April 10, 2012 (Craftsbury, Vermont) – The 3rd annual National J2 Talent Camp will be conducted August 4- August 11, 2012 in Craftsbury, Vermont at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center. The camp will provide a great opportunity for many of the top young cross country skiers in the U.S. to train together, and learn from USST staff and top club coaches.

The camp is the first step along the U.S. development pipeline for promising young skiers. Each year the location of the camp will rotate around the U.S. to other great training venues, with the same time slot each summer – the first week of August. Selections of the top 20 boys and top 20 girls were made using a best two of three individual results from Junior Nationals. (For the sprint race, the qualifying round results were compared with final heat results and the best of these two was used in the calculation). In addition to the selections, each division may petition for the addition of up to 1 boy and 1 girl to attend the camp.

Camp invite roster is listed below. Invitations and registration application will be sent to selected athletes shortly. The deadline for registering is April, 30, 2012.  The cost for this eight day camp is 595.00, and does not include airfare. Camp details  (travel, accommodations, coaching staff, etc) will be forthcoming shortly.

For more information, please contact Camp director Rick Kapala at: 208 720-7981 or via email rick@svsef.org.

Eligible J2’s:

Girls:
1. Julia Kern, Cambridge Sports Union -NE
2. Lydia Blanchet. APUNSC-AK
3. Brooke Mooney, Stratton Mtn School- NE
4. Alayna Sonnesyn, Sisu Ski Club- MW
5. Katherine Ogden, Stratton Mtn School – NE
6. Sarrissa Lammers, Alaska Nordic Racing- AK
7. Jane Hoefler, APUNSC-AK
8. Zoe Snow, Cambridge Sports Union-NE
9. Hailey Swirbul, Aspen Valley SSC- RM
10. Hannah Peterson, Durango Nordic Ski Club-RM
11. Mattie Watts, Sisu Ski Club-MW
12. Gretchen Burkholder, Steamboat Springs WSC-RM
13. Taelaer McCrerey, Summit Nordic Ski Club-RM
14. Racquel Wohik, Sisu Ski Club-MW
15. Hannah Hardenbergh, SSC Vail-RM
16. Bjork Hagensen, Bridger Ski Foundation-IM
17. Leah Lange, Park City Nordic Ski Club-IM
18. Abby Habermehl, Summit Nordic Ski Club-RM
19. Evelina Sutro, Colorado Rocky Mtn School-RM
20. Emily Hyde, Mt Bachelor SEF-PN

Boys
1. Thomas O’Harra, APUNSC-AK
2. Karston Hokanson, Wasatch Nordic Ski Academy-IM
3. Cully Brown, Durango Nordic Ski Club-RM
4. Henry Harmeyer, Mansfield Nordic Club-NE
5. Peter Holmes, Tahoe XC Ski Ed Assn-FW
6. Matthew Muffoletto, Alaska Winter Stars-AK
7. Ben Hegman, Mansfield Nordic Club-NE
8. Sam Miller, Bridger Ski Foundation-IM
9. Tanner Ramey, Alaska Winter Starts-AK
10. Jack Elder, Cumberland Nordic Club-NE
11. Koby Gordon, Stratton Mtn School-NE
12. Peter Neal, Jackson Hole Ski Club-IM
13. Steve Hokanson, Sisu Ski Club-MW
14. John Farr, Alaska Winter Starts-AK
15. Jacob Bassett, Alaska Winter Stars-AK
16. Jacob Volz, APUNSC-AK
17. Gavin McEwen, Cambridge Sports union-NE
18. Henry Trowbridge, Summit Nordic Ski Club-RM
19. Forrest Smith, Crested Butte Nordic Team-RM
20. Joel Sawyer, Summit Nordic Ski Club- RM

Link to complete ranking list HERE.

The collaboration from regional coaches along with continued support from National Nordic Foundation (NNF) and USSA (United States Ski and Snowboard Association), have enabled this camp to continue and to grow. After two very successful years, Michigan Tech in 2010 and Sun Valley in 2011, NNF will provide support for another year in 2012. This support greatly helps offset camp costs and ensures some of the top coaches in the country will be guiding these young athletes.

This year’s site at Craftsbury Outdoor Center offers a spectacular setting for athletes with great hiking, rollerskiing, mountain biking, swimming, training facilities, lodging, and fabulous meals.

Camp Training Plan:
The goals of the camp are twofold. Provide camp participants with an excellent week of dryland training with other top US Juniors that serves to help motivate participants in their efforts in ski racing. Additionally, the camp will provide participants with up to date information on nutrition and health management, current international ski technique and training planning and execution.

Thank you to our camp supporters!
– National Nordic Foundation
– USSA
– Craftsbury Outdoor Center