November 29, 2014 – Three Olympians were named to the 2015 U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team that opens its FIS World Cup campaign this weekend in Ruka, Finland. The team includes Olympic champion Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY) along with World Championship medalists Bryan and Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO).

“The conditions look great here in Ruka and I am looking forward to getting this week underway! It’s always an exciting time of year, everyone is brimming with enthusiasm and excitement for the coming season. I am excited for this years World Championships in Falun. I am hoping to get a good start to the season this first period and build into World Champs from there,” said Bryan Fletcher, World Championship medalist

Adam Loomis (Eau Claire, WI) and Brett Denney (Steamboat Springs, CO) will join the Fletcher brothers for the Ruka opener. Five-time Olympian Demong will ski a selective schedule of events leading up to the 2015 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun, Sweden in late February.

In addition to the World Cup tour, a key focal point will be a series of three Continental Cup events Dec. 12-14 at the Utah Olympic Park and Soldier Hollow where a top contingent of U.S. skiers will be on hand to secure World Cup quota positions. The World Championship Team will be named in January.

“We’re looking forward to starting the season. We have had great preparation heading into the opener. I believe the Utah Olympic Park was the second hill in the world open. And we were able to get some skiing on natural snow at White Pine in Park City and at least one early morning interval session at Park City Mountain Resort.

“Billy’s (Demong) planning on a selective schedule leading into World Championships but things with him are always dynamic and could change,” commented Dave Jarrett, Head Coach, U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team.

2015 U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team
Name, Hometown, Club (Skis (jumping/cross country), Boots (jumping/cross country), Bindings, Eyewear, Helmet, Poles) Date of Birth
* Indicates Olympian
A Team
– Billy Demong, Vermontville, NY, New York Ski Education Foundation (Atomic, Atomic, Atomic, Oakley, POC, Swix) 3/29/80 *
– Bryan Fletcher, Steamboat Springs, CO, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (Elan/Madshus, Rass/Madshus, Rotefella, Rudy Project, POC, Madshus) 6/27/86 *
– Taylor Fletcher, Steamboat Springs, CO, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (Fluege/Atomic, Rass/Atomic, Rudy Project, POC, One Way) 5/11/90 *

Coaching Staff
– Dave Jarrett, Head Coach
– Greg Poirier, Jumping Coach

World Cup Service Team
– Andrej Jezeršek
– Matjaz Dobrovoljc

Official Nordic Combined and Ski Jumping Suppliers
Uniforms
– Bjørn Dæhlie

Equipment
– Alpina
– Atomic
– Bolle
– Briko
– Fischer
– Madshus
– Oakley
– OneWay
– POC
– Rossignol
– Rudy Project
– Salomon
– Swix

Wax, Tools and Training Devices
– Bosu
– Dominator
– Holmenkol
– Sun Valley Ski Tools
– Swix
– Toko
– Tools4boards
– Wintersteiger
– World Cup Supply

Uniform Logo Sponsors
– Audi
– Bjørn Dæhlie
– Charles Schwab
– High Sierra
– Nature Valley
– Putnam
– Sprint
– Visa

November 28, 2014 (West Yellowstone, Montana) – Dakota Black Horse Von Jess (Bend Endurance Academy) took his first unofficial victory of the season topping the men’s field in the season opener USSA SuperTour 1.5km FR Sprints at the legendary West Yellowstone Ski Festival which welcomed just under 300 skiers. Colorado’s Mads Stroemm and Rune Odegaard – both from Norway – claimed second and third respectively. Also racing at West Yellowstone was US XC Ski Team veteran Kris Freeman who was not named to the team but hopes to qualify for World Cup status.

Meanwhile Team Canada’s Alysson Marshall (AWCA-NST) and Heidi Widmer were all business taking charge in the women’s contest going 1-2 with Jennie Bender (Bridger Ski Foundation) out-lunging Chelsea Holmes (APU) for the final podium spot. Widmer was the fastest qualifer with Annie Pokorny (SMST2) second and Marshall 3rd.

“After scraping through the quarters and semis I managed a win! Thanks to my wax crew and the volunteers who dealt with a tough timing situation,” commented Marshall.

Due to timing system issues only brief unofficial results are available. Please check back later for more information and results.

Results

Women

1. Alysson Marshall (AWCA-NST)
2. Heidi Widmer (AWCA-NST)
3. Jennie Bender (Bridger Ski Foundation)

Full women’s results here.
Women’s brackets here.

Men

1. Dakota Black Horse Von Jess (Bend Endurance Academy)
2. Mads Stroemm (University of Colorado)
3. Rune Malo Odegaard (University of Colorado)

Full men’s results here.
Men’s brackets here.

Qualifications

Women

1. Heidi Widmer (AWCA-NST) 00:02:54
2. Annie Pokorny (SMST2) 00:02:55
3. Alysson Marshall (AWCA-NST) 00:02:5

Men

1. Benjamin Saxton (SMST2 – USST)    00:02:29
2. Dakota Black Horse Von Jess (Bend Endurance Academy)   00:02:29
3. Andy Shields (NDC THUNDER BAY) 00:02:31

Full Qualification results here.

November 28, 2014 (West Yellowstone, Montana) – Check out this live feed on XCountry Live direct from West Yellowstone where the 2014/15 USSA SuperTour season opener 1.5km FR Sprints are underway today. Then on Saturday, Nov. 29 check out the Women’s 10km FR and the Men’s 15km FR races.

SUPERTOUR SPRINT START LIST

Sprint Heat Schedule

Watch the LIVE FEED below or click here.

November 23, 2014 (Gallivare, Sweden) – Canada’s Alex Harvey landed on the podium again claiming 3rd with teammate Devon Kershaw 5th in the men’s 10km CL at the SportEvent Gällivare competitions today in Sweden in the lead up to next weekend’s World Cup opener in Finland. Russia went 1-2 as Evgeny Belov did the honours with Sergey Ustiugov taking second.

Canuck, Ivan Babikov in 6th was happy with his performance tweeting….”Not too bad of an effort for the season opener for me and for the whole team.”

Harvey continues to show his good early season form telling Swedish reporters, “I feel good and our training for Kuusamo has been going well. It’s a really nice track here especially for classic. This is my first distance race of the season so it burns and the Russians are always tough. I feel good about my result as I usually have a hard time being fast before Xmas… so we’ll see.”

Kershaw who opted not race yesterday’s CL Sprint was not super happy with his result. “I felt like I skied well for 3/4 of the race and blew up badly after 3km of skiing with Belov (who passed me at 7.5km for 30sec and I stayed with him for 3km) which made the last lap a real struggle both mentally and physically after an output like that to try and hang on. There were positives and negatives for today,” he told Trax.

Fellow Canuck Graeme Killick finished 8th just behind Swedish star Marcus Hellner. Both Len Valjas and Jesse Cockney were not on today’s start line which featured a small field of 16 skiers.

Senior Development skier, Emily Nishikawa, showed her good early formed finishing just off the women’s podium in 4th as Petra Novakova (Cze) took the win leading a Czech sweep with Eva Vrabcova-Nyvltova in 2nd and Karolina Grohova 3rd.

“It was fun to get the first race of the season done today. I felt good for the first two laps of the race, skied with Petra (who won the race) for a lap, before I started to fade. It was a good start, but there is lots of room for improvement, and I am excited to test myself again next weekend in Kuusamo,” commented Nishikawa.

“Another good day for most today. Emily was solid the first lap but faded – hopefully she just needed a hard effort under her belt before next weekend. The boys were all solid. Alex was even all the way and he feels good about the race today,” said head coach Justin Wadsworth. “Devon started well, but said he faded a bit toward the end yet he looked good technically. Ivan looked good and kept a good pace throughout the whole race.

“Killick skied well and had a good ride from Ustagov that had him as high as 5th place after two laps. He faded a bit toward the end, but he was satisfied with this first race after travelling. The race that Belov had today was very good, so I think the speed of the top three finishers was at the level of a top result on WC,” he added.

Read more about SportEvent Gällivare Lapland here.

Results

Men

1. Evgenij Belov (Rus) 35:04.03
2. Sergey Ustiugov (Rus) 20.67
3. Alex Harvey (Can) 27.51
4. Stanislav Volzhentsev (Rus) 1:24.85
5. Devon Kershaw (Can) 1:25.28
6. Ivan Babikov (Can) 1:38.62

Women

1. Petra Novakova (Cze) 25:44.04
2. Eva Vrabcova-Nyvltova (Cze) 38.98
3. Karolina Grohova (Cze) 50.90
4. Emily Nishikawa (Can) 1:22.81
5. Tatjana Mannima (Est) 1:29.78

Women’s final results here.
Men’s final results here

November 23, 2014 (Muonio, Finland) – The US XC Ski Team is in Finland preparing for the upcoming FIS World Cup season that starts next weekend in Kuusamo and Sadie Bjornsen is now up at our “Sodie” Training RAP which she shares with Sophie Caldwell as they alternate rapping every two weeks. Bjornsen talks about following Justyna Kowalczyk during interval training, getting chased by her bro Erik, celebrating her 25th birthday, and the amazing Northern Lights. Check out the latest from Sadie B here.

November 22, 2014 (Gallivare, Sweden) – Canada’s Perianne Jones earned her first FIS victory in the women’s 1.2km CL sprint today to kick off her season while Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov pipped fellow Canuck Alex Harvey with a photo finish in the Men’s A 1.4km Final at the SportEvent Gällivare Lapland races this weekend.

There were three Canadians in the men’s final as Len Valjas finished fourth with Jesse Cockney 6th. Temperatures were just a bit below zero and the skies were clear. While the fields were small it was as good start for Team Canada.

Jones qualified 2nd behind Czech skier Petra Novakova but turned on the burners to dominate the women’s final leading from start to finish with Novakova 2nd and her teammate Karolina Grohova. Junior Emma Ribom from Sweden, who took two wins in Muonio last weekend, finished fourth. “This was my first race of the season-other than Frozen Thunder,” said Jones. “It was a fun day.”

Top qualifier Ustiugov, who won the U23 World Cup sprint title last winter, drove it home in the finale just edging out Harvey as his Russian teammate, Evgeny Belov, 2nd in the qualifications, showed his form as well claiming third. “This is good proof that my training and condition is on track,” said Ustiugov after the final.

“It was a good start for me. You’re never sure where you stand until you have your name on a result list,” commented Harvey. “So now I know and I’m happy with it. Ustiugov has been a steady top 5-10 qualifier last year on the World Cup so I think I’m in the mix right now. I felt better and better as the rounds proceeded, so that’s good to see as well.”

Canada’s Devon Kershaw did not start along with Lukas Bauer (Cze), who has been sick earlier this week, including local Swedish star Marcus Hellner who opted out of the sprint for Sunday’s 15km CL. Hellner will only contest next weekend’s distance race as well while Kershaw is slated to race both WCup starts in Finland.

Conditions are perfect in Gallivare according to Canadian head coach Justin Wadsworth and these races are a great lead up to next weekend’s FIS World Cup start in Kuusamo, Finland – check out our interview with Wadsworth here.

Read more about SportEvent Gällivare Lapland here.

Results

Men’s A-Final

1. Sergey Ustiugov (Rus) 2:38,55
2. Alex Harvey (Can) 2:39,52
3. Evgenij Belov (Rus) 2:39,54
4. Len Valjas (Can) 2:39,57
5. Stanislav Volzhentsev (Rus) 2:42,44
6. Jesse Cockney (Can) 2:44,70

Women’s A-Final

1. Perianne Jones (Can) 2:54,19
2. Petra Novakova (Cze) 2:55,99
3. Karolina Grohova (Cze) 2:56,99
4. Emma Ribom (Swe) 2:58,28
5. Anna Svendsen (Nor) 3:00,08
6. Nelly Johansson (Swe) 3:05,19

Qualifications here
Women’s final results here.
Men’s final results here

November 19, 2014 (Toronto, ON) – With the first FIS World Cup kicking off the season in Kuusamo, Finland on Nov. 29, we’re pleased to announce the launch of our annual SkiTrax FIS Fantasy World Cup 2014/15 Contest for contestants around the world with over $4,000 in prizes up for grabs. This is the first of four Fantasy Contests this season… up next is the FIS Marathon Cup contest, followed by the popular Tour de Ski contest, and finally fans can enjoy our Falun 2015 contest.

Register your team of four (4) men, and four (4) women including two (2) Outlaw Skiers – one (1) male and one (1) female not in the top 15 of the FIS World Cup overall rankings.

Points will be awarded following each World Cup based on each skier’s performance and published regularly at skitrax.com so you can see how your score compares to other international players and the actual FIS standings. Earn bonus TdS or Falun 2015 points, and other bonus points – all information, skier menus and contest rules are available when you register your team.

These are the only FIS Fantasy Nordic contests of their kind worldwide so don’t miss your chance to enjoy fabulous top level xc ski racing and the chance to win fabulous prizes.

The deadline to register or revise your team is Thursday, Nov. 28, at 10pm EST, the day before the XC FIS World Cup season kicks off in Kuusamo, Finland –  good luck to all contestants.

Thanks to all of our great sponsors, including Fischer, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Rudy Project, High Peaks Cyclery, Bjorn Daehlie, Yoko, One Way, Concept2, and Buff.

To register click HERE.

SkiTrax Fantasy FIS World Cup 2014/15 Contest Prizes

* 1st Prize – Fischer Carbonlite Package Skis, Boots, Poles and Xcelerator Bindings (value $1,550)
* 2nd Prize – Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – 2-night luxury package w/breakfast & Spa (value $850)
* 3rd Prize – Rudy Project Sunglasses For Sport Agon + For Life Spinhawk (value $450)
* 4th Prize – High Peaks Cyclery Backcountry Day Trip for 2 people incl. Pro guides, equipment (value $400)
* 5th Prize – Bjorn Daehlie XC Ski Suit (value $300)
* 6th Prize – Yoko 9100 Poles (value $299)
* 7th Prize – One Way Cata Pro Jacket (value $260)
* 8th Prize –Madshus Kit w/Ski Bag, Waist Belt Bag, Headware (value $130)
* 9th Prize – Concept2 Goodie Duffle Bag (value $100)
* 10th Prize – Buff Merino Wool China Blue Dye (value $42)
* WCup Breaks – SkiTrax 1-yr Subscription

SkiTrax is North America’s leading Nordic skiing publication and the official magazine of the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) and Cross Country Canada (CCC).

November 14, 2014 – Here’s another super reader question for USST skier Sophie Caldwell in today’s edition of Sophie Caldwell’s Q&A, part of our exclusive “Sodie” Training Rap feature with her friend and teammate Sadie Bjornsen. We all want to get faster, so Bob Biddle’s inquiry about when to do speed work is a good one. See what Sophie has to say. Also check out Sophie’s training rap HERE and check her MAILBAG for all Q&As thru the season.

Sophie Caldwell’s Q&A – Speed Work

Sophie, you have incredible talent at 1.5km sprints – a 2-1/2 minute race. However, much of your training seems focused on longer distances. Typically, an athletic event of 2-1/2 minutes duration like a 800-meter running race or 600 or 700-meter rowing race is 70% anaerobic and 30% aerobic. Do you do speed work later in the season on snow? What do you think of your training mix for x-c ski 1.5 km sprint races?

Thanks,
Bob Biddle

Hi Bob,

Great question! With healthy elbows, my training usually consists of a lot more speed workouts. We typically do 1-2 workouts per week that are focused on speeds. Since breaking my elbow, my coaches and I didn’t think it was worth it to try to do one-pole speed workouts because of the risk of falling. I’m still trying to throw in some running speeds, but I’m saving the skiing speeds for the snow, when I can hopefully use both poles!

Luckily, speed workouts have been one of my strengths in the past, so I’m hoping my speed will come back quickly. Even though sprints are only 2.5-4.5 minutes, making it through the sprint rounds requires quite a bit of endurance. I’m hoping to improve my distance racing as well as my performance in the sprint heats, so that is why a lot of my training is still based around distance training and endurance.

I think there are some differences in the training of a sprinter and a distance skier, but the basics are the same. When we come together for camps, we all do the same training. The people who excel at distance racing still do speeds and the people who excel at sprinting still do long workouts. It’s important for distance racers to be able to finish with speed and it’s important for sprinters to be fit enough to last through the rounds.

Cheers,
Sophie

November 14, 2014 (West Yellowstone, Montana) – Last year, Fischer tried something new for the demos at West Yellowstone.  We gave folks the opportunity to make on line reservations for skis and boots before the event. Skiers could go to a website and give us all their vital information including weight, height and ability.

Fischer would pick gear for these skiers, give them a reservation number and hold the equipment for pick up at West Yellowstone.  People would select a night to pick up gear at our booth in the Holiday Inn during the Expo at night.  They would use the equipment the next morning and return everything right before lunch.   Testers liked the idea that their correct length and flex was being held for a specific pick up time.  It worked great!

We want you to see and feel why Fischer was the most successful ski and boot brand at last year’s Olympics.  It is one thing to watch the victories of Fischer athletes.  It is another thing to feel the combined speed and stability of our Speedmax skis or to experience for yourself how comfort and control come together in our Carbonlite boots.

The registration process is quite simple.  Go here and fill out the form.  You will receive a confirmation within 48 hours.  Quantities are limited so do not delay.  You will be able to pick up your Fischer skis and boots until 8:00pm the night before your demo at the Fischer booth in the Expo Center at the Holiday Inn.

The Expo runs until 9:00pm each night.  However, we will only hold your reservation until 8:30pm and then we will accept “Walk Ins” until closing at 9:00.  Bring a valid credit card and a driver’s license to check out your demo equipment.  The equipment will need to be returned by no later than 1:00 pm the next day. The first 50 people to demo skis and BOOTS will receive a Fischer race hat at no charge. Pick up begins Tuesday night, November 25 with the final day of demo on Saturday the 29th.

November 14, 2014 – US women’s XC skiing superstar Kikkan Randall recently shared some photos of herself at the hairdresser on Istagram – more specificially, before and after shots. That’s right, Randall gave her ‘do a refresh just in time for the start of the competitive season and “re-pinked” her locks in her signature pink hue. Check out the after shot below and follow Randall on Instagram for more updates from the charismatic athlete.

November 12, 2014 – On Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014,  U.S. Nordic Combined athlete Billy Demong ran the race of his life at the New York City Marathon. Running a marathon has been on his bucket list for a long time, says Demong. Having run cross country as a kid, he knew he had it in himself to finish. Demong only gave himself two months to train leading up to the marathon. Three weeks out, with his training runs pacing out around 6:00 per mile and his distances increasing, he knew he was ready to race.

As the race started, Demong said he could feel the surge of adrenaline carry him through the first climb. Afraid of running into fatigue later in the race, He tried to pace himself through the first 5k. To his surprise he found himself running in a pack of international sub-elites who were running far under his goal pace.

“It’s like being in the running of the bills, except you’re a bull. You have to huddle together with the 50,000 other runners to try and stay warm before the race, then shed all of your extra layers at the last minute before jockeying for position on the start line,” said Demong.

The cheering crowds helped Demong finish under his goal pace of 2:36:00, despite the windy, cold conditions. In his first marathon ever, Demong was able to finish at the incredible pace of 2:33:05. To put that into perspective, the fastest time ever ran at the New York City marathon was 2:03.02, just 30 minutes faster than Demong’s time this year.

“When I crossed the line I knew it was a perfect race for what I could have done that day. By far the hardest part was walking to the subway station afterward and getting to the hotel.”

Demong told ESPN, “This may sound ridiculous, but that might be the most fun I’ve had in an athletic event since Vancouver.” It is no secret that Nordic athletes are in incredible shape and Billy Demong is certainly no exception to the rule.

You can read more about Billy Demong’s marathon experience at teamusa.org.

November 11, 2014 (Berlin, Germany) – The German government is considering new legislation that would make doping a crime and could send those convicted behind bars reports AP. Draft legislation is to be presented to government ministers on November 12 and could be presented in the German parliament in early 2015.

Apparently the proposed jail sentences could be as long as three years for professional athletes and up to 10 years for “doctors and others.” There are some 7,000 professional athletes in Germany who would be subject to this new law should it be passed into law in its present form. Foreign athletes competing in Germany would also be subject to the same law.

Germany is not the first country to consider jail sentences for those involved with doping. In 2007 Pedal Magazine published a guest editorial written by Canadian sports lawyer Patrice M Brunet entitled “Not Without My Entourage.” In that document, Brunet pointed out that France, Italy, and Spain have similar provisions in their law and it also applies to coaches and team doctors.

“Prescribing, selling, offering, [or] administering” doping agents to athletes or “facilitating their use or encouraging, in any way whatsoever, athletes to use them,” is an offence punishable by five years’ imprisonment and a 75,000 Euros (approx. $106,000 CDN) fine in France wrote Brunet. Stiffer sanctions can apply when minors are involved. Brunet urged that Canada enact similar legislation.

Read more here.
Pedal Magazine article here.

November 10, 2014 – Hard to believe that the 2014-15 race season is just two weeks away!  Four APU Elite team athletes will be racing the first World Cup in Ruka, Finland the end of November.  Reese Hanneman is racing Period 1 of the World Cup as the Overall Supertour Leader from last season.  He is joined by APU/US Ski team members, Kikkan Randall, Erik Bjornsen and Sadie Bjornsen.

The domestic racing circuit also begins the end of November when the Supertour circuit gets underway in West Yellowstone, Montana.  Majority of the Elite team will be racing there.  Stay tuned to Facebook and Newsletters for the latest results as we cheer on the whole Elite team to another successful season.

Check out the new section in our newsletter called ” Meet the Team.” Here you can get to know our Elite team athletes both new and returning. Also be sure to check out Elite team member blogs, which you can find links to at the bottom of the newsletter – 2014-15 season… here we go!

Read more about APU news including Devos and Juniors, Team Night at Barney’s on Nov. 11, Hillside shoveling parties and more here.

November 10, 2014 (Calgary, AB) – One year before Chandra Crawford’s legendary success as an Olympic Cross-Country Skiing Gold Medalist, she came to a realization: “We have to do something to keep girls in sports.” She had witnessed first-hand the plethora of talented girls that had stopped participating in sports because they felt pressure to conform to more traditionally feminine pursuits. It was with that in mind that Crawford, along with local sport organizations and her teammates, created the Fast and Female program, who’s mission today is: “Deliver programs that keep girls healthy, happy and active in sports through their teens.” One year later, Crawford became an Olympic Champion and her ability to “connect that young age group to the red and white dream” gained unfathomable steam.

As a Canadian Sport Institute Calgary (CSIC) athlete for her 14 years on the Canadian National Cross-Country Ski Team, Crawford knows what it takes for females to succeed in sports. She credits much of her own success in high performance sport to the work of the CSIC and its employees, such as exercise physiologist Jodi Hawley who “worked with my team from before I won my Olympic gold until my last Olympics in Sochi. Jodi would measure my physiological parameters, but also dismantle a potential psychological melt down if I had a bad test by taking a moment to connect with me. I was so grateful to always have her.”

Saturday, November 1 marked a big step in the direction of creating a measurable impact on female athletes, when Crawford hosted the first Fast and Female Summit at the WinSport and Canadian Sport Institute facilities at Canada Olympic Park. The program’s most diverse event since its inception in 2005, the Summit was extremely successful. It was “our biggest event in Canada in terms of most athletes, parents, and volunteers,” with 20 different sports represented, and the highest caliber of speakers for the parent/coach seminar.

The line-up of speakers included Canadian Sport Institute Mental Performance Consultant Clare Fewster, along with Shawnee Harle, and Stephen and Lea Norris. Knowing the time and energy that high performance support staff members put into athletes’ careers, it is especially significant to Crawford when “people like Clare, of that high caliber, spend time on their Saturday to come and talk about girls in sports. They really care and we really appreciate that. The CSIC’s entire staff has been so supportive of Fast and Female. It is really fun to share our dream together of more female sport participation.”

Crawford notes, however, that through all of the amazing lessons taught at the Summit, the most inspirational moment came from an unplanned experience. “I took all of the girls and we were allowed to work out in the high performance gym. They have a sign on the wall that says, ‘Stay Humble. Be Hungry.’ We had 120 girls, all under the age of 16, go into the gym and get to walk through the CSI athlete lounge. We walked them into the CSI and said, ‘Imagine being an athlete who gets to use this facility. This is the last time you get to work out in here until you are an Olympian.’ It was all so motivating for them – they were envisioning what it would be like being an Olympian in that environment.”

Currently working on her MBA at the Haskayne School of Business, Crawford aims to continue expanding Fast and Female along with the help of the organization’s other part-time employee, Marie-Helene Thibeault. With the direction that things have been going over the past nine years, and the enthusiasm that has been generated within the female sports community, the future of women’s sports in Canada is looking bright.

Be sure to visit www.fastandfemale.com to find out how your organization can host a Fast and Female event and keep girls in sports!

November 05, 2014 – This past season Caldwell claimed the best all-time US Olympic women’s XC ski result with her 6th place in the CL sprint at Sochi 2014 and she finished third at the World Cup in Lahti, securing her first individual sprint FR podium. Despite two elbow fractures in a six-month period, Caldwell is training hard and focused on kicking more butt this season! Want to know how she’s working on recovering from her injury? Interested in her training details? In this exclusive “Sodie” feature, Caldwell answers your questions. Also check out Sophie’s training rap HERE and check her MAILBAG for all Q&As thru the season.

Questions for Sophie – Dealing With Injury

November 04, 2014 (Hayward, WI) – Today begins a new chapter for the Birkie as we launch a campaign to ensure the future of the Birkie events, the iconic trail and everything the Foundation works to do on a daily basis.

Over the past 12 months, in collaboration with the board of directors, I completed a 5-year strategic plan for the A.B.S.F. We have acknowledged the greatest risks to the foundation, as well as identified key opportunities that will create stability and increase our reach.

Recently, the opportunity has arisen to not only eliminate a large risk that for years has jeopardized our future, but to enhance the safety and experience for participants.  “Honor the Legacy, Ensure the Future” was born.

Working with the current ownership group at Telemark, we have been given the opportunity to purchase a section of land to build out a permanent start line at Telemark. Additionally, in cooperation with the DOT, County, City and other interest groups, we will be able to re-construct the “International Bridge” made famous by Tony Wise, this time in downtown Hayward, reducing traffic congestion, creating an improved flow for safety vehicles (and spectators), as well as providing access to services and infrastructure that improve safety and experience for all participants.

Race fees and other income streams allow us to operate world class events and maintain the amazing Birkie Trail, however, capital improvements with this scope we cannot do alone. These sizeable, yet essential projects will require generous support from our entire Birkie community. I am asking for your support to help carry forward our important Birkie traditions, events, experiences and lore.

The Birkie is no longer just a race that happens one day a year – it has evolved into a community, a year-round lifestyle, and an ideology of healthy living.  The lifeblood, the thread that holds it all together, is the great Birkie race itself.  Success with our first ever capital fundraising campaign will ensure our future and make the race experiences even better.

Complete details of the campaign and how to contribute can be found at www.birkie.com/future.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions – I’m happy to answer and inform.

See you out on the trail – Let it snow!

Ben Popp

Executive Director, A.B.S.F.

Donate here.

November 02, 2014 (Calgary, Alberta) – After battling a series of knee injuries sustained while competing for Canada, Ski Jumping Canada’s Alexandra Pretorius has decided to hang up her jump skis and call it a career.

Pretorius started ski jumping at age 7 with the Altius Nordic Ski Club in Calgary, Alberta. Inspired by the first generation of female ski jumping athletes such as Nata DeLeeuw, Katie Willis and Atsuko Tanaka as well as the opportunity to compete at the Olympics, Alexandra “gave 100% effort at everything she did” according to Team Canada head coach Gregor Linsig.

Pretorius’ career highlights are impressive – 4 ladies Grand Prix podiums, including 2 wins, as well as 2 FIS cup podiums.

After a lifetime of jumping, Alexandra’s only regret is that her injuries forced her to miss the 2014 Sochi Olympics – an event at which the women would compete for the first time – where she was a clear medal contender.

“I’ll miss the sport, my teammates, my coaches and the thrill of competing for Canada” said Pretorius, “but it’s time for me to move on to a different challenge. I wish all the best to my teammates and I’ll be their number one fan”.

On behalf of all Canadians and ski jumping fans across the globe, we wish Alexandra all the success in the world. She’s done us proud.

“Going out with an injury is not quite the way I hoped I would be ending my career as a ski jumper. However, after realizing the severity of my knee damage I have made the decision to retire from my sport. Although it was a difficult choice to make, it was also the obvious course of action in order to keep my knee functioning for the future.

“Words cannot express how grateful I am to every single coach, athlete, and parent in the ski jumping community that has supported me throughout my career. I feel blessed that I have had the opportunity of a lifetime to meet some amazing athletes and people and have experiences I will never forget. It was an honour to have had the chance to represent Canada internationally and I am thankful for everyone who has cheered me on in my journey.

“I have learned a lot about hard work and determination through ski jumping and I’ve realized that although it is considered to be an individual sport, a strong team behind every athlete is crucial in achieving success.

“After 9 years it is hard to imagine not spending most of my time ski jumping, but now that this chapter in my life is closed I look forward to taking on new challenges and getting my adrenaline rush in some other way. I intend to stay involved with our club in Calgary as it would be impossible for me completely cut ski jumping out of my life.

“I am excited to see what happens next for me but I will always be watching and cheering on my team, and all ski jumpers, as they continue to succeed in the sport,” commented Pretorius.

October 30, 2014 – Over halfway to the end of the Drive for 25 and the numbers are piling up. Here are some important statistics on the largest grassroots sport fundraising effort in the country so far:

• $120,000 for Cross Country and $8,000 for Nordic Combined have been raised so far.

So far 542 individual donations for xc and 73 donations have been made for nc. (We need another push to reach our 2014 goals.)

• Contributions from countries outside of the US this year include Canada, Norway, France, Poland and Germany.
• 36 States are represented in this year’s D25.
• There are 18 days left in the push for ski funding. Support the drive today.

Drive for 25: Cross Country
Drive for 25: Nordic Combined

Reese Hanneman on U23s and Development
Making The U23 World Championships was one of the biggest motivators in my young skiing career. As your last year of junior skiing comes to an end, the senior racing circuit looms; no more 5ks, no more JO’s dances (unless…). Having the opportunity to go to Under-23s really kicks you into gear; it’s a tangible goal that is just barely attainable enough to want to make you try. Instead of just being thrown into the lions den of senior racing, U-23s offers a bridge to the big leagues. It lit a spark in my mind that yes, just maybe… It might be possible.  – Reese Hanneman on the effect of U23 participation.

International trips to Europe take money and support. The NNF brings both to US skiing through fundraising efforts like the Drive for 25.

The World Junior / U23 Championships are an NNF Pillar Project. Keep the drive happening for future skiers. Ask 10 people to donate $25 to the Drive for 25.

Drive for 25: Cross Country

Nordic Combined Challenge Match – 20K Still Gets 20K

I can’t stress enough how important NNNF support has been to my career, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.  As I’ve progressed from a developing junior to a member of the US National B-team, the NNF has helped fund vital training and competition opportunities.  This community-based support keeps our pipeline alive, and will continue to benefit the next generations of athletes.  We really need your help to reach our $20,000 matching grant.  If you donate now, you’re dollars will be doubled.   We’re a community driven sport, which means that every individual’s support goes a long ways, and we couldn’t do it without you.  The funding from this drive will go to support athletes for the next year at World Junior Championships, Continental Cups, and development camps in the US and Europe.  –  Adam Loomis.

Join the Drive for 25 here.

Spread the Word!!! Get More From the NNF.

October 29, 2014 – In September, Finland’s Aino-Kaisa Saarinen fell during the training camp in Ramsau and broke a bone in her foot. Now, a few weeks later, Saarinen got good news from doctors today.

“The fractured bone seems to be recovering, not fully but a little. That is great news! I can now walk lightly without crutches, using the brace. Of course that does not mean walks of several kilometres, but it’s something in any case,” states Saarinen in her press release.

“I still need to continue to train as before, and that means strength exercises and core workouts,” says Saarinen.

Read the original story about her injury here.

October 28, 2014 (Canmore, AB) – Following the 10/15km FR races on day 2 of the WinSport Frozen Thunder competitions in Canmore, SkiTrax caught up with rising Canadian star, Heidi Widmer, who made the top 1o in the women’s race, for her take on the races and the season ahead – results and report here.

October 18, 2014 – Having grown up in one of America’s most well-known Nordic skiing families, Paddy Caldwell, has been on skis from about the same time that he learned to walk. At the 2014 FIS Nordic Junior World Championships in Italy Caldwell distinguished himself in the Junior Men’s 10km CL + 10km FR Skiathlon race in Val di Fiemme by overcoming tough conditions to finish a stellar 10th for the top North American result. In this first edition of Talkin’ With the Gravy Train (TWTGT) for the 2014-15 season, we spent some time with him as he prepares for the season ahead in Park City, UT. A sophmore at Dartmouth, Paddy is the son and grandson of Olympic cross-country skiers, Tim and John Caldwell respectively, and is a member of this year’s USST Development Squad. Tune in as he talks with our host Peter Graves about his background and his plans for the future.

Interview with Paddy Caldwell

October 15, 2014 (Canmore, AB) – Snow is in the air and Alberta is ready to kick things off soon as the Canmore Nordic Centre began the annual ritual of breaking out the snow they’ve been storing to prep the first trails in anticipation of the upcoming Frozen Thunder event October 24-27.

“The Nordic Centre started trucking the snow onto the trails on Monday (Oct. 13) and the word is that they’re hoping to have skiing by this Friday (Oct. 17), or Saturday at the latest. Looks like they have more snow than ever this year so it should be a decent sized loop if they use it all now. My guess would be more than 3km but it’s tough to tell at this point. The forecast looks promising for good skiing with highs of only around 10-12 degrees however it’s still not freezing at night yet,” said SkiTrax correspondent, Drew Goldsack.

October 11, 2014 – Southern Ontario District is launching a “SOD Paraffin race series” this winter from Dec 21 to Feb 22 at 10 venues across the province. The series kicks off with a Yuletide blast at Highlands, Duntroon Ontario on Dec 21 and culminates with the year-end championships, awards and banquet on February 22, 2015 at Mountainview Ski resort in Midland.

As part of the promotion the attached poster is going out to all the High Schools, Universities and Clubs across Southern Ontario. Sponsors are welcome to support this great development race series – please contact hardwoodcoach@rogers.com.

For more information visit the Southern Ontario District Website here.

October 09, 2014 – Former Olympic XC skiing gold medalist Petter Northug of Norway was given a jail sentence of 50 days on Thursday after crashing his car last May while driving drunk, injuring a friend in the process. Read our coverage about the incident here – more about the ruling on Reuters here.

Northug won two gold medals at the Vancouver 2010 Games, but failed to win any hardware at latest Sochi 2014 Olympics.

October 01, 2014 – The Drive for 25 Begins Today. The Drive for 25 is our skiing nation supporting itself. D25 is the largest grassroots fundraising effort for ski sport in the US. The concept is simple: the community comes together to support skiing.  This year, our Total Goal is $200,000.

So far generous donors have contributed $71,000 in matching funds for cross country skiing, funds that become available to the NNF during the next six weeks when grassroots donors deliver $25,000 through small donations. Last year we provided over $300,000 in support to our NNF Pillar Projects.

The only way this is possible is through your support.

To join the Drive for 25, click the links below and become an NNF Fundraiser and get 10 friends to donate $25 by November 12th.

It starts today. It starts with you.

The Drive for 25 begins right here:
– Cross Country here.
– Nordic Combined here.

September 25, 2014 (West Yellowstone, MO) – It has come to our attention that there are many rumors circulating about a “coaching fee” that will be required for the 2014 and future Yellowstone Ski Festivals.

First and foremost,  THERE IS NO CHANGE FOR THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR TRAINING TEAMS. Organizations and individuals are required to have a special use authorization if they are providing a commercial service on National Forest Lands. Essentially any service for a fee requires a special use permit through an outfitter/guide type authorization or a recreation/special event permit.

In the case of Yellowstone Ski Festival/Fall Camp, there is and has been an existing recreation event special use permit with the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce dba Yellowstone Ski Festival. YSF has an operating plan, indemnification insurance for the US Government, and a safety plan in place that is approved by the US Forest Service, and pays all fees associated with the festival to the US Government. This is a long standing permit and one that has worked well for years.

Through this Special Use Permit, the Rendezvous Ski Trails are treated as a private ski area for the month of November.

Our permit with the Forest Service doesn’t allow non-licensed concessionaires to offer paid services on the trails. YSF offers its own Masters clinics and is the only licensed concessionaire; therefore unauthorized groups offering paid clinics and/or training are in violation of the permit with the Forest Service. Traditionally, YSF has allowed Junior and Senior teams to train on the trails because their coaching does not conflict with the purpose of the festival.

THERE IS NO CHANGE FOR THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR TRAINING TEAMS.

There is an infrastructure already in place for group Master level clinics.  YSF Fall Camp directors are open to the concept of including other Masters ski clubs who have plans to visit during November and provide instruction to ski club members. Having groups under the YSF umbrella is best for all involved, keeps clubs legal, and facilitates the best experience for skiers as well. If any Club is interested in providing an organized Masters group instruction during the month of November, please contact the YSF Clinic Director Drew Barney at 406-640-1367.

September 15, 2014 (Quebec City, Quebec) – A fundraising evening benefiting the Pierre Harvey National Centre will be held on October 16, starting at 5:00 pm. The event will include a silent auction, a speech by Alex Harvey, and wine and cheese. Tickets are $150. For more info, contact Caroline Dufour cdufour@relevenement.com 518-998-9226. www.cneph.ca

September 14, 2014 – Brittany Webster, a 2-time Olympian and 2013 World Championship Team member, just recently launched a fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $19,000 for her 2015 World Cup Ski Season. “Racing professionally and inspiring others to achieve their dreams is my full-time job. I am an athlete mentor for Classroom Champions, a MitoCanada Ambassador, and an inspirational speaker for events around my community.”

Her Campaign, which can be found at https://www.pursu.it/pursuit/campaign/67 launched Sept 1, and Webster has given herself 40 days to raise the money. “My ski season this year is estimated to cost close to $30,000 if I make all of the trips I would like to qualify for. At $4-5,000 per World Cup & Scandinavian trip, things can add up pretty quick! All the money raised through my pursu.it campaign will go towards World
Cup Ski costs this year.”
Brittany’s pursu.it campaign offers some neat gifts for those who join her team. By donating between $100-1,500, donators can receive professional photographs, Olympic team gear, a downloadable yoga class taught by Brittany, a cooking class, her very own cookbook, a ski lesson, a nutrition consultation, or even a 1 night stay for 2 at Canmore’s 5star Paintbox Lodge and a massage at Wildflower. Best of all, you will be fuelling the dream of an inspiring Canadian athlete.

Not only has Brittany represented Canada on the World Stage, but she has also been an integral part of the international program Classroom Champions. It is a non-profit organization that connects Olympians with underprivileged schools around the World, inspiring them to Dream Big. You can watch her Classroom Champions videos here:http://www.classroomchampions.org/person/146/Brittany-Webster or check out her website at http://www.brittanywebster.net

September 12, 2014 (Trondheim, Norway) – Disgraced Norwegian ski star Petter Northug may have received special treatment from police earlier this year reports News in English, Norway. This information is also included in a new book about Northug called “Northug – a family history”, written by author Sverre M. Nyrønning.

Northug crashed an Audi A7 on May 4 while driving under the influence of alcohol and then left the scene of the accident – read more here. A passenger in the car with him broke his collarbone in the incident. Apparently in a very uncharacteristic manner, police treated Northug kindly after his arrest. He was put in a “glattcelle,” the Norwegian version of a drunk tank, but then given “a good mattress,” and a warm blanket. The skier went so far as to say that he “didn’t feel at all incarcerated, and the police on duty were very nice to me.” Northug apparently also described his glattcelle experience as “pleasant.”

Police also helped smuggle him out of the police station in Trondheim, to avoid the scrum of reporters standing outside. Northug was driven from the station, concealed in a police car, and later taken to the summer cottage of one of Northug’s supporters in Åre, over the border in Sweden.

Norway has some of the most severe penalties for drunk driving in the world. Northug has now revealed that he tested at a blood alcohol reading of 1.65 when apprehended by police. Norwegian law is very strict regarding those driving under the influence and stipulates a minimum one-year jail sentence for readings over 1.5, something that would disrupt and perhaps destroy Northug’s skiing career. Speculation is that special allowance will be made for one of Norway’s skiing stars.

Northug, 28, has skied professionally since 2005, winning 18 medals at various World Cup events (11 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze), putting him in a class of his own. He also won four medals (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. According to other media reports in Norway, Northug is now preparing for a comeback, focusing on winning the Tour de Ski.

Read more here.

September 12, 2014 – Last week, the main team involved with the FIS Tour de Ski preparations visited the four Tour host venues of Oberstdorf (GER), Val Müstair (SUI), Toblach and Val di Fiemme (both ITA). The 9th edition of the Viessmann FIS Tour de Ski performance by Craft Sportswear is scheduled to take place from 3rd-11th January 2015.

Site inspections began in Oberstdorf (GER), which is welcomed back to the Tour de Ski calendar after athree-year absence. The intensive discussion covered plans for enhanced activities for spectators, optimising the competition schedule and inspecting the competition courses. As it has become a tradition, the FIS Tour de Ski will get underway with a team presentation, this time taking place in the town centre of Oberstdorf on 2nd January.

Switzerland has become a successful host of the FIS Tour de Ski with two venues of Val Müstair and Lenzerheide. In 2015 it will be the home resort of Dario Cologna – Val Müstair – which will host Stage 3 of the Tour and the Organising Committee continues to develop the event and presented many new ideas and projects. The sprint in free technique will take place in the afternoon of 6th January and spectators both on-site and in front of the TV will have a chance to enjoy thrilling competitions in the beautiful landscape of the Swiss Alps. Moving to Toblach, the Tour schedule foresees two competitions for the fifth time.

In Val di Fiemme, the discussions centreed on organisational aspects, fan entertainment and ensuring high quality TV coverage by building upon the exciting competitions from last season. The FIS Tour de Ski will traditionally conclude with the final climb to the top of Alpe Cermis on 11th January 2015.

“We’re very satisfied with the progress for the Tour de Ski, now in its 9th edition. We have enthusiastic Organising Committees on board and we can look forward to exciting battles,” FIS Cross-Country Race Director Pierre Mignerey said.

For more information, visit www.fis-ski.com/cross-country

August 21, 2014 – For this coming 2014/2015 season Madshus is excited about its ISPO-award-winning Super Nano Skate XC boots and its huge technology advance known as Madshus emPower, which also won an award at ISPO. Coming to consumers this fall, the innovative concept sees RFID chips embedded into each ski, allowing Madshus to track every ski’s production and characteristics, including camber, flex, and so on, and precisely match ski pairs in the process. For retailers, this information will be available to allow customers to make a more informed decision when buying skis.

This fall the company is also introducing a new app that allows the data from the Madshus emPower system to be accessed via your computer or smartphone. You can store and access all of your information to help select skis for race day based on weather and snow conditions, as well as track your workouts. Look for it at select Madshus retailers this fall.

August 21, 2014 (Cable, WI) – Organisers of the 2015 IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships taking place in Cable, Wisconsin, USA, from 22 January-1 February, launched their volunteer programme on Thursday (21 August) aimed at recruiting the multitude of helpers needed to host such a prestigious international event.

Cable 2015 is expected to gather around 150 athletes from 20 countries less than one year after the most successful Paralympic Winter Games ever took place in Sochi, Russia.

The volunteer programme allows individuals and groups to participate in the World Championships by helping to fill key roles and provides them with a behind the scenes glimpse into a major international competition. Depending on the length of service, volunteers can receive meals and accommodation along with complimentary merchandise.

To sign up as a volunteer for Cable 2015 go to: www.Cable2015.com/volunteering.

A video launched to support the recruitment drive features several key volunteers already committed to Cable 2015 discussing their experiences from two previous World Cup events and their anticipation for the upcoming Championships.

Jane Mandli, one of the volunteer co-ordinators for Cable 2015, says she is excited to see the event come together.

“It’s very exciting to be a part of bringing such a prominent competition to Northern Wisconsin. The quality and character of our volunteers at the World Cup events stood out in the minds of everyone who was here for those and that is part of why the World Championships are coming,” she said.

Mandli is also thrilled with the level of experience from some of the volunteers that have already signed up. “With such a large event we really need, and will use, everyone who signs up for Cable 2015 but it is truly amazing to see the large number of volunteers already registering. I am very impressed with the vast experience that many of the volunteers have as well.

“This is going to be an amazing event!”

The IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships will need between 350-400 volunteers over the 12 days of the event. Volunteer opportunities include helping with the start and finish line areas, course patrol, biathlon range, press services, security and crowd control, stadium set-up, race administration, medical and much more. Opportunities include both inside and outside spaces.

Cable 2015 will feature the largest and strongest contingency of US athletes at a Nordic Skiing World Championships. Many of the men in Team USA are veterans representing all branches of the military.

The American women, led by Oksana Masters and Tatyana McFadden, are becoming a force to be reckoned with after winning multiple medals in Sochi.

More information can be found at www.Cable2015.com.

August 20, 2014 (Alaska) – Summer on! Somehow this Alaskan summer just keeps summering on!! Normally when I think about summer in Alaska I think of missing the warmth, I think of training hard, and I think of avoiding the rain. Not this summer!!! The amazing weather, the fun training, and the fresh atmosphere just keeps coming!! I have had another “best ever month” here in Alaska. Best month of training, best month of fun, and best month of just living the life!

Backtrack to getting off my first glacier camp of the summer a few weeks back, and jumping into the full swing of July 4th in Seward. With temperatures up in the 80s, Mount Marathon was going to be more challenging than ever. Having never made it more than 100 meters up the Mount Marathon track… I didn’t really appreciate what this “hot weather threat” really meant.

So, this year I finally made my way up the mountain for the first time. I was in disbelief!! Suddenly I had 100 times the respect for those racers than ever! Not only was it incredibly technical and crazy going both up and down- but the strength of the sun on the side of this bare mountain was unmeasurable!

As I lay there between the men’s and woman’s race constantly re-applying as much sun screen as possible and saving my water to pour on the racers, I thought I was going to turn into a raisin! Holy, heat!! Congrats to awesome races by my teammates Lauren and Holly, and of course the amazing Erik Strabel!!

With one week to rest and rejuvenate from our first glacier camp, we were back at it for the annual North American Womans Training Alliance Camp. This year our mystery international guest was Celine Brun-Lie from the Norwegian National Team. Celine has been a good friend of the American Team for the past couple of years after she took in Liz Stephen last summer when Liz went to join the Norwegians for a camp.

Ever since, we have been encouraging her to come join us. So, a few months back, she jumped on board the ship and booked her ticket. She has been staying with me for the past three weeks of camp, so it has been fun and awesome getting to know her. We learned that we have more than a few things in common – with our similar training approach and ‘need to keep this fun’.

I think we both learned a lot from each other. Many of our afternoons of training we spent talking about the team atmosphere, the personalities of different Norwegian stars, our academic goals, and our life outside of ski racing. Meanwhile I also had a French Biathlon National Team guest visiting at the same time, Marine Bolliet. Between Marine, Celine and I… it was an international mixing pot of ideas and laughter!

So our NAWTA Camp began with the usual first week of dryland camp in town. We were blessed by the weather gods as usual… with lots of amazing days of skiing in our tank tops and soaking in sunshine. We had one amazing day of rollerskiing up Hatchers Pass, a few days of running in the mountains, and one hard day of intervals around backwards Spencer (our 30k race course from nationals).

From there, we headed to Girdwood, waiting for the helicopter hop up to Eagle Glacier for the second week of training. As usual, the day of flying to Eagle quickly clouded over. Weather moved in, and we were forced to wait for an opening. As Deb Essex of Alpine Air kept us finely entertained, around 9PM an opening appeared. I jumped on the first trip up, and we made our usual trek up the valley, up over the ridge, and then suddenly, it was clouded over!

So, the pilot, Andy, did the next best thing, dropping us in a clump at the bottom of the glacier. Erik Flora came racing down glacier on his snowmobile, probing a little circle for us to stand on, and left us there to wait. by 10PM, the weather cleared out, and we could see the building about two miles above us.

The remaining three helicopter loads were dropped at the building as we waited for a jump back up. Trying to keep warm, the six of us turned on some music, and had ourselves a little Eagle Glacier dance party. It was hilarious! By 10:30PM, Erik headed back down glacier in the Pistenbully to pick us up. Not the normal entrance into Eagle Glacier, but a good one to remember!

From there, it was another great week of training. Weather wasn’t great, but I always think that is a blessing! It keeps us from getting soft. Life isn’t allowed to be too plush on Eagle Glacier…. I mean we are training on a Glacier only 45 minutes from Anchorage, in July!! It can’t get too good to be true! The final couple days it warmed up, and we were able to do a few afternoon workouts in our shorts and sports bras!

The warmer conditions all week and ‘lack of clearing overnight’ left the snow softer than ever. I think it is safe to say we got some good practice in what our coach likes to call “Championship Day”, otherwise known as the most challenging conditions in the world to ski in. I often just refer to it as mashed potatoes. The kind of skiing where you feel like you are sinking and working harder than ever just to keep moving! But the true story is – it is actually great practice!

The final day decided to test our true patience and strength. As we headed out for our last day of training, often a 3-4 hour workout, temperatures hit 38 degrees and there was a torrential downpour! The kind of raining that will literally soak you to the bone in 3 minutes. Not having been in that for at least a year on Eagle Glacier… I forgot how you dress appropriately for the weather. You always need at least three layers on your legs and you need a true rain jacket.

Aside from that, you need at least one change of gloves and hat for mid-training! Un-prepared, I headed up to the building after 1 hour, stripped every layer off my soaking wet body, and started over. This time I layered on the long underwear, put on my gore-tex rain jacket, dumped out two loaves of bread on the counter in order to cover my hands and gloves in a bread bag jacket…. and headed back out. I managed to finish my three-hour workout in a much better place than those first 45 minutes!

And that was a wrap! Another amazing NAWTA women’s camp! We had tons of fun, we had great weather for the most part, we had more productive training than ever- and it was a blast! So thanks ladies and coaches for one heck of a great two weeks!

I am now in my much-needed week of recover where I get ready for another four-week training block of training.

On another note, to everyone back in the Methow dealing with this terrible fire, I have you in my thoughts! It has been hard to watch from afar. I hope that is it for the summer fires, and everyone is able to recover from such a disaster!

Summer on!

Lots more photos here.

August 11, 2014 (New Zealand) – Justyna Kowalczyk travelled down under and has put on skis again. For the fourth time, the Polish star is going to spend almost the whole month of August at Snow Farm, New Zealand. Last weekend Kowalczyk put on a race bib, for the first time since the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.

Women competed in the 10km Mass Start Classic and 5km Free races and Kowalczyk won both competitions over her compatriot Sylwia Jaskowiec who joined the team this spring. Kowalczyk stopped the clock in 33:20.5 for the 10km race with Jaskowiec at 1:33.9. The result of the shorter race in free technique was tighter as Kowalczyk won with a +5.7 sec margin.

Maciej Kreczmer (POL) won the men’s 15km Mass Start Classic and 10km Free competitions over renowned Canadian Paralympic star, Brian McKeever, with Andrew Pohl (NZL) in third.

August 10, 2014 (Haywood, Wisconsin) – The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) has appointed Allan Serrano as its new Director of Race Operations. Serrano will replace Shellie Milford—who served in various capacities for 13 years and then Director of Race Operations for the past 15 years—announced her retirement earlier this year. Serrano and his family will be relocating from New Paltz, NY. He assumes the ABSF position on September 15, 2014, and will work with Milford until her departure in March of 2015.

“Allan comes to the Birkie with a wealth of knowledge of Nordic ski racing. As we continue the tradition of excellence that the Birkie is known for, Allan’s skills will be put to good use immediately. We look forward to welcoming Allan and his family to our community,” said Sue Scheer, Board President, American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation.

Serrano brings to the American Birkebeiner his experience in leadership and management needed to be a successful Race Director. “I have a sense of the pride and ownership embodied in the greater community surrounding the Birkie. The brand is successful due to the diligent work of staff and volunteers over the years. I see the critical mission of this position is working with the Chiefs and volunteers to uphold the tradition and values, as well as developing changes to keep the experience current for all of the constituent groups,” Serrano said.

Previously, Serrano has served as an International Ski Federation (FIS) Technical Delegate which has created opportunities for him to work with race organizers and regional event staff. Serrano’s technical, communication, and organizational skills have grown to the point where he has been involved at the highest international level as a technical delegate and homologation inspector, working with organizers in Asia, Europe, and North America.” Serrano was appointed as the TD for the 2014 American Birkebeiner.

Originally from Anoka, MN, Serrano said, “I bring the passion and attention to detail that I had applied in many years of coaching to event organization. I regularly work collaboratively with a variety of organizers, focusing on operations from the point of view of the key constituent groups: participants, organization staff, spectators, and sponsors. I have worked with many historic events, applying an outsider’s perspective that I believe is critical in creating opportunities for positive growth.”

Serrano’s background consists of a Bachelors of Science in Forestry from the University of Vermont School of Natural Resources. He added that he “could provide trail development and design, to assist ABSF Trail Manager, Chris Campbell, and his crew with trail maintenance or issues pertaining to the homologation and the trail’s integrity. The Birkie trails are fantastic. It is the greatest race course; challenging with all the hills. It’s tough to improve on that. ”

“I’m really excited to have Allan joining the Birkie team,” commented Ben Popp, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. “His wealth of international experience, along with his passion for the sport will be great for the Birkie’s future.” Of his newly acquired position, Serrano said, “It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this historic, significant event. My experience and skills will help keep up the tradition, yet make it relevant with the times.”

Allan, his wife, Natalie Cartwright—former ski contender for the Olympics in 1994 and 1998, and currently a mathematics professor—and their three daughters are looking forward to their new Wisconsin adventure. “My family and I are excited to transition into the ski lifestyle and become part of the community.”

Thanks to Our Sponsors, including SWIX, Title Sponsor of the American Birkebeiner Skate Race and Birkie Week ski events, Feb. 19-22, 2015, as well as FITS, New Moon Ski & Bike, Gu Energy, Hammer Nutrition, Marshfield Clinic – Hayward Center, Timber Ford of Hayward, and dozens of other businesses, organizations, and professional services.

SKI . RUN . BIKE . LIVE! The Birkie is a year-round lifestyle choice for thousands of outdoor fitness enthusiasts of all levels. From its signature ski race–the legendary American Birkebeiner–The Birkie has grown into an exciting array of fitness and recreational opportunities. The 107-kilometer Birkie Trail system attracts skiers, runners, bikers, trekkers, and hikers, from casual day-trippers to elite superstars. Located near Hayward and Cable, Wisconsin, the Birkie is now an outdoor sports mecca, a series of great races, a fitness destination, and a lifestyle. Ski . Run . Bike . Live!

August 09, 2014 (New Hampshire) – So how does Kris Freeman, former top distance skier on the US XC Ski Team, stay in shape? He takes on all-comers at the Top Notch Triathlon and then a week later he throws down the gauntlet at the Wildman Biathlon to see what he’s made of. His goal was to win both events…

Kris Freeman at the Top Notch Triathlon

Every year that I have been in NH in early August, I have raced the Top Notch Triathlon.  It is a unique event that starts with a six mile MT bike hill climb, transitions to a 1/2 mile swim across Echo Lake and finishes after a 2 mile run up Cannon Mountain.  Last year I wrote about a great duel that I had with Ryan Kelly who is one of the best triathletes in NE.  We pushed each other hard and I had to set a new course record to beat him.  I was looking forward to another good race with Ryan but he informed via Facebook the day before the race that he had thrown his back out and would not be competing.  I knew that it was unlikely that I could challenge my course record without being able to trade drafts in the bike and swim… full story here.

August 09, 2014 (Anchorage, Alaska) – Norway’s Celine Brun-Lie travelled to Anchorage, Alaska for the US Women’s XC Ski Team’s annual NAWTA (North American Women’s Training Alliance) camp which included dryland training and a week on Eagle Glacier. FIS XC caught up with her for the latest edition of Cross-Country Talk.

You just completed three weeks training in Anchorage, Alaska. Two of those weeks you participated with the US Women’s ski team in a training camp. Your teammate on the Norwegian team Astrid Urenholdt Jacobsen did the same last summer. What was the motivation for you to come to Alaska?
Celine Brun-Lie: I got to know some of the girls on the world cup a couple of years ago and they seemed really nice. I have always been fascinated about how they can be away from home for so long and still do amazing races and keep up the mood and energy. As I love to travel I thought it would be a great opportunity to see a new place and get to know the American girls better, and maybe exchange some ideas.

Was the experience what you expected?
CBL: It was much better! The way they took me in and treated me like a member of the team from the first day was not something I expected. The girls where awesome and made me feel at home at once and the coaches helped me with everything from technique to equipment problems.

Norway has such a great history in the sport of Cross-Country skiing. You have been a member of the National Team for several years now. Were you able to learn some new things from the US program?
CBL: Ithink the Americans have a different way of seeing things. We talked a lot about traditions, that Norway has a long tradition whereas USA is a young cross country nation. I think if you find a balance between these two you can reach high, which we have seen is the case for this team. They already have some of the best skiers in the world and many talented skiers to come. I learned to think more out of the box.

Do you have a favourite moment from your time in Alaska?
CBL: This is a difficult one! I had a lot of fun and many people took me to different Alaskan adventures! But Eagle glacier will remain as my favourite glacier to ski on for a long time to come! It was amazing to ski in such a beautiful place and the way Erik Flora had made the tracks was just perfect!

Was this the first time you have gone outside of the Norwegian team to train with another National team?
CBL: I went to France as a junior to train with some french athletes and have been there every summer since.

Alaska is known for big wildlife, and nature. Did you get to see any bears, moose or salmon?
CBL: I saw a lot of moose (they are so tame over there!!) and a lot of salmon in the rivers. Unfortunately I did not see a bear, which I really wanted to, so I have to go back… 🙂

August 08, 2014 (Alaska) – The US Women’s XC Ski Team recently held their NAWTA (North American Women’s Training Alliance) camp second training camp in Alaska including a week on Eagle Glacier, and were joined by APU skiers and special guest from Norway, Celine Brun-Lie.

Following the camp we caught up with Women’s Team Coach, Matt Whitcomb, for his take on the training, the recent injuries to Jessie Diggins and Sophie Caldwell, the move to a more international framework, the team’s vision and what’s coming up on the horizon… PLUS we’ve got huge galleries of the team dryland training and skiing on Eagle Glacier…

Interview with Matt Whitcomb

Dryland Training

Eagle Glacier Training

August 07, 2014 (Jackson Hole, Wyoming) – Check out this fun video by Skyler Mullings, one of the athletes who attended the NNF- Supported U16 Camp that just wrapped up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. As NNF Executive Director, David Knoop, says. “I love it when the athletes take the initiative!” – read more on the camp here.

August 07, 2014 – Before this year’s Nordic Combined Grand Prix competitions in Obertsdorf (GER), the female athletes will take centre stage. One of the athletes who will participate in the international training camp and competitions this summer is 21-year-old Tara Geraghty-Moats (USA). Tara has been a Nordic Combined athlete at heart for many years, with a background in ski jumping, cross-country skiing and biathlon.

August 06, 2014 (Park City, Utah) – Jessica Jerome demonstrated her world-class talent picking up her 11th national title on Sunday, Aug. 2 with a win in the large hill competition at the U.S. Ski Jumping Championships in Park City, Utah.

Nita Englund and Tara Geraghty-Moats soared to their first national championship spots with a 2nd and 3rd place respectively. The normal hill U.S. Championship will be held in October during the Flaming Leaves tournament in Lake Placid, NY.

“It was nice to see some of the younger girls step up and have good performances. Nationals is always timed right for me as I start to get a good rhythm this time of the summer,” Jerome said. “Now it will be interesting to see how I stack up internationally.”

At the 16th annual Springer Tournee held in Park City the same weekend, Gabby Armstrong, of Lake Placid, NY, and a participant in WSJ-USA’s new Fly Girls development program, earned an impressive 1st place in the U18 Nordic Combined comp and Logan Sankey, of Steamboat, Colo., also on the Fly Girls team, sailed in for 2nd place in the U18 HS68.

Also during the Springer Tournee, Jerome won the normal hill competition (90 meter) with teammates Sarah Hendrickson in 2nd and Englund in 3rd.

Hendrickson, 2013 World Champion, is still rehabilitating from a knee injury last season and elected not compete in the large hill national championship. Lindsey Van, 2009 World Champion, and Abby Hughes did not compete in the large hill national championship as both are still recovering from knee surgeries.

Full results here.

August 06, 2014 (Jackson Hole, Wyoming) – The NNF- Supported U16 Camp just wrapped up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming (the location changes annually). We caught up with one of the camp’s founders, Sun Valley Coach, Rick Kapala on what the U16 Camp does and means in the scope of skiing development.

How did the U16 camp come into being? What’s its primary goal?
Rick Kapala: Six years ago, a group of us – Janice Sibilia, Alison Deines-Sehnert, Josh Smullin  and myself decided it would be helpful to get the better U16 juniors together earlier than at the typical REG camps. The idea was that we might be able to help kids get more effective in their training at an earlier age and to get more buy in.  Club teams are the foundation of all development but obviously no one club team can match the depth of talent at a national level camp and as such maybe the kids get psyched about being with a group of kids that they race against but who are essentially new faces.

The challenge with this age class is that most of these better kids also do other sports and that’s okay up to a point.  But for the kids hoping to start making Scando Teams and World Jrs, they need to be encouraged to pick cross country ski racing as their primary sport. In addition the other sports that we compete with for these same talented kids, like xc run, swimming and soccer take this kind of approach which is to say they try to channel motivated kids into their sports.  We needed to step up  and say “pick Cross Country Ski Racing”. It helps club coaches at home who are also delivering that message when their top kids hear it at a camp like this as well.

What goes on at the camp? What do the athletes leave with?
RK: All other nations and all other sports see the value of assembling top kids for training camps.  What happens in some ways is very organic in that just putting motivated kids together to train results in a raising of the bar without us even having to say anything.  Whether it’s a sports camp or a music  or math camp,  when you get people together there is an opportunity for accelerated growth – it’s a fertile field.  It’s the same as when we get together as coaches at conferences – we get jazzed about coaching and we start brain storming. It’s the same at training camps. The kids get amped .  What we think they leave with is a deeper understanding about the physical and technical demands of the sport through the evening educational sessions but more importantly we strive to build team cohesion with that age group of kids so that they see themselves as the next wave.  That they understand the power of shared commitment.

How is it decided who hosts? What’s the process for hosting?
RK: We set the camp up on a rotation through the country – Midwest,  West and East.  So far we have been at Michigan Tech in Houghton MI,  Sun Valley,  Crafstbury ,  Northern Michigan in Marquette and this year in Jackson Hole Wyoming.  2015 is back East again. The camp has some pretty specific logistical needs that have to be met in order to ensure a high quality experience.  Quality lodging and food, safe rollerskiing and really good dryland facilities that are adjacent to the lodging as with a group this large 40-50 kids, we want to minimize travel logistical challenges. We need big sport fields and a large classroom with tech support.  Also, ideally an airport with a lot of direct service within ½ hour drive.

When you look at those needs right away we start reducing sites just because a camp for 40 is way different to manage than a camp for 10-20. Plus these kids are younger so its has to a camp that has everything we need and we need to be able to provide a safe environment with appropriate supervision   For most this will be their first big camp away from their division.  Our group of coordinators – now myself, Josh, Janice and Bryan – USST Development Coach start working on next year’s site right after we finish this year’s camp and we hope to have dates and location mid mid Autumn for next year. We shoot for end of July to stay off the REG’s and the start up of Fall sports plus some academies and clubs like to have their final summer camp before school starts.

Are there ways that you think talent ID is something coaches can do year round? What do you look for at this camp that others can find?
RK: Right off I’d say that the talent that is most important but is also hard to id is one’s talent or ability to make a goal and commit to the process.  Of course all the kids there are already obviously “talented “ because they are there but the talent that is most obvious at this age – skiing fast is not necessarily the best predictor of sustained success.  The big message at the camp is 1) you have to love the life of skiing and training and racing to really grow 2) You have to own it – coaches, mentors, parents can help support you but the desire has to come from within 3) There are many, many abilities needed to  succeed at the highest levels of this sport so you need to start working now on “the list”  – aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, allt eh techniques, race tactics, nutrition and recovery etc etc, etc.

We try to stress that as coaches we really can’t say who will be the next few kids to maybe make it to the world cup. But what we can do is set up an array of challenges and opportunities for growth (and of course this has to happen in concert with their home teams) that give the truly motivated kids the experiences they need to move ahead. So what critical traits do we see among kids at this camp that MAY predict future progress?   Its behavioral stuff mostly – diligence, resilience,  optimistic spirit, curiosity, openness, willingness to  engage and learn   Those traits combined with what may turn out to be a predisposition to develop big physical capacities indicate future growth. But without what we call a Growth Mindset its pretty hard to get to the top.

As the founder of this camp and as a long time coach, what are the changes you see in the culture of training with younger (U16) athletes? To what do you credit those changes, if any?
RK: If the camp has done anything hopefully it has helped kids take a step towards cross country skiing at a higher level at an earlier age. Remember we are competing against nations like Norway, Sweden where the last thing they have to do is convince their kids about the value of ski sport at a high level. Those kids over there already believe.

I think our kids love the sport but against the cultural backdrop of US mega pro sport culture and hype and the undercurrent of slackerdom that is pervasive in pop culture , its hard for kids to understand its okay to throw it out there – to really love something like cross country skiing and to commit to trying hard. Lest someone think we are a little too intense , we also throw in stuff like whitewater rafting and lip sync contests at the camp to get the point across that you’ll go farther if you are also someone who knows how to have fun when its time to chill.

From an athletic standpoint, we have seen definitive improvement in the aerobic abilities of the group, we have also seen really big improvements improvement in rollerski ability and in foundations of strength. For example, we finished this year with a four hour L1 hike through the Tetons finishing at the top of the Jackson Hole Tram and the group handled the effort no problem.

This year we also had a top Norwegian Coach, Bjorn Ilsemann from Hemming at the camp and his observations were that 1) The Norwegians start their kids PLAYING on rollerskis at 10-11 and as such they are still somewhat ahead of us in technique development. It is key to stress that they are not hammering Intervals on rollerskis or doing distance session but playing on rollskis and that this translates into improved confidence and agility on rollskis and as such they are better able to utilize the tools for training when it is time to step it up.   2) He says if anything we are a little ahead on strength – so that is good.

Overall, Bryan and I , who have been at all the camps can unequivocally say that every year the kids are better in base aerobic fitness, rollski skills and strength but the real credit there goes to the club coaches who have all raised the bar within their own programs.  The advances have come from daily training at home combined with the carrot of camp opportunities like the National U16, The REG.s and the NTG/NEG programs.  Its no one thing and its everything that has helped the steady progress across the country.  Every day the camp I learned something new and I came back super energized to put even more to my own program in Sun Valley. That’s what I mean by the idea of creating a fertile field.

Anything else folks should know about this – anything to add?
RK: This camp is a great example of what we can all do to help the big picture.  The support from The National Nordic Foundation in funding the camp so that it remains affordable is critical. In addition every  year we get coaches and interns from the host region to assist with coaching ; this year we had Martin Benes – Sugarbowl, Paul Smith/Pete Phillips – Jackson, Gordon Lange – Park City,  Kate Barton- Burke M.A., Rebecca Watson – Lander as well as college athlete interns Lucy Newman and Jesse Knori – CU, Deedra Irwin – MTU and Sam Wiswell – U of Wyo helping with  coaching duties and Bjorn Ilsemann from Norway.

No one gets paid – we all just chip in. And of course the National Team is all in with Bryan Fish being the guy who helps tie it all together with the other athletic objectives of the Nation al Development System.  This same kind of group effort is happening with the REG’s and with divisional camps across the country as well.   You know what they say, make the little plays every day like hitting the cut off man, moving the runner over, throwing strikes, and you’ll help the team win. Think process, raise the bar and never ever give up.

August 04, 2014 – Check out the latest from the boys and girls in the band as the mid-summer racing, heat, vacationing and surf add up to a whole lot of what’s happening now from Norway, to Alaska, to New Zealand, to San Diego and paradise…

Lowell Bailey – Blink Festival Podium – Next Stop Torsby Tunnel here.

Jessie Diggins – Sad to leave this little paradise but… here.

Holly Brooks – Take a hike… here.

Brian McKeever – New Zealand, here we come!

Ivan Babikov – Next training camp, this time out east…here.

Andy Newell – Cool to be eating local… here.

Lenny Valjas – Going to miss this place…here.

Kristin Stoermer Stiera – Recognize this Not so happy camper…here ?

August 04, 2014 (Perisher Valley, Australia) – The ANC is the opening Continental Cup Series for the 2014-2015 season, consisting of five events in Australia and three in New Zealand throughout August. Three nationalities topped the podium in the opening four races. Australian Winter Olympians Esther Bottomley and Phillip Bellingham won the Classic Sprint events on Saturday, then on Sunday Barbara Jezersek from Slovenia won the 5 km Freestyle and Valerio Leccardi won the 10 km Freestyle.

The ANC competitions at Perisher Valley were organised by Snowsports ACT and the NSW Snowsports Association on behalf of Ski & Snowboard Australia. Snow conditions in Australia have been excellent so far this season, with well over a metre of snow falling at the major ski resorts during July and plenty of successful club competitions already held.

Bottomley and Bellingham also won the Classic Sprint time trial, which was held on a new 1.2km course for women and 1.3 km for men. In the women’s A-final Bottomley took the early lead then held on to win ahead of Jessica Yeaton and Australian junior Anna Trnka. Yeaton recently switched her FIS licence to race for Australia after racing for the USA for three years while at university there.

The men’s A final saw Bellingham and fellow Sochi Olympian Callum Watson double pole the course on skating skis, while the other two finalists Leccardi and Paul Kovacs used classic skis and grip wax to climb the hills. Bellingham and Leccardi were close together over the top of the course but Bellingham was too fast on the downhill and finish and won by a couple of seconds, Watson taking third place.

Freestyle Events
Sunday’s Freestyle events were held using an interval start time trial format on a 5 km loop. In the women’s 5km Freestyle Jezersek the #1 seed started last, 30 seconds behind Bottomley, and caught her at around the 2.5 km mark. Bottomley fought hard and only lost another 10 seconds from there to the finish, with Yeaton taking third place another 12 seconds back.

It was a close race in the men’s 10 km Freestyle, with Leccardi and Bellingham neck and neck on time splits after 2.5 km and Watson just 10 seconds behind. On the second lap Bellingham forged ahead to a 10 second lead, but Leccardi finished strongly to clinch victory by the smallest possible margin, just 0.1 of a second. Watson took third place 30 seconds off the pace.

In the ANC series standings Bottomley leads with 180 points ahead of Yeaton on 140 points, while Bellingham and Leccardi are tied in the men’s ranking with 180 points each. Both Bottomley and Bellingham are resident during the Australian winter at Falls Creek, the official National Team Training Centre.

The FIS ANC heads over to New Zealand for three days of racing at the Snow Farm from August 7-10. The events there begin with Mass Start Classic races on Thursday, continue with a Freestyle Sprint on Saturday, and conclude with Interval Start Freestyle races on Sunday. The ANC concludes with the Kangaroo Hoppet at Falls Creek on August 23.

Follow Australian Cross Country Skiing via www.ausxc.com and @ausxc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Full FIS results here.

August 02, 2014 (Norway) – Marit Bjoergen (Nor) took the Women’s Sprint victory on the final day of competition at the Blink Festival over fellow Norge Maiken Caspersen Falla in second with Slovenia’s Katja Visnar, Friday’s 10km mass start winner, in third. The USA’s Liz Stephen was in a photo finish with Stefanie Boehler (Ger) and was just edged out in 4th and did not advance. In the men’s race Norway’s Sondre Turvoll Fossli took took the win over Martin Hammer (Nor) in second with Sweden’s Teodor Peterson in third.

Women’s brackets here
Men’s brackets here

August 02, 2014 (Norway) – The USA’s Lowell Bailey landed on the podium in second in a nailbiter at the opening biathlon competition at the Blink Festival in Norway as local star Emil Hegle Svendson just nipped him at the line by 0.7s.

Bailey shot well on the range with only two penalties vs Svendson’s five misses and was leading but his Norwegian rival is a strong skier and chased him down to take the win by the smallest of margins. Tarje Boe took the final podium spot.

In the women’s race the USA’s Susan Dunklee finished 8th while Fanny Welle-Strand Horn (NOR) took the win over Kaisa Makarainen (SWE) in second with France’s Marine Bolliet in 3rd.

Women’s results here.
Men’s results here.

July 31, 2014 (Norway) – The USA’s Liz Stephen and France’s Maurice Manificat have won the Lysebotn Opp, the first stage of the 2014 Blink Ski Festival, a popular three-day Rollerski race. Stephen bested Norway’s Kristin Størmer Steira by 0:27 sec and top Finish biathlete Kaisa Mäkärainen in third at 1:33 behind. In the men’s race Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby finished second and fellow Norge Sjur Røthe grabbed third.

The famous Rollerski competition, Lysebotn Opp, featured almost 630 skiers. The competitions continue on Friday, Aug. 1with women’s 10km and men’s 15km competition. The 2014 Blink Festival wraps up on Saturday, Aug. 2 with a sprint.

In total, there about 900 athletes take part in the Blink Festival and some 2,000 kids will try roller skiing at the kid’s camp in Sandnes.

Results

Women

1. Elizabeth Stephen, USA 32:53
2. Kristin Størmer Steira, Norway +0:27
3. Kaisa Mäkäräinen, Finland +1:33
4. Kerttu Niskanen, Finland +1:42
5. Heidi Weng, Norway +2:16
6. Coraline Hugue, France +2:33
7. Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, Norway +2:45
8. Marthe Kristoffersen, Norway +2:54
9. Krista Lähteenmäki, Finland +3:00
10. Masako Ishida, Japan +3:22

Full results here

Men

1. Maurice Manificat, France 29:57.2
2. Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Norway 00:6.5
3. Sjur Røthe, Norway 00:14.4
4. Simen Andreas Sveen, Norway 00:53.1
5. Tarje Boe, Norway 1:10.5

15. Tim Burke, USA 2:20.2

Full results here

All categories here