place with a time of 2:09:17. The women’s 40k marathon saw two impressive finishes with 10th Mtn’s Sherry Dubis skiing to second place in 3:04:42, while Kelly Murray of Fredericton, NB’s Radical Edge took the victory in 2:58:43.
In the largest field of the day, the Men’s 20k race, Carson Spencer of the 10th Mtn Club took third in 1:06:42. Aaron Schmersal, member of UMaine Presque Isle’s ski team took second place with a time of 1:06:12. Skiing to first place for the Four Seasons Trails Association was Austin Ross of Madawaska. Members of the UMPI Women’s Nordic team swept the field with Chandra Wisneski claiming third (1:24:17), Hannah Shepard in second (1:24:04), and Justine Cyr, also of Fort Kent’s 10th Mtn Ski Club, skied to first in 1:11:40.
Finally for those interested in a shorter race distance the Whoopie Pie 5k offered plenty of excitement. Jeff Spencer, Ryan Washington, and Russell Currier took third, second and first place respectively. While on the ladies side Catherine Packard took third, Laura Decision took second, and Danni Anderson claimed the win.
In the Aroostook Cup club points race, the 10th Mtn Ski Club of Fort Kent starts the series as the leader with 46 points, the Nordic Heritage Sports Club of Presque Isle is in second place with 15 points, and Caribou’s Northern Skiers takes third place with 7 points. For a full list of race results and club standings visit http://www.fourseasonstrail.org/Aroostook_Cup__.html. The Aroostook Cup series continues this coming Sunday the 17th at Caribou’s Trail System with the rescheduled New Year’s Race. Registration for the 5k Freestyle race begins at noon, with the race time at 1:00 PM.
Posted: 01/09/2010
Altenburg, Germany In sharp contrast to the first day of Biathlon Olympic Trials on Thursday, today's Sprint race - the first race in the Altenburg IBU Cup - brought heavy snow and strong winds. The weather made it very difficult on the range and slow on the tracks, all of which made for a lot of penalty lops skied. The main goal for the Americans today was to finish in the top 60, from a field of 134 racers, and get a chance to compete in tomorrow's Pursuit competition. The Men's field was very strong, with a number of World Cup medal winners and World Champions starting today.
In the Men's race, MWSC Alum, Lowell Bailey posted one of the best shooting performances of the day, missing one and finishing in 9th place, 51.8 seconds behind Germany's Toni Lang. Kevin Patzoldt (Minnesota), also shot well with 2 misses, to finish in 58th place, 3 minutes 2.9 seconds off the pace, but good enough to keep his hopes alive with another start tomorrow.
Wynn Roberts (Minnesota) was the third American, in 67th place overall with 6 penalties, 3 minutes 47 seconds back. MWSC'S Walt Shepard skied well, but his 5 penalty loops proved too much and he finished in 69th place overall, 4 minutes 3.9 out. Today's result marks the end of Shepard's bid to make the Olympic Team. Leif Nordgren (Minnesota), also had 5 penalties to finish in 70th place, 4 minutes 6.6 seconds back. Zach Hall (Alaska) rounded out the Americans in 77th place with 5 penalties, 4 minutes, 33.5 seconds back.
Final Results can be seen at services.biathlonresults.com/DataCenter_IBU.aspx
The Women's Race will start at 8AM EST.
Posted: 01/09/2010
Altenburg, Germany The weather for the IBU Cup in Altenburg, Germany was as bad for the Women as it was for the Men earlier in the day. Blizzard conditions made skiing conditions slow and shooting a real challenge. With 85 athletes in the field, the Women needed to finish in the top 60 to have a chance to race in tomorrow’s pursuit and all six American did that.
MWSC alum, Lanny Barnes missed only one target to put herself back into the mix for one of the three sports on the Olympic Team. She finished in 21st place overall, 1 minute 53.4 seconds off the pace of today’s winner, Germany’s Sabrina Buchholz, who also had one penalty.
The second American was MWSC alum, Laura Spector, in 24th place overall, with 3 misses, 2 minutes 9.4 seconds behind Buchholz. Sara Studebaker was the 3rd American, in 26th place, 2 minutes 15.7 seconds back, with 3 misses. Susan Dunklee was the 4th American, in 41st place overall, 3 minutes 18.7 seconds back, with 5 misses. MWSC alum, Tracy Colliander was the 5th American; 3 minutes 40.8 seconds back, with 4 misses. MWSC’s BethAnn Chamberlain also qualified for tomorrow’s race in 52nd place, 4 minutes 5.8 seconds back, with 3 penalties.
MWSC Junior, Grace Boutot, is not competing for a spot on the Olympic Team, but is racing to get more international experience before World Junior Championships next month. Boutot also qualified for tomorrow with a 51st place finish, 4 minutes 2.2 seconds off the pace, with 3 penalties.
Spector and Studebaker are firmly in the top two positions for the Team and it looks like the final spot will come down to tomorrow’s race between twin sisters Tracy Colliander and Lanny Barnes.
Final Results can be seen at services.biathlonresults.com/DataCenter_IBU.aspx
Posted: 01/08/2010
Altenburg, Germany Heavy snow and strong winds are expected to greet day 2 of the IBU Cup in Altenburg, Germany. This Sprint race will also serve as the second of three races to decide the last two Men and three Women on the 2010 U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team.
The IBU is promoting the fact that you will be able to watch live results by going to services.biathlonresults.com/DataCenter_IBU.aspx
Find the IBU Cup Biathlon 4, Altenburg (GER) on the left hand column, click on it and then click on the specific event on the right hand side.
The Men's race starts at 4AM EST and the Women's starts at 8AM EST.
Posted: 01/07/2010
Altenburg, Germany It was a perfect day for biathlon, with no wind, clear blue skies and a picturesque mountain venue in Germany for the first day of U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team trials. On the Men's side, MWSC alumnus, Lowell Bailey (Lake Placid) was able to overcome two penalties to beat Zach Hall (Alaska) by 9 seconds. Hall had a perfect day on the range and took second place, 23 seconds ahead of Leif Nordgren (Minnesota), who had one penalty. Walt Shepard (Yarmouth) had two penalties to finish in 5th place.
On the Women's side Sara Studebaker missed one target and posted a blistering pace to win by 23 seconds over MWSC alumnus, Laura Spector, who had a perfect day on the range. MWSC alum Tracy Colliander, with one miss, was 1 minute 20 seconds off Studebaker's pace for third. Colliander's twin sister, and fellow MWSC alum, Lanny Barnes, also with one miss, was 1 minute 41 seconds back and MWSC skier BethAnn Chamberlain was 1 minute 57 seconds back for 6th.
The team has tomorrow off to prepare for the IBU Cup, which starts on Saturday with another Sprint competition. The top 60 finishers in both fields in the Sprint will move on to the Pursuit on Sunday. At the end of competition on Sunday the scores will be added up for the racers top two scores. The 2 highest Men's scores and the three highest Women's scores will be nominated to the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) for inclusion on the Olympic Team. The USOC will announce the final Team on Monday.
MENS POINTS
Bailey 100.86
Hall 100.29
Nordgren 98.85
Roberts 98.60
Shepard 95.58
Patzolt 93.95
WOMENS POINTS
Studebaker 102.44
Spector 100.80
Colliander 96.76
Barnes 95.27
Dunklee 94.91
Chamberlain 94.13
Posted: 01/06/2010
OBERHOF, Germany - Biathlon World Cup racing resumes in Oberhof, Germany Jan. 6-10 following a two week holiday break. It’s been a historic start to the 2009-2010 World Cup season as Tim Burke (Paul Smiths, N.Y.) has collected two medals, silver and bronze, and is the current leader in Overall World Cup standings - the first time ever for a U.S. biathlete.
Over 50,000 spectators are expected to attend this week’s competition, which will kick off the final triad of World Cups - Oberhof, Ruhpolding and Antholz - leading up to the Olympic Winter Games. The U.S. team will consist of Burke, three-time Olympian Jay Hakkinen (Kasilof, Alaska), Haley Johnson (Lake Placid, NY) and two-time Olympian Jeremy Teela (Heber City, UT), all met the pre-qualification standards to secure a spot on the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team.
Coming off a productive holiday break the U.S. team looks strong heading into the final World Cup stretch prior to the Olympics. “We have exciting weeks in Oberhof and Ruhpolding,” said Bernd Eisenbichler, U.S. Biathlon’s high performance director. “It was a great start to the season and an absolute highlight to have Tim get the yellow bib in the last race in 2009. Now everything starts new again and the key to success through the Vancouver Games will be to maintain our focus, with the same routines and same effort and hard work. We got hungry but we are not full yet, and we have other strong athletes that are ready to go,” he added.
“To go into next block of World Cups will be fun and exciting,” said Per Nilsson. U.S. Biathlon head coach. “Tim should continue to work like he started the season, with a great focus on his technique for both shooting and skiing. Tim has shown that he is among the best athletes, and that his level is high in both shooting and skiing. I think that he is longing for some races again.”
Watch for exciting competition as Burke defends his Overall title against Norwegian biathlon greats, Ole Einar Björndalen and Emil Hegle Svendsen, who both return to Oberhof after skipping the Pokljuka World Cup to spend an extra week training.
IBU World Cup Schedule - Oberhof, Germany (all times EST):
1/6 8:15am 4x6km Relay Women
1/7 8:15am 4x7.5km Relay Men
1/8 8:30am 7.5km Sprint Women
1/9 6:45am 10km Sprint Men
1/10 5:00am 12.5km Mass Start Women
1/10 7:20am 15km Mass Start Men
Final round of U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team Trials begin Jan.7 at IBU Continental Cup in Altenberg, Germany
The IBU Continental Cup , which is the final phase of the U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team selection begins on Thursday, January 7th in Altenberg. U.S. biathletes competing in Altenberg are vying for two available spots on the Men’s Team and three spots on the Women’s Team.
The roster of athletes competing in Altenberg includes: BethAnn Chamberlain (Caribou, ME), Walt Shepard (Yarmouth, ME), 2006 Olympian Lanny Barnes (Durango, CO), 2006 Olympian Tracy (Barnes) Colliander (Fort Kent, ME), 2006 Olympian Lowell Bailey (Lake Placid, NY), Laura Spector (Lenox, MA), Susan Dunklee (Barton, VT), Zachary Hall (Nikiski, AK), Leif Nordgren (Marine, MN), Kevin Patzoldt (Grand Rapids, MN), Wynn Roberts (Battle Lake, MN), and Sara Studebaker (Boise, ID).
Trials begin with a time-trial Sprint race on Thursday Jan. 7, which will be contested between the U.S. athletes, and will be scored using percent-back - a formula in which the three top times are averaged together to get a base score.
Racing continues with the start of the IBU Continental Cup on Saturday. The U.S. biathletes will keep their two best scores and the top two men and the top three women will be nominated to the U.S Team. The U.S. Olympic Committee will announce the team on Monday January 11, 2010.
Posted: 01/05/2010
Anchorage, Alaska The Men's 30k Classic got under way today with Olympic Team berths on the line. James Southam pulled away from Kris Freeman at the end to take the title by 1 minute 9.9 seconds, Bryan Cook took third, 1 minute 34.7 seconds off Southam's pace. Dave Chamberlain finished in 17th place, 6 minutes 43.1 seconds off the pace.
MWSC's Pavel Sotskov, had a solid race in his bid for the U23 Team, finishing 20th, 7 minutes 22.4 seconds back, and was the 5th U23 skier to cross the line. Fred Bailey was 41st, 12 minutes 44.8 seconds back.
In the Junior 10K Classic, Welly Ramsey was 18th, 3 minutes 19.5 seconds off the pace. Joey Bard was 48th, 4 minutes 57.2 seconds back. Nick Michaud was 57th, 5 minutes 48.8 seconds back. Justin Fereshetian was 59th, 5 minutes 57.7 seconds back and John Dixon was 71st, 8 minutes 29.7 seconds back.
Posted: 01/04/2010
Anchorage, Alaska The Men's 15k and Women 10K freestyle races are on tap for today. The temperatures are expected to be in the upper 20's, with a 50% chance of snow. These conditions will be a dramatic improvement over the beginning of Nationals on Saturday, when temps struggled to get out of the single digits.
In addition to National titles being on the line, the races this week will decide the final spots on the US Olympic Cross Country ski team. Look for results here immediately after the race, or try to follow them live at www.summittiming.com/live_results/
Posted: 01/04/2010
Current MWSC athletes, Walt Shepard and BethAnn Chamberlain join alumni Tracey Colliander, Lanny Barnes, Laura Spector and Lowell Bailey at trials.
Altenburg, Germany - Most of Europe has been experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures through the month of December, but a new front moved in on Sunday and has brought enough snow to bring winter sports back to life. It was just in time for Olympic Biathlon Team Trials, which start on Thursday, January 7th at 4AM EST.
The Maine Winter Sports Center is well represented at these trials, with six of the twelve athletes having come through our programs. They are looking to join Tim Burke (MWSC), Jeremy Teela (MWSC) and Jay Hakinnen who have already been named to the Men’s Olympic Team, and Haley Johnson (MWSC) who has already been named to the Women’s Team. Those competing at Trials are vying for two available spots on the Men’s Team and three spots on the Women’s Team.
The Trials will start with a time-trial Sprint race Thursday at 4AM EST. That first race will be contested just between the U.S. Team, and will be scored using percent-back. It is a formula in which the three top times are averaged together to get a base score. All the competitor’s times are then compared to that base. In this system at least one racer will typically wind up with a score of 100 or better.
The racing continues on Saturday with another Sprint race, also scheduled to start at 4AM EST. There are estimated to be close to 250 competitors combined in the Men’s and Women’s races, so it the competition should last for a while.
The top 60 Men and Women from the Sprint will qualify for the Pursuit on Sunday. The athletes will keep their two best scores and the top two men and top three women will be nominated to the U.S Team, to be made official by the US Olympic Committee on Monday the 11th.
In any event, we will post results at www.mainewsc.org as soon as they become available.
Posted: 01/04/2010
Anchorage, Alaska The U.S. National Cross-Country Skiing Championships continued today with the freestyle individual start races. With the top distance skiers in the country toeing the line and with the last 3 guaranteed Olympic Winter Games starting spots on the line, all eyes were on the course and on the scoreboard. And true to form, the U.S. Ski Team's Kris Freeman and Kikkan Randall did not disappoint.
Randall topped the field by a mere 10 seconds over the women's 10km course. Salomon's Caitlin Compton slid into second spot just ahead of the U.S. Team's Liz Stephen. With this finish, it seems likely that Compton will earn the third women's starting spot for the U.S. Olympic women's team.
On the men's side, Freeman started conservatively and then steadily applied pressure to the field until all were left in his wake. 22 year-old mountain biking phenom Tad Elliot burned through the first two laps and held on to earn his first U.S. National podium, 24 seconds adrift of Freeman. Olympian and World Championship skier James Southam earned the third spot on the podium. MWSC was led by David Chamberlain, who steadily moved through the field to earn 19th place.
Pavel Sotskov, seeking a berth on the U.S. U23 Team, earned his second top 15 age group finish with a 39th place--good for 9th among U23s. The MWSC junior men had mixed results. Welly Ramsey, at his first U.S. Nationals, earned 26th among junior men. Joey Bard, Nick Michaud and John Dixon all finished among the top 50 junior men.
U.S. Nationals continues on Wednesday with the Junior 5km/10km Classic and the Senior 20km/30km Mass Start Classic.
Posted: 01/04/2010
Anchorage, AK--The U.S. National Cross-Country Skiing Championships continued today with the freestyle individual start races. With the top distance skiers in the country toeing the line and with the last 3 guaranteed Olympic Winter Games starting spots on the line, all eyes were on the course and on the scoreboard. And true to form, the U.S. Ski Team's Kris Freeman and Kikkan Randall did not disappoint.
Randall topped the field by a mere 10 seconds over the women's 10km course. Salomon's Caitlin Compton slid into second spot just ahead of the U.S. Team's Liz Stephen. With this finish, it seems likely that Compton will earn the third women's starting spot for the U.S. Olympic women's team.
On the men's side, Freeman started conservatively and then steadily applied pressure to the field until all were left in his wake. 22 year-old mountain biking phenom Tad Elliot burned through the first two laps and held on to earn his first U.S. National podium, 24 seconds adrift of Freeman. Olympian and World Championship skier James Southam earned the third spot on the podium. MWSC was led by David Chamberlain, who steadily moved through the field to earn 19th place.
Pavel Sotskov, seeking a berth on the U.S. U23 Team, earned his second top 15 age group finish with a 39th place--good for 9th among U23s. The MWSC junior men had mixed results. Welly Ramsey, at his first U.S. Nationals, earned 26th among junior men. Joey Bard, Nick Michaud and John Dixon all finished among the top 50 junior men.
U.S. Nationals continues on Wednesday with the Junior 5km/10km Classic and the Senior 20km/30km Mass Start Classic.
Complete results are available at www.summittiming.com and www.summittiming.com/live_results/data/unofficial_results_for_men.html
Posted: 01/03/2010
Anchorage, Alaska The Maine Winter Sports Center Cross Country Team, coming off a solid day of Sprints, is looking forward to the first distance races on Monday. The Men's 15k Freestyle Race starts at 1PM EST and the Women's 10K starts at 3:15PM EST.
We will have results here as soon as they are posted, or you can also go to www.summittiming.com to follow the results live.
Posted: 01/02/2010
Anchorage, Alaska The cold temps that all but put the brakes on last year's U.S. National Cross-Country Skiing Championships has come back for the opening race of this year, but just for a day. With the forecast for tomorrow's Freestyle Sprint race predicting highs in the single digits, many racers feel as though they're having a bit of deja vu. However, the Maine Winter Sports Center racers feel right at home.
"It's just like last year," said Nick Michaud. "And I had great races last year!"
"It's plenty cold at home for most of the season," agreed Joey Bard, "this is just great. "The snow is cold, and dirty, but fast."
Michaud and Bard are joined by teammates Welly Ramsey and John Dixon--all attempting to earn a spot on the U.S. Junior World Championship Team. Pavel Sotskov is focused on earning a berth on the U.S. U23 Championship squad. One of Maine's all-time greats, David Chamberlain, from Caribou and recent Colby graduate, Fred Bailey, from Andover, are vying for spots on the U.S. Olympic Team.
Also in Anchorage is UMaine Presque Isle Sophomore, Justin Fereshetian.
SCHEDULE:
January 2 Sprint (Freestyle)
January 4 Men's 15k (Freestyle) 1PM EST
Women's 10K (Freestyle) 3:15PM EST
January 6 Women's 20k (Classic) 1PM EST
Men's 30k (Classic) 2:15PM EST
January 8 Sprint (Classic)
Posted: 01/02/2010
Anchorage, Alaska The Heats are under way for the US Nationals Sprints and MWSC athletes are in the thick of things. Dave Chamberlain, who qualified 18th, was third in his heat, nipped at the line by Brian Gregg of CXC Team Vertical and 1.1 seconds behind Erik Bjornson of Methow Olympic Development Program.
In the U23 division, Pavel Satskov made it into the B Final and we are awaiting the final results of that heat.
Nick Michaud and Joey Bard are both on the Semi Finals for the Junior Men's Division.
Final results can be found at http://www.summittiming.com/live_results/
Nick Hammering in the Junior rounds
Posted: 01/02/2010
Anchorage, Alaska Anchorage, AK--The U.S. National Cross-Country Skiing Championships opened today in 5 degree temperatures with the freestyle sprint. Following the qualification round, Simi Hamilton, of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, sat atop the men's result list. On the women's side, U.S. Olympian and World Championship silver medalist Kikkan Randall easily topped the field. For the Maine Winter Sports Center, David Chamberlain sat in 18th place, Joey Bard in 47th, Pavel Sotskov in 54th, Nick Michaud in 58th, Welly Ramsey in 85th and John Dixon in 100th.
Chamberlain moved into the Open Men's rounds, Sotskov into the U23 rounds, and Bard and Michaud into the Junior Rounds. In the end, Chamberlain was just nipped at the line for 3rd place in his heat, leaving him in 16th place for the day. Hamilton controlled each of his rounds and remained atop the leader board throughout the day.
In the U23 heats, Sotskov struggled to keep contact in his semi-final and was pushed back to the B-Final. However, in the B-Final, he easily outdistanced the rest of the field to cruise to victory, placing him 12th amongst U23s for the day.
In the Junior Rounds, Nick Michaud looked in control of his semi-final just up to the finish lanes, where he was relegated to 4th, bumping him back to the B Final. Joey Bard took charge of his semi and easily won, earning a spot in the A Final. In the B Final, Michaud simply ran out of gas, finishing 17th among juniors and 5th in the J1 age class. In the Junior A Final, Bard again seemed to control the heat, but was nipped at the line by Chase Marston of Middlebury. Bard took 2nd in the junior rounds and earned 9th place on the day for juniors.
U.S. Nationals continues on Monday with a 15km freestyle race for the men and a 10km for women.
Joey on his way to a second place in the "A" Final
Pavel cranking to the finish
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