July 04, 2013 – Catch up with Holly Brooks, who is celebrating her Fourth of July differently this year. Plus, Liz Stephen looks back on the recent Western REG Camp, Noah Hoffman reveals his secret desire to be a track runner, and Devon Kershaw checks in from Canmore.

Holly Brooks
Hard Decisions, Obvious Decisions
This upcoming July 4th will be spent entirely different than my last couple. For the past four years I’ve raced Mt. Marathon in Seward, Alaska. Mount Marathon – they claim, is the Nation’s second oldest foot race behind the Boston Marathon and this year will be the 86th running.

It’s a tradition for Alaskans on Independence Day and the small town of Seward swells from 3,000 people to 30,000 thousand overnight. While only 500 or so people actually compete in the race, the rest crowd main street eating ice cream, socializing, and watching the race unfold. For those unfamiliar with the format, the race starts on main street, runs 3,022 feet directly up a mountain, rounds a rock at the top and descends 3,022 feet.

Read more here.

Liz Stephen
REG and ELITEAM
This week was full of excitement with the Regional Elite Group (REG) camp in town. This is a group that each region of the US has, and they get together for a training camp each summer. From these camps, USSA picks some athletes to come to the National Elite Group (NEG) Camp. It was really great to have these awesome athletes in town to train with and get to know some of the up and coming athletes that will represent our next generation of US skiers. Read more here.

Noah Hoffman
Track Workout
I secretly want to be a 5,000 and 10,000 meter runner. Every year my coach allows me to do one track workout to indulge my fantasies but also probably to remind me that I am not even close to fast enough to be a runner. Today was that workout. On Thursday morning I’m running a 5 kilometer road race here in Park City, so today was a little tune-up for that race. It may be my only running race of the year. My coach allowed me to plan today’s workout based on pace instead of heart rate, the same way a runner plans his workouts. Unfortunately I am full of myself and thought I could run faster than I can. Read more here.

Devon Kershaw
Kicking Back Here in Canmore, It’s Raining, I Can Be a Bit “Hippiesh”
It’s here – “monsoon-June” has rubbed its wet, stinky glove right in Canmore’s face and the rollerski boots and wet pavement are ubiquitous reminders that the Rockies “wet season” is upon us yet again. I thought perhaps Lenny’s calming influence would have had an effect – but apparently not.

As you can probably tell, I’m reaching a little for material this week. That’s a good thing. It’s been a lot of “normal Canmore living” here these last seven days. Aside from some wet training (and only “some” – for the most part it’s been fantastic weather-wise actually since I’ve been back from Bend/Tremblant/Toronto), life is ticking along in a standard way. Read more here.

December 11, 2012 – After a year of absence due to lack of snow, La Sgambeda is back! Perfect conditions await all racers around the Italian town of Livigno. Just over the Swiss border and not far from Austria, the “little Tibet” valley features a 21km loop which will be raced two times for this 42km race in free technique. The race track develops along the river Spöl and through all the villages along it: Florin, Pont Lonc, Li Mina, Tresenda and runs as far as Campaciol. From around the Hotel Forcola (12,5 km point) the track turns back into the direction of the cross country stadium where the 21km mark is reached – half time! To finish after 42km, the racers have to turn once again towards the river Spöl in order to do another loop on the wonderful track running through the valley. The spectators cheering loud alongside the track will help the athletes to do this second round before they turn to the finish in the cross country stadium.

A lot of snow and pretty cold temperatures made it possible to perfectly prepare the track and to have it ready for all the cross country enthusiasts who are looking forward to this season opener of long distance racing! The forecast for this weekend announces slightly warmer temperatures (around -4°C) and the possibility of light snowfall.

The racers – who is on the start list?
As La Sgambeda functions as season opener, the best long distance racers will be on the start line! Just some of the classic specialists have decided to open their season with the Jizerská Padesatka 50km classic race, which will be held close to Liberec (CZE) on January 13.

Fabio Santus (ITA), winner of the 2011 edition, will try to race as fast as possible in order to gain the victory again. However, his team mates Florian Kostner, Cristian Zorzi and Sergio Bonaldi will try to prevent this. The same goes for Stanislav Rezac and Martin Koukal (both CZE) of the Skinfit Racing Team as well as for Espen Harald Bjerke and Morten Eide Pedersen (both NOR). Some World Cup skiers have decided to skip the races in Canada and to prepare their Tour de Ski, waiting for them at the end of the year, by taking part in La Sgambeda. So, names like Jean Marc Gaillard (FRA), Thomas Moriggl (ITA), Toni Livers (SUI) or Martin Bajcicak (SVK) will also be present to join in the battle for victory!

On the women’s side, one can find equally the names of the best of the discipline: Stephanie Santer (ITA), the overall FIS Marathon Cup winner of last season, will race as will do last years runner up Seraina Boner (SUI) and third placed Jenny Hansson (SWE). To be even more precise, six of the best seven of last year’s overall FIS Marathon Cup will be present, including names like Antonella Confortola (ITA), Tatjana Mannimaa (EST) and Valentina Shevchenko (URK). The last trying to win again after her victory in Livigno in 2011. Also World Cup skier Riitta-Liisa Roponen (FIN) will be on the start line, preparing for the Tour de Ski and the Nordic World Ski Championships later in 2013.

The actual start list for the elite skiers can be found HERE (always subject to change).

Also this year: The SkiTrax Fantasy FIS Marathon Cup contest
FIS Fantasy Marathon Cup 2012/13 Contest – Register Your Team Today
The second annual FIS Fantasy Marathon Cup 2012/13 Contest is now open for team registration for fans around the world as the series kicks off in Italy with the season opener La Sgambeda, on Dec. 16. You can win great prizes and have fun while following the Marathon Cup all season. Register your team of four (4) men and four (4) women plus one “Outlaw” male skier not in the top 15 and one “Outlaw” female skier not in the top 10 of the FIS Marathon Cup overall rankings. Points are awarded following each Marathon Cup World Loppet based on each skier’s performance and published regularly at skitrax.com – plus you can earn bonus points as well.

All information and contest rules are available when you register your team here. The deadline to register or revise your team is Saturday, Dec. 15, at 10pm EST. To register click HERE.

FIS Fantasy Marathon Cup Prizes
And of course you can also win something!!! Have a look at the great prizes that wait for you at the end of the season:

* 1st Prize – Nipika Lodge-4-nights for 2 in a luxurious cabin, incl. Trail Fees (value up to $1,160)
* 2nd Prize – Marwe 610c Roller Skis (value $349)
* 3rd Prize – Yoko 9100 Poles (value $299)
* 4th Prize – Halti XC Race Suit Hemmo Set (value $269)
* 5th Prize – Skiwax.ca Racer Kickwax kit (value $235)
* 6th Prize – 2XU Long Sleeve Thermal Compression Top and Elite Socks (value $195)
* 7th Prize – One Way Snowbird Glasses (value $120)
* 8th Prize – Fresh Air Experience or High Peaks Cyclery Gift Certificate (value $100)
* 9th Prize – Auclair Micro Mountain Olympic Gloves + Earbags (value $65)
* 10th Prize – Buff Headware (value $23)

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).

Important dates & Information:
– 16 December 2012 – La Sgambeda (ITA), 42km FT, First FIS Marathon Cup of the season 2012-13 – 11am: start of the 42km La Sgambeda at the Cross Country stadium

Winners in 2011:
– Men: 1st Fabio Santus (ITA), 2nd Simen Oestensen (NOR), 3rd Cristian Zorzi (ITA)
– Women: 1st Valentina Shevchenko (UKR), 2nd Sabina Valbusa (ITA), 3rd Natalia Zernova (RUS)

More information about La Sgambeda:
Official website HERE.
Track information HERE.

Next FIS Marathon Cup: January 13 – Jizerská Padesatka (CZE), 50km, classic technique

More information: www.worldloppet.com
Visit also the official Worldlooppet Facebook Page HERE.
Never miss an info about the world of marathon skiing – follow @WLandFISMaCup

November 07, 2012 – Here is the latest news from FIS, including an update on the 2016 Youth Olympic Games, announcement of a mascot contest for the Falun 2015 World Championships, a skiing history exhibition in Val di Fiemme, decisions from the recent FIS Council Meeting in Oberhofen, Switzerland, and a progress update about ski jumping in Romania.

Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Games off to a flying start

The first visit of the International Olympic Committee’s Coordination for the second Winter Youth Olympic Games wrapped up on 26th October 2012 in Lillehammer (NOR).

Chaired by IOC member Angela Ruggiero, the Commission was impressed with the early progress made by the Lillehammer Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee since the city won the bid in December 2011 and the strong government and National Olympic Committee support pledged from the outset.

The shared vision of the three parties aims to engage as many young people as possible locally and abroad in the Games. It will also act as a catalyst for change in the development of youth sport nationwide before, during and long after the Games conclude.

During the meeting, the Coordination Commission visited all the venues that will be used to host the seven sports that currently make up the YOG Programme.

The majority of these venues were built for the 1994 Olympic Winter Games, thereby extending the legacies of those Games. One of the few venues to be built from scratch for the 2016 YOG will be the Youth Olympic Village, which will house the athletes and be the site of all the Culture and Education Programme activities.

Commission chair Ruggerio concluded: “We have full belief in Lillehammer to not only deliver a successful Games, but also leave a legacy for youth sport development long after the Games have terminated.”

Falun 2015 has launched mascot competition

How should the official mascot of the 2015 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun look like? The Swedish Organisers have recently rolled out a mascot competition inviting people from all age groups to design the official Falun 2015 mascot.

“The purpose of the mascot competition, apart from creating a buzz about the Championships, is to gather ideas from the general public to be able to create a popular symbol for Falun and the World Championships. The mascot has to work in a wide variety of settings – from printed materials to films and the homepage as well as cheerleading the crowds in the stadium”, said Kent Lövgren, Marketing Director of the 2015 Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun.

Anybody who is interested can enter his/her very best ideas by uploading a photograph or scan including a mascot name to www.beyondskiing2015.com/maskot. The competition will remain open until 15th December 2012.

During the autumn, the general public will be able to vote for the best of the approved proposals shown on the homepage. After that, a jury will be taking on the job of selecting the final mascot. The new mascot will then be introduced during the summer and autumn of 2013 and in 2014, in conjunction with the World Cup competitions that will also serve as World Championship test events.

It’s all about Skiing – “Ski History” exhibition officially opened in Val di Fiemme

In conjunction with the Forum Nordicum held in Val di Fiemme (ITA) on 16th October 2012, a “Ski Past” exhibition has officially been inaugurated in the presence of 100 participants at Le Gallerie space in Trento.

During the opening ceremony FIS President Gian Franco Kasper underlined the significance of “keeping memories alive and strong”.

Mountain equipment, historical objects and various items related to sport and winter activities such as boots, skis, poles and clothing are telling the story that has characterized the region of Trento over the past century. High-tech video installations, pictures, medals and trophies as well as a detailed time-line from the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924 in Chamonix (FRA) until the 2013 Nordic World Ski Championships in Val di Fiemme (ITA) are fully covering the exhibition space.

Decisions from the FIS Council Meeting in Oberhofen

The FIS Council traditionally held its Autumn Meeting at the FIS Office in Oberhofen (SUI) on Saturday 3rd November and dealt with a full agenda, including reports from Organising Committees for future FIS World Championships, the appointment of technical officials as well as proposals from the FIS Technical Committees with calendar updates and a number of rules.

Click HERE to see the main decisions of the FIS Council.

Final inspections before the season – Romania reaches a milestone in Ski Jumping

Among numerous inspections carried out before the season in the different FIS Olympic disciplines, FIS Ski Jumping Race Director Walter Hofer recently met with representatives of the Romanian Ski Association. The visit focusing on the new jumping hills was held in conjunction with the Romanian International Championships on 27th-28th October 2012 in Rasnov.

“Staging an international Ski Jumping competition in Romania might sound rather unusual and it actually is. But already a view on the facility Trambulină Valea Cărbunării in Rasnov has shown, that something was built here that is not mysterious, but the result of years of professional planning”, reported Walter Hofer.

On 19th-20th January 2013, four FIS Cup competitions (2 ladies, 2 men’s) will be held on the new HS 100 hill. The facility originally consisted of three jumping hills for children and young athletes and was completed by two more hills K64 (HS 71) and K 90 (HS 100) in October 2012.

Upon his return, FIS Ski Jumping Race Director Walter Hofer concluded on the positive trends: “Six years ago we did some sort of an appraisal and saw a precarious situation. Just like in some other countries as well, the only possibility for a young Romanian athlete to train was to travel abroad. Since then an amazing development took place at an accelerated pace. In the open national championships (including Bulgaria and Hungary) at the end of October, the fruit of this labour could be seen and Romania is now on its way to establish itself on the international field. One athlete (Dana Haralambie) could even already achieve the personal qualification standard for the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.”

As a result of a cooperation between the Austrian industrial company OMV and the Romanian Ski Association started in 2007, the construction of the first Ski Jumping centre in Romania and South-Eastern Europe could be launched in 2009 in the city of Rasnov. With the sponsorship of OMV, project leader and Ski Jumping expert Paul Ganzenhuber and former ski jumper Christian Moser (both AUT) have been the driving forces in this development. The goal of the project “OMV Move & Jump” was to give Romanian ski jumpers the chance to score among the top ten of the world within the next ten years.

October 24, 2012 – Here is the latest newsletter from Worldloppet and the FIS Marathon World Cup. Worldoppet recently attended the Forum Nordicum in Val di Fiemme, and the organization is primed for an exciting 2012/12 season. Read on for all of the details.

Forum Nordicum
Worldloppet present at the Forum Nordicum in Val di Fiemme (ITA) From 15 to 18 October, the annual gathering of all Nordic ski journalists, the FORUM NORDICUM, was held in Val di Fiemme, the host of the 2013 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. This meeting brings together Nordic ski journalists, both international federations, the FIS and the IBU, World Cup and other winter sport event organisers, ski companies and other companies, related to Nordic winter sports!

A perfect place to present Worldloppet and its races to a wider audience of interested ski journalists. Not to forget, that it is in Val di Fiemme, more precisely in Predazzo, with a view to the jumping hills, that Worldloppet has its head quarter! Val di Fiemme is also home to Marcialonga, one of the Worldloppet races which functions also as FIS Marathon Cup and which runs from Val di Fassa through to Val di Fiemme with its finish in Cavalese.

Worldloppet’s Secretary General, Angelo Corradini had the pleasure to inform the assembled journalists, that the interest in marathon skiing is still constantly growing.

Almost 126,000 skiers participated last season in Worldloppet races all over the world and the demand is still rising! The Marcialonga, Birkebeinerrennet and the Vasaloppet were all sold out in minutes!!! That the interest is not only high in Europe can be seen in the fact that also the American Birkebeiner is sold out already!!!

This race will be a FIS Marathon Cup this season and has therefore risen the interest of many skiers in the US and Canada to participate in this race with the best in the world doing the same course at the same time (only maybe not in the same time)! The US also still holds first place concerning passport holders (1,633)! They are followed by Germany (1,462) and Italy (1,078).

Last year, Worldloppet could congratulate 242 new Worldloppet Masters. They have completed 10 Worldloppet races in the long distance with at least one race oversees.

After the Worldloppet presentation it was time to give the floor to Gloria Trettel form Marcialonga, who then took a tour through 40 years of Marcialonga and informed about this year’s race. Marcialonga, since the biggest and most famous marathon ski race in Italy, is also very present at the new exhibition “Ski Past” which has just recently been opened in Trento, the capital of the region Trentino.

It is housed in an old street tunnel in Trento, which was converted into an exhibition area a couple of years back. The exhibition, the first one of its kind in Italy, looks on the past of skiing in general and in Italy especially, specially focusing on Nordic skiing. All guests of the Forum Nordicum including the Worldloppet delegation had the unique opportunity to have a sneak preview of the exhibition hence its official opening was scheduled for just a few days later.

One of the ski firms hosting an evening during the Forum Nordicum invited the Aukland brothers to come over and represent their brand. It was a unique opportunity for most of the journalists who normally are present at World Cup events and less at Worldloppet and FIS Marathon Cup races. It is not often that Worldloppet skiers are invited to these evening since normally the interest is higher in World Cup racers.

Another evidence that the interest in Worldloppet and long distance skiing is rising. A lot of interesting questions arose and both, Jörgen and Anders Aukland, showed that they are not only great skiers, but also into marathon skiing with their full heart and great ambassadors for long distance skiing, explaining the gathered journalists the specialty of long distance racing.

Some pictures of the Forum Nordicum can be found on Worldloppet’s Facebook page HERE.

Worldloppet Executive Committee meeting in Cavalese
At the occasion of the Forum Nordicum taking place in Val di Fiemme, Worldloppet’s Executive Committee held its autumn meeting in the same place, enjoying the possibility of taking part in the Forum Nordicum at the same time.

It was a perfect opportunity to spread the word about Worldloppet, market the idea of Worldloppet and marathon skiing and discussing races, development and projects with different persons and parties. The committee discussed several different points and the following was decided: Epp Paal from the Tartu Maraton was appointed new Race Coordinator. She will be present at many FIS Marathon Cup races as well as at several Worldloppet races throughout next season to support the organisers in ensuring the same level of performance (organisation, food stations, track preparation, starting order, result service etc.) at all races.

Epp will bring valuable experience on-site as she has gained solid knowledge working for the Tartu Maraton for more than ten years. In establishing her post, Worldloppet takes a step forward to ensure high quality races at all levels which is very important for the marketing of marathon skiing and the TV production on site. Alongside this topic, the relation and cooperation between Worldloppet and Ski Classics was discussed as well.

Since the Worldloppet Ski Magazine will not be printed this year as decided at the AGM, the online version will soon be available for downloading on the Worldloppet web page. Since this will only be an overview of the most important fact about each race, other possibilities for a magazine were discussed during the meeting. Further inquiries will be made for a printed format and will be presented during the next AGM to all member races.

Another important step for marathon skiing was that the Executive Committee decided to open the gates for more races and here for “exotic” races like the Fossevatn Ski Marathon on Iceland, the Marcha Blanca in Argentina or the Merino Muster in New Zealand. They are now invited to state their interest in joining Worldloppet and to come and present themselves at the next AGM (Annual General Meeting) which will take place in June 2013 in Hayward, USA, hosted by the American Birkebeiner.

New Worldloppet trailer & new Worldloppet web page
During the presentation of Worldloppet and its races, the new Worldloppet trailer had its world debut. It was exclusively shown to the gathered journalists and was very well received. The 3 minute film, put together by Marc Schauberger form the König-Ludwig-Lauf, shows what Worldloppet and its races is all about: About elite racers in the first starting row as well as about all the popular skiers without whom the race wouldn’t be the same! About the challenge against oneself, the skiing together with thousands of others and experiencing most incredible landscapes around the world.

The trailer will soon be available at the Worldloppet Facebook page and on the Worldloppet web page.

And this one will come to you soon in a complete new outfit!! The relaunch of the page is scheduled for before the season kicks off and will include several new features and a FIS Marathon Cup corner which is specially dedicated to the elite racers of the FIS Marathon Cup. All fans will wind it a great source of all kinds of information around their favourite athletes and also journalists will enjoy it for gathering information around this elite cup!

More information on the exact date of the launch will soon be diffused!

Important dates & information
– November 2012: Launch of the new Worldloppet web page
– December 16: La Sgambeda, 42km, FT, First FIS Marathon Cup of the season 2012/13

Worldloppet – The World of Marathon Skiing!!!
More information: www.worldloppet.com
Visit also the official Worldlooppet Facebook Page HERE.
Never miss an info about the world of marathon skiing. Follow us on Twitter HERE.

August 14, 2012 – The US XC Men’s Ski Team recently spent three weeks training in Austria and Germany with some workouts on glaciers, in the gym, and skiing at the DKB Skisport Halle in Oberhof. When the camp wrapped up, the squad travelled together to Munich, where they sought out a gym for one last workout before their flight.

The next day, after enjoying a fabulous hotel breakfast, Noah Hoffman and Tad Elliott travelled back to Aspen, CO together, but not without some adventures along the way. Since his return home, Hoffman has enjoyed lots of family and friend time, as well as quality training. Read more about the US XC Men’s Ski Team and what the Hoff has been up to on his new website HERE.