Every spring NENSA nominates an Elite and Development Team to honor the achievements of New England athletes. The winter of 2021-2022 featured the return of open sanctioned U.S. Ski & Snowboard racing in the East. Races were highly competitive and well attended, with 2885 racer starts in eight Eastern Cup and Super Tour events. NENSA is proud to celebrate the athletic accomplishments of this winter by introducing the 2022 Elite and Development Team nominations and give you some updates looking towards summer. The basis for Elite and Development Team naming is the U.S. Ski & Snowboard National Ranking List – which includes all sanctioned races held throughout the last twelve months.
2022 Elite Team
2022 Development Team
The criteria set forth to name the NENSA Elite and Development Team represent a pathway to regional, national and international success. The number of athletes named to these teams each year demonstrates the depth of the Eastern region in cross country skiing. Athletes named to these teams are invited to regional training camps and rollerski races, and part of a broader team that continues to excel at all levels. Further Elite Team / Development Team information.
The Eastern Regional Camp (REG) will take place at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center July 2-7th, which will include an open rollerski race on July 3rd. The camp will accommodate 40, U16 through U20 skiers and be supported by coaches from throughout the East. The first nominations come from the above lists and the first round of invitations has been sent to athletes and coaches. On July 7th we will host our first Level 100 Cross Country Coach Certification Program with U.S. Ski Team representation.
As many skiers begin their 2022 training season next week we are excited and hopeful that skiers of all abilities will join us to share their first rollerski experiences in the third edition of #25KinMay. While there is always friendly competition – whether that be in distance skied or by a measure of speed – the intention is for skiers of all abilities to engage with others in the broader skiing community and get out there, have FUN, and share their stories, pictures and videos.
NENSA is again scheduling a Rollerski Race Series that will provide opportunities in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont starting with the Lost Nation Roll in Craftsbury July 3rd and ending with the Mt. Greylock Hill Climb on November 6th. The full calendar will be released in May. Races will utilize NENSA’s fleet of Swenor Rollerski made possible by Enjoy Winter. This fleet will be used not only for races but also for coaches education and club visits. There are many summer camps on our calendar already — please reach out to the Competitive Program Director if you have camp opportunities or have interest in NENSA bringing rollerski programming to your club.
It’s always an exciting time of year after a break from competition and now preparation for the upcoming training year begins. Congratulations to athletes named to the Elite and Development teams and we look forward to seeing you at the many camps and events happening throughout the East this summer.