2023 New England Team
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Junior Nationals Championships
Fairbanks, Alaska — March 10th – 17th, 2023
JN Athletes / Parents / Coaches,
Congratulations on being named to the 2023 New England Junior National Team. Thank you for your communication leading up to this point – to make the best experience for this Championships we kindly request you complete the following steps by February 22nd.
- Please Update your NENSA Profile HERE.
- The 2023 Trip Cost is $3165 – including airfare. Preferred payment method — bring a check to Team Naming on Sunday, February 19th. Pay via credit card ($3279.96) HERE.
Questions: justin@nensa.net
Trip Dates: Friday March 10th – Thursday March 17th.
Logistics & Travel:
Team members are expected to travel on the Team’s reserved tickets. Departing Boston at 11am on the 10th and returning the 17th at 4pm. JN staff will be on these flights and chaperone athletes. Once in Alaska our Team will utilize OC transportation, from the airport in coach buses, and throughout the week on school buses to and from the venue. Team NE has also secured four minivans to supplement travel. Flight specifics will be communicated via email after acceptance.
New England Team Housing:
Wedgewood
212 Wedgewood Drive
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Tel. 888-727-5554
Please bring cash (and/or credit card) for meals/snacks on travel days. NE Team hotel reservations and food service start with a Taco Dinner on 3/10 when the team arrives at Wedgewood (around 9:30 pm, 3/10).
Our first team meeting will be after breakfast on Saturday 3/11. Leadership will then break into age groups, and course previews. There is also an outdoor Opening Ceremony this afternoon.
Venue Location: Birch Hill Recreation Area. Fairbanks, Alaska.
Event websites: Official event Website.
Team naming will be after the races at Dublin on the 19th – we will take a Team Picture, collect checks and answer any questions there. Alternates will also be named at this point and those athletes/parents/coaches are encouraged to attend Team Naming.
Trip Health Information:
NENSA is committed to making this the safest trip – New England plans to bring a full team size of 42 athletes (plus autos) and 14 staff. We will be traveling as a Team, lodging together in a hotel, eating, and training together. With that in mind, we want to share our Health (and COVID) mitigation plans with everyone.
Please note that all participants on the 2023 New England JN team (athletes and staff) are highly encouraged to be vaccinated (including booster). All participants will upload their vaccination cards HERE.
We encourage best Health Practices, and conscientious parent interactions during the event, including wearing masks when appropriate. If you are not feeling healthy please use best judgment when interacting with your athletes as it will effect the greater Team.
Due to the prevalence of COVID we do ask that all athletes and coaches provide a negative test 72 hours prior to travel and have an open line of communication with Team Leaders (justin@nensa.net) throughout the Championships.
KN95 face masks should be worn at all times while traveling, and in team vans. Encouraged in indoor buildings (except in your own personal room).
We ask that each athlete bring 2 COVID test kits with them, in the event they develop symptoms. Any testing will be done only after talking with team leaders and or your age group coach.
If your child/athlete gets COVID during this trip we will quarantine the athlete and support them until travel arrangements can be made.
**********************
A note from Matt Boobar – New England JN Head Coach
Dear Team New England,
Welcome to Team New England 2023 — heading to the wilds of remote Alaska, America’s last frontier! We are super psyched to send our top athletes to defend the Alaska Cup and bring it home after a week of lung and leg searing battles on the tracks.
I do consider AK to be like entering the wolf den of racing venues and the pack will be hungry. So that means bring your own inner predator!
The schedule is tight and packed with action. Go in with a plan to be prepared to manage that.
Let’s also be super smart and safe with travel and large group buses and meals. While we like to think Covid is over, it is not, and neither are a multitude of other germs and viruses. Protect yourself and teammates by masking and keeping your hands clean during all travel. It is a long trip, travel rested and relaxed, hydrated. You should continue to mask on the shared buses to/from the hotel and venue.
We want everyone on the trip working as one cohesive unit. Our greatest strength is that our entire region comes together for a massive collaborative effort. Justin and I have the coaches backs, the coaches have your backs. In return by being polite, prepared, positive and pumped up, you are proving you have the coaches and our entire region’s backs. If we all have each other’s backs, that is how we bring the AK Cup BACK!
The coaches and service team are there for you. They will be an awesome resource for support and education. Ask them questions and use their knowledge to better prepare and improve yourself.
One team, one goal: make everyone around you better.
As you do your final preparations remember what got you to this point. Have confidence in that process and the outcome will come to you. The important thing to do now is show up organized, rested, and ready to bring back the Cup!
Finally, Congratulations, you made the team in the nation’s strongest and deepest division!
Matt Boobar
Head Coach, Team New England
New England JN Staff:
| Trip Leader | Justin Beckwith | 802-345-6720 | justin@nensa.net |
| Head Coach | Matt Boobar | 570-594-7555 | mboobar@gosms.org |
| Head Tech | Colin Rodgers | 802-398-5122 | crodgers@gmvs.org |
| Head Glide | Jefferson Tucker | 207-616-6143 | jeffersontucker2@gmail.com |
| Kick | Jacob Volz | 907-727-7437 | jacob.volz@gmail.com |
| Glide | Sara Falconer | 907-575-9712 | saranfalconer@gmail.com |
| Glide | Cate Brams | 617-955-6083 | catebrams@gmail.com |
| Service | Annika Martell | 651-280-8491 | alm9@williams.edu |
| U16G | Erin Waters | 603-219-5528 | xcerinwaters@gmail.com |
| U16M | Steve Bruner | 406-224-8909 | srbruner@hotmail.com |
| U18W | Audrey Mangan | 585-519-3506 | audrey.mangan@craftsbury.com |
| U18M | Evan Kendall | 207-650-4381 | ekendall@dublinschool.org |
| U20W | George Forbes | 802-379-3467 | gforbes@gosms.org |
| U20M | Will Solow | 802-923-6788 | jntassistantcoach@fordsayre.org |
Event Logistics:
All athletes are required to stay with the team throughout the entire competition. In case of emergency, call Justin, Trip Leader (802-345-6720) and/or Matt, Head Coach (570-594-7555).
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner will be served at the Wedgewood, bag lunches or event banquets. Special dietary requests will be accommodated and should be requested in your NENSA Profile Update.
Transportation:
Transport for all athletes will be primarily facilitated by the Fairbanks OC. Coach buses will transport us to and from the airport to the hotel (with NE Team staff support with four minivans). During the week the OC will transport teams from the Wedgewood to the venue with school buses – it is highly recommended that all athletes and staff wear N95 masks in group transit.
Coaching:
The coaches for your age group will work with you on all aspects of this competition week, including organization, strategy, and waxing.
The age group coaches will work with the head coach and team leader in a variety of different roles to meet the needs of the group.
A daily schedule will be shared electronically and posted to a white board/bulletin board at our hotel. Each nightly team meeting will focus on both general race preparation and specific information for the next upcoming event.
Tips on traveling and working with a large team:
Organization is based on age groups, please understand that with over sixty athletes and coaches on our team, being on time is very important! All athletes and coaches should have a watch in addition to a phone.
What to do in preparation for racing:
A well rested body is important leading up to a competition week. Work with your coach – and any personal learnings – to figure out the best balance of reduced volume and intensity to arrive at peak fitness. Increase the volume of fluids consumed. Increasing the amount of carbohydrates during competition week has been proven to assist in both recovery and energy levels. Also, very important – ski EASY on training days. With all of the energy and excitement of having friends and competitors around, it is easy to go too hard on your easy days. Have confidence in your level of fitness and YOUR plan and stick to it. Use the couple of days prior to racing to help you get comfortable with your new surroundings and the venue race trails.
Parents & Home Coaches:
Parents and home coaches are encouraged to spectate, to participate, and to support the team. Parents, who will be in Fairbanks and wish to help, contact Trip Leader Justin Beckwith – justin@nensa.net.
Packing & Living:
In the time between now and departure, be sure to get lots of rest, follow the plan you have set with your coach, and get all your homework assignments ahead of time so that you won’t be behind when you get home.
Dress Code:
Bring a nice shirt or sweater, pants or a skirt, and your team jacket for the awards. Proper dress at an awards ceremony displays team pride.
Free Time:
While we have a condensed race week, there will still be some down time. Be sure to bring homework, books and/or music to fill quiet free time. The age group coaches will be checking out some of the local sights and points of interest ahead of time, to share with you during your week in Fairbanks. There will also be study hall periods built into the schedule.
Packing List Suggestions:
Skis, Boots, Poles – Fairbanks is unique in that they consistently have dry old snow. To get the best from your Service Team try to limit the number of skis you travel with. Questions to Age Group coaches (above).
JN Team uniform (SWIX tights and jacket mandatory) – if ordering new this year they will be shipped to Beckwith and handed out at the departure gate in Boston 3/10.
KN95 Face Masks – (10 total) two separate ones for both airline travel days (to be disposed of after traveling) as well as plenty of fresh masks to wear throughout the week. Masking is required on all Public Transportation and highly recommended in indoor spaces, besides your own hotel room with your one roommate.
2 COVID tests (to use if you develop symptoms – with supervision of NE Staff)
Additional ski suit and warm-ups
Hats, gloves, buffs, eye wear, sunglasses
Sun block & lip balm
Polypro underwear
Extra race day layers – base layers, gloves, socks etc.: (You warm up, sweat, wait, cool down, then if you race with wet layers = not good).
Wool socks
Running shoes for morning warm-ups
Respectable clothes for awards (see above)
Warm winter coat, hat, gloves, and boots
Toilet kit
Some things to read
Homework
Drink Belt (water bottles)
A sharpie (for putting your name on your new uniform and belongings!)
Personal wax/tools for training days (see note in wax section below)
Money for food on travel days (3/10 and 3/17) and any snacks or items you want to purchase during the week
Extras:
Ear Plugs: Will your roommate snore…?
Team Uniforms:
NE JN Team members are expected to wear the new NE tights in all races, and a team jacket to wear at all awards ceremonies. New England uniform tops are optional to purchase, and you are welcome and encouraged to wear your home club racing top. Information for ordering your Swix NE Team uniforms on-line, is listed in the forms section of this packet. You must order your Swix team uniform by no later than Monday 2/27 at 12pm. Athletes will receive Team Items: Toko Drink Belt and Swix Team Hat at Team Naming. Ordered uniforms will be handed out in Boston at flight check-in.
Skis:
- skis should be clean and free of any kick wax or klister, with kick zones well marked, for both hard wax and klister zones (keep it simple!)
- each pair of skis is identified (“classic hard wax” “classic klister” etc.) (grind tags are great)
- Tips of skis marked with your name for identification purposes.
With typical Fairbanks cold and consistent conditions you will likely be using a “cold” or “universal” ski. If you have two pairs of race skis for classic and skate you should be fine for warmup and training. The wax staff will likely be working on your skis right up until your start time on most days. There is no need to bring “rock” skis. Do not bring “extra” skis beyond one pair of practice skis (skate and classic) that you would not race on.
This year’s schedule is unique in that the first race is classic and the next two events are freestyle – after the race on Monday the 13th the wax staff will ask if you will be classic skiing anymore during the week. If you wil,l we will leave a pair of your skis waxed, if not, we will clean and send your classic skis back to the Wedgewood with you.
Many skis will come with grind tags which will help us determine what conditions the ski is meant for – it would be very helpful if you do not have a grind tag, to write a quick note about a ski on the tip: for Skate (cold, warm, wet) and Classic (dry or kick wax, klister). If you own zeros, bring them!
Suggestion for preparing skis:
Hot scrape skis with warm paraffin (ie. Swix PS 8, Toko BP Red). Then finish the skis with a cold wax (Swix Marathon) to harden the base. This is completely adequate.
- Apply wax with appropriate iron temperature @ 130, then immediately scrape the groove and surface of the ski. Switch ski, letting the first cool, repeat.
- Brush ski surface, then apply cold wax to harden the ski (Swix Marathon if possible), iron temperature 145. Always make one continuous pass with the iron (no back and forth).
- Regardless of which preparation you choose, all skis should have the same final layer of glide wax to make ski-testing decisions easy and minimize work for the wax staff. Swix Marathon, PS 4/6 or Toko BP Blue (would be ideal and marked as such).
If you feel your skis should be running faster than they are, consider using a reputable stone grinding service that specializes in Nordic racing skis to get fresh base material exposed. If your black ski bases get white or gray patches when you ski on them, re- saturation at a minimum is required, though this usually means it is time for a new grind.
We will be applying hand structure to skis frequently, so a basic “universal” grind is the best grind for the first pair of skis. If you have a second pair of skis for cold conditions, a cold grind is a good supplement. Ensure that you re-saturate your skis with wax if you have them ground.
Personal Wax/Tools:
NENSA and the Service Staff cover race day wax and service. Athletes and age group coaches are responsible for their own wax on training days. We will have irons and wax remover for you there. Please pack a small variety of fluoro-free wax inside your luggage – a few multi range kick waxes, a cork, and a personal scraper should suffice. Please put your name on all your ski and wax equipment.
NENSA CODE OF CONDUCT for Junior National Trip and REG Camps:
NENSA looks to maintain values of fairness and honor in all aspects of cross-country skiing. To these ends, NENSA expects licensed athletes, coaches, officials, and members of NENSA-sponsored teams to maintain high standards of honesty and sportsmanship by, among other things:
- Respecting the health and safety of other competitors.
- Respecting the rules of competitions.
- Respecting the role of race officials, volunteers, and spectators.
- Respecting the guidance of coaches and trip leaders on NENSA-sponsored teams and trips.
- Refraining from disruptive behavior while on a NENSA-sponsored team or trip, including, zero tolerance on underage drinking, use of illegal drugs, tobacco, vaping, rowdiness, or repeated non-cooperation.
- Abiding by the rules of NENSA sponsored trips (JN’s, REG camps, U16 camps) set forth for that trip, including team lights out time (bedtime), remaining in your own room, and not having visitors in your room after team lights out time.
- Zero tolerance on the use of banned substances in cross-country skiing, racing, and training (See USOC list of banned substances). Subject to the procedures below, serious violations of these standards of conduct can lead to sanctions including suspension or loss of competition license, and in turn may result in being barred from NENSA sanctioned events or suspension or dismissal from NENSA-sponsored teams. Inquiry into any potential violations and sanctions will be made by the NENSA Judicial Committee, in consultation, where appropriate, with coaches, and leaders of NENSA teams.
It is a privilege to be on the New England Junior National Team and we expect all athletes to behave as such. The coaches and wax techs are volunteers, many using their vacation time to be a part of this team with you all. We expect everyone to be kind teammates, and set a great example to the rest of the nation.
Disciplinary Procedures:
Applicable procedures depend on the type of sanctions in question. “Non-competition sanctions” encompass any form of discipline that does not preclude the person involved from participating in future competitions but may affect participation or placement in a competition or trip during which a sanctioned violation occurs.
Any violation of the above, but especially #5, #6 & #7 above will result in being immediately sent home from the team trip/camp, or potential loss of your spot on a future camp or trip.
Please update your personal on-line data on your NENSA membership profile, acknowledge waivers and pay by no later than Wednesday, February 22nd at 9pm.
- Log into your NENSA membership profile to complete / edit all required information including: 2023 NEW ENGLAND JN TEAM (roommate preferences, medical / allergies, insurance information), PARENT/ ATHLETE INFO ( emergency contacts).
- Trip COST is: $3165. 1) Make payment by check at team naming – or 2) Pay via credit card ($3279.96) HERE.
- Fill out google form to submit Vaccination Card.
- Order your SWIX Team uniforms! (access code: swix) *Order your uniforms before the Monday 12pm 2/27 deadline – all team uniforms will be shipped to Beckwith with distribution in Boston 3/10 at flight check-in (or in AK).
- Fill out google form to submit Negative COVID test (72 hours prior to travel)
*Registration for EISA skiers who may qualify for NCAAs and are waiting on the last races, or EISA skiers who may qualify via the EISA Junior Quota. Deadline for acceptance and paperwork for these college athletes (top 5 juniors on East NCAA list and those who may have an option to go to NCAA’s), is Sunday February 27th, at 5pm with Payment due at that time. Those skiers should be in touch with Matt Boobar AND Justin Beckwith immediately.
As always NENSA will make a temporary exception for “surprise qualifiers” or athletes with specific hardships. NENSA’s Competitive Program Director, Justin Beckwith, justin@nensa.net, must approve all exceptions.
