Author Archive | Kort Longenbach

World Masters Race Report

By Kort Longenbach on 20 March, 2019 in Masters Blog

Thanks to Dave Johnston for sharing his Beitostolon, Norway World Masters Race experience.

We had mid winter conditions in Norway with several days of flurries and one day getting slammed with 14 inches making for an arduous 30k.

I was in awe over the double track trails with a fat ol’ skating lane down the middle, and the panoramic views of snow covered mountains and moon-like terrain while touring a micro fraction of the 100’s of kilometers of trails around Beitostolen where the Nordic culture rules!

As far as racing, the MNC colors did well. In the first race,15k skate, I ended up with silver, one second out of gold and one second ahead of bronze. I had a decent lead of ~10 seconds until taking a spill around the last downhill turn, about a 1/2 k from the finish, where the Finn who won passed me while I was trying to regain momentum. The following day I won the gold in the 10k skate edging out a Norwegian by three seconds. Two days later our relay team came in fifth out of 11 teams; the Scandinavians and Europeans sure can classic!! In the 30k skate I came in fifth, 10 seconds out of first. In that same final half of kilometer, I was in fourth place readying for a final charge when I planted a pole on my ski and did a face plant. Duh! A Russian whipped by and that was that. It was really fun racing with all the different nationalities and also being supported and interacting with New England skiers from Northwest Vermont, Craftsbury, and Ford Sayer as well as skiers from other regions of the USA. Attached is a photo post 10k race.

Lake Pl-ice-id Loppet

By Kort Longenbach on 18 March, 2019 in Masters Blog

Congrats to all the MNC Racers in Lake Placid. Multiple report are filling in filing in from MNC Racers this past weekend..

First, the ladies photo and write up courtesy of Ellie Bouffard.

Congrats to Gillian Stearns-Parr who participated in her first individual race, a 8k classic. Also, congrats to Karen, Joy Grossman and Ellie Bouffard who did the 25k classic race finishing in the top half of a large 50-59 age group (14 racers, the largest female age group of all the races that day). Tristin Adie also won her age group in the 25k skate race! Plus Sarah Katz was out there for the full 50k. Great turn out and great results?

Second the gents, photo and write-up courtesy of Chase Rosenberg.

Post-meltdown Mt. Van Hovenberg was in rough shape this past weekend, following a rainy day in the 50’s. The race organizers did an admirable job with what they had and modified the course to an 8 km loop that included one good climb (which was in good shape), and many a twist through the corrugated icy lowlands. The suddenly very technical course kept everyone on their toes. Most dodged piles of fallen skiers at some point on a descent. MNC was well represented there, and one benefit of the short loop was the opportunity to cheer for fellow Green Mountain skiers as we passed. Mike Bazylewicz, Scott Woodnorth , and I continued the revered MNC post New York race tradition and indulged in a Stewart’s egg nog (second only to Hood in taste), only to realize that we had all attempted the gallon milk challenge in our pasts (with varying degrees of success). Overall, the event was well done, full of good folks, and definitely deserving of a future visit.

NE Relay Championship a Success!

By Kort Longenbach on 12 March, 2019 in Masters Blog, Uncategorized

The NE Relay Championship is always one of the highlights of our season and this third annual running did not disappoint.

The day started off with a pre-race snow squall, putting the wax techs on hold and early classic legs skiers pondering their fate. Fortunately closer to race time, conditions stabilized and the crack Craftsbury squad was able to re-groom the course. With new tracks set and the weather clear, it was a straightforward hardwax selection for the first leg Classic leg skiers.

At the gun, 47 teams from nine clubs competed across seven age categories with MNC coming out as the overall NE Relay Club Champion. Having fielded 17 total teams, MNC amassed multiple podium spots and almost twice the points of the next closest club in the overall competition.

A big reason for that performance was the amazing turn out of all our members, many of whom were first time racers. Hats off also go to the MNC ladies who swept the podiums in both women’s age divisions.

Also hat’s off to the many BKL skiers as well (Thanks Rosemary for the photo’s) and Taylor Carlson who ended up skiing 10k for the day.

: MMU MS Racers (all 3 of them, Taylor skied 10k of classic), 3rd place!!

: The Classic Half of the MNC Sparkle Girls

: Taylor and Kate lined up to start

But points and podiums aside, it was truly an exciting day to see MNC members of all ages and abilities enjoying a fun day with friends and teammates.

Finally, thanks go out to our many our volunteers and the staff at Crafstbury that helped pull of this somewhat complicated event.

More Photos Courtesy of Ellie Bouffard

MNC Relay Team Scoring 2019_Update

Team Results and timing

US Biathlon National Championships – Volunteers Needed

By Kort Longenbach on 11 March, 2019 in BKL Race Blog, Junior Blog, Masters Blog

EABC is excited to be hosting the US Biathlon National Championships on March 29, 30, and 31 (yes, we are keeping our fingers crossed that we have snow). There will be Sprint races on Friday, Pursuit on Saturday and Mass Start on Sunday (Senior Men and Women will race a Super Sprint on Sunday!). As many of you know, hosting these events is both an honor and a challenge that depends on the volunteer efforts of a large group of generous individuals. What better way to see these races than as a volunteer. Training is provided and no experience needed. We need a lot of volunteers to make these races a success and continue the reputation we have for hosting high caliber and great events. Volunteers will be assigned to either the timing crew, Range, or penalty area (lonely but necessary, we will try not to put you here more than once). We are happy and thankful to have your help for one or two of these days. Volunteers will need to be there from approximately 8:30AM to noon. Snacks and a thank you gift (buff’s this year) for everyone who volunteers 2 or 3 days.

There is also a banquet on Saturday night that volunteers are invited to attend as our guest. Wood fired pizza and guest speaker John Morton. Hope we will see you at the end of March. Please let me know if you are able to help with this event.

To volunteer or find out more please email John Madigan at eabiathlon@gmail.com.

Masters Mini-Camp 3/2

By Kort Longenbach on 25 February, 2019 in Masters Blog

Join us at Sleepy Hollow for our third and final mini camp of the 2018-2019 season. In preparation for spring skiing and racing we will spend this mini camp working on fine-tuning our skate technique. Current UVM Ski Team member and MNC alumnus Henry Harmeyer will be on hand to give advice fresh from the EISA Carnival circuit. You do not want to miss this!