Archive | Masters Blog

Junior Nationals @ Stowe: Call for Volunteers

MNC Parents, athletes, friends:

The 2014 Junior National Championships take place virtually on our home courses this year (Trapp’s / Stowe). We’ve got a great opportunity to play a positive role in the success of this event which draws ~400-500 athletes from around the country (not to mention all the family members that come to spectate and for a taste of Vermont!). MNC Parent and Board Member Lisanne Hegman is the Volunteer Coordinator for the event and her message is below.

As a club we’ve had numerous All-Americans over the past few years and one recent Junior National Champion! This year we hope to have 4-8 local athletes qualify for the Championships event and I will attend as a coach for New England.

The success of the our sport — both in New England and across the country — depends on lots of hard work from parents and volunteers. That is one major reason why New England is so successful: lots of dedicated folks that love skiing. Please consider helping in any way possible. Thanks!

FROM LISANNE HEGMAN, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR:

Hi ski enthusiasts!

I’m writing to ask for your help. In approximately two months, the nations’ fastest junior skiers will descend upon Trapp Family Lodge for the Junior Nationals. This event, to be held March 3-8, can only happen with the help of a lot of volunteers!

We need people for all kinds of things: bib collection, crowd control, keeping the timers well fed, parking, recording and much, much more. No experience necessary; just a willingness to jump in and help out. In support of our volunteers, Trapp Family Lodge will provide coffee, tea, morning pastries, and lunch in an onsite location and a day pass for the 13-14 ski season.

Signing up is easy. Go to this site and fill out the online form where you can list your preferences and days:http://www.jn2014stowe.com/volunteer-sign-up

Once you are signed up, I will contact you with more specific information about the actual event.

Many thanks in advance. Hope to see you at the Junior Nationals!

Lisanne Hegman
Volunteer Coordinator for 2014 Junior Nationals
802.434.4759
volunteerjn2014stowe@gmail.com

World Cup Video – MUST SEE

By Adam Terko on 1 January, 2014 in BKL Race Blog, Junior Blog, Masters Blog

World Cup sprint racing from yesterday… amazing day for the Americans. Fast-forward to the 40-minute mark if you have limited time.

Tour De Ski Stage 3 from CrossCountrySki.us on Vimeo.

BK and Masters Cancelled 1/2/14

By Adam Terko on 1 January, 2014 in BKL Jackrabbits, BKL Race Blog, Masters Blog

BK and Masters Update

1. NO Skiing Thursday

2. Bog Burn back on the schedule for Saturday (not skiing at Craftsbury) – see below.

Although we hate to cancel skiing….ever; for safety reasons we will NOT have BK or Masters skiing Thursday 2 January. 2014 starts off a little too chilly for safe skiing. We are looking at a windchill Thursday evening around -20 F.

ThursdaySnow, mainly after 10am. High near 3. Wind chill values as low as -15. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Thursday NightSnow. Low around -6. Wind chill values as low as -20. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

CHANGE FOR SATURDAY

Based on our most recent snow reports we have decided to NOT ski at Craftsbury on Saturday and promote the BOG BURN Classic Race – which received 10 inches of new snow and is reporting excellent conditions. Coach Rick will be there about 1 hour before start time with the team wax box to help MNC skiers. Car pool if you can. Refer to the wax tip already posted on this MNC blog.

Here is an update from Ben Haydock:

The Bogburn Trail is groomed and will be open New Year’s Day afternoon and Friday afternoon January 3rd. If temperatures are below zero races times will be delayed and the lollipop race will be last instead of first. We do not have internet at the house so we cannot post the delay.

1/4/14 – Bogburn Classic Race – https://www.nensa.net/calendar/index.html?id=1528

This pic was taken by MNC Master Skier Nick Persamperi today!!!

Bog Burn 1/1/14

Waxing For Bogburn

By Adam Terko on 31 December, 2013 in BKL Race Blog, Junior Blog, Masters Blog

Waxing Recommendations – by Damian Bolduc

Glide: ToKo Blue.

Kick: ToKo Blue Grip Wax

Details:

Conditions will be fresh snow as well as the chance for snow falling during the race. In the days leading to the race temps will be bitter cold and remain that way. Snow is likely to be falling at race time as well. Falling snow temps will be in the low to mid teens at race time and the snow will be very abrasive. The race will consist of a long lap on snow machine groomed trails.

Blue will be the wax of the day based on temperature.

ToKo Blue is a very difficult glide wax to work with due to its high melting point. The temperatures and conditions this weekend are good for inexperienced waxers to learn how to work with it in a way that is safer for the ski base. I do not recommend first time waxers start with Toko Blue, nor do I recommend it be the first wax applied to a ski. With that in mind I give the two following wax recommendations. The first one ToKo Red Mixed with ToKo Blue for new skis and inexperienced waxers and the Second ToKo Grey warm scraped with an application of ToKo Blue for people with seasoned skis and more waxing experience.

Apply ToKo Red and iron in. Once Red has been applied and before you scrape, drip ToKo Blue onto the Red. 1 drop every 2 inches on each side of the groove is good. Do another pass with the iron to mix. Let the ski cool completely, scrape and brush.

For more experienced waxers using seasoned skis (Waxed at least 5 times) an application of ToKo Grey and Toko Blue will work very well. Apply the ToKo Grey to the base, warm scrape and immediately drip on the ToKo Blue with the base still warm. One Drop every 2 inches each side of the groove. Iron in with care not to get the bases too hot. You should be able to touch the bases. Let the ski cool. When it is time to scrape you will notice that the ToKo Blue wax on the ski is cracked and chipped. When scraping, this will shatter off the ski and tear out of the bases. To avoid this and improve the application of the wax, make one or two quick passes with the iron at temperature just prior to scraping the ski. This will warm the wax on top of the ski a little and make it easier to scrape off. The ski should be at room temp when scraping.

The Grey will serve two purposes in this application. Its properties will improve the ski in the abrasive snow and it will serve as a base warming wax. ToKo Blue is much easier to work on warm bases. If the ski has some heat in it you will spend less time trying to smooth Toko Blue and it will adhere to the ski more easily. Also warming the excess wax on top of the ski prior to scraping it off makes for a better application. Be careful not to heat the base too much. The ski should not feel warm with scraping off the ToKo Blue wax.

Grip

ToKo Blue Grip Wax is very easy to work with. Apply ToKo Base Green Binder to the kick zone and iron in. Once this has cooled cork it smooth. Then apply 2 or 3 layers of ToKo Blue Grip Wax to the kick zone corking it smooth between layers. See the wax techs at the race to fine tune the morning of the race although this should test just fine.

BK and Masters Skiing weeks 1-2 January

By Adam Terko on 31 December, 2013 in BKL Jackrabbits, BKL Race Blog, Masters Blog

12/31 – No BK or Masters ski Practice

1/2/14 – BK and Masters – Skate skiing at the range

1/4/14 – Bogburn Classic Race – https://www.nensa.net/calendar/index.html?id=1528

While we are not planning on this as a team event it is a good event for an old time classic race.

1/4/14 – Masters Bonus Training Day at Craftsbury – Coach Rick will lead a classic workout. Meet at 10 AM wax up for some classic instruction for about 1/2 hour then off for a long steady ski on the trails.

1/7/14 – BK and Masters Classic skiing at the range

1/9/13 – Skate skiing at the range

Looking Ahead

1/11/14 – Stowe Mini Marathon at Mansfield Touring Center https://www.nensa.net/calendar/index.html?id=1491

The Stowe Mini is a tradition for our BK skiers. This is not a race but a 25 km tour (with options for shorter distances) with food stops including chocolate and the famous blueberry soup. This year’s schedule puts the Stowe Mini the day before the FMNC BKL race so you will have to make some choices. Highly recommended for Masters and families! PLEASE EMAIL RICK if you are going so we can plan accordingly and bring a team wax box.

Kai and Greg enjoying the blueberry soup

1/12/14 – Frost Mountain BKL Race – Ripton, VT- https://www.nensa.net/calendar/index.html?id=1496

Frost Mountain Nordic Club has a wonderful BK group and puts on a first class event. We highly recommend this event to all BK skiers that are interested in racing. Sign up now and check the blog/email for details on our race day organization. Coaches will be there to support the team for this event. PLEASE EMAIL RICK if you are going to this race.

1/19/14 – MNC BK DUATHLON at Sleepy Hollow – This is our own BK race and we encourage all MNC BK skiers and families to participate. Usually held at the range we have moved it to Sleepy Hollow this year and will coordinate with their BK team for a super fun day. Race info – CAM2014 race flyer

Below is Virgina Cobb at the 2013 MNC BK race

1/20 – BK BONUS – UVM FUN Day at Bolton Valley Nordic Center – BK Racing and Jackrabbits: here’s a chance to ski with the UVM ski team. This ski practice is lead by UVM Head Coach Patrick Weaver with the help from his entire team. Some of the best NCAA skiers in the country will be on hand to ski with our BK team. Additional info will be posted as we get closer. No school this day so plan on being there at 3 PM.