November 15, 2012 – North American WCs – I was reading a Kikkan blog and she was talking about packing for the 5 months adventure in Europe and on the WC circuit that is ahead of her this winter. As you’ve read in my writings, the Euros will side step the Quebec and Canmore races in big numbers, especially the stars. Is it possible that one or some of the North American skiers might go in this direction – stay in Europe during those races? Remember they have the TdS, the World Champs, WC and the trip to NA…just thinking about it?

Haig Glacier – Interesting that Canada’s National Team only was on the glacier for for a very few days this summer – that was the men – the women never showed up. Having an asset like that and never using it…what happened to altitude training? Guess it’s only good if you have to travel for it.

Kershaw Again – Talk about a very interesting experience Devon was recently tested by CCES (doping control in Canada) and then was tested again a couple of days later. A sneaky move by CCES, sort of doubling back on the athlete in case they doped during a training season and think he/she won’t be tested for a number of weeks. It is a big possibility, as PEDs do help big time during training for recovery or injury and for boosting the hours and intensities.

Perianne Jones – Saw a flyer promoting an evening fundraiser for her in the Ottawa region. In the flyer there was a statement about her training hours per year being 600 hrs. I think she is potentially a more talented skier then she is at the present time, but she needs to get on track with the hours she is doing when considering her time in the sport and her training background. She should be doing 700- 750 hrs if she ever wants to realize her dream of making the podium in Sochi 2014. It’s too late for this year at the WSC in Val di Fiemme!

One caveat, a medal is possible (long shot) in the team sprint at the WSC, as her teammate, most likely Chandra Crawford could pull her onto the podium if Jones is chosen for that event.

50/30 km National Championship Races, Are They Dead? – Please read the following article here. Usually when this type of rhetoric is published, it means the decision has essentially been made within the inner workings of the association. I will still offer my opinions as I think the 50/30km championships are a dying event – which is too bad as it crowns the king and queen of racing for that particular year. I have some points to make:

To shift this distance race focus to one of Canada’s marathons has already been tried and has faded away into oblivion. The Gatineau 55 has served this responsibility – all the good guys are gone chasing the WC and the National Champs are lost in the main focus of the race. It becomes like a 3rd nostril – a non-entity. The skiers lose their identity in the vastness of the race. Prize ceremony is rinky dinky.

FIS and all of it’s associations (CCC) are making the schedule easier and easier – HOW? Mass starts are one thing (the field cruises until the last 3-5 km and then they put on the jets), shortening races like the CCC proposal, FIS reducing the men’s relay distances to 7.5 km, course criteria’s single maximum climb has been dramatically reduced – climbing a hill with maximum of 50 meters height difference isn’t like doing a 100 meters which was the old limit (huge difference).

The National Champs now have 2-sprints, 2-15 km races and the 50/30km—lose the 50/30km and you have a “baby” championships. A 30/20 km that would be added never stresses all the systems.  The skiers will ski the same way, cruise to 25/15kms and then the race will begin. I could rationalize having a 10/5 km and forgetting the longer races.

These are the major domo of all the races in the season attracting the best field and requiring the best effort, strategy, tactics, skis, feeding stations, support and the top physiological beast left at this time of the year—the way it should be

My suggestion is to make this race an individual start, and have prize money $1000, $750 and $500 it will heighten interest and take care of all this wishy washy babble.

Frozen Thunder One More Time – CCC and the local Chamber of Commerce need to promote the hell out of Frozen Thunder all over NA and the rest of the world to try and attract clubs, teams, master skiers and any other level of skiers to be in Canmore for this phenomenon. Regulate the hours on the track just like they do with ice hockey rinks. Also, schedule training camps for masters, on-snow clinics for the weekends, equipment demos. I’m sure this could be built into an economic impact for Canmore – make some attractive packages price-wise, as this is a quiet time of the year for tourists. The Silver Star Camps started out as just such an idea in 1988 and the are still impacting Silver Star 25 years later.

NKT – NENSA recently had a coaches seminar at Stratton, VT, about a month ago and it has come to my attention that NKT (Nose, Knee, Toe) is still in question…??? If you need to confirm your thoughts watch this video. Two skate (front view). This pic below will also confirm what skating is all about – STILL.

Sebastian Coe – Do you know this name? He was a famous middle distance runner in the late 70s and early 80s. Set a number of world records and won two golds in the 1,500 meter run at the ’80 and 84 Olympics. His latest gig has been the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the London Olympics this summer and now he’s the Chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA). The Olympic word is being thrown around a lot for Sir Seb and me thinks he will be the next president of the IOC, as it is rumored that Jacques Rogge, the current president, is due to retire. You heard it here first.

Talk to you soon.
misterxc@aol.com