March 10, 2008 (Anchorage, AK) – Arriving in Anchorage, the CXC Midwest JO Team had anticipated the poorer snow conditions that this area has experienced during this season, so the snow conditions were not a great shock to us. The snow is old and transformed many times over and the base is just hanging on each day. The race organization has been making a heroic effort in shoveling, hauling snow, and adjusting courses. The sprint course has been changed several times and at this point it looks like a 1.2km race that cannot use the main stadium due to the ice & water accumulation.

The Midwest athletes have prepared for these conditions and are here to race fast on whatever the course may be. The individual athletes and coaches spent this morning reviewing the classic sprint course and are currently deciding whether to double pole on skate skis or traditionally stride on classic equipment. With conditions changing by the minute based on sun exposure, the decision will be tough and a crucial one. The Midwest coaches have spent the majority of the day testing skis and numerous waxes, in addition to waxing over 100 pairs of skis for the Monday races.

The athletes have spent the last couple of days both adjusting to the time change, and limited amount of training to familiarize themselves with the Kincaid Park trails, which offer a very challenging and scenic trail system overlooking mountain ranges and Anchorage Bay. Today the athletes attended the afternoon opening ceremonies and parade of athletes in downtown Anchorage. A total of over 400 of the best Junior Nordic racers in the country are now gathered in Alaska to compete and enjoy a very exciting week.

The Midwest team is represented by the following 52 athletes. Attached are several photos from the first few days of activities & local scenery. Follow the results, photos, and action this week at the 2008 JO website at http://www.anchoragenordicski.com/jo2008/index.html. Also wish them luck as they try to reach their individual skiing goals. We’ll be back with an update tomorrow.

Coaches Karen Cook & Bill Pierce

OJ Men, J1 Men, J2 Men
– Doug Debold
– Erik Fagerstrom
– Connor Benton
– Jens Brabbit
– Joe Dubay
– Michael Howe
– Zach McGill
– Hans Nygren
– Steven Coozennoy
– Kyle Fredrickson
– Ben Hugus
– Andy Dodds
– Waylon Manske
– Chris Bowler
– Dylan McGarthwaite
– Matt Pierce
– Tyler Abery
– Scott Johanik
– Charlie Keller
– Ryan Wright
– Nick Maki
– Andy Keller
– Birken Schimpf
– Jon-Michael Brandt
– Brandon Piechowski

OJ Women, J1 Women, J2 Women
– Carolyn Freeman
– Lynn Duijndam
– Summer Ellefson
– Melanie Hoffman
– Katie Walsh
– Jennifer Rolfes
– Bria Kask
– Hannah Sanborn
– Annie Hart
– Stephanie LaFrance
– Molly Burger
– Brooke Adams
– Lindsey Marshall
– Danielle Berndt
– Sharmila Ahmed
– Christi Nowak
– Corrine Malcolm
– Elizabeth Peterson
– Jackie Pribyl
– Lauren Rantala
– Elizabeth Simak
– Ingrid Leask
– Sarah Daniels
– Jessie Diggins
– Eleanor Magnuson
– Libby Ellis