2010 News Archive

Gannon Therrien from Presque Isle in Wednesday's Black Mountain Middle School Sprints.

Caribou, ME - Six middle school athletes from the Maine Winter Sports Center competed in the Black Mountain Middle School Sprints on Wednesday. All six athletes placed within the top ten competitors in both the preliminary round and the afternoon knock-out rounds.

In the morning preliminary round held on a 1km course Kamran Husain outdistanced all 25 competitors to take top honors, finishing in a time of 3:34.0. Rounding out the podium in 3rd was Andrew Bailey. Brendan Cyr, Gannon Therrien, Luke Bailey, and Riley McDuffie had strong finishes in 4th, 6th, 7th and 10th. All six of these athletes qualified for the afternoon knockout rounds by finishing in the top twelve.

In the first semi-final round both Kamran and Brendan easily qualified for the finals by taking the lead from start to finish. In the second semi-final round Andrew and Luke qualified for the finals taking second and third in a tight finish. With a fourth and fifth, Gannon and Riley both advanced to the B -final.

In the final round it was once again Kamran who skied away from everyone with a strong kick up a grueling mid-course hill. Showing smart racing tactics Andrew finished 3rd, while Brendan recovered from a fall to finish 4th. Luke rounded out the top six with a strong kick to the finish line. In the B final Gannon and Riley both surpassed their pre-race goals by finishing 2nd and 4th in the round.

This year's Black Mountain Sprints served as a warm-up event for next's week US National Championships held at the venue. All six young skiers were able to experience a world-class sprint course and watch a few of the nation's elite prepare for next week's racing action at the venue. "This was an amazing start to my season." said Brendan Cyr at the finish line.

  Ethan Allen Firing Range, Jericho, Vermont  Following the successful conclusion of the trials events today the US Biathlon Association International Competition Committee named the following athletes to the 2011 Youth and Junior World Championship Team.  The Team will represent the USA at the Championships at Nove Mesto in the Czech Republic from 29 January through 5 February 2011.

 MWSC Athletes lead the way at junior/youth trials!

Hilary McNamee (103) and Meagan Toussaint (123) in Saturday's NENSA Eastern Cup Sprint at Craftsbury, VT.

Caribou, ME--More than twenty MWSC athletes from around Aroostook County took part in the opening NENSA Eastern Cup races held in Jericho and Craftsbury, Vermont this past weekend.  The weekend served as the first measuring stick for most New England athletes, and was the last opportunity for high level competition in the lead up to the U.S. National Cross-Country Skiing Championships slated for Jan. 2-8 in Rumford, Maine. 

Coleraine, MN  It was a good day for MWSC athletes, in the women's race BethAnn lead the way in second place with strong shooting and skiing with only Haley Johnson (former MWSC teammate) in front of her. Katrina Howe struggled a little with shooting but posted one of the faster ski times for the day to keep her right in contact in fifth place. Junior Corrine Malcome notched up another strong ski performance but struggled on the shooting range.

  Coleraine, MN  2010 Olympians, Haley Johnson and Wynn Roberts took the first day of Senior World Team Trials today at Mt. Itasca in Coleraine, Minnestota. Johnson won the Womens 12.5k Mass Start race, shooting 16 for 20, to post a time of 40:39.9. Susan Dunklee shot 15 for 20 and was second with a time of 41:40.2. MWSC alumnus, Lanny Barnes shot 16 for 20 and posted a time of 43:33.3 to round out the top 3. MWSC's BethAnn Chamberlain was 5th (11 for 20), Katrina Howe was 7th (10 for 20) and Corrine Malcolm was 8th (7 for 20).

Arooski skiers Roy Bernard and Sean Donovan make the pass in a less conventional approach to skiing

12/11/10

Fort Kent, ME

While this week’s weather has everyone wondering when we’ll see a winter wonderland, adults in Aroostook County this weekend were treated to an amazing start to the ski season at Fort Kent’s 10^th Mtn Center.  Cool temps and early snowfall, along with careful grooming produced several kilometers of ideal cross-country ski conditions.  There to enjoy the snow was a group of Nordic ski enthusiasts from around Aroostook County known as the “Arooskis”. 

The Arooskis Nordic Program is an adult-oriented Nordic ski program being offered by the Maine Winter Sports Center.  Focused on helping any adult improve their skills and enjoyment on cross-country skis, the Arooskis program meets every week in Fort Kent and Presque Isle, and so far has drawn close to 40 participants who have signed on for the season.   

“We have a great group,” says MWSC Coach Mike Smith, who heads up the Arooskis program.  “We have a very broad range of interests and abilities in this program, from those looking to improve their race results, to those who just want to get out and learn some new things with a fun group of adults.  There is something for everyone.”

This past Saturday MWSC offered an “on-snow primer” to help adults get on snow and get their ski legs under them.  “We’ve been meeting for several weeks now working through a number of on-foot sessions, but this was the first chance we’ve had to bring adults from around the County to one place and all get on skis together”.  The one-day camp proved a huge success bringing regulars and new comers to the Arooskis program.

Adults weren’t the only skiers taking advantage of the early season snow this weekend.  Athletes from UMPI, the Southern Maine Biathlon Club, and MWSC development teams were also present on the trails, which allowed for plenty of antics and excitement amongst the more focused sessions.  “It is great to have the elite athletes ski by and offer us advice and encouragement,” said Arooski skier Michael Caron of Fort Kent.  Caron was one of the many adults who found out that ski games aren’t just for kids, and no matter what your age or experience, there’s always something new to try on skis. 

For more information on the Arooskis Nordic Program, contact Mike Smith at mikes@mainewsc.org (207-227-0250).  The program is open to any adult in the region, and skiers are encouraged to join throughout the season.  Smith also encourages any adult new to the sport of Nordic skiing or interested in spending more time on Nordic skis to join their local ski club, and get involved with programs in their own communities.   “Organizations like the 10^th Mtn Club are a tremendous resource for the surrounding communities, as they provide world-class trails and programs designed to get the whole family on skis”.  You can learn more about the 10^th Mtn Center and club at www.10thmtskiclub.org.  

Caribou skier Chad McPherson works on his technique.

10th Mt Club member Gail Johnson generously serves up ployes to hungry skiers visiting the 10th Mtn Lodge Saturday.

Will Sweetser and Mike Smith named MWSC Directors, David Chamberlain joins staff.

New Gloucester, Maine Pineland Farms, known for years for having some of the best nordic skiing in the Eastern United States, is now offering Ski and Stay packages this winter. With trails designed by John Morton, that meander through hardwood forests, along rivers and fields, and with spectaular views of Mt. Washington, Pineland Farms Trails has something for every ability level. There are even snowshoe trails for those who want to get outside in the winter, but are uncomfortable on skis.

To find out more click here: www.pinelandfarms.org/guesthouses/packages.htm

 Ostersund, Sweden The IBU World Cup season got underway yesterday in Ostersund, Sweden and MWSC alumnus, Laura Spector had a career best 25th place in the Women's Individual Race. Spector hit 19 of 20 shots to score her first World Cup points of her career.

Russell Currier will jump into the World Cup today, along with MWSC alumni, Tim Burke, Lowell Bailey and Jeremy Teela. Burke wore the yellow bib as the top ranked biathlete for part of last season and is hoping to pick up were he left off last season. The racing is complicated by the fact that Ostersund has had an outbreak of a water borne parasite. Nearly 5,000 people have gotten sick, including many of the athletes. Tune in to the Men's race today at 11:20AM and watch live streaming of the race at: www.BiathlonWorld.com

A group of athletes training with the Maine Winter Sports Center take advantage of early season snow at Bigrock Ski Area in Mars Hill.

WHAT: 1st Annual Bigrock Thanksgiving Ski Carnival

WHEN: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 – Sunday, November 28; 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily

Bigrock Ski Area Offers Early Start to Cross Country Skiing

 A cold crisp morning in Canmore Alberta was the setting for the final race of the USBA trails races. MWSC was being lead by Stockholm native Russell Currier who had the fastest ski times of the trials and was shooting consistently. The men’s Mass Start race was no different, with a couple penalties early Russell put in some strong skiing and picked up his shooting for the final three shooting bouts. This concluded a very strong set of performance by Russell over the last four days, and secured him a spot in the open World Cups this season. MWSC Alumnus Lowell Bailey was named to the team with a discretionary pick. Fellow MWSC alumnus, Laura Spector of Lexington Massachusetts and Dartmouth College, dominated the women's field to secure the other spot.

Reindeer on the road

In New England, a trip to the County--whether Fort Kent or Presque Isle--has become synonymous with a journey to the end of the earth.  The frozen hinterlands of the Northeastern U.S.  Well, Finnish Lapland has the edge on Aroostook County in every way, when it comes to being remote. 

Nick Michaud

To see results from Muonio click here:

http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?event_id=29411&cal_suchsector=CC

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The XC Elite Team's fundraising dinner at Eureka Hall is on SUNDAY NOVEMBER 7th not on the 6th as some of the invites say. Please RSVP soon if you plan to attend. If you have any questions or would like to reserve seating contact Hilary McNamee 207.227.3324

Former MWSC cross country coach and recent University of Utah head coach, Eli Brown, has always been innovative, but he has found new ways to push the envelope. Click here to see the story.

Joined in Class of 2010 by Kirsten Clark-Rickenbach, Marcus Nash, Bob Harkins, Morten Lund, John Atwood and Joan McWilliams Dolan

Long-time Fort Kent high school ski coach and past President of Lonesome Pine Alpine ski area, Ben Paradis was inducted into the 2010 Maine Ski Hall of Fame Class on Friday at Lost Valley in Auburn. Paradis was joined by Olympic skiers Kirsten Clark-Rickenbach of the U.S. Ski Team and Marcus Nash of the U.S. Nordic Ski Team. Also inducted was ski writer Morten Lund, U.S. Freestyle Ski Champion Joan McWilliams Dolan, U.S. Ski Team coach Bob Harkins and 10th Mountain Division veteran John Atwood.

In his nomination of Ben Paradis to the Maine Ski Hall of Fame, Carl Theriault summed up his career, "For the past 30 years, Ben has been the enthusiastic 'glue' that has held the ski community together in Fort Kent and the surrounding St. John River Valley. His passion for the sport has led to multiple state high school ski championships and kept Lonesome Pine Trails thriving for many years."

Hall of Fame Committee Chairman commented, "Ben Paradis personifies the kind of skier the Maine Ski Hall of Fame was set up to Honor. His devotion to the sport, his skiing students and the community have been critical factors in giving Maine and his region a lifetime sport."

Bernard Paradis Nomination

Ben Paradis got his start in skiing on some simple skis he got for Christmas, skis held on by canning jar rubbers extended from in front of a leather toe piece to behind the ankle. In grade school they skied down a pasture, basically going straight down as the skis had very little control. As a junior in College in 1966 he finally got on a lift, a rope tow at Lonesome Pine trails, where his roommate introduced him to the sport and taught him the basics. Neither could have known how his future would involve that skiing complex.

Ben devoted over 30 years to the sport of skiing and holding the skiing community together in Fort Kent and the surrounding St. John Valley. Serving as ski coach at Fort Kent High for 26 years Ben led his teams to numerous victories and turned out many successful competitors.

His team's record includes five Class A and C state championships and 20 plus Aroostook County Ski League titles. The team so dominated this league that his boy's team won the title 12 straight years. To win ski championships takes a lot of individual talent in every discipline and every year at least half of the top ten State Skimeisters hailed from Fort Kent.

As successful as his teams were, the victories only tell part of the story. Those who skied for him or coached alongside him saw how passionate he was for skiing and how that passion let him to help as many kids as possible enjoy the sport. Ben guided the more senior kids to work with the younger skiers to help all achieve their full potential. He always made time to help the newer struggling skiers gain confidence.

In addition to spending hours coaching the team, he spent as much time supporting the team in competing with the higher profile sports for funds. In his belief that skiing was a lifetime sport that would keep mischievous teenagers out of trouble Ben was undeterred by spending cuts, raising money in the community and at times buying skis himself to make sure any kid who wanted to ski would have the opportunity. With his own snowmobile he spent countless hours grooming and maintaining the trails. His work inspired local parents to form the Green Bean Ski Club to raise funds to keep the team together.

To further broaden the kids experience and give them the opportunities to ski other areas Paradis took kids to other races in Canada and New England. These trips included New England J1 and J2 championships where he loaded the skiers into the family van at his own expense.

For 20 years he served on the board of Lonesome Pine Trails, four as president, playing a key role in keeping that operation going for the local skiers. Thanks to his work hundreds of kids and families enjoy the sport in the St. John River Valley and that devotion to skiing in Maine has earned Ben Paradis a place in the Maine Ski Hall of Fame.

Aroostook County, ME

As the leaves fall and the air gets cooler, thoughts of an exciting winter season follow suit.

This year the Maine Winter Sports Center is giving adults across the region another reason to get excited about our snow-covered months.

Starting in November MWSC Development Coaches will begin working with any interested adult on improving Nordic ski technique and taking part in an active winter lifestyle through the Arooskis Nordic Program.

This program is unique for the Maine Winter Sports Center, an organization recently recognized internationally for its work with youth, as it is targeted specifically towards adults. Whether new to the sport, or a seasoned veteran on cross-country skis, the Arooskis program is designed to help everyone develop a greater love for the sport of cross-country skiing while improving skills and personal fitness.

While the program will focus primarily on Nordic skiing, the Arooskis is for more than those just interested in skiing groomed XC trails. "Nordic skiing is part of a lifestyle that's about being outside, being active and having fun", says MWSC Coach Mike Smith. "As part of the Arooskis program we want to broaden participants' view of the skiing lifestyle from groomed trails to adventures of all sorts." Smith also says, "The focus of the Arooskis is to help everyone reach their personal goals. For some that means a dedicated training plan and race strategy. For others it means just gaining more comfort on skis. We'll gladly work with any enthusiastic individual whether they are beginners or experts, racers or recreationalists."

Whatever your goal or experience, the Arooskis program is your opportunity to get out with other adults interested in being active in the winter outdoors. The program, starting in November, will meet weekly in Fort Kent at the 10^th Mtn Center, and in Presque Isle at the Nordic Heritage Center. "If you are an adult that enjoys getting outside in the winter," says Smith, "you will not want to miss out on the Arooskis."

For more information contact Community Development Coach, Mike Smith at mikes@mainewsc.org / 207-227-0250.

Quoggy Jo Community Ski Area has been providing a place for families to get outside in the winter for nearly 50 years. Over that time this remarkable community asset has counted on the support and willingness of members of the community to volunteer their time and energy - as only people in the CCounty can. 

Skaði Nordic is proud to be a supporter of the Southern Maine Biathlon Club (“SMBC”). Skaði Nordic will be providing a set of the Skaði Nordic product line to each athlete on the team as a reminder that those who are passionate about and committed to what they do will succeed.

Despite its inauguration only three short years ago, SMBC has drawn on the existing infrastructure and support of Maine Winter Sports Center (“MWSC”), the passion of local skiers and community involvement to develop into a large club, able to offer athletes a variety of support and opportunities. Encompassing the towns of Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, North Yarmouth and Freeport, this coastal area of Southern Maine gets overlooked as a ski location by most skiers. Despite that, Nordic sports are thriving in this area with SMBC being only one of several programs available including the Coastal Nordic Ski Club and school teams.

One of the challenges to setting up a biathlon club is finding a place to hone the athletes’ marksmanship. SMBC has reached out to community members to accomplish this. A resident in the surrounding area invited the team to set up a shooting range on his farm. There are running trails in the vicinity for summer dryland workouts. When it comes to skiing onto a range the team has to take a weekend trip or training camp… at least for this year. As with the inception of many other ski areas, there is talk of adding a couple of ski trails to the range out at The Farm. There is also a push to revive a nearby range with the Bethel Outing Club. It will certainly be exciting to watch how SMBC, with a healthy dose of family and community support, grows the program and the biathlon infrastructure in their region.

SMBC has already grown from a local group to a team with a national and international presence. With several trips up to Quebec to race, the team is learning that there is a bigger world out there. Molly Montgomery, mother of two boys on the team, described the benefits of international experience, “It is a wonderful way for them to connect with athletes in other countries who have similar interests […] and provides them an opportunity to see what possibilities there are in this sport.” One of her sons, 16 year old Jackson Hall, sees it more definitively, “The athletes on the team are getting older, we’re moving up to bigger and better races, challenging ourselves a lot more. We’re starting to talk about qualifying for Biathlon Jr. Worlds.”

MWSC has been invaluable in providing a support structure for the SMBC to grow as rapidly as it has. In addition to spreading a philosophy encouraging an active, skiing lifestyle, MWSC provides very concrete support to local programs such as SMBC through additional coaching, guidance, and a rifle leasing program. Many of the SMBC highlights for athletes are attending camps and events hosted by MWSC. SMBC athlete Jackson Hall appreciates the opportunity to train alongside elite level athletes at training camps, “They help out with our shooting, with our skiing, with technique coaching. They’re a great influence.”

Skaði Nordic is a Nordic skiing accessories manufacturer in Wenatchee, WA.

The 3rd annual Harvest Classic will be held on Sunday September 12th in Caribou.  As in years past there will be a 20 mile tour as well as the 40 mile race.  The course is a challenging tour through Carson, Perham and Woodland.  This event is intended for cyclists of all ability levels and of all ages.
 
Start time for all events is at 8:30AM with registration opening at 7:30AM.  The staging area for the event as well as the registration table will be in the Caribou High School parking lot.  The entry fee will be $12 and all proceeds will go to the Northern Skiers Club.  $10 fee for those who donate a pair of old running shoes to the BMC Shoe Recycling Program.
 
For questions about the event call David Chamberlain at 207 540 3866, or email david.chamberlain@makefreshtracks.com.  

Attention all high school students with an interest in outdoor adventure - the days are warm, the nights are cool, the bugs are gone and the leaves are changing color, and what are you doing?  It’s time to get outside and take advantage of one of Maine’s best seasons, and here’s your chance:

This fall be a part of the adventure on a four-day, three-night backpacking trip into the Maine wilderness.  This trip is designed specifically for high school students with an interest in outdoor leadership; outdoor-preparedness, backcountry travel, trip planning and logistics, outdoor ethics, working with a group, and staying comfortable in the outdoors.  We will travel via foot with packs on our back, learning essential skills along the way.  Discover the beauty of the Maine wilderness, all the while learning what it takes to share the adventure with others. 

No previous experience or is required.  You just need the desire to learn, explore and share in the excitement! 

Healthy Hometowns Mission: Empowering communities to embrace a healthy, active, outdoor lifestyle – year round                                                                            

Dates: September 23^rd to the 26th

Location:  The Maine Appalachian Trail

Eligibility:  Any student entering the 9^th through 12^th grade this fall is eligible.  All participants will be asked to fill out a short application to reserve a spot on the trip. 

Price:  There is no fee for this trip.  In return, all participants will be asked to complete a small outdoor-based service project of their choosing in their school or community (i.e. donating time with their school outing club, community ski club, doing trail work, etc…)

Contact:  For a complete information packet, or to register for this trip contact Mike Smith at 207-227-0250 / mikes@mainewsc.org.  Spaces are limited.  Deadline for sign up is Wednesday, September 15^th.

The 3rd annual Harvest Classic will be held on Sunday September 12th in Caribou.  As in years past there will be a 20 mile tour as well as the 40 mile race.  The course is a challenging tour through Carson, Perham and Woodland.  This event is intended for all cyclists of all ages and abilities.
 
Start time for all events is at 8:30AM with registration opening at 7:30AM.  The staging area for the event as well as the registration table will be in the Caribou High School parking lot.  The entry fee will be $12 and all proceeds will go to the Northern Skiers Club.
 
For questions about the event call David Chamberlain at 207 540 3866, or email david.chamberlain@makefreshtracks.com. 

We are THE source for outdoor event info in Aroostook County - and beyond! Check out our Community page for all the details on upcoming people-powered, active lifestyle, outdoor related programs and activities!

PRESQUE ISLE –Paul Stone, who was just named the head ski coach at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, has added another title to his resume this week. He was elected by National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA] ski coaches nationwide to be president of the United States Collegiate Skiing Coaches Association [USCSCA]. 

If you are an adult interested in skiing with MWSC this coming winter season, please take a few moments to fill out this brief survey. Simply copy and past this link into your browser:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FCFXZMG

Your feedback is invaluable!

Presque Isle High School is accepting applications for the position of ski coach.  Interested applicants can contact Gehrig Johnson at the Superintendent's Office at 764-4101 or David Heald at the Athletic Office at 764-6507.

Stone comes from the ski-powerhouse University of Vermont, where he was NCAA Eastern Coach of the year in 2009

Presque Isle, Maine - The University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) is excited and honored to announce that they have hired Paul Stone as Head Coach of their NCAA Nordic Ski Team.

Caribou, ME-At the completion of a successful week of summer testing, the Maine Winter Sports Center women's teams walked away from the Concept 2 Ski Erg holding 3 of the top 10 times in the world for 1000m. Top of the group, and with a new unofficial World Record was Fort Fairfield native Hilary McNamee. Her time of 3:44.2 shaved 1.1 seconds off the previous world's best.

Melinda McAleese, of Saranac Lake, NY, now living in Fort Fairfield, pulled the 1000m test in 3:48.1, good enough for 4th place on the world list. And MWSC biathlete Andrea Mayo, of Soldier Pond, dipped just under the 4 minute mark on the test, a 7th place on the world list.

McNamee, who skis for Dartmouth College, has chosen to focus on sprint ski racing this season. And the training already seems to be paying off. Following the early season of training and racing with MWSC, McNamee plans to return to Dartmouth and hopes to ski for the Big Green on their way to the NCAA Championships this winter.

courtesy of Aroostook F-Stops

Presque Isle, ME -

The best summer weather Aroostook County has to offer was on full display this weekend to greet spectators, racers and festival-goers of all ages at the Nordic Heritage Sport Club’s Fat Tire Festival.  Two days of biking events kept the more than 150 participants & volunteers at the Nordic Heritage Center entertained and on the move. 

Saturday started with a mountain bike biathlon event featuring a division for all ages.  In the under 14 air rifle division Carter Hall of the Southern Maine Biathlon Club took first, while Adam Schwendt took second, and local rider Jason Bartley took third.  In the .22 caliber, 14 & older division SMBC athlete Jack Elder was third, teammate Kellan Humphries was second, and Andy Marble of Farmington was first.

Saturday afternoon brought over 30 riders in the downhill competition, from around Maine and western New Brunswick.  Local Caribou resident, and Nordic Heritage Club members Gannon Therrien, Ridge Mortland, and Chad McPherson posted the fastest times in the youth, junior, and adult divisions respectively.  Eileen Carey, also of the Nordic Heritage Sport Club posted the fastest female time of the day. 

The racers weren’t the only ones busy with bikes at this year’s festival.  The Bicycle Coalition of Maine was on hand offering informational sessions and trainings for community members interested in becoming Bike Safety Instructors.  Music, games, food and prizes contributed to making Saturday an action-packed day for all, topped off with a pasta dinner and bonfire social that evening.  As the sun set, kids continued to turn their pedals through the venue’s terrain park, while conversation around the fire kept spirits high.

Sunday the festival concluded with a cross-country mountain bike race that drew close to fifty competitors, with representation from as far south as Falmouth, and as far north as Quebec, proving that the challenge of the NHC trails is not one to be missed!  In the expert division it was two riders from Edmunston, NB that posted the fastest times of the day.  Patricia Hebert finished her 21-mile race in 2:22:47, while Mathieu Maltais won the men’s division for the second year in a row with a  time of 1:43:49. 

The organizing committee would like to thank all of the participants, volunteers and sponsors for making this year’s event such a tremendous success.  A special thank you also to the Aroostook F-Stops photography club for capturing the weekend’s events in such vivid detail.  Photos from the F-Stops can be viewed at www.thearoostookfstops.org, as well as online at the festival website: www.nordicfattire.com.   Be sure to check the festival site, also, for a full list of race results, highlights from the weekend, and details on next year’s festival!  

courtesy of Aroostook F-Stops

courtesy of Aroostook F-Stops

courtesy of Aroostook F-Stops

6/26/10

Presque Isle, ME

Aroostook County has a long history of off-road recreation, but in recent years the off-road recreation in the Presque Isle area has taken a new spin – one with two wheels and two pedals.  Off-road cycling, or “mountain” biking in northern Maine has been building in support and enthusiasm with each passing summer season, and no place is that more apparent than with the riders of the Nordic Heritage Sport Club. 

Each spring since 2005, when the trails of the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle thaw from a busy winter of on-snow recreation, the same members of the Nordic Heritage Sport Club that ski, snowshoe, and volunteer for world-class competitions, grab their bikes and move to the winding 20+ miles of singletrack trails that accompany the ski trails at the Nordic Heritage Center.  Gathering for weekly group rides, running community bike programs, and maintaining the beautiful wooded space provided by the club’s parent organization, the Maine Winter Sports Center, the individuals that make up the Nordic Heritage Sport Club are breathing new and energetic life into the warmer months of Aroostook’s outdoor recreation. 

This past Saturday, club members once again gathered their efforts to put in a day’s work at the Nordic Heritage Center.  This time the focus was to improve the venue’s mountain bike terrain park for the annual bike festival happening in July.  The Fat Tire Festival, which features two days of games, races, and social events, is a one-of-a-kind event in Northern Maine, geared towards celebrating the sport of off-road cycling.  The clubs terrain park is a key feature of the festival, providing countless hours of enjoyment for riders of all ages wanting to try their hand at pedaling a bike over wooden teeter-totters, log-rides, stair-steps, dirt jumps and more.  With building materials graciously donated by SW Collins Company volunteers were able to put in a full day’s work building new park features, manicuring existing terrain, and cleaning away debris from the winter months. 

“Our bike terrain park is the perfect place for riders to get comfortable with new skills”, said Chad McPherson, avid club rider and chief organizer of the work day.  “We have features to play on for every level of rider.  All you need to improve is an open mind and willingness to try new things.”

Club president Tom Chasse commented that the work day was a huge success, “with lots of fun and great company helping to build new park features”.  A huge thank you goes out from the Nordic Heritage Sport Club to all the volunteers who came out to lend a hand, especially those willing to do the chainsaw work.  And a special thank you is extended to the SW Collins Company for donating materials. 

With continued support of the club, community, and riders from around Maine and New Brunswick, mountain biking in Northern Maine will continue to become a staple of summertime recreation in Aroostook County. 

The Nordic Heritage Sport Club also wishes to remind people that there will be a trail work day at the 10^th Mtn Ski Center in Fort Kent on July 10^th.  This will mark the beginning of a new system of singletrack trails in the St. John Valley that cyclists, hikers, runners and walkers can all get out and enjoy.  For more information visit www.10thmtskiclub.org.  And of course, the Fat Tire Festival is happening this July 31^st and August 1^st at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle.  Check out www.nordicfattire.com for details.

Head over to the MWSC Junior Racing page to download the results!

Biathlon comes back to Maine

 Augusta, Maine Governor Baldacci announced today that  International Biathlon Union took steps this week to place Presque Isle's Nordic Heritage Center on the 2011 World Cup schedule. This will be the Nordic Heritage Center's first World Cup and will come one week before Fort Kent's event.

See Press release for full story.

Jeff Dubis rides the boardwalk at Bradbury Mtn

Falmouth, ME

5/29/10

Over the holiday weekend, despite the call of family BBQ’s and trips to the lake, representatives from the 10^th Mtn Ski Club of Fort Kent, and the Four Seasons Trail Association of Madawaska attended a multi-use trail building workshop in the greater Portland area. 

The workshop, lead by an IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) Trail Care Crew, focused on sustainable trail design and construction techniques.  The session included a three-hour classroom session followed by an afternoon of hands-on education in the Falmouth woods.  Jeff Dubis of 10^th Mtn and Mark Dionne of FSTA were joined by development coaches Seth Hubbard and Mike Smith of the Maine Winter Sports Center, as well as 30+ mountain bikers from the Southern Maine area. 

Applauded for making the long trip, the efforts of the crew from the St. John Valley helped build a beautiful piece of singletrack for trail-enthusiasts in the Falmouth area.  As part of the trip the gentlemen were also ventured out on a mountain bike ride through the trails at Bradbury Mountain State Park, in Pownal.  These trails have gained recognition as one the premier mountain bike destinations in the state of Maine and provided plenty of discussion for the travelling volunteers. 

This trip marked the beginning of what will be a busy summer season of building and riding in the St. John Valley.  The 10^th Mtn Ski Club begins construction this month on a new system of singletrack trails that will accommodate hikers, runners, mountain bikers and snowshoers.  The multi-use trails at the Four Seasons Lodge in Madawaska, already in use, will see maintenance and modification over the summer months.  Both areas will now benefit from the experience and knowledge brought back by their local riders and volunteers.

For more information on trail activities at both of these clubs check out their respective websites:

10^th Mtn Ski Club – www.10thmtskiclub.org

Four Seasons Trail Association – www.fourseasonstrail.org

Mike Smith climbing rock at Bradbury

   Caribou, Maine We are extremely excited to introduce you to Fresh Tracks Adventures - a new active adventure company that specializes in providing unique, fully supported cycling tours throughout New England, Eastern Canada, and Europe, while experiencing fine regional cuisine and bed & breakfast lodging. Offerings are designed to inspire customers to live well while pursuing an active lifestyle.

Fresh Tracks Adventures had a very successful kickoff to the season as twenty lucky cyclists enjoyed fabulous weather, five-star cuisine, and excellent accommodations touring across the beautiful Lac Temiscouata, Quebec region. Check out the pictures from this latest trip and get excited to sign up for one of the following upcoming tours.

To visit the site: www.makefreshtracks.com/index.html

PARK CITY, UT (May 5) – The Maine Winter Sports Center was among eight finalists for the first International Ski Federation's FIS SnowKidz Award, which will be announced June 4 at the FIS Congress in Antalya, Turkey. Its ongoing "Healthy Hometowns" program introduces nearly 5,000 new participants to nordic skiing each year.

The new award was launched to recognize and promote the best examples of bringing children to the snow in varying national circumstances around the globe. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association awarded its 2009 Russell Wilder Award for contributions to youth to the Maine Winter Sports Center, one of over 425 USSA clubs across America. FIS member national ski associations worldwide were invited to submit projects for consideration. A total of 22 applications from 18 national associations were received along with nine others from aid and promotion causes for developing ski nations.

Healthy Hometowns provides programming for nearly 5,000 youth participants each year, in addition to providing seasonal equipment rentals to an additional 2,000. The program has a presence in clubs and schools in 96 different Maine communities. A pair of portable trailers makes rounds all winter long throughout Maine. The program also conducts leadership workshops to bring wintersport teaching skills to Maine communities so the program stays behind.

"I believe our program provides an exciting introduction to skiing as well as tools for communities to build sustainable ski programs," Andy Shepard, MWSC President said. "Best of all, it's a model that consists of easily replicable components, which any other state, region or nation could implement."

"Healthy Hometowns is a truly amazing program that is bringing kids to the snow by the thousands," said USSA Vice President, Athletics and two-time Olympian Luke Bodensteiner. "We're honored as a nation to have the Maine Winter Sports Center as a finalist and hope its program motivates other communities and nations to bring the excitement of our winter sports to more kids."

The FIS SnowKidz Awards jury selected the eight finalists. Each of those selected will receive an award of 5,000 Swiss francs. The top three will be decided by the FIS Council in June, with the winner getting a 15,000 Swiss franc grant, 10,000 for second. The eight finalists include:

• Barnas Skiklubb, Norway
• Maine Winter Sports Center, Healthy Hometowns Program, USA
• Naltar Ski School, Pakistan
• Schneekinderleicht – Bewegtes Land, Germany
• Suusabuss (Skibus), Estonia
• Skilly Day, Italy
• Snow Day, Hungary
• Teach the Teachers to Ski, Finland

The selection jury included Satu Kalajainen of Finland, representing the FIS Youth and Children’s’ Coordination Group; Essar Gabriel of Lebanon, head of the IOC Youth Olympic Games; and Swiss Riet R. Campell, President of the International Ski Instructors’ Association.
 
Fans can checkout more info on FIS SnowKidz at: http://snowkidz.fisski.com/ and the Maine Winter Sports Center at: www.mainewsc.org.

61 Raymond Joseph Lane, Caribou

MWSC now has a page for those interested in some featured Aroostook County real estate listings. Click the link below to view our latest 6 properties for sale!

www.mainewsc.org/real-estate.html

Group shot of all the girls!

On Thursday March 25, 35 top athletes and coaches from the United States and Canada gathered at the Madawaska Elementary School in Madawaska, Maine to team up with hundreds of young girls in northern Maine for a day of skiing and confidence building to introduce sports as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.

Fast and Female is an organization that was started by Olympian Chandra Crawford and is dedicated to the empowerment through sport of young women ages 9 to 19. They are a trademark organization who sponsor and put on events all over the US and Canada to get girls out skiing. The mission (taken from their website) is to host “events led by athletic champions who serve as healthy role models and inspire girls to gain the confidence and leadership they need to reach their full potential in life and sports. In parallel, Fast and Female educates parents, coaches, and sports leaders to ensure they foster the most supportive environment for their young female athletes.”

Girls from ages 9-19 gathered in Madawaska on Thursday morning to meet their instructors, decorate their colorful headbands, and create a group name and cheer. After an introduction by Kikkan Randall, US Ski Team member and three-time Olympian, the girls got their skis and headed out to four skill-building ski stations. For the next hour and a half they got to ski with some of the best female athletes in North America. Games, obstacle courses, a limbo, slalom courses, and a radar gun speed challenge kept the girls busy and smiling during the ski portion of the event.

The rest of the day included a scrumptious lunch prepared by the kitchen staff at Madawaska Elementary, a slideshow with pictures of the morning’s events, an introduction of each of the athletes, a question and answer period, and an autograph signing session.

The girls went home at the end of the day with huge smiles, lasting connections with many of these top athletes, and a great introduction to Nordic skiing.

The instructors included past and present Olympians, National Team Members, and other top athletes. This event was held in conjunction with a National Championship Cross-Country race series that was held at Four Seasons Trails in Madawaska and the 10th Mountain Lodge in Fort Kent.

Fast and Female in Madawaska would not have been able to happen without the support of organizations across the United States: Reno and Becky Deprey’s generous donation, Isis apparel, and SKIDA hats. Thank you to all of the amazing volunteers that gave their time and love to this event!

  Fort Kent, Maine Fort Kent has one of the best small alpine ski areas in New England, and one of the top nordic venues in the world. On sunday the USSA SuperTour Final put both to use with the Hill Climb event. It was a little over 4k that took the top skiers in North America up some of the cross country trails before sending them up the alpine mountain and finally heading into the 10th Mountain Center for the finish. 

The skiers went off in a pursuit start that took into account the total time of the previous two races in the week. There were also time bonuses accumulated during the week that played into your start. Andy Newell went out first for the Men and had a sizable lead over fellow American Torin Koos and Canadian Olympian, Ivan Babikov. By the top of the grueling climb all three were in a pack, with Babikov having taken the lead. Newell, one of the world's top sprinters, tucked in behind Babikov and with about 300 meters to go both started hammering, before Newall pulled away at the end.

On the Women's side, US Olympian, Kikkan Randall continued her domination of the field by leading from start to finish.

Photo Gallery: gallery.me.com/mwsc/100493

Hilary pulling away from the field in Junior Final

 Madawaska, Maine MWSC's Hilary McNamee ended the season on a high note by running away with the Junior Sprint at the SuperTour Final.  US Ski Team's Kikkan Randall, one of the top sprinters in the World, continued her dominance of the field by also taking the Women's Sprint by a wide margin. US Ski Team's Andy Newall, a week removed from a Sprint podium on the World Cup, was nipped at the line by fellow US Team member, Torin Koos. 

  Madawaska, Maine Years of volunteer effort are about to reach an exciting milestone for the Four Seasons Ski Club and the town of Madawaska, as they prepare to host the USSA SuperTour Final weekend starting this afternoon. The Mens' 10k Classic Mass Start will get under way at 3:30 and the Women's 7.5k will get going at 5PM.

  Madawaska, Maine Andy Newell took the Men's 10k Mass Start classic race today, just ahead of Lars Flora. Ivan Babikov had led from start to almost the finish, before he headed out onto the course again rather than into the finish area. He skied a hundred meters before realizing his mistake. He finished in fifth place.

For the full story click here: blogs.fasterskier.com/continentalcup/2010/03/26/craziness-as-predicted-the-mens-10km-mass-start-at-supertour-final/

Photo gallery: gallery.me.com/mwsc/100469

   Madawaska, Maine Madawaska is hosting their first national race this afternoon and Kikkan Randall made sure it was a memorable introduction. She led from start to finish in the Women's 7.5K Mass Start. 

Kikkan Randall and friends

  Madawaska, Maine 35 coaches, including Olympians Kikkan Randall, Holly Brookes, Rebecca Dussault, Tracy Colliander and Haley Johnson spent the day with over 120 young women from the St John Valley today. Click here for the photo gallery: gallery.me.com/mwsc/100445

  Fort Kent, Maine Six inches of accumulation arrived just in time for the US National Marathon Championships at the 10th Mountain Center. Follow live updates from Fasterskier throughout the race at: blogs.fasterskier.com/continentalcup/

  Fort Kent, Maine Canadian, Ivan Babikov took the US National Marathon, just ahead of Tad Elliot, who won the US Championship. Lars Flora was third overall. More to follow. 

To view photo gallery click here: gallery.me.com/mwsc/100437

For results click here.

  Fort Kent, Maine The US National marathon championships are on tap for tomorrow at the 10th Mountain Center in Fort Kent, to be followed by the SuperTour Final, which will be co-hosted by Fort Kent and the newly finished Four Season Trails in Madawaska. While the 10th Mountain Ski Club is a veteran at organizing major competitions, this will be Madawaska's first national event. 

The weeks of unseasonably warm, sunny weather have been welcomed by all, but with the marathon to start tomorrow, we are expecting to get between 3-5 inches of accumulation over the next 24 hours. Temperatures overnight should dip to the upper 20's and be around 30 degrees at the start of the race. 

The field of 44 men and 35 women includes US Olympians, Kikkan Randall, Caitlin Compton, James Southam, Andy Newell, Torin Koos and Simi Hamilton, along with Canadian Olympians, Ivan Babikov and Stefan Kuhn. They headline what will be the strongest field of the year, outside of the Olympics, in North America. Also racing will be MWSC's Walt Shepard, Russell Currier, Fred Bailey and Pavel Sotskov, BethAnn Chamberlain and Grace Boutot.

Check here for photos and results as the week progresses.

Russell Currier celebrates win

 Fort Kent, Maine Russell Currier had felt like this was a lost season, but he overcame his disappointment to finish with a bang, taking the North American Biathlon 15k Mass Start Championship in convincing fashion.  Currier (1-2-1-1) had struggled with his shooting this season, but hit 15 of 20 shots including 4 of the last 5 to cruise to the win, 46.4 seconds ahead of Marc-Andre Bedard (2-0-1-2) from Quebec, Canada.

Walt Shepard, in his last race before retiring from an 18 year career, led halfway through the race, but uncharacteristically struggled on the range, hitting 13 of 20 (3-0-3-1), to take the Bronze medal in the North American Championships, 1 minute 42 seconds back – Silver for the U.S. National Championships. Shepard and Tracy Colliander were the only two senior competitors to make the podium in all 6 events this week.

Casey Simons took the Bronze in the U.S. National Championships, 3:16 back (2-2-2-1). Simons (2-2-1-2) and Zach Hall (1-3-1-3) also battled to a photo finish to decide the last spot on the podium.

On the Women's side, Tracy Colliander and Susan Dunklee battled to the finish and it took a still-action camera to decide the winner - Dunklee by a few feet. She won her first North American Championship race in her second year in the sport. Colliander, who won the first two races of the Championships was uncharacteristically off in the range on her first shooting stage, missing four, but was clean from that point on. Dunklee missed six of the first ten shots, but only one of the last ten to work her way back into contention. She caught Colliander on the last hill before entering the stadium neck and neck. Annelies Cook (2-0-3-1) was 1 minute 7 seconds back for the Bronze. 

For link to Faster skier story: fasterskier.com/2010/03/currier-wraps-up-championships-with-mass-start-win/

For link to photo gallery of Mass Start click here: gallery.me.com/mwsc/100412

For link to photo gallery of banquet click here: gallery.me.com/mwsc/100405

Colliander in the range

 Fort Kent, Maine After weeks of beautiful blue skies the athletes had to adjust to clouds and a light drizzle for today's Pursuit format race. Although the sun made for great spectator weather, it made skiing slow. The clouds and low temperatures today made for much faster skiing and the athletes took advantage. The racers were sent out in the order of finish from Thursday's Sprint race, but in 5 second intervals, rather than the actual time back and the first person across the line was the winner and with four shooting stages, the Pursuit is a race for shooters. . 

In the Senior Men's Race 2010 Olympian Wynn Roberts with three misses (1-0-1-1) edged out MWSC's Walt Shepard (0-2-1-0) by 12 seconds for the Gold medal. Shepard, who is retiring from biathlon after 18 years in the sport, gave the crowd a show in his last shooting stage of the day. With the race on the line and Roberts in the penalty loop, he used lightning fast and clean shooting to take the lead going into the last lap. Roberts caught him over the last 3k loop to take the North American title. Canadian Marc Andre Bedard (0-1-2-1) took the bronze, 17 seconds back.

Tracy Colliander (1-1-2-2) made it two for two winning the Women's Pursuit in spite of an uncharacteristically tough time in the range. Canadian Claude Godbout (0-2-1-1) took the Silver. In a race to the line, Annelies Cook (0-0-2-3) took the Silver from Kat Howe. 

For full results check here later:

For photo gallery click here: gallery.me.com/mwsc/100382

 Fort Kent, Maine the 10th Mountain Center hosted the second annual Maine Biathlon Club Championships this afternoon. To view the photo gallery click here.gallery.me.com/mwsc/100397

We will have results posted soon as well.

 Fort Kent, Maine The 2010 U.S. National Biathlon Championships get underway with cloudless skies, little wind and temperatures in the mid 40's. Although this is not a typical mid-March day in Fort Kent, organizers and spectators are starting to get used to the balmy weather.

MWSC athletes Walt Shepard, Russell Currier, Bill Bowler, Eliot Neal, BethAnn Chamberlain, Grace Boutot and Andrea Mayo, will compete alongside 2010 Olympians Wynn Roberts, Haley Johnson and Laura Spector.

Check here later for full results.

Casey Simon taking Men's title

 Fort Kent, Maine Casey Simons (3-0) shot clean in the last stage of the Men's Sprint to take the North American Sprint title today. MWSC's Walt Shepard (2-1) knew he had to shoot clean and fast to catch Simons on the last shooting stage and hit the first four shots in very rapid succession before just missing the last shot and finishing 9 seconds back. MWSC's Bill Bowler (2-0) took third, 26.6 seconds back, with 2 misses.

MWSC Alumnus Tracy Colliander (0-0) took the North American title with clean shooting, 6.6 seconds ahead of Claude Gobout (0-1) from Quebec, who missed one shot in the prone position. MWSC alum and 2010 Olympian Haley Johnson, (2-2) took third, 45.3 seconds back. MWSC alum, Annelies Cook took third in the US National Championships (2-3), 2 minutes, 17 seconds back.

For full results check here later: 10thmtskiclub.org/

To view Day 1 slideshow click here: gallery.me.com/mwsc/100366

Madawaska SuperTour Sprint Course on 3-16-10

 Fort Kent, ME—Spring has come early to Aroostook County, but the snow has stayed with us. Daytime highs in the 40s and 50s with cold, clear nights well below freezing have made for excellent crust skiing, fast early morning conditions and softening snow in the afternoons. Currently, our extended forecast calls for similar conditions with chances of freezing precipitation and snow on Thursday night and next Monday.

Nordic Heritage Center, Presque Isle

3/14/10

The 2010 Aroostook Cup Cross-Country race series that started with a brisk and cold day in January this year, wrapped up with a sunny day more reminiscent of May in Northern Maine than March.  More than fifty club and community members came out for the annual Himie Towle Memorial XC Ski Frolic on Sunday at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle.  A tremendously busy week for fans and volunteers at the USSA Junior Olympics did not deter skiers from coming together once again to celebrate the sport and the season in style.

Participants in the frolic enjoyed freestyle cross-country races for all ages and abilities.  The main event of the afternoon was a 7.5 km race around a beautiful course, taking skiers up and down the trails surrounding the main lodge and stadium and the Heritage Center.  In the men’s division Seth Hubbard of the Nordic Heritage Sport Club took first, while Sarah Dominick of Stockholm’s Snowy Mtn Ski Club took the win in the women’s division. 

In unofficial results for the Aroostook Cup Club Point series the 10^th Mtn Ski Club of Fort Kent finishes in first place with 126 points, while the Nordic Heritage Sport Club of Presque Isle finishes close behind with 114 points.  For a list of the full season’s results and point standings please visit http://www.fourseasonstrail.org/Aroostook_Cup__.html.  Official point series results will be posted online, and the awards will be presented at the end of season Maine Winter Sports Center banquet on April 2^nd.  Details on this event will be posted at www.mainewsc.org.  Congratulations to all the participants and organizers from this winter’s events!

  Nordic Heritage Center Okay, we could get used to this weather. The final day of JO National Championships was more of the same as the tracks were fast and the weather perfect for the spectators. They also seemed to suit the New England team well as they continued their dominating performance in the Relay.

For the full results click here: www.juniorolympics2010.org/

For a slide show click here: gallery.me.com/mwsc#100358

  Nordic Heritage Center It was another beautiful late winter day at the Nordic Heritage Center, and big crowds and great conditions are making sure these Championships will be remembered for a long time. Mother Nature has been especially cooperative with cold nights ensuring that the snow sets up perfectly for the next day, and cloudless skies and temperatures in the mid forty's during the day making sure that conditions are also perfect for the spectators.

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. 

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.

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.

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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

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.

 22^nd 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 22^nd annual C-ME Ski Event took place this past Saturday, February 27^th, 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 10^th 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 14^th at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle.  

Winterfest 2010 Poster

The 2nd Annual Winterfest is coming right up! February 26th - 28th!

Grab the Winterfest Poster below:

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

 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 10^th 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.

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 35^th 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 10^th Mtn Ski Club took second and third place respectively. 

With two races left in the series, club point standings find the 10^th 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 27^th 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.

 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. 

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.

 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 20^th.”

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.

Fort Kent, Maine Nancy Thibodeau, Event Director for the 10^th 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 10^th Mountain Center.

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.

 Caribou, Maine Read the story of MWSC's first cross country Olympian - Ben Koons, and his coach, Alexei Sotskov, from UMaine Presque Isle.

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.

  Rumford, Maine Maine's Collegiate All-State Team was named yesterday at the Chummy Broomhall Cup.

 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.

 Torsby, Sweden The Sprint competition is on tap for today. Go to www.biathlonworld3.de/en/  to get the full results.

  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

  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

Caribou, Maine The MWSC launches a new newsletter to keep people up with the MWSC athletes on Olympic Teams. OLYMPIC NEWS will have stories on the athletes, post schedules for events and results as the games progress. We will post the newsletters through our website news section. The first edition is on the biathletes on the Olympic Team. The second edition will be on MWSC's Ben Koons from Sidney, Maine, who will represent New Zealand on their cross country team.

Tom Shay Photo

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 (4^th), Nick Michaud (5^th) and Austin Ross (6^th). 

On the women’s side, Eileen Carey of Presque Isle’s Nordic Heritage Sports Club took the win, with Vicky Bernard of the 10^th 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 4^th, 5^th and 6^th respectively. 

After three Aroostook Cup events the club leader remains the 10^th 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 14^th.  

Tom Shay Photo

Tom Shay Photo

Tom Shay Photo

 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

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 15^th – 19^th

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

MWSC Athlete Sarah Dominick is holding an afternoon on skis just for girls this Wednesday, January 20^th, 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!

  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.

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 10^th Mtn Club took second, while Anthony Drouin, also of 10^th Mtn, took third.  In the women’s field Sherry Dubis (10^th Mtn) took second to Dominick, while Patricia Hebert (10^th Mtn) took third.

In the Aroostook Cup Club Standings Fort Kent’s 10^th 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 24^th.  These sprints will bring a new race format the Aroostook Cup that is sure to bring forth regional talents not yet seen.  For more information check out www.fourseasonstrail.org.  

Ben Koons dominates his quarterfinal heat

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.

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.  

  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

 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:

   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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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

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 10^th 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 10^th 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 10^th 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 10^th 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 10^th 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 10^th 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 17^th 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. 

 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.

 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 21^st 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 24^th place overall, with 3 misses, 2 minutes 9.4 seconds behind Buchholz. Sara Studebaker was the 3^rd American, in 26^th place, 2 minutes 15.7 seconds back, with 3 misses.  Susan Dunklee was the 4^th American, in 41^st place overall, 3 minutes 18.7 seconds back, with 5 misses. MWSC alum, Tracy Colliander was the 5^th American; 3 minutes 40.8 seconds back, with 4 misses. MWSC’s BethAnn Chamberlain also qualified for tomorrow’s race in 52^nd 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 51^st 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

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.

  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

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. 

 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. 

  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/

Current MWSC athletes, Walt Shepard and BethAnn Chamberlain join alumni Tracey Colliander, Lanny Barnes, Laura Spector and Lowell Bailey at trials.

  Anchorage, Alaska The U.S. National Cross-Country Skiing Championships continued today with the freestyle individual start races.  With the top distance skiers in the country toeing the line and with the last 3 guaranteed Olympic Winter Games starting spots on the line, all eyes were on the course and on the scoreboard.  And true to form, the U.S. Ski Team's Kris Freeman and Kikkan Randall did not disappoint.  

Randall topped the field by a mere 10 seconds over the women's 10km course.  Salomon's Caitlin Compton slid into second spot just ahead of the U.S. Team's Liz Stephen.  With this finish, it seems likely that Compton will earn the third women's starting spot for the U.S. Olympic women's team.

On the men's side, Freeman started conservatively and then steadily applied pressure to the field until all were left in his wake.  22 year-old mountain biking phenom Tad Elliot burned through the first two laps and held on to earn his first U.S. National podium, 24 seconds adrift of Freeman.  Olympian and World Championship skier James Southam earned the third spot on the podium.  MWSC was led by David Chamberlain, who steadily moved through the field to earn 19th place.  

Pavel Sotskov, seeking a berth on the U.S. U23 Team, earned his second top 15 age group finish with a 39th place--good for 9th among U23s.  The MWSC junior men had mixed results.  Welly Ramsey, at his first U.S. Nationals, earned 26th among junior men.  Joey Bard, Nick Michaud and John Dixon all finished among the top 50 junior men.

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

  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. 

 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.

 Anchorage, Alaska The Heats are under way for the US Nationals Sprints and MWSC athletes are in the thick of things. Dave Chamberlain, who qualified 18th, was third in his heat, nipped at the line by Brian Gregg of CXC Team Vertical and 1.1 seconds behind Erik Bjornson of Methow Olympic Development Program.

In the U23 division, Pavel Satskov made it into the B Final and we are awaiting the final results of that heat.

Nick Michaud and Joey Bard are both on the Semi Finals for the Junior Men's Division.  

Final results can be found at http://www.summittiming.com/live_results/

Nick Hammering in the Junior rounds

  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