March 5 – Six Russian junior cross-country skiers and their coach will arrive in Vermont on March 19th for an exchange program that has  become an annual event. The skiers, from St. Petersburg Academy, in St. Petersburg, Russia, will be hosted by members of the  New  England Nordic Ski Association, as they travel Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont for two weeks of site-seeing and racing. When they arrive in Fairfax, VT, for the Banknorth Eastern State Championships in Bolton Valley, the skiers will be hosted by Fred Griffin, NENSA's Executive Director and coach of the Northeast Nordic Club.

“The cultural aspect of this exchange is as least as important as the athletic component,” says Griffin. “When our kids visited St Petersburg last year, they were given a tour of the Hermitage, visited a local family, and went to a Russian circus. They made friends, enjoyed the skiing, and now it's our chance to return their hospitality.”

The Russian Exchange began three years ago when Russian coach Igor Badamshin brought over eight junior skiers. In 2003, eight New England junior skiers were in turn hosted by their friends in St. Petersburg. This  exchange of athletes is sponsored by the New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA), and the Olympic Development organization for cross-country skiing in New England.

The Russians begin their trip in Maine, where they will race in the Banknorth Eastern High School Championships at Black Mountai in Rumford, March 12-14 – the most prestigious event of the year for high school age cross-country skiers in New England. During their stay in Maine they will enjoy banquets and potluck dinners with the Bethel Outing Club, and stay in a renovated Revolutionary War period bed and breakfast.

Their trip continues to  Gilford, New Hampshire and the hospitality of the Gunstock Nordic Association. There they will meet GNA coaches – former World Cup, World and Olympic Champions from Russia  – Nina Gavriljuk and her husband Igor Badamshin who first led this trip two years ago.