September 06, 2013 – Isn’t This Interesting – Quote from Devon Kershaw’s web page… “I am happy to report that I’ve been feeling pretty good in training this summer. I’m in a better place mentally and it’s wild that with the power of hindsight I see very clearly some glaring mistakes that I had made last spring/summer that obviously didn’t help my chances of a good campaign last season and am cognizant of those this year (i.e. avoiding them!).”

(From SkiTrax Spring issue Hallmarks, I wrote: This is a mid-winter quote from the men’s Canadian cross-country ski team head coach, Justin Wadsworth: “We have analyzed things really well as a team, and reflected on what went wrong for us. Those five weeks at the beginning of the season were just too much.”

Everyone has their opinion, but I think they didn’t ski well even during those five weeks, let alone during the rest of the season. I think they need to look at the summer and fall programs. They traveled way too much – trips to Europe in the summer, New Zealand (some 16 hours of jet lag one way), Hawaii, Park City, Bend and all kinds of requests in Canada for their time. The team didn’t used the Haig Glacier, as they have in the past – this is too good a catered training opportunity to sluff off.

The Americans did the same schedule at the beginning of the World Cup season and had no problems getting on track and continuing to perform throughout the season to a best-ever year for them. That’s why I disagree with the five-weeks-too-much rationale. Also why was Len Valjas in Egypt, Kershaw in Norway and Ivan Babikov in Canada during a World Cup period break? This means airports and crowded planes – no wonder they were sick. Also Babikov had another zero-points finish to his year.

I think the boys all got caught up in the glitz of that past winter with the 14-15 WC podiums and the great success at the TdS, and also all that added prize money, and the preems from their suppliers and sponsors and gave themselves a summer of fun present. It was good then, but backfired this next winter. It is a simple formula as Devon found out—-cut those jet lag hours to a minimum in the summer–stay close to home.

I’m still surprised in that they didn’t go to the Haig Glacier again this summer – it’s a 3-hour trip to skiing from downtown Canmore. Two years in a row. WOW!

Sounds like the Canadian boys have got their train back on the tracks – let’s hope so.

Jobs, jobs and more jobs – For this time of the year I can’t believe all the job positions that are open or the clubs that are still trying to fill positions. Check here and other sites… you may have to do some scrolling.

Did You See this? – Liz Stephen Kills It at North Face Race To The Top Of Vermont… there are a lot of boys and men that are not talking big time about this race – click the link for write-up and results.

Here is a vision I have for the Olympics in the women’s 30km final race in Sochi – the two mighty mites, Stephen and Johaug, duking it out right from the starting gun. I think Liz is now ready with her past two winter experiences in this distance and her summer training indicators – totally destroying any hilly race course timing records, that were established by top runners or skiers. Right now she is 3-for-3 on new records and if they are to be challenged, the challenge will come from her. I think she has the confidence on skis, to pull a Johaug, and ski the rest of the field to their knees. I can’t wait!

IAAF determined to introduce 4-year sanctions – MOSCOW (AP) – The IAAF is determined to re-introduce four-year bans for serious drug violations and will be pushing the World Anti-Doping Agency to do the same to strengthen the deterrent against cheaters – read more here.

I want to encourage all racers and coaches to call these numbers (doping agencies in NA) and leave a statement that you are in support of the 4-year ban as proposed by the IAAF. For CCES in Canada call 613-521-3340 – Paul Melia is the CEO and for USADA in the US call 866-601-2632 – Travis Tygart, being the CEO. It will only take you a minute and may win a non-doper a medal or help you move up a few places in a WC, WSC or Olympics.

Come on Down Canadians – The New York Ski Educational Foundation and the Olympic Regional Development Authority host the 7th annual NYSEF Whiteface Climb to the Castle Rollerski Race on Sunday, September 15 at 8:00 am. The course starts at the Whiteface Toll Booth, climbing for 5 miles with an average 8% grade up the Whiteface Memorial Highway to the castle on the summit of Whiteface Mountain, New York’s 5th highest peak with an elevation of 4,867 ft. The race is freestyle technique and athletes will be greeted at the finish with a 360-degree panoramic view of the Adirondacks, New England and Canada. Attendance is expected from the US Ski Team, the US Biathlon Team, the National Elite Group and many top senior and junior racers from around the country.

Link to online registration (closes Friday Sept. 9/13 at 9 am) here.

Check out the NYSEF XC webpage for updates.

Questions? Email Margaret Maher – margm@nysef.org or call the Nordic office at (518) 523-1900

Talk To You Soon!