NYSEF Lake Placid SuperTour registration and website!

Online race registration for the NYSEF Lake Placid SuperTour is now open.

Check out the SuperTour webpage by clicking the USSA SuperTour icon under "Quick Links"  above.

Volunteers can sign-up here:
Volunteer registration!

'Tis the Season for Giving

Hello friends of the NYSEF Nordic community,

'Tis the season for giving...the XC/Biathlon version.

If you're reading this blog, chances are that you're fairly aware of the great start to the cross-country season we've had at NYSEF. The ORDA crew at Mt. Van Hoevenberg has been busy as elves getting the trails ready. We just recevied a good bit of new snow, just in time for some holiday cruising. Athletes are continuing to build their endurance base and fine tuning their race tactics in prep for the rest of 2010/11 season!

With things getting into full swing, and with the Holidays here, you're likely scrambling to finish the Xmas shopping, wax some boards, hang out with the family, and enjoy some fine moonlight skiing. But it's also the season for giving. And we, the NYSEF Nordic staff, are asking you to consider a donation to the NYSEF Annual Appeal this holiday season.

If you're having trouble remembering what it is we do, check out our mission statement. But here's the long and short of it. We run affordable programs to help local kids excel at skiing. Why? Because they learn some amazing life skills along the way. Like how to be part of a team. How to set goals. How to compete, and to challenge themselves. How to be exceptional student-athletes, and ultimately become great individuals.

We tend to produce alot of this:

and this:

and last year, we think that we even helped to produce a little bit of this:

Tim Burke

Peter Frenette

Billy Demong

Lowell Bailey

Haley Johnson

Andrew Weibrecht

Your support to NYSEF goes directly towards funding the Nordic programs and coaching that shape great local athletes.

Donating is easy, just go the NYSEF homepage, and click the "Donate" button. Feel free to designate the use of your donation to the NYSEF program of your choice.

Thanks. Have a great holiday and we'll see you out on the trails and the hill!

Coaches Margaret, Dave, Liz, Pete, Rick, Casey & Evan

Mid-Atlantic JOQ #1 complete!

NYSEF XC hit the road early Saturday morning for the World Famous Christmas Race at Osceola Tug Hill XC Ski Center in Camden, NY. Once all the athletes were actually in the van and organized with all their equipment (didn't we say life skills?!), they were ready to rock it on the course. Our J2/J3 girls took top honors in places 1-3-4 by Maile Sapp, Anna Izzo and Nina Armstrong. Newcomers Amelia McDonnell and Emma Zdgiebloski cruised into 16th and 18th place. Our veteran J1 boys Joey Izzo and Will Fieroh kicked off the classic season with 4th and 8th place finishes, while teammate Evan Greenberg claimed 15th in the J2 boys class.

Nina and Anna after the awards

Link to results: Word Famous Christmas Race/JOQ!

Mid-Atlantic JOQ season kicks off on Saturday!

The first Mid-Atlantic JOQ is this Saturday at Osceola Tug Hill XC Ski Center in Camden, NY! Offering some holiday spice with a classic technique race this year.

Will you be ready? Game on in prep for the 2011 USSA Junior Olympics in Minneapolis, MN.

Are you interested in qualified for the awesome Junior Olympics? Check out the USSA Mid-Atlantic Division webpage here for details

On the Purpose of Sport

Nordic combined Coach McCahill posted a link to a great article about Billy Demong, check it out (right click link and open in new window/tab):
NYSEF Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined webpage

NYSEF Season Opener results

NYSEF Season Opener results!

Thanks to the ORDA Mt. Van Hoevenberg crew, volunteers and racers for putting up a good fight against rain and wind to kick off the XC race season!

NYSEF Season Opener 2010 race details

8:30-9:00 AM day of race registration at XC Main Lodge
(please leave enough time if you plan on registering on Sunday)
8:30-9:45 AM pre-registered bib pick-up at XC Main Lodge

MASS WAVE STARTS
10:30 AM Boys J2 race / 4.5 km (1 lap)
10:35 AM Girls J2 race / 4.5 km (1 lap)
10:40 AM J1/OJ/SR/Master Mens race / 9 km (2 laps)
10:45 AM J1/OJ/SR/Master Womens race / 9 km (2 laps)

AWARDS
approximately at 12 noon

FREESTYLE BKL KIDS RACE registration 12-12:30 PM at XC Main Lodge.
$5 entry fee, day of race registration only.
1:00 PM Lollipop ~1/2 km
1:05 PM J5 Boys and Girls ~2 km
1:10 PM J4 Boys and Girls ~3 km
1:15 PM J3 Boys and Girls ~4 km
BKL ribbons after completion of the "racing" fun!

NYSEF Season Opener registration extended

Online registration for the NYSEF Season Opener has been extended to 6 PM on Friday 12/10.

Get your XC season kicked off here in Lake Placid (right click link and open in new window/tab):
http://nysef.org/xcraceregister.html
BKL Kids race is day of race registration only.

Check out the XC stadium:
Sunday's start line!

Want fast skis? Check out Swix's wax recommendation:
Swix Nordic Racing

Contact Margaret at margm (at) nysef.org with questions.

"Ski with the Team"

NYSEF is offering a “Ski with the Team” day for kids interested in joining the Trailblazer, Grasshopper or Snowcat Nordic Programs. The “Ski with the Team” portion of our practice will be from 9:30 – 10:30 am at Mt. Van Hoevenberg on the Cross-country side. We will play some games in the stadium before hitting the trails for a ski. Athletes must have their own equipment. Skate gear is preferred.

Check out 2010/11 Nordic Progam descriptions under "Quick Links" for more details.

You must fill out a NYSEF release form prior to participation. If you are a parent and plan on skiing on Saturday, you must either have a season pass to MVH or purchase a trail pass in the main XC lodge.

Email Margaret at margm (at) nysef.org with questions.

the team having fun at the 2010 New England Bill Koch Festival!

NYSEF Season Opener

NYSEF's Season Opener race this Sunday 12/12 is on!
Cross-Country side at the Olympic Sports Complex / Mt. Van Hoevenberg

Online race registration will close at 9 AM on Friday 12/10.
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

Link to race registration (right click link and open in new window/tab):
http://nysef.org/xcraceregister.html
NON-NYSSRA/NENSA members also choose 1-day license option at registration

FREESTYLE TECHNIQUE. ESGQ/NYSSRA Series Qualifier.
10:30 AM start, mass (wave) start by age group

5 km all J2 (boys and girls)
10 km all J1/OJ/U23/SR/Masters (men and women)
Race distances may be shortened depending on snow conditions. Course maps will be posted soon.

8:30-9:00 AM day of race registration at XC Main Lodge
(please leave enough time if you plan on registering on Sunday)
8:30-9:45 AM pre-registered bib pick-up at XC Main Lodge

FREESTYLE BKL RACE registration 12-12:30 PM. 1 PM start.
$5 entry fee, day of race registration only.
approximate distances lollipop/J6 1/2 km, J5 1 km, J4 2 km, J3 3km.

Volunteers sign-up here: https://www.alpinereg.com/xcVolunteers.cfm

Contact Margaret Maher at margm (at) nysef.org with questions.

USSA Nordic SuperTour Event Makes Stop in Lake Placid

Lake Placid, NY -- The New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF), the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) and the village of Lake Placid are excited to host high-level US Ski Association SuperTour cross-country ski races January 14-15, 2011. The event is the next stop on the USSA SuperTour circuit following the 2011 US National Championships in Rumford, Maine. The races will be held in unison with the St. Lawrence University Winter Carnival and the annual NYSEF Harry Eldridge races. It is anticipated that over 400 competitors will participate including members of the US Ski Team, Eastern Division 1 College Teams and a strong junior field. The junior races will count as a Junior Olympic Qualifier for the Mid-Atlantic Division and an out-of-region qualifier for the New England Division.

The Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg will provide athletes with challenging terrain on the “Ladies 5km” course and the Biathlon side venue, and will feature both classic and freestyle competitions.

Excellent sponsorship opportunities are available for interested companies and individuals. If interested, please contact the NYSEF Main Office for further information at (518) 946-7001 or contact Kelly Kennedy (NYSEF Development Director) at kellyk (at) nysef.org.

We invite and encourage interested athletes, coaches, parents and spectators to join us in the Olympic Village of Lake Placid for an exciting weekend of racing.

Contact Margaret Maher (NYSEF XC Head Coach & Chief of Competition) with event questions at margm (at) nysef.org or (518) 523-1900.

We will launch the SuperTour website next week.

Link to athlete/coach event packet here:
NYSEF SuperTour athlete packet

NYSEF Nordic Thanksgiving Camp

NYSEF Nordic had plenty to be thankful for this past weekend, as we jumped head first into our annual Thanksgiving Camp at the Olympic Training Center. Friday morning kicked off camp with a light 20 mile overdistance double pole from Keene-Jay and back. The afternoon’s workout consisted of a festive 6 mile running jaunt through the Olympic Village with core and mobility work in the gym capping off Day One. After a team screening of the new Poor Boyz Productions release Revlover, many a tired Nordic racer hit the hay with visions of powder snow dancing in their heads.

part way into the Keene ski

NYSEF Biathlon Team Captain Will Fieroh stops to refuel

Nordic combined superstar Nate Capone

a stop at the Recovery Lounge? Nope, not for this Nordic team...

With Level 4 intervals on tap for Saturday morning, the rock skis were again sidelined in favor of Marwes, and the team hit the asphalt in search of dry roads for quality intensity. After one and a half hours of searching the back roads of the Northern Adirondack Park, we settled in again on the smooth shoulders of Rt. 9N in Keene, hammering out the last (we hope) quality rollerski intervals of the dryalnd season. With fat flakes a fallin’, we recharged at the OTC in time for a 2 hour skate/classic cruise on the freshly coated flatland offerings of Van Ho. Many thanks to the ORDA crew for providing us with some great early season conditions.

Anna Izzo has been training hard this fall -- the girls J2 field better watch out this winter

Sunday. To quote Wet Hot American Summer, the infamous “Last Day of Camp”. But one not to be missed. The crew enjoyed a quality 2 hour skate/classic combi recovery session, with Coach McCahill and Maher leading the group in some technique focus. After a final core and mobility session with some agility ladder work sprinkled in, Team NYSEF Nordic left primed to rip this winter season.

Now, mind passing the stuffing and cranberry relish? I’d like to enjoy some leftovers.

-- Coach McCahill

A snowy view from the office...bring on winter!

October 15 in Lake Placid

Climb to the Castle photos

Race photographer Pat Hendrick has posted event photos for purchase here at this link:
Pat Hendrick Photography (right click and open in new window/tab)

the Men's train

Morgan Arritola (USST) leads Laura Spector (USBA) and the lead women's pack part way through the climb

Liz Stephen (USST)

the climb!

Whiteface Castle in the distance

Women's winner Laura Spector (USBA)

Men's winner Kris Freeman (USST) 

Overall women's podium Morgan Arritola (2nd), Laura Spector (1st), Liz Stephen (3rd)

Overall Men's podium Noah Hoffman (USST), Kris Freeman (USST), Ben Sim (Australia Nordic Combined)

Awesome day for Climb to the Castle!

Check out results at Fasterskier:
C2C 2010 Women's results
C2C 2010 Men's results

Thanks to the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) for use of the Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway, all the volunteers and race sponsors High Peaks Cyclery and Fasterskier.com!

Fasterskier.com's C2C Pick the Podium!

Get the Climb to the Castle preview and pick the podium!

2 days to go until NYSEF's Climb to the Castle Rollerski Race!

Climb to the Castle online registration extended until midnight on Wednesday!

Check out the roster and get yourself registered here (right click and open in new window/tab):
https://www.alpinereg.com/EVENTS/store/XC.cfm

NYSEF C2C Rollerski Race!

Athletes from around the country are arriving in Lake Placid for training camps and the 4th annual NYSEF Climb to the Castle Rollerski Race on Friday, October 8! These folks even made the trek from Los Angeles, are you? Check it out, athletes heading to Lake Placid from Los Angeles: 1980 Skiathlon

Check out the Climb to the Castle 2007 version here: C2C 2007

Link to event flyer: http://nysef.org/Climb_to_the_Castle_flyer_2010.pdf

Get yourself registered and join the 2010 Vancouver Olympians at the start line! Online race closes Wednesday, October 6 at 6 PM. Link to race registration (right click and open in new window/tab):
https://www.alpinereg.com/EVENTS/store/XC.cfm

Questions? Email Margaret at margm (at) nysef.org

Uihlein-Ironman Sports Fund grant ceremony!

ACT Press Release

Many thanks to the Uihlein-Ironman Sports Fund and the Adirondack Community Trust (ACT) for their continued support of our local athletes and the NYSEF Nordic program. Olympic gold medalist Billy Demong was present to talk about his experience growing up in the special surroundings of the Adirondacks and how it inspired him to chase his dreams! Find your passion.

Billy with new Snowcat Chris Gilman and Tupper Lake Nordic teammate Noah

grant recipients Anna, Joey, Maile and Nate and the kids of the Tupper Lake Nordic Ski Program

Nate hopes to fill Billy's ski boots someday!

NYSEF Nordic Spaghetti Dinner!

Mark your calendars for the second annual NYSEF Nordic Spaghetti Dinner on Thursday, October 7!

Click here for details!

Flaming Leaves Festival!

Come cheer on North America's top ski jumpers at the annual Flaming Leaves Festival at the Olympic Ski Jumps!
Check out details here!

NYSEF Whiteface Climb to the Castle Rollerski Race

WILMINGTON, NY -- The New York Ski Educational Foundation and the Olympic Regional Development Authority announce the 4th annual NYSEF Whiteface Climb to the Castle Rollerski Race on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 8:30 am. The course starts at the Whiteface Toll Booth, climbing for 5 miles with an average 8% grade up the Whiteface Memorial Highway to the castle on the summit of Whiteface Mountain, New York's 5th highest peak with an elevation of 4,867 ft. The race is freestyle technique and athletes will be greeted at the finish with a 360-degree panoramic view of the Adirondacks, New England and Canada. Attendance is expected from the US Ski Team, both cross-country and Nordic combined teams, along with many top senior and junior racers from around the country.

Link to event flyer: http://nysef.org/Climb_to_the_Castle_flyer_2010.pdf

Online race closes Wednesday, October 6 at 6 PM.
Link to race registration (right click and open in new window/tab):
https://www.alpinereg.com/EVENTS/store/XC.cfm

Link to volunteer registration:
https://www.alpinereg.com/xcVolunteers.cfm

Questions? Email Margaret at margm (at) nysef.org or call the Nordic office at (518) 523-1900.

NYSEF Nordic Parents Meeting and Sign-up!

SAVE THE DATE -- Wednesday September 15, 5 - 6:30 pm at the Olympic Ski Jumps base lodge!

This will include our annual fall meeting where you can meet the coaches, meet the other families, ask questions and get organized for the ski season. New this year, you will be able to sign-up for NYSEF on the spot (at the 9/15 pricing) and make your payment by credit card or check. To speed up the registration process, please fill out the 2010/11 NYSEF enrollment forms out ahead of time, forms available at (right click and open in new window/ tab) http://nysef.org/admin.html

All athletes need to bring a copy of their health insurance card.

Additional program information available under "Quick Links" on the XC and Ski Jumping webpages. 

We encourage all families to attend, whether you are an "old pro" with NYSEF or a new family to NYSEF.

-- Coaches Margaret, Casey, Evan, Dave, Liz and Pete

Summer Training!

Athletes atop Little Whiteface Mt after a ski walking/bounding session at Whitefeace

At the start of the Keene-Jay 20 mile double pole rollerski.

Reid from Rochester Nordic Racing 14 miles into the 20 mile double pole

Trailblazer slalom run on rollerskis

Trailblazer Trek athletes Joe, Henry, Ethan, Logan, Alex and Kaleb on the summit of Rooster Comb Mt

Joe in the paintball biathlon range!

Summer Nordic Programs

School is almost out and summer is just around the corner! If you are looking for info on summer XC and Nordic Combined programs, please email Margaret at margm@nysef.org

Check out the calendar for schedules!

videos from USSA XC Junior Olympics and NYSEF Nordic Kids Festival!

thanks to Randy Sapp for the following videos

Junior Olympic J1/OJ boys freestyle race:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSH1yB9wKoA&feature=channel

NYSEF Nordic Kids Festival 2010:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv91Vn6wsnA&feature=channel

see the "related videos" for more Nordic action!

NYSEF NORDIC KIDS FESTIVAL, LIONS CLUB NORDIC COMBINED AND DR. DAVE MEMORIAL RACE

It was a fabulous weekend of all things Nordic at the Olympic Ski Jumping Complex for the NYSEF Nordic Kids Festival, the Lion's Club Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined event and the Dr. Dave Memorial Race!

link to results: http://nysef.org/nysefXcRace.html

Maeve, Anna and Nina work together in the mass start skate race!

Everett Sapp in the J4 boys race!

NYSEF NORDIC KIDS FESTIVAL, LIONS CLUB NORDIC COMBINED AND DR. DAVE MEMORIAL RACE MARCH 20-21!

NYSEF NORDIC KIDS FESTIVAL, LIONS CLUB NORDIC COMBINED AND DR. DAVE MEMORIAL RACE
link to schedule/flyer: http://nysef.org/PDFs/NYSEF%20Nordic%20Kids%20Festival%202010.pdf

link to registration (right click and open in new window/tab): http://nysef.org/xcraceregister.html

athletes who are competing both days need to register for each day individually. online registration is strongly encouraged and closes Thursday, March 18 at 12 NOON. day of race registration is from 8-8:30 AM at the Olympic Ski Jumping Complex and is $25 per day.

all athletes competing in the Lions Club Nordic Combined kids event need to register online at the above link. the individual skate race on Saturday morning will be the xc portion of the Lions Club Nordic Combined event.

we need volunteers! sign-up to volunteer at the above registration link.

questions? email Margaret at margm@nysef.org

USSA XC JUNIOR OLYMPICS!

NYSEF athletes Elizabeth Izzo, Joey Izzo, Sam Cowan, Charlie Bencze, Will Fieroh, Maile Sapp and coaches Margaret and Dave just returned from a great week of racing at the 2010 USSA XC Junior Olympics in Presque Isle, ME.

Blue-bird skies greeted the racers everyday, which is pretty much unheard of in the east for 8 days straight. Snow conditions were excellent, temps hovered in the upper 30s and low 40s all week and the coaches enjoyed 5 days of klister thumbs at the beginning of the week.

Some racing highlights include:
Maile putting the hammer down in the J2 girls classic sprint to qualify 13th and move up to 11th in the heats, just missing a medal by one place! an awesome result of 5th for first year J2s in the US!

Challenging courses led to some good crashes from the NYSEF skiers. Charlie decided it was better to "CHUCK" himself off course in Friday's freestyle race, forcing him to take his ski off to climb out of a gully back to get back on course.

Elizabeth proving that she can skate with the best in the country and carried the Mid-Atlantic J1 girls relay team into 4th overall and 3rd for J1 teams in the lead off scramble leg!

the team on the ferry in route to Presque Isle

Charlie classic sprint!

Joey in the sprint heats!

Maile in her quarterfinal heat!

Maile psyched to be moving on to the semifinals!

Maile and coach Marge

Will in the start gate!

 

Sam in the 10km classic race!

Elizabeth hammering the relay!

relay mass start

Elizabeth was honored as the Mid-Atlantic Division Dave Quinn nominee for 2010. the Dave Quinn nominees are choosen by their division for athletic and academic achievement, sportsmanship and love for the sport. congratulations Elizabeth!

link to race videos: http://juniorolympics2010.org/current-news/1/160

link to full Junior Olympic race results: http://juniorolympics2010.org/jo-results