Helena Ekholm (SWE) triumphant [P] Nordic Focus

Ekholm Wins Hochfilzen Biathlon World Cup 10km Pursuit

(Hochfilzen, Austria) – Helena Ekholm (SWE) won the women’s 10km Pursuit at the Biathlon World Cup in Hochfilzen, Austria today after only a single shooting penalty in challenging conditions that included heavy snowfall and … READ MORE →

Team Norway (l-r): Bjoerndalen, Boe, Os, Svendsen. [P] Nordic Focus

Norway Captures IBU Biathlon Men’s Team Relay – Canada 16th, USA 20th

(Hochfilzen, Austria) – Norway claimed yet another victory coming from behind to take the men’s 4×7.5km relay as heavy snow and gusty winds made for difficult conditions both on the trails and on the … READ MORE →

Bill Demong (USA) leading the field early in the race. [P] USSA/Tom Kelly

Demong Leads U.S. In Continental Cup

(Park City, UT) – Olympic champion Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY) competed in front of a home crowd placing fifth in the Nordic combined Continental Cup Saturday, while Germany’s Sebastian Reuschel claimed the win in … READ MORE →

Women’s final sprint podium. [P] Jesse Winter

Goldsack and Jones Claim Haywood NorAm Tech Sprint Season Opener

(Sovereign Lake, BC) – Perianne Jones (CAN) spoiled the American podium sweep, taking 1st place at the Haywood NorAm Tech Sprint season opener this afternoon.  And tit for tat, Mike Sinnott (USA) spoiled the … READ MORE →

(l-r) Neuner, Henkel, Hitzer, Buchholz [P] Nordic Focus

Germany Wins IBU Biathlon Women’s 4x6km Relay – Canada 11th

(Hochfilzen, Austria) – Germany’s new women’s relay team powered in for the win at the first women’s 4x6km relay of the season as veteran Magdalena Neuner took over from the Russians on the second … READ MORE →

Devon Kershaw (CAN) on course to 9th. [P] Nordic Focus

Kershaw 9th at Davos WCup 15km Classic – Poltaranin Surprise Winner UPDATED

(Davos, Switzerland) – Canada’s Devon Kershaw had another great day on snow leading the North American men with a 9th place finish in the men’s 15km classic individual start as Kazakstan’s Alexey Poltaranin was … READ MORE →

Haywood NorAm Teck Sprint Qualifications – Bjornsen and Goldsack Top Field

(Sovereign Lake, BC) – Conditions were good for the opening of the Haywood NorAm and Tech Sprint circuit at Sovereign Lake Nordic this morning. Mild temperatures and a little humidity made waxing a little … READ MORE →

bjoergen111210al0033

Bjoergen Dominates Davos WCup 10km Classic UPDATED

(Davos, Switzerland) – Norway’s Marit Bjoergen claimed yet another resounding victory in women’s 10km classic on the tough Davos course at high altitude (1,600m) in difficult snowy conditions with a 30-second margin over Justyna … READ MORE →

Boe

Boe 2-for-2 Takes Hochfilzen Biathlon WCup Pursuit – Burke 19th

(Hochfilzen, Austria) – Tarjei Boe of Norway continued his winning streak scoring his second world cup win in as many days as he powered to a solid victory while snow fell in the men’s … READ MORE →

Happy campers. [P] Silver Star

Silver Star Cross Country Ski Camps Big Success!

(Silver Star, BC) – Nordic’s growing popularity is paying big dividends for Silver Star’s XC Camps. The recently completed two-week program at the resort, located just outside Vernon, B.C., saw more than 220 participants … READ MORE →

Sara Studebaker (USA) [P] NordicFocus file photo

Boe and Kuzmina Win Biathlon WCup Sprint – Burke 23rd, Le Guellec 27th, Studebaker Scores Personal Best

(Hochfilzen, Austria) – Tarjei Boe (Nor) and Anastasiya Kuzmina (Svk) battled tough snowy conditions to shoot clean and win the men’s 10km and women’s 7.5m sprints respectively while the USA’s Tim Burke was 23rd … READ MORE →

1st Prize is a Rossi package valued at $1,620US [P] Rossignol

SkiTrax Fantasy FIS TdS 2011 Contest – Launching Soon

(Toronto, ON) – The fifth annual Tour de Ski is around the corner running this year from Dec. 31. to Jan. 9 with the first event in Oberhof, Germany, and we’re excited to soon … READ MORE →

Snow Sports Equipment Sales Take Off in the Pre-Season

(McLean, VA) – The 2010/2011 snow sports season is underway and equipment and equipment accessories sales increased through October while apparel and apparel accessories sales lagged.  Overall, sales from August to October 2010 match … READ MORE →

Peter Graves [P] skitrax.com

Gravey’s Grapevine – The Week That Was and Davos Preview + 10/15km Start Lists

– On many fronts, last weekend was a good one for North American Nordic skiers with several podiums and this weekend blooms with promise as well. Davos, Switzerland hosts the world’s best xc … READ MORE →

Scott Sullivan [P] Julie Melanson

Sovereign Lake Hosts Haywood NorAm and Teck Sprint Series Kick Off – Dec. 11-12

(Sovereign Lake, BC) – Sovereign Lake is host to the Haywood NorAm and Teck Sprint Series races this coming weekend, Saturday, December 11th and Sunday December 12th.
Dec 11th, Classic sprints. With the addition of … READ MORE →

Snow covers a statue in Newcastle, England. [P] REUTERS/Nigel Roddis

Let it Snow – Winter Photos from Around the World

– Check out this fabulous selection of amazing winter photos from around the world compiled by boston.com. There are some great shots from November’s early snowfall in the Pacific Northwest, the winter storm that … READ MORE →

Dusseldorf WCup Sprint corner of doom. [P] Torin Koos

Skating Technique on the Corner of Doom at the Dusseldorf World Cup

(Dusseldorf, Germany) – Here’s a video from the Dusseldorf World Cup this past weekend highlighting the technique of cornering in skate racing. Come watch the action around the infamous corner of doom at the … READ MORE →

Evelyn Dong IMG_4621.2

Toko Race Wax Recommendations for the Coming Weekend’s Events

– The Toko Race Wax Tips have been posted for this weekend’s events.  Our goal is to have the tips posted 48 hours or more before each event.  There are some events (that … READ MORE →

Dave Wood [P] Heinz Ruckemann

Ask the PRO – Canadian Ski Marathon

– I am registered to do this year’s Canadian Ski Marathon for the first time. The 160km route is divided into two days. I’d like to know what you would recommend as a … READ MORE →

Performance Waxing Iron [P] Swix

12 Days of Swixmas

– The Swix elves have been busy as the holiday season approaches – here’s a look at what every Nordic skier needs under the tree with our 12 Days of Swixmas.

1.     T73110  –  … READ MORE →

(l-r): Daniela Iraschko, Jessica Jerome, Line Jahr [P] FIS Ski Jumping

USA’s Jerome Wins Women’s Ski Jumping Continental Cup Opener

(Rovaniemi, Finland) – The celebrations continued well into the night in Rovaniemi, Finland on Tuesday as a group of Americans was celebrating: One of their own, Jessica Jerome, won the first COC competition of … READ MORE →

Alcohol and Athletes Don’t Mix

– Traditionally, many athletes consume alcohol after games or competitions to relax and celebrate. What they may not know is that alcohol can negatively affect physical and mental performance. Alcohol affects all major body … READ MORE →

1st Fischer

SkiTrax FIS Fantasy WCup 2010/11 Contest Standings after Dusseldorf

  (Toronto, ON) – We’re excited to announce the leaders of the international SkiTrax FIS Fantasy World Cup 2010/11 Contest after round #3 of the Viessmann XC FIS 2010/11 World Cup this past weekend in … READ MORE →

Len Valjas [P] Nordic Focus

Canada’s Len Valjas Debuts at FIS World Cup

(Dusseldorf, Germany) – Len Valjas from Toronto has become one of the best sprinters in Canada over the past two seasons winning the 1.2km freestyle sprint race at the Canadian XC Championships last … READ MORE →

Job Opportunity – Southern Ontario Training Centre Seeks Head Coach

(Barrie, ON) – The Southern Ontario Training Centre (SOTC) is seeking to hire a full-time Head Coach who possess the credentials, skills, drive, leadership qualities, and passion to develop, grow and lead a high … READ MORE →

City of Lakes Loppet – something for everyone. [P] City of Lakes Loppet

Fischer Skis and the City of Lakes Loppet Announce Two-year Partnership Beginning in 2011

(Auburn, NH) – Fischer Skis U.S. is proud to announce a two-year commitment as a sponsor of the City of Lakes Loppet. The City of Lakes Loppet takes place in Minneapolis, Minn., on February … READ MORE →

Garrott Kuzzy [P] Toko US

Toko Structurite Manual and Kuzzy’s Post-WYellowstone Report

(West Yellowstone, MN) – We came out with a new Structurite last year. There are two aspects to applying structure: the decision of what to apply and then the actual application of the structure. … READ MORE →

I was determined to work back up to the front. [P] Nordic Focus

Race Tails: Third Time’s A Charm in Düsseldorf

(Dusseldorf, Germany) – Despite some hurdles with travel, lost baggage and variable weather, I made it to Dusseldorf, Germany for a World Cup individual skate sprint this past Saturday.
Quote of the Day
“Lining up … READ MORE →

The Way I See It – Dusseldorf, Prize Money, WYellowstone Sprints, CCCTA, Rookie for The Year

– Dusseldorf #1 – The difference in the size of the sprint fields in Kuusamo and Dusseldorf was quite dramatic – in the women’s sprints there were 44 fewer skiers in Dusseldorf and … READ MORE →

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Alberta Cup #1 – Goldsack and Jones Make it a Double

(Canmore, AB) – The Alberta Cup Series kicked off this past weekend with a 1km freestyle sprint competition on Dec. 4 and 9km classic race on Dec. 5. Saturday’s freestyle sprint race saw an … READ MORE →

Job Opportunity – Canadian Sport Centre Calgary

(Calgary, AB) – The Canadian Sport Centre Calgary is seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of Research and Innovation Manager for the Nordic Consortium. The successful candidate will be aware of and … READ MORE →

Motivate Canada Seeks Top-Level Athletes to Join Esteem Team

– Olympic, Paralympic or national-level athletes that complete a two-day training session on public speaking to youth will be qualified to conduct Esteem Team presentations in schools within their community and throughout Canada. The … READ MORE →

2011 U.S. Ski Team Junior and Under-23 Worlds and OPA Cup Trip Information

– Please see the following information regarding the U.S. Ski Team’s trips to the Junior and U23 World Championships and European Continental Cups. The Junior/U23 Nordic Worlds is one of the premier steps of … READ MORE →

Jack Sasseville [P] Laura Robinson

The Sasseville Report – North American Women Shine in Dusseldorf, Wenzl-Dahl No Penalty

(Barrie, ON) – What a weekend for female skiers from North America at the streets sprints held in Dusseldorf, Germany! The flat, narrow course is right on the river in the downtown using man-made … READ MORE →

Kornfield’s stretch was just enough to get Norris.  Soederstrom in far lane. [P] Nick Nugent

Kornfield Nips Soederstrom and Norris In Town Series Sprint

(Fairbanks, AK) – Tyler Kornfield nipped Alaska Nanook teammates David Norris and Erik Soederstrom in the second race of the 15th Annual Flint Hills Resources Town Race Series, the Fairbanks Youth Sports Classic Sprint, … READ MORE →

Canada’s Jean-Philippe Le Guellec [P] Christian Manzoni

Bjoerndalen and Makarainen Win IBU Biathlon WCup Pursuit – Le Guellec 13th, Burke 32nd

(Östersund, Sweden) – The World Cup in Östersund, Sweden finished with Ole Einar Bjoerndalen (NOR) taking top spot in the men’s 12.5km pursuit, followed by Emil Hegle Svendsen (NOR) in second place and Jakov … READ MORE →

Jason Lamy-Chappuis (FRA) [P] Nordic Focus

Bryan Fletcher Leads USA at NCombined WCup in Lillehammer

(Lillehammer, Norway) – Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) was in the points for the second time this season, leading the USA in 26th at a FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Lillehammer. World Cup leader continued his … READ MORE →

Gloersen (l) and Hattestad win the Dusseldorf Tea Sprint. [P] Nordic Focus

Norway’s Hattestad and Gloersen Win Dusseldorf Men’s Team Sprint UPDATED

(Dusseldorf, Germany) – The Norway II team of Ola Vigen Hattestad and Anders Gloersen charged to gold in the men’s 6×1.6km freestyle team sprint in Dusseldorf, Germany today with Sweden I (Mats Larsson and … READ MORE →

Canada’s Chandra Crawford and Daria Gaiazova celebrate. [P] Nordic Focus

Canada’s Crawford and Gaiazova Podium at Team Sprint in Dusseldorf UPDATED

(Dusseldorf, Germany) – Canada’s dynamic duo, Chandra Crawford and Dasha Gaiazova, pulled out all the stops to land on the podium in third in the women’s 6x.9km freestyle Team Sprint Relay on Sunday in … READ MORE →

Norway’s Emil Hegle Svendsen [P] IBU Biathlon WCup

Svendsen Again with Burke 18th and Le Guellec 19th at IBU WCup Biathlon Men’s 10km Sprint

(Oestersund, Sweden) – Two-time Olympian Tim Burke (USA) rebounded today in the IBU WCup Biathlon Men’s 10km to place 18th as did Canada’s Jean-Philippe Le Guellec who finished in 19th three seconds later. Norway’s … READ MORE →

Joensson

Joensson on Top at Dusseldorf Sprints – Newell 13th UPDATED

(Dusseldorf, Germany) – Sweden’s Emil Joensson added another top podium finish to his resume winning the men’s 1.7km freestyle sprint in a squeaker over Italy’s Fulvio Scola with Oystein Pettersen (NOR) in third. Andy … READ MORE →

Podium

USA’s Randall 2nd at Dusseldorf Sprints – Follis Wins, Crawford 8th UPDATED

(Dusseldorf, Germany) – American Kikkan Randall made good in the women’s .9km freestyle sprint in Dusseldorf on Saturday claiming second behind winner Arianna Follis from Italy in the final. Canada’s Chandra Crawford signaled she’s … READ MORE →

SkiTrax FIS Fantasy WCup 2010/11 Contest Standings after Kuusamo

  (Toronto, ON) – We’re excited to announce the leaders of the international SkiTrax FIS Fantasy World Cup 2010/11 Contest after round #2 of the Viessmann XC FIS 2010/11 World Cup last weekend in … READ MORE →

Kaisa Mäkäräinen of Finland wins. [P] IBU Biathlon WCup

Mäkäräinen Wins IBU WCup Biathlon Women’s 7.5km Sprint

(Oestersund, Sweden) – Kaisa Mäkäräinen of Finland, 27, controlled the race despite cold conditions to earn her first World Cup victory as the clear winner in the women’s biathlon 7.5km sprint. Mäkäräinen shot clean … READ MORE →

Dusseldorf race course along the Rhine River. [P] courtesy of Kikkan Randall

Gravey’s Grapevine and Dusseldorf WCup Preview – Start Lists

– It sure was a cold one in Kuusamo, Finland last weekend. Some teams stayed an extra few days there before moving to Dusseldorf, Germany where the temps will be considerably warmer. It’s great … READ MORE →

Bjoergen

Bjoergen Cool in Yellow

– We came across Norwegian star Marit Bjoergen’s blog and thought we’d share it with readers courtesy of Google translator and some editing. Bjoergen’s off to an amazing start this season and is poised … READ MORE →

Reindeer! [P] Ritva and Ahvo Taipale

Ahvo and Ritva’s Kuusamo Report – Nordic Opening Revealed Part 1

(Kuusamo, Finland) – Who says the sun doesn’t shine in the winter in northern Finland? Ahvo and Ritva Taipale (Finn Sisu) are on the road to Kuusamo again for the Nordic Opening! The drive … READ MORE →

(l-r): Annie, Emily and Garrott Kuzzy all smiles. [P] Rich Jehle

Yellowstone Ski Festival’s First Annual Kuzzy Kid’s Camp Report

(West Yellowstone, MT) – The Yellowstone Ski Festival means many things to many people. The five-day cross-country ski festival can be a time to brush off the storage wax and ski for the first … READ MORE →

Lars Flora (APU) [P] Swix Sport

FIS Continental Cup 2010/11 Season Underway

– The FIS Cross-Country World Cup presented by Viessmann began two weeks ago in Sweden’s Gällivare. The most important FIS series for developing young athletes, the FIS Continental Cup series, kicked off last weekend … READ MORE →

Leif Nordgren IMG_8478.2

USA’s Nordgren Impresses as Svendsen Wins IBU World Cup Men’s 20km Opener with Burke 31st

(Östersund, Sweden) – Norway’s Emil Hegle Svendsen, Olympic gold medalist in the same event, claimed the win at the men’s 20km Individual race in Sweden over team mate Ole Einar Bjoerndalen in second and … READ MORE →