Justin Beckwith

November snow has touring centers giddy with excitement for the 2019-2020 season.  Indeed many cross country skiers are already sliding on their skinny skis throughout New England and ski areas have snowmaking operations underway.  In response to last winters amazing season there are twenty-two races on the Zak Cup calendar, eight marathons and the increasingly popular New England Club Relay Championship.  NENSA’s mission is to implement educational, recreational, and competitive programs at all levels to sustain a vital and active cross-country skiing community in New England — these popular races are the lifeblood of that community!

In the past NENSA has promoted these competitions with a focus on masters racers and Zak Cup competition — this year we aim to broaden our appeal to all ages and abilities of racers.  Friendly competition between our masters population is alive and well — but there is so much more that is attractive about these events — from BKL age groups to recreational (or untimed) skis, to local sponsor support including tasty food and gear demos.  There is no better time to visit a touring center than when they are hosting their local event, a time when weeks or months of effort have been spent to make the skier experience the best it can be!

NENSA’s programming revolves around supporting club structure — and getting together local groups to attend events that bring together the greater skiing community.  All of our Zak Cup events are also scored to Club Cup rankings, giving all participants added incentive to join in the fun.  Whether you are new to skiing or a lifetime competitor you help support your club and the events that celebrate our sport!  This season will be the first time senior skiers (ages 23-29) will be included in Zak Cup rankings — with the aim of bringing more friendly competition to this age group.

Many of our events already have live registration pages and you can find those by clicking on the event names on the popular calendar — review the listings early and sign up for events you know you want to attend — your participation will draw in more participants and make these events thrive!  Print out an event poster for your refrigerator or office wall.  There are events in all states within New England (and New York) so you don’t need to travel far to find excitement — but you are encouraged to pick out new events and visit different venues.  The races themselves vary in discipline and distance — including sprint, skiathlon, marathon, hill climb and downhill and everything in between.  If you’ve never experienced the excitement of a mass start maybe you want to seek out one of those events — or join in a recreation category (many events offer untimed or shortened distances).

Racing action kicks off in Craftsbury in one month with a sprint on Saturday December 14th and the traditional Opener on Sunday the 15th.  Jackson XC is hosting the Jackson Jaunt on December 29th giving you three opportunities before the new year.  Racing continues in earnest in January with eight races listed in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts – including the One Day Club Championships in Jackson, NH now know as the Freeman Frost White Mountain Half Marathon.  February brags seven events including the Craftsbury Marathon and AXCS Masters National Championships and Stowe Derby.  March has five popular races and wraps up with Zak and Season Awards at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center on March 22nd.

We look forward to seeing you out there this winter — please don’t hesitate reaching out to NENSA or the hosting venues — Let it Snow!

 

 

Mission Statement:  NENSA is committed to making safe and supportive competitive events for all cross country skiers.  Concerns about fluorinated waxes have emerged from three schools of thought: the health implications of exposure, the environmental effects involved with the raw materials in many of the wax products, and the competitive advantage certain clubs may gain due to the perceived complexities of available products.  NENSA would like to address these issues and help reduce the dependence on fluorinated waxes through education and waxing guidelines.

It is important to note that the wax industry will shift as the international market responds to mounting regulation of ingredients in Europe.  We hope our stance will promote a healthy environment for athletes, technicians, spectators and New England venues. These policies are based on trust and NENSA cannot enforce compliance.

Championship Rules:

• Bill Koch Festival – Fluoro-Free glide products only.
• U16 & Eastern High School Championships

• • Use of non fluoro, low fluoro, or high fluoro paraffin glide wax will be allowed.
  • Base structure will be allowed.
  • Use of any fluorinated topcoat treatment in the glide zones will not be allowed. This includes the following:

• • • Powders
    • Liquids
    • Blocks

NENSA Policy at Open Events (Eastern Cup*, Popular Races):

• All participants at NENSA events are expected to respect public spaces, and abide by any restrictions provided by the venue.
• No Ironing of Perfluorinated finishing waxes (“pure fluoro” – powders, liquids, or blocks).

*Ironed “pure fluoro” products pose a possible health risk. To protect athletes, spectators, and the general public from potential exposure it is our policy to disallow the ironed application of these products.

• Applying perfluorinated waxes by hand using rotocork, rotofleece, or hand cork methods is acceptable under these new regulations.
• Ironing kick wax products is also permitted, though NENSA recommends use of a respirator during that process.

*The Craftsbury SuperTour, held January 24-26, 2020, is a SuperTour and thus supersedes NENSA’s wax regulations. Ironing of perfluorinated wax products will be permitted at this event.

NENSA Recommendations:

• Simplify your wax boxes – learn a brand(s) and trust your process.  Add complexity as you see fit and that your staff can handle without limiting coaching interaction.
• Use fluorinated waxes sparingly: select appropriate events and limit the volume and time you spend testing products.  Please note many commonly used kick waxes and klister contains fluorinated material and should be used and disposed of in a similar manner to glide waxes.
• Wear a respirator or at least a dust mask whenever you are glide waxing: If you are working with any type of glide wax, there are likely fumes and particulates in the air that you do not want in your lungs. Even when scraping and brushing, wear a dust mask to protect your airways.
• Collect your wax shavings and contain your dust: Wax waste must be collected in waste containers and disposed of in waste containers properly. All waste material should be disposed of in waste containers on site.  Do not brush your wax scrapings on the ground.

Looking forward:  We hope that our stance on limiting the use of fluorinated wax will further invigorate the industry to develop new products that can provide similar performance without relying on materials that are known to pose potential health and environmental risk.  NENSA’s policies will continue to develop as we learn more about the effects of wax and new waxes are made available.

PLEASE NOTE MANY AREAS OF NORTHERN VERMONT INCLUDING STOWE SUSTAINED SERIOUS DAMAGE FROM WIND AND RAIN LAST NIGHT – MANY ROADS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED – INCLUDING SECTIONS OF OUR COURSE.  WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED THROUGHOUT THE DAY AS TO MODIFICATIONS TO THE COURSE AND OR CANCELLATION. WE ARE AS BUMMED AS YOU – STAY POSITIVE AND WE WILL BE IN TOUCH.

Athletes will be seeded using USSA (or FIS) points. START LISTS WILL BE POSTED TO BULLITT TODAY.  Classic 10km Individual Start at :30 second intervals.  The sixteen lowest point male and female skiers in the race with use the NENSA Swenor Alutech matched ski set – racers will receive the skis at bib pickup before the start.  These skiers will start in two waves of 8.  All other skiers will use their own “training/medium/#2” speed roller skis. Helmets are required.

Notes and reminders:

Course:  We have again received graciously received permission from the Town of Stowe to race on their roads. In an effort to safely increase our field size, the Barrows Road section of the course will be closed to traffic and marshaled by Stowe Police at the Moscow and Luce Hill turns (Nebraska Valley and Luce/Trapp Hill will remain open and skiers must abide by the rules of the road).  Although we will be marshaling the entire course skiers must treat the roads with caution.  We request that all warm up takes place on Nebraska Valley Road and parking takes place at the parking lot just off Cotton Brook Road.  Please preview the remainder of the course on your way to registration by car.  Course begins with gradual downhill and flat before rolling upwards along Barrows Road and making a final climb up Luce and Trapp Hill.  The course measures 6.2 miles / 10 kilometers.

Start:  The start is at the end of Nebraska Valley Road just before it turns to dirt @4km from Cotton Brook Road.  We will have a clock and a NENSA tent set up at the line.  Look for instructions from starters there – the first racer will depart at 10:00am.  A support vehicle will be posted at the start – you can leave anything you wish shuttled to the finish in the back before your start.

Course marking:  The course will be marked and the three turns will be marshaled by Stowe Police and bibbed officials.  We will make an effort to have kilometer markings on the right hand side of the road.

Race/Overtaking Etiquette: During the race skiers should stay to the right hand side of the road as bicycle traffic. Marshals will instruct you at intersections but skiers are ultimately responsible for their safety. Use tracking etiquette when overtaking skiers and avoid skiing double for extended periods of time.

Any skier seen in violation of safety protocols during warm up or in competition will be pulled from the event.

Course Map – Please note start, finish, and warm up parking area.

Bib Pickup / Registration:  Takes place in the yurt behind the Outdoor Center. 8:00-9:30am.  All competitors need to sign a day of race liability waiver (minors please make arrangements for an adult to sign ahead of time).  At registration you will be asked if you have read and understand this document.  Skiers on the Elite and Development Team will receive their Team headband at this time. You will then receive your bib, which you will return at the finish.

Post race food:  Light snacks and fluids will be available at the finish and entry fee includes appetizers and beverages at Trapps.  Thank you to Sunrise Orchards for their donations.  This year will feature ice cream!

Parking:  As noted on the map general event parking will take place at the Outdoor Center parking lot.  Coaches are encouraged to shuttle their athletes to the Cotton Brook dirt lot several hundred feet down the road by proceeding over Trapp Hill as noted by a red line on the course map.

Water and Restrooms:  Water and restrooms will be available for athletes and coaches in the basement of the Outdoor Center – please consider supporting Outdoor Center retail space upstairs.

Trash and Recycling:  Please maintain leave no trace status and dispose of all waste properly. Thanks!

Results: The event will have live timing and final results will be posted at the Outdoor Center, the Bierhall and the NENSA website.

Awards:  Will take place in the Mozart Room at Trapps at 12:00pm.  We encourage all athletes to attend and celebrate our top-3 Overall / Junior / Masters male and female athletes on the day with podium prizes by EnjoyWinter and Rossignol.  Overall male and female winners will vie for $200 cash prize provided by Rossignol. We will also be honoring the top-3 Overall Winners (Junior/Open/Masters) from the NENSA High Peaks Rollerski Race Series including the open purse ($500-1st, $300-2nd and $200-3rd), and the Marty Hall College Cup.  Awards will include products from Swenor, Bliz and local vendors.

Please don’t hesitate to email [email protected] or call 802-345-6720 with questions.

November 2, 2019

Stowe, Vt – For the third year in a row the New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) and the Trapp Family Lodge have partnered to create a roller ski race for an elite field of cross-country skiers including past and future Olympians.  Upwards of one hundred athletes representing colleges and clubs from throughout New England will compete in a challenging 10-kilometer race that will finish at the top of Trapp Hill. Spectators are encouraged to park at the Trapp Family Lodge Outdoor Center parking lot before 10am and cheer skiers to the finish.  The event, which boasts a $200 cash prize for the top male and female competitors (sponsored by Rossignol), is the culmination of the six-race High Peaks Cyclery Rollerski Race Series.  The overall winners of the Series are vying for $500 for 1st, $300 for 2nd and $200 for 3rd place finishes.  Series prize money is sponsored by Kathy and Marty Hall in a continued effort to support development in cross country skiing.

Event Details

Top-ranked New England athletes in their respective age groups will join Olympians like Caitlin Patterson, and World Junior Relay Champion, Ben Ogden, for this head to head competition designed to showcase Nordic Skiing.  The majority of the field is comprised of athletes who were named to the NENSA Elite and Development Teams – a group who has demonstrated national and international success. Skiers from the University of Vermont, Dartmouth College, Stratton Elite Team and the Craftsbury Green Racing Project will be in attendance.

The course will begin on Nebraska Valley Road before turning onto Barrows Road and conclude by climbing Luce and Trapp Hill.  The race begins at 10am and skiers are expected to complete the course in approximately thirty minutes. Racers will depart the start in thirty-second intervals, making for non-stop spectating for nearly an hour.  An award ceremony will be held in Mozart Room at 12:00pm.

About NENSA:

The New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) is the umbrella organization for Nordic skiing events in the region. We are a member supported service organization that promotes the culture of cross-country skiing by creating opportunities for youth, athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all levels. NENSA provides the support structure necessary to bring cross-country skiers to their highest potential at regional, national and international events.

Questions about the event should be directed to Justin Beckwith at [email protected]

FROM THE TOP TO THE TOWN, STOWE DERBY SET FOR FEBRUARY 23, 2020

Epic Cross-Country Ski Race from Summit of Mt. Mansfield to Village Marks 75th Anniversary

Like most great races, the Stowe Derby began as a wager. Legendary skiers Sepp Ruschp and Erling Strom placed a gentleman’s bet on who could ski fastest from the top of the mountain to the town, plotting a course from the summit of Mt. Mansfield to the historic Stowe village 2,700 vertical feet below. 75 years later, the race remains one of the most challenging, exciting, and entertaining cross-country ski races in New England, attracting professional skiers, adventurous newcomers, and families alike.

Known as much for good-spirited camaraderie and entertaining costumes as it is for its thrilling terrain, this year’s long course will follow tradition with a start at the top of Mansfield’s Toll Road and the finish 20 km later in town. Racers may also choose a 6 km short course, a 14 km fat bike race, or the 40 km derby meister. Organized by the Mount Mansfield Ski Club & Academy, registration is now open for teams and individuals ages 13-100+ at https://mmsca.org/events/stowe-derby/.

Media Contact: Brooke Mitchell, 802-696-2251 or [email protected]

Despite snowfall on top of some of the high peaks throughout the East – there are two events left in the 2019 High Peaks Cyclery Rollerski Race Series!  On Sunday October 27th the Maine Event Cross Country Cross (XCX) and 5k run will be held at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine.  This years field is expected to draw competitors from EISA programs in Maine, Maine High School skiers and clubs from outside the region.  On Saturday November 2nd the Trapp Invitational 10km classic will be held in Stowe, Vermont.  This year we are extending our invitations to the Elite and Development team, EISA college teams, skiers who have achieved a top-5 in their age group throughout the 2019 High Peaks Cyclery Rollerski Series, and skiers who were signed up for the Rossignol FreeFall.  The field will be capped at 150 competitors.

Due to the cancellation of the Rossignol FreeFall prize money from that event will transfer to the Trapp Invitational and overall Series ranking will be based on best two results.  That is $200 for the overall male and female winners from Rossignol on 11/2.  The Series prize money, again graciously donated by Kathy and Marty Hall, is $500 – 1st, $300 – 2nd and $200 for 3rd.  We look forward to some hot action as the temperatures continue to drop!

The Maine Event will be the second running of the first open Rollerski Cross Country Cross event in the world.  This exciting summer version of Cross Country Cross (XCX) builds on aspects of both sprinting and agility.   New for 2019, the rollerski competition will be preceded by a 5k run and a Learn to Rollerski clinic on the ski trails at Pineland Farms.  This is also the last open competition in the 2019 Series.

Registration is now OPEN.

(Course Map) The course will be set on a 400 meter loop including 3 ramps (Bicycle, Speed Whoop and Step Down Jump) and other agility components including: the Nokian Tyres – Figure 8, one-legged balance, grass skiing and several turning features including slalom.  Skiers should be prepared for a course under 2 minutes in length – with sections of open skiing including a finish straight. All skiers will participate in instruction and qualification.  The top-16 Open and top-8 Junior skiers will advance to single elimination rounds – advancing by heat time.  Head to Head competitors will start and finish on opposite sides of the event “oval.”  Overall results will rank based on fastest recorded time.

The 5k run and rollerski event will start in the same location with the run following the “Campus Loop” trail counterclockwise.  Course map here.

Photos of the 2018 event courtesy of Steve Fuller.

On November 2nd, the 3rd running of the NENSA Trapp Invitational will be hosted at the Trapp Family Lodge, the home of the 2019 NCAA National Championships.  The race was designed to provide a race opportunity for NENSA Elite and Development teams in 2017 — and has since grown to include EISA programs and other elite teams.  This year we are extending our invitations to the Elite and Development team, EISA college teams, skiers who have achieved a top-5 in their age group throughout the 2019 High Peaks Cyclery Rollerski Series, and skiers who were signed up for the Rossignol FreeFall.  The field will be capped at 150 competitors.  Eligible competitors and coaches will receive invitations and registration instructions on 10/18.

The event is designed to celebrate the strength of American cross country skiers and offer a high level competition as final preparation for the 2020 ski season. The Trapp Invitational highlights successful athletes across age ranges, inspiring those in attendance, while displaying the talent of New England skiers to a broader audience.  We aim to showcase our sport with national and international exposure.

Make it a full day and celebrate John Brodhead’s induction into the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame in the evening starting at 5pm.

We encourage spectators to join us for both of these events and the culmination of a fantastic rollerski racing season!

Due to military operations at the Ethan Allen Firing Range the fourth race of the 2019 rollerski race series was cancelled.

All competitors will receive a full refund and also have the opportunity for a start right at the Trapps Invitational.

Please stay tuned for more details.

It’s that time of year!  NENSA is looking to build the coach and tech staff for the 2020 Junior Nationals to be held March 7th – 14th in Truckee, California.  Submit an application on our google form here.

Help support New England Juniors in their quest for individual and divisional success.  We are looking for team players, both wily veterans and aspiring coaches, to create a fun and focused staff.  Please direct any questions to [email protected]

xcjuniornationals2020.com/

facebook.com/xcjuniornationals2020/

 

Our community is heartbroken by the loss of Tom Kendall.

“The Kendall family is organizing a service for Tom at the Dartmouth Skiway Sunday afternoon September 29th. If you would like to join us, please send an email to [email protected] or add your name at the link below if you’d like to attend. I’m just starting to gather names from the ski community and our list keeps getting bigger… such a wonderful, caring community.

 

Feel free to pass this information along — it would be a huge help to me, and I’m sure I won’t think of everyone.”

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KaAJMIPdlhHZToElKq-uM0sIc9HIff1FwXzwUzvpAu4

There is perhaps no more fitting honor to acknowledge Sverre Caldwell’s contribution to the US Skiing than to be recognized with an award that is named after his father. This award annually recognizes a single individual, or entity, which embodies the spirit, dedication, innovation and pride in our Nordic community that the founder of NENSA exhibited.

Sverre grew up in Putney while his father was crafting the Cross-Country Ski Book, coaching the US Ski Team, teaching at the Putney School and raising a family with his wife Hep. John describes his sons arrival to coaching, “Sver loved sports from day one,” and found challenge growing up as the middle brother of four exceptionally athletic siblings. “And so the question is, how did Sver survive in this atmosphere? I dunno, but Hep and I paid a lot of attention to all our kids and maybe it paid off.”

“Somehow, Sver was always the most organized, the most with-it, and the most accommodating!   And it’s clear to me, at least, that he carried these characteristics over into his coaching.”

And did he ever – it would be nearly impossible to list the athletes and coaches Sverre Caldwell has influenced over forty years of coaching at the Stratton Mountain School – quite simply because he has directly mentored or worked with skiers from all corners of the United States. Rick Kapala, the Director of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Nordic Program describes Sverre and the Stratton Mountain School as the “Gold Standard,” that other programs measure their success against. Kapala goes on to say, “as I was beginning my coaching I would read John’s books cover to cover – and how was I supposed to compete with the Sverre who was literally in the book!” The professionalism of US coaching was effectively established on the shoulders of Sverre and the coaches of his generation. It was the friendly competition between programs like Sun Valley and Stratton that created the environment of greatness we see today in US Skiing.

Stratton and US Ski Team alum, Andrew Newell, was mentored by Sverre and now carries his own coaching torch with his start-up program, Nordic Team Solutions. “Sverre’s coaching style is perfect for young athletes… always upbeat and consistent in demeanor he always strikes a balance between pushing you incredibly hard while still keeping it fun. The perfect combination. He always understood the value of a cohesive team, and how we can all improve by pushing one another. He’s one of the easiest people to talk to, I think as athletes we’ve all strived to make him proud.”

The inclusive culture Caldwell developed during his forty years at the Stratton Mountain School (SMS) produced tens of Olympians and National Champions as well as inspiring the next generation of coaches and program leaders. Sverre always said he wouldn’t retire until we won an Olympic Gold medal – it might have taken a few years longer than he wanted – but that box was checked when Jesse Diggins (SMS T2) and Kikkan Randall (APU) struck gold in PyeongChang, South Korea. Of course there are many other statistics that a program needs to meet before the highest stage. For the past 24 years, the SMS program has boasted at least one Junior National Champion and at least one member of the US Junior World Championship Team per year. Attending SMS Bill Koch and Junior Camps is a rite of passage for many athletes from New England, New York and beyond – it often serves as a launching pad for these campers, either by inspiring them to train harder when they go home or deciding that the environment at Stratton is the perfect place to spend a few years in their training pursuits.

As Sverre moves aside from his position at the helm of the SMS Nordic Program, he leaves behind a legacy of one of the finest junior programs in the world. Caldwell is also responsible for creating and securing the funding needed to support the Stratton T2 Elite Team – the success of this program is undeniable with both US Ski Team athletes and coaches taking up residence during the summer months in Southern Vermont. Like his father Sverre has nurtured his own exceptional family including Sophie, who is respected as one of the top sprinters in the world along with twins, Isabel and Austin – Isabel currently teaches at the Burr & Burton Outdoor Program where she mentors youth in the classroom and coaches their ski team in the winter – Austin recently took the assistant coaching position at the University of Colorado after a tenure at the Bridger Ski Foundation. Perhaps Sverre’s best attribute is how he balances his passion for cross country skiing while being a loving father and husband – in the past few years he and his wife Lilly have traveled the world both recreationally and also to watch their children and current and former athletes compete on the international stage.

The world is simply a better place because of the mark the Sverre Caldwell has left on hundreds of exceptional human beings – luckily for US Skiing he continues to share his expertise and inspiration via local training groups (that include international stars), outreach to coaches and work on NENSA committees.

Matt Boobar, the current Nordic Program Director at SMS leaves us with this: “Sverre touched so many in skiing and beyond. While the performances on snow speak for themselves it was Sverre’s overall approach to each student athlete as an entire person that really speaks volumes. He fully embraced the part of SMS’s mission to help create and establish strong personal values. He proves that nice people do finish first!  While Sverre is retired from his full-time responsibilities at Stratton Mountain School he will continue to promote and build nordic skiing at all levels. Sverre is clearly a deserving recipient of any award in Nordic skiing, even the one named after his dad!”