Posted: 03/07/2010
Presque Isle - Nearly 500 athletes and coaches, 350 volunteers, and thousands of spectators will descend upon the Nordic Heritage Center during the next week for the 2010 USSA Cross-Country Junior Olympics. For up to date news, results and live video visit the official event website at www.juniorolympics2010.com.
Posted: 03/06/2010
3/06/10
Caribou, ME
A beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the 40’s greeted 110 kids from around Aroostook County on Saturday at the annual Aroostook Youth Ski Festival. Caribou’s Northern Skiers Club in conjunction with Cary Medical Center and Maine Winter Sports Center hosted this year’s event, which included games, activities, relays and a terrain park that kept participants busy for hours.
The goal of the festival is to provide kids, ages 5 to 14, a chance to celebrate cross-country skiing, and introduce a variety of ways to have fun on skis. The event, which focuses on a non-competitive format, allows kids to move from activity to activity with a group of their peers. These groups are lead by skiers comprised of older kids, adults, and athletes from around the county.
With recent warm temperatures organizers had to get creative to produce a venue filled with fun. Soderberg Construction of Caribou graciously donated use of equipment, man-power, hay bails and snow to create the main attraction – a terrain park filled with jumps, rollers, banked corners, and a slalom course.
The Northern Skiers Club wishes to thank all of the wonderful volunteers and sponsors of the festival. Thanks to the work of many, the youth of Aroostook County were provided a tremendous day of fun on cross-country skis.
Posted: 03/04/2010
AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Carey, D-Lewiston, which seeks to increase safety for roller skiers, was signed by Governor Baldacci on Tuesday. The bill, LD 1640: An Act to Provide for the Safety of Maine Athletes, will provide protections for athletes and others who engage in the sport of roller skiing.
Existing law was unclear if roller skiers were allowed to travel in the same direction as traffic on Maine roads or if they must travel into oncoming traffic like pedestrians. The bill seeks to apply the same rules to roller skiers as those that are already in effect for cyclists.
"Given the rise of competitive Nordic skiing in Maine it's clear we need to address this issue," said Carey. "We can greatly enhance safety for those who roller ski with these very simple changes."
Before the Governor's action, both the House and the Senate passed the bill. The new law will take effect 90 days after the Governor's signature.
Posted: 03/01/2010
Otepaa, Estonia - The 2nd Annual European U26 Championships kick off tomorrow in Otepaa, Estonia. 274 athletes from 29 nations all under the age of 26, have signed up to compete in this year's competition. The US Team includes 9 athletes in both Jr. and Sr. categories.
The MWSC's Grace Boutot will compete in the Jr. Women's category. The Individual competition is the first scheduled competition starting tomorrow.
Jr. Men - Leif Nordgren
Sr. Men - Wynn Roberts, Zach Hall, Casey Simons Jr. Women - Grace Boutot Sr. Women - Laura Spector, Annelies Cook, Susan Dunklee, Hannah Dreisigacker
Posted: 03/01/2010
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THE AROOSTOOK YOUTH SKI FESTIVAL
Saturday March 6th, 2010
Northern Skiers Club,
Caribou, Maine, USA
A new and COOL way to celebrate all the ways kids can MOVE on a pair of XC skis!! All skiing youth ages 5-14 are welcome to attend this unique HALF-DAY festival! The entry fee is only $5 and includes snacks, parting gift and entry to all events!!
Wild & Winding Terrain Park: Explore bumps, turns, and even get some big air thrills.
XC Speed Skiing: Measured with a radar gun for maximum speed in MPH.
Double Pole for Distance: A show of double poling ski strength with this arms-only event. Group Ski Games: Relays, Speed Ball, Tag…all on skis and all with your friends.
Barrel Sprints: 100 meter - Super short sprints around a barrel and back.
Registration: The entry fee is just $5 the day of event and includes a healthy snack and drinks, fun parting gifts and entry to all events. Registration can be done on the event day, but the liability waiver must be presented signed by parents/guardian to participate. Pre-registration can be mailed in by Thursday, March 4th.
Event Description: This Festival is about fun! So do them all, or do just one event, your choice! Each participant will be recognized for his/her accomplishments, but we will not focus on results at this festival. We will break the skiers up into age group as follows: JIII = 12-13+ JIV = 10-11 JV = 8-9 Lollipop = 5-7
Event Details: NEW! This is a HALF-DAY Festival beginning at 8:30am at the Caribou High School Ski Trails in Caribou, ME. We will wrap up at 12:30pm. Each youth skier should bring a complete set of skis, boots and poles to complete each event. Skiers should also bring a parent or group chaperone along with them during this event for safety reasons. (Parents/chaperones are not required to ski, however) Skis, boots, and poles are available on a first come, first serve basis, courtesy MWSC.
Contacts: Northern Skiers Club, 552 Main St, Caribou, ME 04736 northernskiersclub.wordpress.com Phone 227-6733 or Fax 492-1442
Posted: 02/27/2010
22nd Annual C-ME Ski Event
Aroostook Wildlife Refuge – Limestone, ME
2/28/10
With temperatures hovering around the 40-degree mark, and the threat of rain showers, the 22nd annual C-ME Ski Event took place this past Saturday, February 27th, at the Aroostook Wildlife Refuge in Limestone. Jointly sponsored by the Friends of The Aroostook Wildlife Refuge and the Limestone Ski Club, the C-ME Ski drew a strong gathering of citizen skiers from the surrounding area.
While junior skiers raced a 2km loop, youth skiers raced a 7km course, and adult participants took three laps around the same course for a 21km classic race. On the women’s side Snowy Mtn Ski Club skier Sarah Dominick took the win with Patty Hebert and Bonnie Cyr of the 10th Mtn Ski Club following suit in second and third place.
Fred Bailey of the Nordic Heritage Sports Club won the men’s field, barely edging past Northern Skiers club member Joey Bard. Rounding out the top three was Adam Fisette also of the Nordic Heritage Sports Club. For a complete list of results and Aroostook Cup Point standings visit http://www.fourseasonstrail.org/Aroostook_Cup__.html. The final race in the 2010 Aroostook Cup series is the annual Himie Towle Memorial XC Ski Frolic, which takes place on Sunday, March 14th at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle.
Winterfest 2010 Poster
Posted: 02/26/2010
The 2nd Annual Winterfest is coming right up! February 26th - 28th!
Grab the Winterfest Poster below:
Winterfest_Poster2010.pdf (0.99 MB)
Posted: 02/24/2010
At the Olympics you hope to have the best race of your season, or even your life. Unfortunately this was not the case for me on Saturday. I went out way too fast and crashed and burned. Read on if you want the details. I think a good indicator of how big a race is, is how long before the start do you get diarrhea. Small time races: never, pretty serious events: right before or even the morning of, the Olympics: two days before. Although I've skied against some high caliber fields over the last couple of years, it has been since the '06 season that I've skied a World Cup and this is definitely my first Olympics. Needless to say I was fairly nervous going into my first race and having missed the first two races I was rearing to go. I was bib 62 out of 64, so I was starting on the back row. The gun went off, the crowd roared and everything went as it usually does at the start, double polling down the stadium madly, shuffling lanes, protecting poles, trying to stay out of trouble, etc. The first bottleneck was an uphill left hander, a couple people got tangled up in front of me so I jumped out of the tracks to the outside and kept moving along, trying to find a spot to get back in. With most of the mass start races I have been doing (Eastern Cups, Carnivals...)the goal is to get up front away from the mess and go from there. But this is the Olympics. I had a fair bit of adrenalin coursing through the veins, and my frontal lobe wasn't working as it should. Before I knew it I was back in the tracks leading the field. Al Trautwig on NBC said "whats up with that...I don't think I've ever seen a skier from NZ lead a race" and I thought "Oh God". I continued hammering and was feeling ok for the first couple of Ks before it all started going down hill. On top of going out to hard it didn't help to have soggy red blood cells and a bit of the sickness that has been going around. I have never hit the wall so hard and so early and the rest of the race was damage control. I made a amateur move and paid for it with another hour of lactic suffering, a very poor result, and then about 10 minutes of vomiting. For the record this was not part of the game plan and I can assure you that I will not lead out the 50k race on the 28th.
To read more on Ben's experiences go to
http://www.mainewsc.org/athlete_bkoons.html
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: 02/23/2010
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: 02/22/2010
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.
MarchJrCamp2010.pdf (85 KB)
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.
Maine State Championships Flyer 2010.doc (0.65 MB)
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: 02/15/2010
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
Check out our Community page for all the details on upcoming people-powered, active lifestyle, outdoor related programs and activities!
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
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: 02/10/2010
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: 02/07/2010
Presque Isle, ME
On Sunday, February 7th, over 150 motivated women of all fitness levels gathered at the Nordic Heritage Center to show their support for the Battered Women’s Project, the Nordic Heritage Sport Club, and the Limestone Ski Club in memory of Linda Page. The third annual Aroostook Women’s XC Ski Day offered a full day of activities that enhance women's lifestyles while giving back to the community. Ski clinics and tours, Snowshoeing tours, Yoga, Pilates and even a nutrition activity taught by Bonnie Wood of UMPI helped give motivation and encouragement to all who attended. Enthusiastic volunteers from NHSC, UMPI, and MWSC coaches and athletes lead the women throughout the day. Massage sessions were also a treat given by Stephanie Caverhill and Tracy Spooner of Northern Massage and Wellness Center, Diana Higgins-Sadler from Well Spring Health Center, and Leslie Smith of Wellspring Health Center.
Cafe Sorpreso catered a delicious healthy lunch including homemade soups, salads and fresh bread. After a bit of recharging, door prizes were given to lucky winners. Generous prizes came from Country Collectibles, The Hampton Inn, Morning Star Art & Framing, Wilder's Jewelry Store, Pampered Chef, Jewelry by Kimberly Kennedy, New England Outdoor Center, Great Beginnings, Echoes Magazine, The Braden Theatre, and Duska Kingsbury for Mary Kay.
A portion of the proceeds will also be going to the Nordic Heritage Sport Club, the non-profit group that runs the Nordic Heritage Center. The day wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of sponsors like TAMC, Coca-Cola, MMG, Katahdin Trust Company, UMPI, Terry & Barb Chalou, French Construction, Kitchen and Bath Shop, United Insurance, and Lynox Welding Supply.
Many thanks to all the volunteers that helped make the 3rd Annual Aroostook Women's Ski Day a big success and we look forward to seeing more new faces next year.
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.
MWSC Olympic Edition II.pdf (19.84 MB)
Posted: 02/02/2010
Rumford, Maine Maine's Collegiate All-State Team was named yesterday at the Chummy Broomhall Cup.
2010 Maine All-State.pdf (55 KB)
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.
MWSC Olympic Edition I.pdf (0.59 MB)
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
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: 01/18/2010
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
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: 01/17/2010
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.
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.
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
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: 01/10/2010
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
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:
Altenberg_IBU_Cup.xls (91 KB)
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: 01/09/2010
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: 01/09/2010
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.
Altenberg_IBU_Cup.xls (91 KB)
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
AltenbergTimeTrialResults.pdf (42 KB)
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, 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: 01/04/2010
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 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: 01/03/2010
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.
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
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/
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: 12/27/2009
Rhupolding, Germany Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) biathletes BethAnn Chamberlain and Walt Shepard, along with MWSC alum, Laura Spector, headed to Germany today for the last stage of Olympic Trials. They will be joined by Zach Hall, Susan Dunklee and Sarah Studebaker for a training camp at Rhupolding, Germany. The contingent will then travel to Altenburg, Germany to meet up with the rest of the US Team, competing for the final two spots on the Men's Team and final three spots on the Women's team.
The competitions start Thursday January 7th with a 10K Sprint time trial between just the US Team. That will be followed by another Sprint competition on Saturday, this one as a part of the Altenburg IBU Cup Race. The last race will be a Pursuit race on Sunday, also as a part of the IBU Cup.
Each race will be scored with a percent-back score and the two highest scores from the three race series will count for each athlete. The top two Men and top-three Women will be named to the 2010 US Olympic Team on Sunday January 10th, after the final race.
The athletes who make the Olympic Team will join the World Cup Team for races in Rhupolding, Germany and Antholtz, Italy. The rest of the athletes will travel to Novo Mesto, in the Czech Republic for an IBU Cup series.
The following athletes will be competing for the final spots on the Olympic Team:
MEN
Walt Shepard (MWSC), Lowell Bailey (MWSC Alum), Wynn Roberts, Zach Hall, Leif Nordgren, Kevin Patzholt
WOMEN
BethAnn Chamberlain (MWSC), Tracy Colliander (MWSC Alum), Lanny Barnes (MWSC Alum), Laura Spector (MWSC Alum), Susan Dunklee, Sarah Studebaker
Posted: 12/23/2009
U.S. Biathlon Names IBU Cup Team
(Mt Itasca, Coleraine, MN) Perfect corduroy greeted athletes at Mt Itasca for Day 5 of competition of the World Team Trials. BethAnn Chamberlain (Grand Rapids, MN) came out swinging and posted the only clean shooting of the day. So far, the Trial events had not gone well for Chamberlain and she needed a victory in order to qualify for the IBU Cup team. Though she now calls Presque Isle, ME home, Chamberlain grew up in Grand Rapids and is right at home at Mt Itasca. With a hometown crowd cheering for her, Chamberlain managed a 5 second victory over Laura Spector (Lenox, MA). Susan Dunklee (Barton, VT) posted the fastest ski time of the day for 3rd place, 28 seconds out of first. Dunklee finished in the top 3 in all five races at Mt Itasca.
In the men’s race, the battle raged in the last skiing loop of the day. The top 4 men went into the last 5km ski loop within 10 seconds of each other. Wynn Roberts (Battle Lake, MN), had a blazing last loop, pulling out a 3 second victory over Leif Nordgren (Marine of St Croix, MN). Nordgren had been fighting sickness at the beginning of the race series and needed a big race today. Hitting 90%, Nordgren pulled himself up in the rankings, but could not quite match his training partner, Roberts, on the ski tracks. Zach Hall (Nikiski, AK), was on the podium again for five out of five races, shooting 80% and skiing a strong last lap. Only .8 seconds behind Hall was Mark Johnson. Johnson, who grew up training and racing at Mt Itasca, tried to squeeze every last second out of the familiar terrain, but the hometown crowd and 90% shooting was not quite enough to put him on the podium.
In the Junior Men’s race, Nordgren took 1st, followed by Wayne McClure (Anchorage, AK). Michael Gibson (Burlington, VT) finished 3rd. In the Junior Women’s Sprint, Grace Boutot (Caribou, ME) won by a large margin, shooting 2 penalties. Hillary McNamee (Presque Isle, ME) was 2nd, shooting 70%. Corrine Malcolm (Hayward, WI) placed 3rd with strong skiing. This is Malcolm’s first season of biathlon competition.
The Youth Women showed some of the best shooting of the day. Andrea Mayo (Soldier Pond, ME) shot 80% for a 40 second win over 2nd place Kelly Kjorlien. Kjorlien (Grand Rapids, MN), in her second year of biathlon competition shot an impressive 90%. Rookie Afton Snyder (Grand Rapids, MN), took 3rd with two penalties.
Casey Smith (Methow Valley, WA) won the Youth Men’s with 80% shooting and impressive skiing, matching second place Raleigh Goessling on the ski tracks. Goessling (Esko, MN) finished 21 second back with 70% shooting. Also shooting 70% was Ben Greenwald (Minneapolis, MN) finishing 3rd, 58 seconds out of first.
U.S. Biathlon Names IBU Cup Team
Today the International Competition Committee of the U.S. Biathlon Association has named the following athletes to the IBU Cup Team for January 2010. The athletes will compete at Altenberg, Germany January 7-10, and Nove Mesto, CZE January 13-16, 2010.
Women:
Tracy Colliander (Fort Kent, ME)
Laura Spector (Lenox, MA)
Susan Dunklee (Barton, VT)
BethAnn Chamberlain (Presque Isle, ME)
Men:
Wynn Roberts (Battle Lake, MN)
Walt Shepard (Yarmouth, ME)
Zachary Hall (Nikiski, AK)
Leif Nordgren (Marine, MN)
These athletes will be joined by Lanny Barnes (Durango CO); Sara Studebaker (Boise, ID); Lowell Bailey (Lake Placid, NY); and Kevin Patzoldt (Grand Rapids, MN). The top three women and top two men based on three races at Altenberg will be nominated to the U.S. Olympic Team, joining Tim Burke (Paul Smiths, N.Y.), Jay Hakkinen (Kasilof, AK), Haley Johnson (Lake Placid, N.Y.), and Jeremy Teela (Heber City, UT) who have already met the qualification standards for the Olympic Team.
Posted: 12/22/2009
Coleraine, Minnesota Grace Boutot from Fort Kent was named to the World Junior Team. Teammate Andrea Mayo from Soldiers Pond, was named to the World Youth Team following todays Sprint competition at Mt. Itasca, Minnesota. Grace qualified first in the Women's Junior category after the three race series and Mayo qualified second in the Women's Youth division.
Click the link below to see the final results.
Microsoft Word - Youth-JrWorldTeamNominations.doc.pdf (120 KB)
Selection Races Summary 2009 J:Y.xls (40 KB)
Posted: 12/22/2009
Coleraine, Minnesota MWSC athletes Walt Shepard and BethAnn Chamberlain, along with MWSC alumnus Tracy Colliander were named to the team that will compete for the final spots on the US Olympic Team next month in Germany. Colliander won the overall points title for the Olympic Team Selection series and Chamberlain needed her win today to vault from 7th place to claim the final spot on the four woman team. Shepard qualified second and had the highest shooting percentage for the five race series.
Click the link below for the release from the US Biathlon Team.
Microsoft Word - IBU Cup Team Nominations.doc.pdf (118 KB)
Selection Races Summary 2009 AMS.xls (60 KB)
Posted: 12/22/2009
Coleraine, Minnesota With a trip to the winner-take-all Olympic Trials Finals in Altenburg, Germany on the line BethAnn Chamberlain proved that she has what it takes with her win today, and vaulted into fourth place in the overall standing. Her score of 293.51 for the top three races is just shy of the qualifying standard of 294 points, so her fate is in the hands of the US Biathlon’s International Competition Committee. In her favor is the fact that she has been skiing very well all week, and her clean shooting today shows what she is capable of when she puts it all together.
Chamberlain, who has struggled on the range this series, but skied well, shot clean to lead from start to finish. In second place was MWSC alum, Laura Spector, 5.6 seconds off the pace. Overall points leader, Tracy Colliander, had an uncharacteristically tough day in the range, missing 4 shots to finish 5th place, 1 minute 38.7 seconds back.
In the Men’s field, Wynn Roberts took the sprint race with 2 misses, beating fellow Minnesotan, Lief Nordgren, who had only 1 miss, by 3.3 seconds. MWSC’s Walt Shepard, like Colliander, had his toughest day in the range, missing 5 to finish in 9th, 1 minute 52.4 seconds back. Russell Currier continued his blistering pace on the trails, but missed 4 shots to finish in 6th place, 48.6 seconds back.
With the final Results are in it is anticipated that the US Team heading over to the final round of the Olympic Trials in Germany will be the MWSC’s Walt Shepard, Wynn Roberts and Lief Nordgren from Minnesota, and Zach Hall from Alaska.
On the Women’s side it will be MWSC alumni, Tracy Colliander, from Fort Kent and Durango, Colorado and Laura Spector from Lenox, Massachussetts. The third spot will be Susan Dunklee from Vermont. A final decision on the fourth Women’s spot will be made later today. At this point, three of the seven spots are filled by MWSC athletes. If Chamberlain wins the petition it will be 4 of 8.
Making it a clean sweep for MWSC Women, Andrea Mayo won the Youth Sprint today and Grace Boutot, last years silver medalist at World Youth Championships, won the Junior Sprint. Mayo has been skiing fast all week, but has had a tough time on the range. She found her shooting touch today, hitting 8 of 10.
An announcement on the Youth and Junior teams for World Junior Championships will be made later today, but both Mayo and Boutot are expected to be named to the team.
For final overall points and shooting percentage click the link below.
Selection Races Summary 2009 AMS.xls (60 KB)
Posted: 12/22/2009
Coleraine, Minnesota Andrea Mayo won the Youth Women's race in today's World Team Trials. She has been skiing fast all week, but struggled to find her rhythm on the range. Today she hit 8 of 10 for the win. Grace Boutot, last years Youth World Championship Silver medalist won the Junior Women's race. Both Boutot and Mayo have secured a spot on the US World Junior Championships Team. With BethAnn Chamberlain winning the Senior Women's race, MWSC won a clean sweep of all the womens competitions today.
Posted: 12/22/2009
Coleraine, Minnesota BethAnn Chamberlain saved the best for last, winning the final race at the Olympic Trials Selection series. Chamberlain shot clean and skied fast to take the Sprint. Wynn Roberts won the Mens race, but Walt Shepard qualified second overall and is going to the winner-take-all Olympic Trials in Germany next month.
Posted: 12/22/2009
Some of the most impressive and energetic competitors at Sunday’s Eastern Cup Opener toed the start line well after the final competitors in the 10k Classic race had crossed the finish line. With cloudy skies and a brisk wind, youth ranging from kindergarten through 8th grade came to test their skills on a fast and firm course.
Sunday’s Bill Koch League event started with the Lollipop division, which saw Presque Isle’s Julia Bartley gliding along to the cheers of friends, family and athletes alike. Soon after Julia crossed the line the 3rd and 4th graders made their way to the start. Fort Kent’s Sami Husain and Presque Isle’s Max Bartley showed what it takes to cross a finish line in front of a hometown crowd, and helped set the stage for the largest field of the day; the 5th and 6th graders.
The 3rd member of the Bartley family, Jason (“Dodgeball” to his teammates) made the 2k course look easy, completing the race in 10:28. In his debut race performance, Caleb Willett of Caribou crushed the 2 kilometers of classic track in 11:14. Rounding out the top 3 was Gannon Therrien of Presque Isle (10:22), Malcom Milligan of Ashland (9:43), and in first place was Kamran Husain of Fort Kent with an impressive 8:52.
The final competitors of the day were three talented young skiers in the 7th and 8th grade division. These skiers took three laps around the course to complete a solid 3k classic race. Cody Johnson of Fort Kent showed his strength and talent with a finishing time of 14:09. Yarmouth’s Carter Hall secured second place with a strong time of 11:18, and with the most impressive effort of the day was Ryan Washington of Caribou. Washington cranked through the course to grab a definitive first place finish in 10:21.
Sunday’s BKL event marked the beginning of an exciting season to come for the youth of Aroostook County and points beyond. With more snow on the way, and Maine Winter Sports Center’s Holiday Training Camp on the horizon we have only begun to see the talent emerging in this field of young skiers. Look for each of these faces to show their skill throughout the 2010 Aroostook Cup, Maine’s Bill Koch Festival, and the Middle School Race Season still a couple months away.
Many thanks to all the friends, family, athletes and volunteers who helped make it a successful day for competitors of all ages!
Posted: 12/21/2009
Coleraine, Minnesota In the Junior Women's Race Grace Boutot hit 15 of 20 on her way to the win. Addie Byrne placed 2nd with 4 misses; Hilary McNamee placed 4th with 5 penalties. Andrea Mayo placed 3rd in the Youth Women's Race with 11 of 20 shooting.
In the Youth Men's Race Eliot Neal struggled in the range hitting just 50% of his targets to place 9th. Sam Humphries followed Neal placing 10th with 8 penalties.
Dec_20_Pursuit.pdf (0.50 MB)
Posted: 12/21/2009
Coleraine, Minnesota Walt Shepard and Tracy Colliander used strong shooting to take the Pursuit competition in day #4 of the Olympic Team Trials Section series. With the pressure heating up for the four slots going on to the final round of Olympic trials, both Shepard and Colliander showed the poise in the shooting range that has won them numerous National Championships.
Shepard beat Leif Nordgren by 5 seconds, hitting 19 of 20 shots and continues to lead the competition in shooting percentage, hitting 88% of his shots over the first four days of competition. Russell Currier was showed improvement posting a 6th place finish.
In the Women's race, MWSC alum, Tracy Colliander also hit 19 of 20 shots to run away with the race, winning by 1 minute 21.6 seconds. Both Shepard and Colliander lead the overall standings after 4 races (with each competitor throwing out their worst result).
MENS's OVERALL RESULTS
Shepard 300.05 points
Hall 299.86 points
Roberts 299.39 Points
Johnson 294.90 Points
WOMEN"s OVERALL POINTS
Colliander 307.99 points
Spector 298.83 points
Dunklee 298.38 points
Cook 291.59 points
The last race in the series will be a Sprint race at 11AM Central Time at Mt Itasca. The official Team heading to Germany will be named after that competition.
Dec_20_Pursuit.pdf (0.50 MB)
Selection Races Summary 2009.xls (61 KB)
Posted: 12/20/2009
Story by Chad Salmela: Sunday, American biathlete, Tim Burke, achieved something that even the most ardent American biathlon fans probably never thought they would see—an American awarded the yellow World Cup Overall leaders bib. A few hundred fans who made their way twenty-some miles from civilization to the Pokljuka biathlon venue deep in the Slovenian mountains, stuck around to witness this momentous occasion, helped by the fact that countryman, Klemen Bauer, finished a career-high 7th and would be included in the flower ceremony. Regardless of the lean crowd on hand, the occasion served as a flipping of the biathlon world on its ear.
The opportunity arose partially out of consistently high-level early-season performances by Burke, but partially out of the decisions and fortunes of his strongest competitors as well. Norway’s Emil Hegle Svendsen and the great Ole Einar Bjoerndalen—the leader and second place respectively in the overall standing coming into this weekend in Pokljuka—sat out the weekend in favor of training. Svendsen is the only biathlete whom Burke has yet to beat this season. Burke was not dismayed by his achievement in the absence of the two Norwegians. “I have no control over (them being here or not).”
Then Thursday’s 20km Individual winner, Christoph Sumann of Austria, took a commanding lead in the overall standings over the absent Svendsen second, and was 44 point ahead of Burke, sitting in 3rd place after a 14th place finish. Then in the 10km sprint on Saturday, Sumann missed 8 of 10 targets to finish 103rd, well outside the top 60 necessary to qualify for Sunday’s 12.5km pursuit. Burke finished 8th in the sprint to move into second overall and within 10 points of the defenseless Sumann, who would have to watch his yellow bib fall to someone Sunday. The likely someones were France’s Simon Fourcade and Burke. Fourcade had moved within 1 point of Burke by finishing 6th in the sprint, to take over 3rd spot behind Sumann and Burke. With everyone but Fourcade and Burke mathematically out of contention for the overall leaders bib, Sunday’s 12.5km pursuit became a mano a mano battle between the American and the Frenchman for yellow.
Burke started with perfect shooting in the two opening prone stages and challenged for the lead, trailing by 16 seconds in 4th, entering the third shooting stage, while Fourcade was out of sight behind with a penalty in each of the first two stages. He followed Ivan Tcherezov around the third lap despite feeling stronger. “I felt it was pretty easy skiing behind him, thinking I’d take it easy coming into first standing,” said Burke. But Burke missed twice. “Obviously it didn’t work very well for me. In hindsight, maybe I should have gone around him and just raced.” Fourcade missed once in the third stage, putting Burke three seconds ahead going into the second to last loop, with the two running 10th and 11th respectively.
Burke pulled away from Fourcade on the fourth lap, but a penalty in the final stage while Fourcade shot flawlessly, put Burke in trouble, though he never lost track of Fourcade. “I was looking towards the course (while in the penalty loop) to see where he was. He shot on the point next to me and I saw him go out. I knew exactly how far I was behind him and what to do.” Burke left the loop in 10th chasing Fourcade in 5th, with a gap of 8.9 seconds separating the race for yellow in favor of the Frenchman. Burke skied impressively in the final lap, catching Fourcade midway through and not giving the Frenchman even a glimpse of the maillot jaune in the final kilometer. Burke moved to 6th by the finish, Fourcade slipped to 9th. Evgeny Ustyugov of Russia won.
Burke ends 2009 in yellow with a 7 point lead over Fourcade, and can revel in yellow over the holidays. He’ll take the yellow bib into the hallowed Oberhof venue in the Thuringen region of Germany, where biathlon is a religion. An American in Germany. Burke in yellow will be a horse of a different color for the manic fans of the sport and a signal of a new era in the sport. “I can’t wait,” said Burke, of the opportunity of wearing yellow in front of the Oberhof crowd—likely to be nearly 50,000 strong—when he takes to the start of the 10km sprint, January 9th. “I wish it was tomorrow.”
Posted: 12/20/2009
Today MWSC Alumnus, Tim Burke, took over the yellow bib as World Cup leader in Biathlon. For the first time ever a US athlete is the best biathlete of the world.
With an amazing performance in the pursuit of Pokljuka, Slovenia Tim Burke not only managed to finish in sixth place, he also stayed ahead of his strongest competitor for the yellow bib, French athlete Simon Fourcade.
It was one of the most exciting races so far for the team. Fourcade and Burke were seperated by only one point in the overall world cup so Burke had to stay ahead of the strong Frenchman to take the yellow bib. In the first two shooting stages he cleaned all ten targets with Fourcade already losing time after two misses. The first standing Burke missed two shots. "I just don't know what happened then. It probably was a head thing but seriously, I don't remember anymore", Burke laughed after the race.
With Fourcade at his heels Burke came to the last shooting stage and again missed one target. Nine seconds after the Frenchmen he left the stadium, with all of the team members out on the tracks cheering on him. "I just saw it in his eyes. I just knew that he would get Fourcade", team leader Bernd Eisenbichler was sure. Head coach Per Nilsson's impression was just the same: "He was on fire, that's for sure."
What followed then was - according to Burke - the loudest last loop ever. "I just saw yellow. I completely stopped thinking and with all my team members cheering at the track I just flew over the course!"
As Eisenbichler stated: "I am completely speechless. We tried not to talk with Tim about the possibility of getting yellow, but of course we all thought about it. It's truly unbelievable. The world's best biathlete right now is an American!"
To watch an interview with Tim click
here
Posted: 12/19/2009
Presque Isle, Maine Over 200 racers gathered under sunny skies for the first day of racing at the TD Bank/TAMC Eastern Cup Opener at the Nordic Heritage Center. Racers competed in a freestyle sprint, with exciting 6 person heats in the afternoon. J2s competed on a 1km course and all older athletes competed on a 1.2km course. Heather Mooney and Jack Hegman each skied to victory in the girls and boys J2 race respectively. In the women's race, Sophie Caldwell swept the heats and continues to hold reign over the Eastern Cup circuit. In the men's division, Skyler Davis skied away from the competition for the win.
The same courses will be used for the USSA Cross-Country Junior Olympics to be held at the venue in March. Racing will continue tomorrow with a classic mass start on a 5km course. J2 will complete one lap of the course and all others will complete two laps.
Results from today's sprint qualifying round and the heats are available at www.nordicheritagecenter.org under the "Events" tab.
Posted: 12/19/2009
Coleraine, Minnesota Today’s Sprint format was the first of the World Junior Trials. Addie Byrne, Grand Rapids, MN, took first with 90% shooting. Grace Boutot, Presque Isle, ME matched her shooting, and finished 25 seconds behind. In third was Corrine Malcolm, of Haward, WI racing in her first major biathlon event.
In the junior men’s race, Leif Nordgren took first, with Mike Gibson, Burlingon, VT and Wayne McClure of Anchorage, AK in third.
In the Youth Men’s Sprint, Conrad Roberts made it 2 for 2 for the Roberts family and shooting the same as his big brother, 0, 2. Casey Smith of Methow Valley placed 2nd with 3 penalties, and in third was Ethan Dreissigacker, Craftsbury, VT, with 4 penalties.
Kelly Kjorlien, Grand Rapids, MN, shot 80% and took first in the Youth Women’s Sprint. Andrea Mayo, Soldier Pond, ME had a rough day on the range (3,2) but managed a second place with good skiing. In third was Mackenzie Wonders of Anchorage, AK.
The World Team Trials continue on Sunday with at the Men’s 12.5 and Women’s 10km Pursuit.
Dec-19-Sprint.pdf (418 KB)
Posted: 12/19/2009
Coleraine, Minnesota Wynn Roberts and MWSC Alum, Tracy Colliander, won the Men's and Women's Sprint Race on Day #3 of Olympic Trials Selection races at Mt. Itasca, Minnesota. MWSC's Walt Shepard put in another solid performance with a 3rd place finish today, 39.3 seconds off the lead and 14 seconds out of second. Bill Bowler and Russell Currier finished in 9th and 10th place respectively. After three days of competition Zach Hall (299.76 points), Wynn Roberts (298.11), Walt Shepard (297.44) and Mark Johnson (294.44) occupy the four spots to move onto the next round of Olympic Trials in Germany. With two races to go there is still time for others to make there move.
In the Women's Race, Tracy Colliander, wife of MWSC biathlon coach Gary, continued her impressive performance at trials with a solid win, 27.9 seconds ahead of Susan Dunklee. BethAnn Chamberlain skied very well today, but ran into some difficulty in her prone shooting stage, missing three targets. The top four women after three races are: Tracy Colliander (299.32), Susan Dunklee (298.38), Laura Spector (295.91) and Annelies Cook (291.59).
Selection Races Summary 2009.xls (57 KB)
Dec-19-Sprint.pdf (418 KB)
Posted: 12/18/2009
Presque Isle, Maine - The TD Bank Eastern Cup season kicks off tomorrow (Saturday) at 10AM with the qualifying rounds for the Freestyle Sprint. The heats will start at 1PM and run to conclusion at 3:05PM. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid to upper teens with light winds, which will be a pleasant relief from the recent cold and high winds experienced by most of the northern tier of the US.
Temperatures for Sundays mass Start Classic race should be in the upper teens to mid 20's with very little wind. Sunday's race starts at 9:00AM. There will also be a Bill Koch Youth Race at the completion of the Mens Race (approximately noon).
Full details can be found by clicking on the link below.
2009-NENSA-EC-Opener-Invitation.pdf (0.86 MB)
Posted: 12/17/2009
Viktoria Franke December 17, 2009
When the result board turned to the next page and showed her final result Haley Johnson could not help but cry. To see that historic 21st place on the score board in Pokljuka after the women’s individual today was a relief in many ways. Not only was it the best result for the US women this season, but it also was the direct qualification for the US Olympic Team. “I made it”, Haley screamed, “I made it. Unbelievable!”
It was once again that famous last shot that did not hit the target. “I probably did not drink enough and I somehow was sweating and couldn’t see that last target so I just shot somewhere”, Haley tried to explain. She left the shooting range in 16th place, but not knowing where she stood in the field. “The team manager Bernd Eisenbichler doesn’t give me any splits as I am approaching the shooting range, because he doesn't want to add to the pressure of the moment.”
On the last lap though he finally told her the position. “I tried to go faster to stay up front there but I just couldn’t. I was just empty and probably skied slower than the laps before!” When she crossed the finish line, Haley couldn’t stop shaking. She really gave everything during those 15k that turned out to be her career best. “It is nice to know that you gave everything and did not just end up in a 70th place or something like that. With that result it feels especially good to be so empty.”
Haley was 3:41.8 minutes behind today’s winner and the current best biathlete of the world, Helena Jonsson from Sweden leaving biathlon legends like Kati Wilhelm and Simone Hauswald from Germany behind her.
“I am very impressed with Haley’s race. We did know that she is able to finish in a good position but it was only during the last days that Haley really calmed down. She was confident of herself and her ability on the shooting range and what she showed today seemed just like a normal and perfect training race! It’s just amazing how she pulled that off”, head coach Per Nilsson expressed after the race.
“Haley put together a fantastic performance today hitting 19 of her 20 targets and finishing 21st in the WC. She has worked so hard this year and it's really wonderful to see her have this breakthrough. She's our first woman to make the qualification for the Olympic Team”, stated USBA-executive director Max Cobb.
MWSC Biathlon Team
Posted: 12/16/2009
The US Olympic Trials Selection Races are back on tap this weekend from Coleraine, Minnesota. Race #3 is scheduled for Saturday, race #4 on Sunday and the final race of the series on Tuesday. The races to date have been defined by brutally cold temperatures, with the mercury struggling to reach zero degrees. The cold temperatures made a very difficult course even tougher and also made shooting consistency difficult for some. Temperatures for this coming weekends races are expected to climb to the upper teens, which should make for much better racing conditions for all.
Scoring for biathlon competition is based on taking the average time of the top three competitors and using that as the base score. Each competitor’s time is then scored as a percent of that time. This is a very effective way of rewarding the quality of each performance relative to the field.
The competitors will keep their three best results from the five races and after Tuesday’s race the top four competitors from this series move on to the next, and final, Olympic Trials races to be held In Germany in January.
The field for the last series of the Olympic Trials will be made up of the four Men and four Women from the Minnesota races, as well as the three Men and three Women currently on the World Cup circuit, who have not already qualified for the Olympic Team. Those seven Men and seven Women will race in a Sprint race on January 9th in Altenburg, Germany, and the Pursuit race on January 10th. The top three Men and top four Women from the weekend will be added to the Olympic Team and join MWSC alumnus Tim Burke and Jay Hakkinen, who have already qualified based on performances last season.
Maine Winter Sports Center’s Walt Shepard is currently in second place with 198.56 points after the first two races, trailing Zack Hall of Anchorage, Alaska, who has 200 points. MWSC’s Bill Bowler and Russell Currier have struggled with shooting in the extreme cold, but with each racer able to throw out two results, there is still time for everyone in the field to post the results necessary to put themselves in the top four and earn the trip to Europe.
On the Women’s side, BethAnn Chamberlain, Grace Boutot and Hilary McNamee, have each struggled with the cold, but each has the time and experience to turn their fortunes around in the final three races.
Also being decided this coming weekend will be the World Junior Championship Team, to be held in Torsby, Sweden in January. Grace Boutot won a Silver medal at the Championships, held last year in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. Hilary McNamee, who has competed in four Junior World Championships, will also be trying to nail down a spot on the team this weekend. Vying for their first spot on the World junior Team are Andrea Mayo and Eliot Neal.
Selection Races Summary 2009.xls (56 KB)
Nordic Heritage Sport Club
Posted: 12/14/2009
Presque Isle -Ten inches of new snow in the last week and more in the forecast puts the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle, Maine in a prime position to host the opening Eastern Cup of the season. All hands have been on deck over the last week to make sure the venue, courses and volunteers are ready to start the NENSA TD Bank Eastern Cup series with a bang.
The communities of Aroostook County are excited to show off their world-class venue and host racers from around New England for the December 19-20 event. The race courses will be identical to those at the upcoming Junior Olympics to be held at the Nordic Heritage Center in March. Racers will get a chance to test out the newly designed sprint course during Saturday’s freestyle sprint. Classic mass start races will round out the weekend’s line-up. J2s will race 5k and men and women will do 10k. On Sunday, a Bill Koch race will conclude the day’s events.
To register for the races, visit
www.nensa.net. Online registration closes at 5pm on Thursday. For more information about the Nordic Heritage Center, visit
www.nordicheritagecenter.org. Please note that wax cabin rentals are available by calling (207)764-5247.
Posted: 12/13/2009
Day 2 of the Biathlon World Team Trials started off with a low of -12 F. Fortunately, the sun pushed through clouds and the Men’s 15km Mass Start began after a 2hr delay. The new range approach, an extremely steep 75m climb, played havoc with the shooting for both men and women.
Walt Shepard, Yarmouth, ME, got the drop on the field after the first shooting with an extremely fast and accurate first prone shooting. A classic biathlon duel evolved over the next three stages with Zach Hall, Anchorage, AK, matching Shepard’s shooting accuracy but falling slightly behind in shooting speed. Hall was able to close the gap down over each ski leg. Shepard and Hall left the last shooting stages only a few seconds apart and pounded out the last 3km with only 2.6 seconds separting the two at the finish. The battle for third went to Dan Campbell, Bozeman, MT, with Jesse Downs, Jericho, VT and Wynn Roberts, Battle Lake, MN filling out the top 5. Roberts posted the top ski time of the day for the second day in a row, but 8 penalties were too many to overcome.
In the women’s race, MWSC alumnus, Carolyn Bramante, Duluth, MN, took the early lead after the first shooting stage with clean shooting, but as soon as the standing stages began MWSC alumnus, Tracy Colliander, Durango, CO, put on one of her signature displays of fast and flawless shooting. Tracy went on to 60 sec victory. Second and third places changed off several times in the later half of the race. Laura Spector, also a MWSC alumnus, diplayed some of the ski speed that had put her on 2 World Championship team and finished 2nd with 6 total penalties. With the fastest ski time of the day, Susan Dunklee, Barton, VT managed to salvage a 3rd place finish after a disappointing day on the shooting range with 9 penalties. MWSC athlete, BethAnn Chamberlain, recovered from a tough day on the range on saturday to hit 16 or 20 and finish in 5th place.
Competition for the 4 men’s and 4 women’s positions on the IBU Cup Team will resume on Dec 19th at Mt Itasca. Three more races remain in the best 3 of 5 race series.
Dec-13-Mass-Start.pdf (0.51 MB)
Dec_12_Sprint_Competition.pdf (0.51 MB)
Selection Races Summary 2009.xls (56 KB)
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US Olympic Trials Selection Race
Posted: 12/12/2009
Coleraine, MN - Walt Shepard of Yarmouth hit 8 of 10 targets to finish 5th in today's 10km competition. Finishing in a time of 27:12, Shepard was 53 seconds back of winner Mark Johnson of Grand Rapids who hit 9 of 10. Russell Currier of Stockholm turned in one of the strongest ski times on the day, but struggled in the range finishing 9th. Bill Bowler of Wassau,WI finished 11 with 5 of 10 shooting.
Grace Boutot of Ft. Kent led the MWSC women finishing 9th with 80%
shooting on the day. Teammates BethAnn Chamberlain of Caribou finished
just 14 seconds back with 7 penalties. Hilary McNamee in her first race
of the season finished 11 with 5 of 10 shooting.
MWSC Biathlon Coach Gary Colliander commented afterwards, "This was a
typical first day for an Olympic Trials, there were quite a few misses in
the range, a few surprises in the results, and some obvious nerves out
there. Tomorrow is a new day and I believe this group will get stronger
over the next nine days."
Eliot Neal of Wilson, WY skied a strong race today to finish 2nd in the
Youth Men's race. Hitting 4 of his 5 prone targets, Neal led the race up
to his standing stage. Three misses were probably one too many as Neal
pushed hard the final loop to overcome the deficit finishing 35 seconds
shy of 1st place. Conrad Roberts of Battle Lake, MN was the eventual
winner on the day with a time of 22:37 and 8 of 10 shooting.
Andrea Mayo of Wallagrass had a breakthrough race hitting 70% and skiing
her strongest race of the season. Struggling this season thus far to get
above the 50% shooting mark, Mayo really focused in faltering just once in
prone and twice in standing. "Andrea looked to be in the zone today. She
showed good patience with most of her shots and on the course she looked
really aggressive out there," commented Colliander.
Sunday will be the Mass Start competition and then the athletes will
have a five day break before starting back up again next Saturday.
Posted: 12/11/2009
The Olympic Trials Selection Process is about to begin. Two men, Jay Hakinen and Tim Burke have already pre-qualified, but for the other athletes their journey is about to begin. For the athletes in North America, their trials process begins with five races over nine days. These races will take place in Coleraine, MN, just 15 minutes outside of Grand Rapids, where the athletes are currently preparing. The best 3 of 5 races will be scored and used to select up to 4 men and 4 women to head to Europe and compete in 3 competitions in Germany January 7-10. They will be joined by the athletes currently competing on the World Cup and not qualified already for the Olympics. These competitions in Germany will be the last opportunity to show their metal and make their bid for an Olympic berth.
CURRENT CONDITIONS IN COLERAINE - The current weather in Coleraine is cold. Temperatures are well below zero and the wind chills are even lower. Yet, the athletes continue to head out each day to get their workouts in, to fine tune and stay in sync with their routines.
THE VENUE - Snow finally hit east of the Rockies, although not much in most places. Grand Rapids unfortunately was missed by the storm so the amount of natural snow is only a few inches. Luckily a strong core of volunteers from the community under the leadership of the Mt. Itasca Nordic Ski Association has laid out a 2.5km loop of manmade snow. Working around the clock blowing snow, pushing it out on to the loop, and grooming, the course is just about set for this weekend.
READY TO GO - Walt Shepard of Yarmouth had two strong finishes for the Maine Winter Sports Center in the opening weekend of racing placing 4th and 8th. Last weekend, Russell Currier of Stockholm cleaned (hit 10 for 10) his first race ever and won in the 2nd NorAm weekend. BethAnn Chamberlain of Caribou has also performed well in both weekends and looks poised to make a push on her "home course". Chamberlain grew up and attended high school in Grand Rapids before moving out to Maine. Also competing for the MWSC:
- Bill Bowler - Wasau, WI
- Eliot Neal - Wilson, WY
- Grace Boutot - Fort Kent, ME
- Andrea Mayo - Wallagrass,ME
- Hilary McNamee - Fort Fairfield, ME
US Olympic Team Trials
Selection Races
Mt. Itasca, Coleraine, Minnesota
Saturday December 12 Noon Sprint Competition
Sunday December 13 Noon Mass Start Competiion
Saturday December 19 11AM Sprint Competition
Sunday December 20 11AM Pursuit Competition
Tuesday December 22 10AM Sprint Competition
Up to four men and four women will be selected from these races to compete at the IBU Cup in Altenburg, Germany on January 9th and 10, at which the final team will be chosen. The Men's Team will have five competitors and the Women's Team will have four. With Tim Burke and Jay Hakkinen having already pre-qualified for the Team the final three Men and four Women will be chosen in Altenburg. Contesting for these slots will be the four Men and four Women chosen at the Olympic Trials Selection Races in Minnesota, as well as the US Team members currently on the World Cup circuit who have not pre-qualified for the Olympics.
Posted: 12/10/2009
Presque Isle, ME - 8" of new snow fell at the venue last night and race volunteers are busy preparing the trails for the TD Bank/TAMC Eastern Cup races next weekend. To sign up for the races, visit the NENSA website at www.nensa.net.
Posted: 12/05/2009
Ostersund, Sweden - He might only have slept one hour after his 2nd place on Wednesday but Tim Burke proved once again in today's sprint competition that he can focus on his game the second it counts. As one of the first starters he set the time to beat after two clean shooting stages. Only the strong Norwegian men could beat him. Record-Winner Ole Einar Bjoerndalen hit all targets and showed an extraterrestrial skiing performance, finishing ahead of the winner of the individual, team mate Emil Hegle Svendsen. Burke was back 37.2 seconds in the end.
High Performance Director Bernd Eisenbichler was even more satisfied with today's result than with the one on Thursday. "We knew within the team that Tim was able to repeat his result. But now everyone knows that the second place wasn't just a coincidence! I am really proud of him because he managed to handle all the stress with the press conferences and inquiries that followed after the individual and still came back as strong as before. He stayed focused and he made us enormously proud! Actually the thanks goes out to the whole team of technicians and physio and everyone who is involved. They made those results possible!"
For the rest of the team Tim's results continue to be a big motivation. Jay Hakkinen who finished 43rd with two penalties, was inspired by his teammate's result: "Tim lifts us up somehow. When I see that result I know that everything is possible. I might not be completely satisfied with my own result right now because I guess I need some more racing to really get into the game, but seeing Tim scoring those results makes it easier. It's a good thing for the whole team and for me it's the motivation to work even harder on the small missing details."
Women learned from experiences in Sweden
After there first two competitions of the season the US women also have plenty of reasons to be proud of themselves. With the fifth fastest shooting time and place 64 Lanny Barnes proved today that she found a new confidence on the shooting range. “Of course I am sad that I missed that one target but I felt quite good on the range anyhow. The only thing I still have to improve is my skiing. But for me it always takes some time to get faster. The more competitions I raced the better I get!” A statement that should give new motivation for the races still to come. An even bigger motivation though seem to be Burke’s results. “I think the whole team get’s inspired by his results. His success helps us to be more successful as well!”
For Sara Studebaker and Haley Johnson it seems to be the other way round. Both of them showed some good results on the track with skiing times among the best 60 of the world. “After the race on Wednesday I was a bit calmer today”, stated Studebaker after her 59th place in today’s sprint competition. “I was mad at myself for not hitting all targets. I had good conditions on the range but still didn’t manage to use my chance. But anyway, it was a great experience and I think it will give me more confidence for the next stages.” Johnson is still struggling with her shooting but in the meantime also looking forward for the next chances to prove her current form. “I still have to get in the competition mode. It always takes me some time but I am feeling more confident with every race I skied.”
Posted: 12/03/2009
This past Monday, U.S. Biathlete (Paul Smiths, N.Y.) posted on his athlete blog (
http://timburke.us/ ) that he was looking forward to seeing how the adjustments to his training regime would pay off this season. Well, given today's results in Ostersund, Sweden, he evidently didn't have to wait long to see the progress he's made since last season. Burke made US Biathlon history today, winning silver in the 20km Individual competition, and tying the best World Cup finish ever for a U.S. biathlete and equaling Josh Thompson's 20 km silver medal at Canmore Canada World Cup in 1992.
Burke admitted Monday that he felt ready to overcome the health issues and inconsistency he felt he was having over the past two seasons and he did just that to kick-off the 2009-10 International Biathlon Union World Cup season today in the 20k event.
The U.S. Olympic Committee along with US Biathlon will host a media teleconference with Tim Burke and US Biathlon to discuss this historic achievement at 3 p.m. EASTERN (1 p.m. MOUNTAIN). Joining Burke will be Max Cobb, US Biathlon Executive Director; Per Nilsson, US Biathlon Head Coach; Armin Auchentaller, US Biathlon Assistant Coach; and Bernd Eisenbichler, High Performance Director.
After the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Swedish Coach Per Nilsson took the reins of the U.S. Biathlon Team, bringing a new vision and the exemplary coaching skills needed to take Team USA to the podium. Under his guidance, the U.S. men have posted their best results since 1992. Nilsson guided Tim Burke to two record-breaking seasons, including a 7th place at the worlds in 2007, 12 top-15 finishes in World Cups and six top-15 finishes in the Biathlon World Championships. In March 2008, Burke became the first U.S. biathlete to record the fastest scratch time in an international biathlon competition when he finished seventh in the pursuit at the World Cup in Oslo, Norway. The U.S. men's relay team has become very competitive. In January at the Ruhpolding, Germany World Cup the Men finished 5th, just 22 seconds off the podium
Media can participate by dialing 1-800-311-9410 and entering the passcode of BIATHLON.
A bio for Tim Burke has been provided below:
Name: Tim Burke
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 160
Birthdate: 2/3/82
Birthplace: Saranac Lake, NY
Hometown: Paul Smiths, NY, currently resides in Lake Placid, NY
Years on Team: 6
School: Saranac Lake High School, Empire State College
Equipment: Skis and boots- Rossignol, Poles- Swix Clothing, glasses, suit- Adidas
Sponsors: Lake Placid, Syn-flex, Rossignol, Swix, TD Bank
COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS:
7th Individual, World Championships 2007
9th Sprint &10th Pursuit World Championships 2008
11th Sprint, 14th Individual World Championships 2009
9 top-10 World Cup finishes
25th World Ranking 2006/2007 season
29th World Ranking 2007/2008 season
25th World Ranking 2008/2009 season
FIRST WORLD CUP:
Ruhpolding, Germany 2004
OLYMPICS/WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS:
2006 Olympian, five time World Champion team member
About Tim:
Growing up in the town of Paul Smiths, NY, just outside Lake Placid, Burke had the opportunity to try many different Olympic sports. With a background in cross country skiing, he was naturally drawn to biathlon. He tried biathlon for the first time when he was 12 and never stopped. He was recruited to the national team program at age 16.
One of the US Biathlon's strongest medal contenders, Burke has had several top-ten finishes on the World Cup circuit in the past three seasons leading up to 2010 Vancouver Games. Tim finds his motivation in being an underdog American in a sport dominated by Europeans.
Burke remembers a great childhood, "I grew up in Paul Smiths NY, with our nearest neighbor about one-half mile away. There is not much there other than woods and water. In the winter, there was always a lot of snow. Whereas kids in town can go out of their house to a store or into town, I went outside and played with my brother and sister. In the winter, that was mostly on skis. I do not remember watching television. We were always outside running around, in the summer swimming, and in the winter on our skis or snowshoeing; always very active.
An avid outdoorsman, Burke loves to fish and hike in the Adirondack Mountains. He also enjoys tele-skiing.
Posted: 12/02/2009
Posted: 11/29/2009
Canmore, Alberta – Walt Shepard of Yarmouth skied another strong race in today’s Pursuit competition. Hitting 13 of his 20 shots Shepard dropped back to 7th place overall. Entering the range in 3rd place Shepard had two shots miss their mark in his first shooting. Dropping back a few places Shepard would stay just out of reach from the lead pack with 5 more misses in his final stages. “My skiing wasn’t quite there today”, Shepard stated after the race. “I didn’t quite have the feeling today like I did yesterday. Nevertheless it has been a decent start to the season.” Shepard’s teammate Russell Currier of Stockholm also struggled with his shooting today hitting just 10 for 20 to place 9th. “Russell skied very well today, he looked like his usual self on the course today, just flying out there”, commented MWSC Biathlon Coach Gary Colliander.
Eliot Neal of Wilson, WY joined the Team last night after a few weeks of training in West Yellowston, MT. In his first NorAm Cup of the season, Neal skied solidly and shot on par with the field. Missing just one in each of his prone stages Neal moved up into the top 5. With 2 penalties in each of his two standing bouts, Neal slipped back to finish 9th overall.
The Biathlon Team will spend one more week training in Canmore and will race next Saturday in the 2nd NorAm of the season.
Updates available at:
mwscbiathlon.blogspot.com
Posted: 11/28/2009
Canmore, Alberta – The season kicked off with a bit of a bite this morning. After nearly two weeks of unusually warm conditions the athletes were greeted with high winds and some of the coldest temperatures they’ve seen this season thus far. With just over a 3km loop of manmade snow in place the course was hard packed and very fast.
Walt Shepard of Yarmouth placed 4th in today’s 10km competition. Hitting 8 of his 10 shots, Shepard was locked in a tight battle as places 3 through 8 all shot the same. Shepard’s final loop was a strong one as he placed 4 seconds in front of Canada’s Tyson Smith and was only 11 seconds from the podium. Russell Currier of Caribou placed 9th with 3 penalties. Bill Bowler of Wasau, WI kick started the season by wearing bib number 1. Bowler had just one penalty in prone but faltered in standing missing of 5 to place 14th.
BethAnn Chamberlain of Caribou had one of just a handful of clean stages in the Women’s race, however 4 penalties in windy conditions during standing left her working a little harder the final loop. Chamberlain finished 8th overall. In the Youth Women’s race Andrea Mayo of Wallagrass finished 9th with 5 penalties.
Tomorrow concludes with the Pursuit competition.
Updates available at:
mwscbiathlon.blogspot.com
Posted: 11/28/2009
Canmore, Alberta – Nestled in the rugged Canadian Rocky Mountains just over an hour north of Calgary, the Maine Winter Sports Center Biathlon Team has been training for the past ten days. Skiing on a 2.5km loop of manmade snow the Team has spent their days getting used to being back on snow, testing new skis and ski grinds or structures, and fine tuning their shooting skills.
Tomorrow the season opens with the first NorAm Cup. With just under 200 hundred racers in the Youth, Junior, and Senior categories, the competition is sure to be what the Team is looking for. “We’re looking to bring the pieces together with these first few races,” stated Biathlon Coach Gary Colliander. “The athletes have been working hard all season and this will be a good test to bring together a solid performance. Races have a different atmosphere from interval sessions or time trials.”
Races start 1pm (EST).
Racing this weekend:
Bill Bowler – Wasau, WI
Russell Currier - Stockholm
Walt Shepard – Yarmouth
Eliot Neal – Wilson, WY
BethAnn Chamberlain – Caribou
Andrea Mayo - Wallagrass
Updates available at:
mwscbiathlon.blogspot.com
Nordic Heritage Sport Club
Posted: 11/23/2009
The Nordic Heritage Sport Club seeks a part-time person to staff the Welcome Center through the winter. The job will be 15-20hrs/week with potential for more during vacation times. For more information or to apply, contact the NHSC President Tom Chassse at tomsharo@yahoo.com.
Posted: 11/23/2009
The biathlon team has arrived in Canmore, Alberta a few days ago. Site of the 1988 Olympic Biathlon and Cross Country events the venue has seen some remarkable upgrades for recent cross country World Cup races and last season's Youth and Jr. World Championships.
We're enjoying the 2.5km loop of natural and artificial snow. It's fast and the loop they've laid out is pretty sweet. You have your choice of easy terrain or some big climbs. There are numerous Canadian National Team athletes for both cross country and biathlon training here in addition to many of the local clubs so the trails have been busy. Sometimes the downhills seem to be filled with a bunch of moving obstacles as we have to manuever our way through traffic. We've been skiing twice a day, lots of balance and coordination drills, lots of thinking about technique, just trying to find that comfortable feeling on skis. In addition, everyone has new skis to test and ski in so lots of time in the wax room as well!
This is our home for the next two weeks. We'll be training and racing while here with the first NorAm's starting next weekend. To follow the team go to http://mwscbiathlon.blogspot.com/
Follow the MWSC biathlon team as they make the push to the Olympics in Vancouver at www.mainewsc.org/teams_biathlon.html
Posted: 11/20/2009
This Saturday, November 21, Bill Green’s Maine will feature a segment about MWSC Olympic hopeful skiers and biathletes. The show airs at 7pm on Saturday evening on WCSH 6/NBC and in Aroostook County on WLBZ channel 2.
Posted: 11/17/2009
Muonio, Finland--Far above the arctic circle in Lapland this past Saturday, Ben Koons, of Sidney, became the first Mainer to achieve an Olympic qualifying standard in Nordic Skiing for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Koons, who holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and New Zealand, raced to a 103rd place in the men's 15km classic at the Olos resort. Initial calculations indicate that it was good enough for a 99.54 point FIS race, and good enough to drop his international point profile below 100 points--the qualifying standard set by the New Zealand Ski Federation.
Koons, who skis for the Maine Winter Sports Center, traveled to northern Finland with the MWSC XC squad in hopes of earning his first Olympic start. An upper respiratory infection nearly stopped him in his tracks.
"We traveled well, and everyone seemed perfectly healthy," said MWSC Coach, Will Sweetser. "Then Ben came down with something just two days out from the race. We crossed our fingers and hit it with everything we had."
It may have been just enough. Koons sat out the classical sprint race on November 13, in order to gain another day of rest. While he was still clearly sick at the start line of the 15km classical race on November 14, he had just enough in the tank to push through with the result he needed.
"That wasn't the finish I was hoping for, but it got me what I needed," Koons said. "I'll take it."
Indeed, despite being forced back to bed on Sunday, the one race Koons managed will likely take him all the way to Vancouver. The next steps in Koons' Olympic journey depend on FIS ratification of the weekend's racing and on the New Zealand Olympic Team naming process. Currently, Koons is the only New Zealand male skier who has achieved the sub 100 FIS point standard. The team will be named on January 19.
Full results from the Muonio XC Openers are available at: http://www.muonio.fi/liikunta/ Full results, including FIS points will be available Wednesday at: http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?event_id=27797&cal_suchsector=CC
Joey Bard and David Chamberlain training at the Rossignol Field of Dreams, October 23, 2009.
Posted: 10/26/2009
Thursday brought snow to the County--enough to groom in places, and MWSC took advantage with skiing at the Nordic Heritage Center, 10th Mountain Center, 4Seasons Trails and on the groomed trails at Rossignol's Field of Dreams and at the Snowy Mountain Trails. Some of the MWSC crew got in double sessions on snow Friday.
Saturday stayed just cool enough, just long enough that we could pull off a classic sprint race on snow at the Snowy Mountain Trails in Stockholm, ME. After three hard fought rounds, Ben Koons pulled away from Joey Bard and Nick Kline for the victory, while famed local ski supporter Carl Soderberg trounced the masters' field.
Saturday night's rains forced everyone back to the rollerskis for Sunday's 10km and 5km contests. Long-time MWSC teammates David Chamberlain and Sarah Dominick clinched victories over the hilly course.
Full results from the weekend's races can be found at: http://www.mwscxc.blogspot.com/
Ben Koons putting technique to work at Madawaska Lake, October 25, 2009.
Ben Koons putting technique to work at Madawaska Lake, October 25, 2009.
David Chamberlain, full tilt at Madawaska Lake 10km Rollerski Race, October 25, 2009.
Posted: 10/25/2009
MWSC athletes David Chamberlain and Fred Bailey are hosting a benefit reception at Black Mountain on November 1. Highlights include raffle and silent auction. Among the prizes will be a pair of skis. Proceeds from the event will help David and Fred offset training and traveling expenses this winter.
For more info please download the attached document [pdf].
Posted: 10/24/2009
The Nordic Heritage Center, 2010 XC Junior Olympic host venue, reports six inches of new snow over the last day. Athletes from the Maine Winter Sports Center were excited by the opportunity for some early season skiing and toured around the race trails this morning. Pictured here is MWSC athlete Ben Koons on the 5km classic race course and Koons with fellow MWSC teammate Nick Kline skiing by the lodge at the Nordic Heritage Center.
MWSC XC Team member Sarah Dominick on groomed trails in Stockholm, ME this morning.
Posted: 10/23/2009
Stockholm, ME // 10.23.2009 - Sure, we all get plenty of reports of early snow each year. And this snow fall is only about 5". And it likely won't last more than 24 hours on the ground. But in Stockholm, that's no reason not to do it right. Thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of the Snowy Mountain Trails' groomer/director Tom Campbell, the Maine Winter Sports Center XC squad is already 1 hour into training on groomed trails this year.
Most of the team is in Stockholm this morning for a classic ski. Sarah Dominick, pictured here, has already got in her 2 hour ski and is firing up the Sweetser/Dominick sauna, also pictured here. If the snow holds until early afternoon--which looks likely, thanks to the grooming, the team will head out for a short skate workout.
Just because the snow is thin and temporary doesn't mean you shouldn't treat your ski center like a real venue. Do it right!
Snow cover at the Sweetser-Dominick compound, Stockholm, ME.
Lobster Roll competitors and coaches at the North Haven Community Center.
Posted: 10/22/2009
North Haven Island, ME--The third annual Lobster Roll saw nearly 75 competitors cruise around this scenic island last Saturday. The event, organized by the Maine Winter Sports Center, serves as Maine's collegiate rollerski championship. Teams from Colby, Bowdoin, UMO, UMPI, MWSC and individuals from Gould Academy and the Maine Coast Nordic Team took on this year's 16km freestyle race.
Lucy Garrec, of Colby College, charged to the finish first in a tight women's battle. Despite relatively cold conditions, Garrec bettered her 2008 time by more than a minute to finish in 47:08. Garrec was followed closely by Colby teammate Amy Lones (47:27) and UMPI's Hannah Shepard (47:31).
In the men's competition, MWSC's Pavel Sotskov crushed the field with a new course record of 33:41. MWSC junior racer Nick Michaud earned second place (36:35) with Colby's Jeremy Blazer taking the last podium position (38:49).
Garrec and Blazer earned the official Lobster Roll championships, as Maine's collegiate rollerski victors. Colby also took both the men's and the women's team titles.
Lobster Roll 2009 Photo Gallery. Click here!
Jake Barton, Sam Mathes and Corey Park leading the Colby train.
Posted: 10/22/2009
Caribou, ME - The Maine Winter Sports Center is excited to announce that Mapleton native Mike Smith will be joining their staff as a Community Development Coach. Smith comes to the MWSC staff with a range of outdoor and leadership experiences, and having grown up in the County, he already has a strong connection with the communities of Northern Maine.
"We are thrilled to have someone with Mike's extensive outdoor skills and experiences join our staff," said Eileen Carey, Vice President of MWSC. "Our success depends on having coaches who are committed to promoting healthy, active lifestyles throughout the communities of Aroostook County. Mike's expertise and his desire to share that with others make him a perfect fit for the job."
Mike is a 2003 graduate of the University of Maine, Orono. Upon graduating he became a registered Maine Guide and has worked as a sea kayak guide along the coast of Maine, as a whitewater kayak guide in Central America, and a cross-country ski coach and telemark ski instructor in Aroostook County. For the last two years Mike worked at MOJO, Presque Isle's bike and ski shop, at which he implemented a variety of programs such as community ski nights, ski and bike maintenance clinics, and beginner mountain bike rides. He has also assisted the University of Maine in Presque Isle with paddling and mountaineering programs, and most recently worked with the Nordic Heritage Sports Club as director of the annual Fat Tire Mountain Bike Festival.
Mike is excited to continue sharing his love for the outdoors in his new capacity as Community Development Coach with the MWSC. "I have been fortunate enough to have incredible adventures in my life, and I've been equally fortunate to have a home as special as northern Maine," said Smith, "I'm excited to share my love for both through my work with Maine Winter Sports Center." As a Community Development Coach, Mike will be a resource for communities looking to establish or build upon existing ski and outdoor recreation programs. His duties will range from coordinating the Healthy Hometown Ski Program and Healthy Hometown Ski Trailers, to running ski leader education clinics and helping communities develop youth and community outdoor programs. He will also be involved in coaching MWSC youth and development teams.
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