Archive | Masters Blog

MNC @ Norwegian Birkie

By Adam Terko on 25 March, 2024 in Masters Blog

Several MNC skiers took part in the Norwegian Birkebeiner, one of the most prestigious XC ski events in the world! Coach Sara was there with her family, and Karen and Ellie took the trip over and represented the MNC Masters. Many familiar faces were seen from New England and beyond, as this is a real celebration of skiing.

You can read a recap from Karen in the document below!

The Norwegian Birkenbeiner and Nordic Skiing Paradise

Birken | Birkebeinerrennet 54 km

Great Skiing at Tomasi’s & Other places

By Rosemary Shea-Cobb on 22 March, 2024 in BKL Race Blog, Junior Blog, Masters Blog

Don’t put away the skis yet! Mother Nature is now giving us lots of snow and there are places to ski and enjoy.

March 22, 2024, 4 pm: Ken Bruce reports that Tomasi Meadows is groomed with some great tracks. Peter Davis plans to groom more after the storm too. Get out and enjoy another great ski!

Other places that are still grooming & getting lots of snow:

Sleepy Hollow- reporting 7 km groomed trails today. Check the website before you go.

Trapps- reports from MNC skiers & Trapps’ website is that they have great skiing. Full on winter conditions! The cabin & ski shop are still open.

Bolton- take your backcountry skis and be ready to wade through some powder!

Masters Carpe Diem!

By Rosemary Shea-Cobb on 15 March, 2024 in Masters Blog

MNC Masters “seized the day” and got out to Sleepy Hollow for one last ski on Tuesday. Mother Nature delivered about 10 inches of snow on Sunday and Monday and Sleepy Hollow jumped on it and groomed most of their trails for one last “hurrah”. Some master skiers really made the most of the snow by alpine skiing or doing a “warm-up” nordic ski in the morning and then coming to afternoon/evening practice!

We celebrated the end of the season with cake (made by Coach Rosemary) and a toast with sparkling cider. It was great to see everyone after having to cancel all last week’s practices on short notice.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the Masters for skiing with us this year. You are a great, gung-ho, fun group of people! I know all our coaches really enjoyed coaching you. I personally will miss you all next year when I spend the winter in far-off Austria following the World Cup Biathlon circuit! But for now, keep hiking, running, biking, walking, strength training, roller-skiing and I hope to see you out there on the trails and roads this summer!

-Rosemary

Th Pig Race is this Saturday 3/16!!

By Rosemary Shea-Cobb on 15 March, 2024 in BKL Race Blog, Junior Blog, Masters Blog

The Pig Race is the infamous end of season race at Blueberry Hill in Goshen, VT. It is a very fun event!

Here are some details about the event. We can’t wait!

Day of Race registration and check in will be in the Outdoor Center starting at 10 am. This will be your zone for leaving belongings, bathrooms, etc.,
The 2km kids race will start at 11, and everyone else at ~11:30. The Pig Race is self-timed. We’ll have a big timing clock if you don’t have a watch, and also make Strava segments for the competitive types. You’ll write your name and time down right when you cross the finish line.
We’ll serve pizza n’ pig around 1pm-~3pm.
A map of the short course and long course can be found at these links. The course will be well marked with pink flagging tape and signs at intersections.
This will be good old-fashioned VT spring skiing! Expect water bars and muddy sections. Don’t bring your best (or second best, or third best) skis–old fish scales are your best bet, or wooden skis with pine tar. Feel free to hike/run the course as well if you prefer, or take skis off for sections! All obstacles except some water bars will be optional 🙂 The Pig Race is about embracing whatever winter throws at us, and acknowledging that we don’t need perfect conditions to enjoy all that VT has to offer. There are some pics of current conditions on our Instagram.
We will have Red Clover Ale Company beer for sale. Please bring cash or card and an ID if you plan on purchasing.
We still have some meal tickets available for friends and family. To make sure you get one, you can pre-order on Skireg. We’ll have some for sale day of as well.
Costumes encouraged!

Thank you for your support of the Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center! It’s been so fun to bring the Pig Race back this year. Our goal with this event is to have fun and break even so please consider an additional donation to the Outdoor Center if you are able–it will help us fund some more bridges for those water bars!

Feel free to reach out with any questions. See you soon.

How to Watch the World Cup Races in Minneapolis

By Rosemary Shea-Cobb on 14 February, 2024 in BKL Race Blog, Junior Blog, Masters Blog

The much-anticipated FIS Cross Country World Cup races are happening in Minneapolis this weekend. There is a Skate Sprint on Saturday and a 10KM Skate race on Sunday. MNC’s own Ava Thurston will be skiing in her first world cup in the Skate Sprint and Coach Adam will be there making sure she has the fastest skis he can produce! If you watch the Sprint Qualifier, you might see her!

OUTSIDE Watch is supposed to stream the events live for free. Go this website to watch: Outside Live.

Replays will not be available for about a week, but you might find one on You Tube sooner than that if you missed the live feed.

Here is the schedule for the weekend races (times in EST):

Saturday 2/17:

11:00 -Women’s Qualifier

11:30- Men’s Qualifier

1:30- Sprint Finals

Sunday 2/18:

11:30- Men’s 10km Skate

1:45- Women’s 10km Skate.