Maine Winter Sports Center

Come join the coach of Maine's newest college ski program, Petr Jakl, University of Maine Presque Isle head coach, to get a jump-start on your ski season with other high school skiers from around the state.

Place: Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, ME
Date: Aug 1 - 3, 2008

Coaching: Petr Jakl, Head Nordic coach at University of Maine Presque Isle and MWSC Staff

Assistant Coaches: University of Maine Presque Isle Student/Athletes from the Coaching Degree Program and Maine Winter Sports Center athletes.

Who is the Camp for: Intermediate and advanced cross-country skiers between the ages 14-18. Cost: $100 - includes T-shirt, training camp and lunches. (Arrangements can be made for overnight accommodations if that is of interest. Rollerski's can also be rented for $8/day.)

Program: For young cross-country skiers who are interested in learning specific dry-land training techniques as essential preparation for a successful competition season. The dry-land activities will include running, roller skiing, strength, plyometrics, games and stretching.

Contact: For more information contact Petr Jakl at (207)768-9689 (Work), (207)764-4882 (Home) or by e-mail: petr.jakl@maine.edu

Deadline: Please return registration information (see the registration form below) and the $50.00 deposit by July 28, 2008 to: Sheri Sirios, 552 Main Street, Caribou, ME 04736.

download printable details sheet here: ms word document & adobe pdf
download registration form here: adobe pdf

FRENCHVILLE, ME. July 14, 2008 - New England Air Transport Inc. is making steady progress in their plans to link northern and southern Maine with air service.

The new service is on schedule to begin around August 26. It will restore a regular air link between PWM/Portland International Jetport with Presque Isle and the St John Valley in Aroostook County. The new service will offer two daily round trip flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. Roundtrip airfare will start at $360 with a 14 day advance booking. On demand charter will continue to be available upon request. Go to http://www.flyneat.com for more information.

For more information contact David A. Fernald, (207)-436-1379, or email at: dafernald@yahoo.com

Bates ski coach Becky Woods and Mike Yeo are hosting Kids Outdoor Fitness Nights every wednesday night between July 2 and July 30. The program is open to kids 5-9 and will include games, trail adventures, relays and obstacle courses - all designed to help young kids enjoy fun in the outdoors, instead of in front of a computer.

parents are also encouraged to spend time getting their own excercise after they drop off their kids. Mountain bike, or hike or run the trails. For more informations contact Becky Woods at rwoods@bates.edu.

Click here to dowload the pdf flyer.

Pineland Farms, Maine. - The United States Biathlon Association (USBA) is pleased to announce the induction of John Morton to their national Hall of Fame. Morton has represented the United States at 7 Olympics, dating back to the Sapporo Games in 1972, as an athlete, coach and Team Leader.

"John has modeled the spirit of the Olympic movement for generations of athletes over his 30 years of involvement with the US Biathlon Team, and set a standard for humility, integrity and success," said Larry Pugh, Chairman of United States Biathlon.

Morton was an outstanding collegiate skier for Middlebury College, sweeping all the Eastern Carnival races in 1966. He was named to the US Cross Country Ski Team in 1968 and the US Biathlon Team in 1969. He remained on the US Biathlon team from 1969 through the 1976 season (With the exception of a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1971, winning the Bronze Star). In that span of time he represented the US at the Sapporo and Innsbruck Olympics as an athlete. From 1976 through 2002 Morty served as an assistant coach and Team Leader for the US Team, including at 5 more Olympic events.

Morton's career has also included serving as the head coach for the Dartmouth ski team from 1978-1989 and being a co-founder of the Maine Winter Sports Center.

"John has been and continues to be a great source of inspiration for the biathlon community," said Max Cobb, Executive Director of US Biathlon. "As an athlete, coach, team leader, author, chief of course, and trail designer he has given something to all of us. This is but a small 'thank you' for a man who continues to do so much for biathlon."

Morton will be inducted at a formal presentation at the US National Biathlon Championships, scheduled for March 2009 in Fort Kent, Maine.

download pdf press release here.

If some of the most memorable days of your life have been spent on skis, you might be interested in the New England Ski Museum and the projects they carry out in their mission of preserving the history of the sport. Their website, www.skimuseum.org, has articles on ski history, vintage ski photos from their exhibits, and their online Museum shop featuring gifts for skiers, many of which are developed from images in their collections. The Museum needs all the help it can get from people in sympathy with its mission and projects, and the best way to help is by becoming a member. Members receive three Journals with ski history articles per year, along with invitations to three member-only events, access to the collections, a 10% discount in the Museum Shop, and the gratification that comes with helping to preserve the history of skiing.

Caribou, Maine - The MWSC is excited to announce that Austin Ross will be joining their coaching staff. Originally from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Ross skied for the Rocky Mountain Division at four Junior National Championships and was a four-year member of the Colby Varsity Ski Team. He helped Colby earn the Most Improved Club award at the 2008 National Cross Country Championships in Houghton, Michigan.

"We are very excited to have someone of Austin's caliber join our staff," said Eileen Carey, Program Director at MWSC. "The key to our success is having coaches who can inspire entire communities to lead healthier, more active lives - Austin can do that."

As a student at Colby College, Ross was active in several facets of College and community life. He was on the executive board of the Athletic Advisory Committee, as well as being a student leader for outdoor orientation trips for groups of incoming students. Ross also brings experience in working with youth as a part of the Colby Cares about Kids program and a counselor at a summer camp.

"Austin was an outstanding leader during his four years with the Colby Ski program." Said Tracey Cote, Head Nordic Coach at Colby College. "His successful skiing background, leadership skills, and love of working with kids, will make him an excellent addition to the Maine Winter Sports Center."

"I am looking forward to living and working in a group of communities with such a rich skiing heritage," Ross said on Monday. "Nowhere else have I seen people embrace Nordic skiing with such enthusiasm. To become a part of that tradition is special." Ross will focus his efforts on community programs in the St. John Valley as well as youth and junior development throughout the County.

MWSC Summer Calendar: Something For Everyone

Aroostook County, Maine: Summer 2008 - Folks who enjoy being active in the out-of-doors, or those interested in learning more about outdoor activities, will find myriad goings-on in the 2008 edition of the Maine Winter Sports Center Summer Calendar.

From training with elite athletes to youth adventure camps, and from human-powered competitions to family outings, the calendar is a compilation of events hosted by MWSC, local ski/sport clubs, and community-based organizations in Aroostook County and beyond.

Click here to view the calendar.

Fort Kent will replace 2009 World Cup with United States National Biathlon Championships/North American Cup

Fort Kent, Maine: May 28, 2008 - The International Biathlon Union (IBU) confirmed the calendar for the 2008/2009 World Cup season today in Vienna, Austria. That calendar does not include the Fort Kent event. The IBU President did state that at the Executive Board meeting in July they would propose a calendar for the 2010/2011 season that will include Fort Kent.

"This news was expected, but it is still disappointing," said Nancy Thibodeau Chairperson of the Fort Kent World Cup Organizing Committee. "We are all very happy to hear that the IBU is planning to include Fort Kent in the future. It is clear that the problem for this season was truly logistical."

The World Cup schedules are planned in four-year blocks and 2010/2011 season is the earliest opportunity to get back on the calendar. The proposal is expected to include two North American sites in February of 2011.

"The athletes and European TV are both very supportive of Fort Kent events, so I think everyone was excited to see that Fort Kent was being proposed for the very next cycle," said Andy Shepard, President of the Maine Winter Sports Center.

The 10th Mountain Center in Fort Kent will replace the World Cup with the 2009 Festival in Fort Kent. This event will be the US National Biathlon Championships and North American Cup. The organizing committee is planning to make the Championships a celebration of biathlon in Maine. Maine Winter Sports Center athletes won 12 of the 18 national championship gold medals at US Nationals in Minnesota this past season and are expected to pose an even greater challenge to the rest of the country on their home course.

Contacts:
Nancy Thibodeau, Chair of the Organizing Committee 207-436-0003
For Maine Winter Sports call Andy Shepard 207-232-3304
For US Biathlon call Max Cobb 207-939-4084

Caribou, ME - Aroostook County youth aged 8 to 14 are invited to join Maine Winter Sports Center staff for outdoor-based skills and fitness sessions with a focus on fun.

Programs will be offered in Houlton, Presque Isle, Caribou, Madawaska, and Fort Kent, and will feature activities such as mountain biking, trail running, outdoor games, roller skiing, orienteering and more.

Each location will host a six week program beginning the first week of July. There is no fee to participate.

For more information please contact Mark Shea at 227-7465 or via email at mark@mainewsc.org, or Melissa York at 227-0250 or via email at melissa@mainewsc.org.

Madawaska: Four Seasons Lodge — Mondays; June 30 - August 4 [9:00 - 10:30 am]
Fort Kent: 10th Mtn. Ski Center — Tuesdays; July 1 - August 5 [9:00 - 10:30 am]
Caribou: Caribou HS Ski Ctr. — Wednesdays; July 2 - August 6 [9:00 - 10:30 am]
Presque Isle: Nordic Heritage Ctr. — Thursdays; July 3 - August 7 [9:00 - 10:30 am]
Houlton: Community Park — Thursdays; July 10 - August 14 [2:00 - 3:30 pm]

Fort Kent, Maine - May 7, 2008 - The US Biathlon Association announced today that the International Biathlon Union (IBU) is planning to revert back to a more standard nine-event World Cup calendar. This move will reduce the number of World Cup events originally planned by one. The event being considered for removal from the calendar is the Fort Kent World Cup, scheduled as World Cup #8, for March 12-15, 2009.

The IBU is responding to logistical feedback from the teams that the schedule planned for the coming season is too arduous with the World Championships in Korea and a pre-Olympic World Cup in Vancouver and a World Cup in central Siberia. Based on the experience the teams had going to Korea this past season, dealing with jet-lag and extensive travel, they asked the IBU to reduce the calendar by one event. The teams proposed a calendar that included Fort Kent but due to the impact on other organizing committees the IBU is unlikely to approve the recommendation from the teams.

"The prospect of being removed from the calendar for next season is frustrating to contemplate but I am continuing to plan for the event because we may still get it and if we don't, we'll probably have the US National Championships and a North American Cup in its place," said Nancy Thibodeau chair of the Organizing Committee. "I know we'll have a World Cup in Fort Kent again."

"We are terribly disappointed by the possibility of losing this World Cup." said Andy Shepard, President of the Maine Winter Sports Center. "Fort Kent got the attention of the world with their successful World Cup in 2004 and were geared up for an even better event next March."

Fort Kent is a favorite with the athletes because of the large, excited crowds and because they were treated with such great warmth and hospitality. "For the last two years I have been hearing from everyone in the international Biathlon community how excited they were about coming back to Fort Kent," said Max Cobb US Biathlon Executive Director. "After living in Fort Kent for two years, I was really looking forward to racing in front of all the people that made my time there so special," said Tim Burke, America's top biathlete. "Although I am very disappointed, I know the positive attitude of the people in the county, and I am confident that the World Cup will return to Fort Kent in 2011."

The final decision will be made by IBU following their meetings with European Broadcast Union in late May in Vienna, Austria. The Organizing Committee will send another release at that time.

Contacts:
Nancy Thibodeau Chair of the Organizing Committee 207-436-0003
For Maine Winter Sports call Andy Shepard 207-232-3304
For US Biathlon call Max Cobb 207-939-4084

The Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) is looking for a multitalented Community Development Coach to join its staff in Aroostook County Maine. The candidate will be responsible for creating and implementing introductory and development ski programs to participants at all ages, but focused primarily on youth and junior community and race programs. In addition, this coach will share direct responsibility for community outreach and ski club building in remote communities around Aroostook County. These grassroots community outreach efforts may include meetings, speaking engagements, trail building, ski park design, community races and events, learn to ski clinics, learn to shoot clinics and on-snow school visits. The candidate will need to develop biathlon skills in order to run learn to shoot programs with live ammunition rifles as well as with laser rifles. Candidate will need to play a supportive role in MWSC XC and Biathlon training sessions designed primarily for youth and juniors, including biathlon range support. Candidate will have some travel responsibilities, including coordinating and transporting athletes to events and camps. Candidate will be expected to create strong relationships with local and regional coaches, Community Ski Clubs, municipal recreation directors, and the organizing committees of our two World Class Nordic/Biathlon Venues. The MWSC Community Development Coach will manage the deployment of the Healthy Hometown Ski Trailers to communities and events to provide ski equipment and instruction to people of all ages. Skilled and effective communication, creativity, initiative, self-direction, as well as inspired leadership are all critical pre-requisites for the position of MWSC Community Development Coach. A four-year college degree, experience as a coach and Nordic skier are requirements for the position. All MWSC Coaches will be involved in the initiation and implementation of other programs and events and other duties that will advance the MWSC toward its mission. Responsibilities can be negotiated depending on experience. Female coaches are strongly encouraged to apply.

This position is a full-time position to begin on June 1, 2008. Applicants should send a short cover letter and resume with three professional references to eileen@mainewsc.org or to Eileen Carey, Program Coordinator, Maine Winter Sports Center, 552 Main St, Caribou, ME 04736

Eileen Carey, Program Coordinator for the Maine Winter Sports Center says one of her favorite things about coaching juniors is their energy and enthusiasm; and the opportunity for her to make an impact on their lives. Watching the programs come to fruition in Northern Maine, it appears that she is doing just that!

Eileen is a Maine native who grew up skiing in the Maine Bill Koch Youth Ski League, skied for the Leavitt High School in Turner where she became a four-time state champion, and went on to ski for Dartmouth College where she was the captain of the ski team. After graduating from Dartmouth, Eileen moved on to the Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale, Colorado where she taught Spanish and coached skiing for the school and for the Rocky Mountain Nordic Division.

Eileen was excited to return to Maine to work for Maine Winter Sports Center in June of 2006. Since that time she has been serving as a Community Development Coach for communities all over Aroostook County. In addition to coaching youth and juniors in XC Skiing and Biathlon, Eileen has been involved in all types of camps, clinics, and events that introduce new people to skiing and mountain biking. She is a dynamic leader, liked by all who spend time with her and passionate about life and the outdoors!

When asked what she likes most about Maine, her exuberance about her home state came through. "Living out west it was obvious where the big mountains and chance for outdoor adventure was. In Maine, there are also many big adventures to be had if you are willing to explore and look for them". The ocean, lakes and plentiful areas to explore and do mountain biking, kayaking, and road biking are just some of things she loves about the area. Eileen was a member of this years JO coaching staff in Anchorage. There it was obvious that she loves being around these kids. Whether it was rocking the van with music at the gas station ( Complete with visual effects!) or prepping skiers prior to their event on race strategies, she is there in full force.

I asked Eileen why she chose coaching to pursue a career and what she would do if she was not coaching... She replied that the connection she feels to the juniors at this age and level of experience is something she thoroughly enjoys. They are at an age where they are excited about learning and are contiually developming. She enjoys being able to make a positive impact on the kids who may not have had a chance to try the sport of xc skiing, were it not for the programs in the county. Inevitably, what starts as sport, soon becomes a way of life. If she were not coaching, she would still see herself in a role where education or counseling enabled her to continue with the interaction and development of people. She is a dynamic leader, liked by all who spend time with her and passionate about life and the outdoors!

Eileen, far right at 2008 JO's in Anchorage

Congratulations to Eileen on her passion and dedication to the sport of nordic skiing, and as the recipient of the NENSA Coach of the Year award.

3.28.2008 Fairbanks, AK - It may have been the U.S. Championship, but someone forgot to tell the foreigners. The men's 30km pursuit race at Birch Hill looked a bit like a world cup, with guest athletes taking four of the top five places.

In a packed field of about 50 starters, newly minted Canadian Ivan Babikov controlled the race for most of the distance. Off the line, a large group of between 15 and 20 athletes established a front pack and took turns leading. Babikov, Norwegian Peter Eliassen and the U.S. Ski Team's Kris Freeman seemed to think that was too many. By 7km, the three had taken turns at the front and strung the group out significantly. Babikov, a Russian by birth, traded leads throughout the second half of the classic leg with Freeman. By the exchange zone, the two had nearly a 20 second lead.

The early pace proved too much for many of the lead group. Lars Flora was a casualty of the pace and dropped from the race at 12km. Even Freeman, in the end, couldn't hold Babikov, as he, too, dropped out shortly after the start of the skate leg. Babikov soldiered on alone, leading Eliassen and German Marius Korthauer to the line. Lief Zimmerman finished fourth, earning the U.S. title.

For the Maine Winter Sports Center's David Chamberlain, top gear just never engaged. After a solid start in the lead pack, Chamberlain settled back to the third group, where he remained for the race, eventually finishing 17th (13th American).

U.S. Distance Nationals conclude on Sunday with the 50km Classic.

For complete results, see www.summittiming.com

Whistler BC, Canada, March 27 - Tim Burke (Paul Smiths, NY) continued to his streak of top performances that began two weeks ago in Oslo, with a victory in the 20K Individual competition at the Canadian National Championships today.

Burke had two penalties, in each of the prone stages in this first-ever major biathlon competition at the Whistler Olympic Park. He covered the 20K in 52:44.7, topping Canadian Robin Clegg (Ontario) by 2:18.2. Clegg had three penalties, as did third place finisher Brendan Green (Northwest Territories). Green finished 4:53.4 behind Burke.

Less than two weeks after his back-to-back 7th and 8th places in the final two World Cup competitions of the year, Burke once again looked strong especially in the second half of his race. He explained at the finish line, "Ever since I got home from Oslo, I have been skiing a lot, because there is so much snow in Lake Placid. Still, when the race started, I felt a little bit sluggish. In the two prone stages, I felt like it was the first race of the year. I had not picked up my rifle since Norway until I came out here on Monday. When I started the third loop, my skiing picked up and I cleaned the last two stages."

Burke was pleased with his first look at the 2010 Olympic Biathlon course today, "I really like the course here. It is pretty technical, which suits my style. I am looking forward to training and racing here in the future."

Jeremy Teela (Anchorage, AK) finished fifth today, with five penalties, 5:16.4 back. For Teela, who did not compete in the final World Cups, it was like starting up all over again. He commented, "I was very tired after I came home from Pyeong Chang, so my training was limited. Today, I tried to be conservative on the tracks and the range and I felt OK."

A video interview with Burke and Teela discussing their races and their first impressions of the new Olympic venue follows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDBXm5V1Z2Y

Walt Shepard (Bowdoin College), who won three titles at the US National Championships, finished sixth today. Shepard had another strong shooting performance, with two penalties, finishing just 10.1 seconds behind Teela. US Biathlon Development athletes Jason Ray (Pinedale, WY) and Zach Hall (Nikiski, AK) finished 16th and 21st respectively, with five and seven penalties, 10:23.8 and 12:29 back.

In the Women's 15K Individual, Sara Studebaker (Boise, ID) took third place with the best result of her career. Studebaker, also on the Development Team started biathlon last May. She had three penalties, finishing 2:32.5 behind Megan Imrie (Manitoba). Imrie, a first year World Cup competitor had one penalty in her 48:58.2 victory. Second went to veteran Sandra Keith (Alberta), with two penalties, finished 58.5 seconds back.

Studebaker commented, "I am pleased to have a race like this. I have learned a lot (about biathlon) in the past year, but I still have a long way to go."

Haley Johnson (Lake Placid, NY) started strong with two penalties in the first three stages, but missed five in the final standing stage, to finish fifth, 5:18.6 back. She said, "In the final standing stage, I started to shake and could not control it. When that happens, there is not much you can do." BethAnn Chamberlain (Fort Kent, ME) edged her for fourth place by 19.8 seconds. Chamberlain had four penalties. Laura Spector (Lenox, MA) in seventh place had eight penalties, 6:03.7 back while Denise Teela (Anchorage, AK) was 11th, with seven penalties, 9:12.4 back.

Leif Nordgren (Marine-on-St. Croix, MN) claimed his first podium spot in the junior category, with third in the Junior Men's 15k Individual. At the finish, he said, "This was not one of my best days on the shooting range." Nevertheless, his six penalties put him a very close 1:25.9 behind Canada's Tyson Smith (Alberta), with five penalties. Smith won in 47:30.4. Maxime Leboeuf (Quebec) finished second, with eight penalties, 1:07.9 back. Fifth went to Wynn Roberts (Battle Lake, MN) with 11 penalties, 4:49 back, while Russell Currier (Stockholm, ME) had 13 penalties, 5:51.4 back in sixth. Looking at the results sheet, Junior National Coach Vladimir Cervenka shook his head and said, "This was the worst shooting day collectively we (the Junior Team) had all season."

The US Junior Women did not follow the trend of their male counterparts on the shooting range. Hilary McNamee (Fort Fairfield, ME) finished fourth in the Junior Women's 12.5K, with three penalties, 2:01.6 behind Canadian Megan Tandy of British Columbia. Tandy had four penalties and a time of 42:07. Brynden Manbeck (Grand Rapids, MN) finished sixth, with six penalties, 7:04.5 back.

In speaking to many athletes, today's first impressions of the biathlon venue here at the Whistler Olympic Park were all positive. Burke added, "This is a beautiful place. The courses do not have any big climbs and it is fast."

The venue is situated high in the Callaghan Valley, an area blessed with abundant snowfall. There is currently at least 2 meters of snow on the ground and although the weather was mild (just at freezing), it snowed on and off during the competitions all day. It is located 20 kilometers south of the world-renowned Whistler Ski area.

Vancouver 2010 Biathlon Manager Max Saenger was equally happy about the first big test for the facility, commenting, "I am very pleased with how the event went today. I like the look of the event and venue. Our volunteers are to be commended with the job they did in preparation for these competitions."

Friday is a training day here, with the Sprint competitions scheduled for 10AM PDT on Saturday. The US Biathlon website has an RSS feed, available by clicking the RSS logo on our homepage to get the address and all of the latest biathlon news.

The United States Biathlon Association is the National Governing Body for the sport of biathlon in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Biathlon Union. The US Biathlon Association supports the US Biathlon Team and development of the sport on all levels within the United States.

TD Banknorth is the title sponsor of the US Biathlon Team. Lapua, adidas, and Exel Ski Poles are supporting sponsors of the US Biathlon Team.

Mt. Itasca, MN - MWSC Biathletes continued their strong performances in the Pursuit race adding four more National Championship titles to their record. Walt Shepard (Yarmouth) won the Sr. Men's title, Russell Currier (Stokholm) won the Jr. Men's title, Laura Spector (Lenox, MA) won the Sr. Women's title and Hilary McNamee (Ft. Fairfield) won the Youth Women's title. Both Currier and Spector continued to display strong ski form by actually winning the overall titles. Currier struggled in the first two stages missing 5 of 10, but bounced back hitting 9 of his final 10 targets. Spector followed a similar shooting style missing 4 of 10 in her first two stages and hitting 9 of 10 in her final two.

The National Championships conclude today with the Mass Start.

Mt. Itasca, MN - The opening day of the U.S. Biathlon National Championships brought perfect conditions. Sunshine, clear skies and fast ski trails greeted athletes as they arrived today at the Mt. Itasca biathlon venue.

Laura Spector (Lenox, MA) displayed the strong form she had in January and February while racing in Europe. Skiing amongst the fastest Jr. racers in the world this winter, Spector used that speed to win both the Jr. and Sr. category in today's 7.5km Sprint race. Entering the range for her first shooting, Spector had already made up time on the starters ahead of her. With a steady rhythm she hit all five targets and left the range with a strong lead. Two penalties in standing would narrow the gap to second place, but again on the final lap Spector flew around the course crossing the line in a time of 21:29. Placing 2nd in the Jr. Women's race was Meagan Toussaint (Madawaska) with 2 penalties. Brynden Manbeck (Grand Rapids, MN) was 3rd with 3 penalties. BethAnn Chamberlain (Caribou) finished 7th in the Sr. Women's race with 4 penalties.

Taking time to focus on school, Walt Shepard (Yarmouth) proved that he hasnt lost his touch on the range. A former National Team Member and current member of the Bowdoin Ski Team, Shepards only mistake on the range came in his prone stage. Former MWSC Biathlete Bjorn Bakken finished 3rd with 4 penalties.

Like Spector, Russell Currier used the top form he displayed while racing in Europe to capture the title of National Champion. Currier had one miss in prone and two in standing to finish in a time of 26:16. Wynn Roberts (Battle Lake, MN) finished 2nd also with 3 penalties 30 seconds behind Currier. Finishing 3rd was Newt Rogers (Ft. Kent) with 4 penalties. Rogers currently going to school at the Univiversity of Vermont and is a member of the Vermont Biathlon Collegiate Proram in Burlington, VT.

In the Youth Womens race Hilary McNamee (Ft. Fairfield) finished 2nd with 5 penalties in a time of 20:53. Winning her first National Championship was Addie Byrne (Bovey, MN) with 3 penalties in a time of 20:10. Grace Boutot (Ft. Kent) was 3rd with 3 penalties.

In the Youth Mens race Nick Michaud (Ft. Kent) finished 7th with 5 penalties. After missing 4 of 5 in prone, Michaud shot with authority hitting 4 of 5 along side Leif Nordgren, a Bronze Medalist from the Youth World Championships in Ruhpolding, Germany this past January. Fourteen old Sam Humphries (Yarmouth) competed against the big boys finishing 8th with 6 penalties.

Racing resumes with the Pursuit on Friday. Full results and pictures can be found at www.usbiathlon.org

Farra has led development of world-class staff
Caribou, Maine - The Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) announces that John Farra has accepted a position as the Nordic Director for the United States Ski Team in Park City, Utah. Farra, a 1992 Olympian, has been with the MWSC since 2002, and Vice President since 2005.

"John has made profound contributions to the Maine Winter Sports Center since he arrived in 2002," says Andy Shepard, President of the MWSC. "His calm, empowering leadership style has been instrumental in creating one of the top programming and development staff's in the ski world. When you look at where our alumni have gone, it is clear that the industry also sees the quality of our staff. While we are sorry to see John go, we are all very excited for him in this new opportunity."

Other former MWSC staff members include: Per Nilsson - Head Coach of the US Biathlon Team, Eli Brown Head Coach of perennial NCAA powerhouse, University of Utah and Max Saenger - Biathlon Sport Manager for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Farra credits his time living and working in Maine for inspiring him and readying him for this new challenge. "Working with community members throughout Maine has proven just how resilient and dedicated Mainers can be", said Farra. "It has also shown me how magical it is when kids discover the joy of skiing and being outside in the winter, and when those kids infect their whole families with that joy. I'll take that perspective with me as I work to support the continued development of Nordic Skiing at the US Ski Team. With any luck, I will be issuing a US Ski Team jacket to some of our Maine skiers very soon!"

Farra will head up a team of 10 coaches and service professionals in the sports of Cross Country Skiing, Jumping and Nordic Combined as they help their athletes contend for Olympic, World Championship, and World Cup medals. Farra will also be involved in setting policy and direction for the Development of these Nordic Sports through the country.

As Vice President for the MWSC, Farra leaves a strong legacy of accomplishments and successful initiatives, including overseeing the growth of our Healthy Hometowns programs from 28 communities in 2005 to over 90 programs by the end of the 2008 season.

Mt. Itasca, MN - Arriving in Minnesota the signs of spring appear more evident as the green grass seems to be re-claiming its territory and the snow banks disappearing. The end to the winter racing season is fast approaching, but for a group of Mainers there is at least one more week of racing to be had. The strongest team of biathletes Maine has put together arrived in Grand Rapids, MN on Tuesday; 15 athletes and 3 coaches strong the Team will compete for the prestigious titles of U.S. National Champion.

Leading the way are members of both the Jr. and Sr. World Championship Teams. Russell Currier (Stockholm) and Laura Spector (Lenox, MA) have put together their best season of racing this year. Currier had 3 top 15 finishes including a 15th place in the Sprint at the Jr. World Championships in Ruhpolding, Germany. The following next week he finished 79th in his first Sr. World Championships in the Individual. Spectors season has been highlighted with 3 top 25 finishes with a 20th place finish in the Sprint at the Jr. World Championships, a 62nd at the Sr. World Championships in Ostersund, Sweden and a 6th place in the Sprint at the European Championships in Nove Mesto, CZE. Both athletes have proven that they can compete with the best in the World.

Other National Team athletes to look for: Meagan Toussaint (Madawaska) is coming off a strong performance at the USCSA Cross-Country Nationals where she won the Skate race. Toussaint also finished 28th at the Jr. World Championships in the Sprint race. Hilary McNamee (Ft. Fairfield) had a 20th place in the Sprint race at the Youth World Championships and Grace Boutot (Ft. Kent) was also a member of the Youth World Championship Team and just returned from the U.S. Cross Country Jr. Olympics where she had a 15th place in the Skate race.

Upcoming athletes to look for: Nick Michaud (Ft. Kent) returns to Mt. Itasca where he placed 3rd at the Jr. World Team Trials back in December. Michaud arrived from the Jr. Olympics in Anchorage, AK where he achieved a 4th place in the Classic Sprint, 11th in the Skate race and was a member of the 3rd place Relay. Kaitlyn Bernard (Ft. Kent) and Molly Susla (Freeport) were recently part of the Maine State Team that won the Eastern H.S. Championships. Bernard placed 5th in the Classic race and Susla placed 7th in the Skate race.

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