Kait Miller

This past winter, young skiers all across the east from Buffalo, NY to Waterville, ME participated in NENSA’s XC Ski Bingo game completing activities ranging from night skiing to backcountry skiing to obstacle course skiing. Each state had a unique card and forty-seven skiers completed at least one full row of their state’s Bingo card collectively skiing at 43 different ski areas! In this especially challenging year, the smiles and stories shared by participants were inspiring and heartwarming, and we are so impressed with how many young people got outside to play on their skis! The creativity and enthusiasm you all brought to this game was contagious.

I’ll let some of the comments and stories we received from players and their families speak for themselves:

“Best ski of the year so far was skiing to the high point with BKL friends. It was fun and crazy skiing down!”

“I liked skiing up all the hills so I could go fast down the hills at Great Glen.”

“I like going down the big hill at Great Brook Farm!”

“We loved skiing as a family.”

“I skied the longest race I’ve ever done by far a 22+k. There was so much climbing in the Long Haul Loppet up at Jackson. I skied to the high point at Jackson twice.” 

“I convinced my whole family to get season passes so we could all ski as much as possible this winter! I’m going to learn how to skate ski!”

“Bingo’s very fun! It makes skiing more fun and it’s already fun.”

“I got to ski across the road to the other side of the Rusty Nail Trail! I used my duck walk like I do uphill.”

“The backcountry ski in Grafton was a lot of fun and the slalom ski activity at the base of Mt. Abram during break was awesome.”

Night skiing was an unexpected hit:

“We did not expect to enjoy night skiing but did it just for bingo and had a great time! It also started snowing during our night ski visit which made it extra pretty!”

“My favorite thing is night skiing!” 

“Night skiing was fun. Very icy, but super bright full moon. Made up ice cream and put it in the ice cream maker while we were out. Perfect pineapple ice cream when we got home!”

“Bingo encouraged Matt to try new things (like night skiing – a fun family activity!)”

We are grateful to the families and ski centers that supported participants in their many activities. And last, but not least, a big thank you to our partner LL Bean for the fantastic Bingo raffle prizes!

Click HERE for an album with more Bingo photos to see what the players have been up to all winter and happy spring!

 

 

 

While there is no regional Eastern High School or U16 Championship event this year, it is still a special honor to qualify for your state team and today we want to acknowledge and celebrate the top athletes in Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire who trained hard, raced fast, and earned a spot on their state’s 2021 Easter High School or U16 team. A big thank you to all the state coaches and race organizers who made the state-based events happen during these challenging times.

To recap a little… Massachusetts kicked things off on February 13th with an under-the-lights 6k individual start skate race at the Leo J Martin Ski Track. Next up was Maine with a two day event taking place on February 27th and 28th. The Maine event featured boys on Saturday and girls on Sunday (split by region) and all skiers competed in a 5k individual start skate race followed by an XCX event. Vermont and New Hampshire wrapped things up this past weekend. Like Maine, New Hampshire’s event also offered two races with a classic individual start race shortly followed up by an XCX event. Vermont stuck to the single race format with boys on Saturday and girls on Sunday but they got creative and integrated some XCX features into their 5k individual start skate race.

View the links below for results and named teams. Please note that the qualification criteria was expanded this year (28 skiers per gender per team), teams are listed in alphabetical order, and all U16s are named to their state’s U16 Team even if they also qualified for their state’s Eastern High School Team. Congratulations to all! We wish those of you who are graduating high school the best of luck in your future endeavors and we hope to see you all ripping it up out there next winter.

2021 State Teams

Race Results:  MA | ME | NH | VT

Videos: NH XCX | VT Girls | VT Boys 

Photo Galleries: ME | VT Girls | VT Boys

 

Last Saturday New Hampshire hosted its Eastern State Champs event with a jam packed schedule featuring a total of 6 races! Each racer competed in two events: a 5k classic individual start distance race and a skate XCX race. A huge thank you to the Dublin School Nordic Center for hosting this fun day of racing. Also a big shoutout to all the volunteers and coaches that made this event possible. And last, but not least, congrats to all the racers! Below are links to results, video coverage, and the NH state teams.

Results:
U16 Women Classic  | U16 Women XCX | U16 Men Classic | U16 Men XCX
U18/20 Women Classic | U18/20 Women XCX | U18/20 Men Classic  | U18/20 Men XCX

Video Coverage:
U16 Women | U16 Men | U18/U20 Women | U18/U20 Men | XCX Races

State Teams:
U16 Women | U16 Men | EHS Women | EHS Men

 

This past weekend, Vermont hosted it’s NENSA Eastern State Champs event at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center. This 5k individual skate race, featuring some exciting XCX features, also doubled as Vermont’s Open Junior Championships. Congrats to all the racers and a big thank you to the staff, volunteers, and coaches that organized and supported this event. Below are the top-10 overall results and links to the official Vermont state teams.

1. Finn Sweet, Craftsbury Nordic Ski Club
2. Jack Young, Craftsbury Nordic Ski Club
3. Fin Bailey, SMS
4. Jack Lange, SMS
5. Mathias Boudreau-Golfman, SMS
6. Aidan Burt, GMVS
7. Tabor Greenberg, GMVS
8. Wyatt Teaford, SMS
9. David Shycon, SMS
10. Luke Rizio, Twin Valley Nordic

Boys’ Full Results | Boys’ Livestream | Boys U16 Team | Boys EHS Team

1. Ava Thurston, Mansfield Nordic Club
2. Rose Clayton, Mansfield Nordic Club
3. Camille Bolduc, Craftsbury Nordic Ski Club
4. Hattie Barker, Mansfield Nordic Club
5. Nina Seemann, Craftsbury Nordic Ski Club
6. Emma Strack, GMVS
7. Rebecca Cunningham, Mansfield Nordic Club
8. Charlotte Brown, GMVS
9. Emma Crum, Champlain Valley Union High School
10. Isabelle Serrano, Craftsbury Nordic Ski Club

Girls’ Full Results | Girls’ Livestream | Girls U16 Team | Girls EHS Team

The strength of the cross country ski community was exemplified through action last weekend with hundreds of young skiers participating in locally organized Mini-Fests whether with their club, a few clubs, their whole district, or their entire state! Many young skiers found the smaller event size and more relaxed atmosphere a comfortable environment in which to try racing for the first time. While not every Mini-Fest had a race opportunity, all the Mini-Fests had fun and engaging non-competitive activities. A big shoutout to the clubs and leaders that brought their enthusiasm and put in the work to make this all happen! Read on to learn a little about each unique event (in alphabetical order) and to view the BKL graduation slideshow.

Central VT Mini-Fest (Woodstock): Ford Sayre, Woodstock Nordic Runners, and Mt. Top BKL teams came together on Saturday, March 6th to celebrate the end of a very different nordic season. Even with predicted cold temps, the sun came out to warm the 64 participants as they raced, played games and went off jumps in the Terrain Park. The day concluded with an 8th grade graduation ceremony. The graduates skied through a vintage ski arch which symbolized their passage to the next level of their ski careers! We are grateful for the generosity of the Woodstock Inn Nordic Center, all the parents, coaches and volunteers for their help and of course for our youth skiers for keeping nordic skiing alive and thriving this season. Reporting from Gretchen Czaja.

 

Dublin BKL Mini-Fest (Dublin): The Dublin Fest featured a scavenger hunt and paintball biathlon, and wrapped up with hot cocoa and a raffle!

 

Eastern MA Mini-Fest (Leo J Martin Ski Track): The Eastern MA BKL club put together a really fun mini-festival for their kids this past weekend.  Sunny blue skies and perfect corduroy greeted the two mornings of fun & games, including chariot pulls, a scavenger hunt, bean-bag biathlon, a downhill slalom run and a dance party complete with DJ!  On Sunday, they did a really nice graduation for their graduating 7th and 8th graders – having them ski down the hill, flanked by the rest of the club, all their coaches, and greeted with giant lollipops by the athletes of CSU juniors, welcoming them into their club, and the next level of skiing. Reporting from Amie Smith.

 

Ford Sayre Mini-Fest: Friday night was the torch light ski, which is always a hit! Saturday we woke up to beautiful blue skies and a groomed out course!! Racers strapped on their skate skis and donned their sparkle for a couple of fast KMs.  Afterwards groups participated in the NH scavenger hunt with NENSA NH native images, it was a HUGE hit!! Then there was noodle tag and an obstacle course!! Reporting from Kate Newick.

 

Great Glen BKL Mini-Fest: This fun club event featured a lollipop race, mixed medley relay, obstacle course, and ski to the Cabin for hot chocolate!

 

Holderness and Concord BKL Mini-Fest (Waterville Valley): This Mini-Fest had 88 skiers registered which was also a festival record. They used “Bob’s Lookout” on the Osceola Campground for their stadium and Waterville Valley was awesome in grooming around all of the picnic tables so that families could spread out during the day. They also hauled up a ton of firewood for S’mores and lunch use. There were the four individual start races with a fun double figure 8 agility run around all of the picnic tables at the beginning.

 

Maine Mini-Fest (Quarry Road Trails): The Maine BK Festival had the most participants from Maine at a Festival ever with 122 kids enjoying the outdoors, 71 on Day 1 and 51 on Day 2. The weather was fantastic, full sun, no wind and in the mid thirties.  The races went smoothly and the Nordic Adventures were FUN.  We look forward to all the states coming to Quarry Road Trails in 2022! Reporting from Caroline Mathes.

 

Northeast VT Mini-Fest (Craftsbury): Eighty kids participated from Stowe, Onion River, and Craftsbury BKL which is a record for a festival! This event featured a race, jump, scavenger hunt, and costume contest. Costumes ranged from Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Baby Yoda. The kids’ music selections throughout the day included Black Sabbath, three versions of the Stars Wars theme song, and Justin Timberlake.

 

Northwest VT Mini-Fest (Sleepy Hollow): Sleepy Hollow Nordic Center hosted an awesome Mini-Fest with 115 participants from Frost Mountain Nordic, Mansfield Nordic, Mad River BKL, and Sleepy Hollow BKL. The socially distanced event spread out the fun through the entire morning with new faces and skiers continually showing up.  In good Vermont fashion, the race courses were challenging with a big hill that led into rollers, a jump, and a sharp corner into the finishing stretch where volunteers were waiting to hand out handmade wooden medals (woodals) to all.  Besides the races there was also a Mini-Marathon, that included UnTapped waffles at the high point, and an “unnatural” trail where skiers could search for anything from stuffed animals to bright colored leaves to pints of Ben and Jerry’s.  And it wouldn’t be a festival without costumes and flair so there were butterfly wings, tutus, capes, and more making appearances throughout the day.  A big thank you to Sleepy Hollow and all the wonderful volunteers for making this event such a success! Reporting from Ida Sargent who is currently interning with NENSA and helping with the Mini-Fests. Thank you Ida!

 

NYSEF Mini-Fest (Mt. Van Hoevenberg): This event was open to all New York BKLers and welcomed 78 participants. Event activities included a race and orienteering, and all lollipoppers received a chocolate bear.

 

Maine was the second state to hold their Eastern State Champs event. Mainers raced at Quarry Road Trails over the weekend of February 27th and 28th with boys competing Saturday and girls on Sunday. To ensure the event met state gathering size limits, the field was split each day by region.

The Maine event consisted of a 5k individual start skate race followed by some XCX racing action!  We’ve highlighted the top three finishers in each category of the 5k race below with full results (including the XCX event) available here. A big congratulations to all the racers and to the coaches supporting them! Once each state has competed, we will announce and celebrate all those who made their respective state U16 and Eastern High School teams.

U16 Boys Region 1
1. Aksel Yeo, Yarmouth
2. Daniel Niles, Portland
3. Owen Redfield, Yarmouth

U16 Boys Region 2
1. Luke Streinz, Quarry Road Ski Club
2. Ellis Slover, Quarry Road Ski Club
3. Benjamin Condit, Quarry Road Ski Club

U16 Girls Region 1
1. Elise Creagan, Maine School of Mathematics and Science
2. Annie Bergeron, Yarmouth
3. Katherine Garcia, Edward Little

U16 Girls Region 2
1. Kayley Bell, Caribou
2. Ruth White, Orono
3. Nyla Scott, Telstar

High School Boys (U18 and U20) Region 1
1. Joey Rouhana, Falmouth
2. Leif Harvey, Greely
3. Ryan Gray, Falmouth

High School Boys (U18 and U20) Region 2
1. Caden Cote, Quarry Road Ski Club
2. Miguel Sanclemente, Fort Kent
3. Nate Livingood, Gould

High School Girls (U18 and U20) Region 1
1. Eva Celment, Falmouth
2. Avalaine Dreis, Falmouth
3. Leska Whitmarsh, Cheverus

High School Girls (U18 and U20) Region 2
1. Emma Charles, Mt. Blue
2. Eliza Skillings, Gould
3. Kamryn Joyce, Mt. Blue

Last but note least… a huge shoutout to the staff and volunteers who made this event a success! A lot more work goes into hosting an event during a pandemic to keep everyone involved as safe as possible and everyone at Quarry Road was more than up for the task.

Photos from Steve Fuller of Flying Point Road.

Massachusetts was the first state to hold their Eastern State Champs race this past Saturday at the Leo J Martin Ski Track in Weston! In light of the pandemic, a combined EHSC and U16 Championship Event–Eastern State Champs 2021–is being held in every regularly participating state possible.

The MA event consisted of a 6k individual start skate race under the lights with over 170 athletes from across the state toeing the line and competition was stiff! We’ve highlighted the top three finishers in each category below and full results from Bullitt Timing are available here (official Massachusetts team naming to follow along with updates to the Junior Ranking List).  A big congratulations to all the racers!

U16 Boys
1. Alexander Scopinich-Burgel, Concord Carlisle High School
2. Nathan Doughty, Lincoln Sudbury
3. Quinn McDermott, Mount Greylock

U16 Girls
1. Mirra Payson, Lexington High School
2. Francisca Feist, Concord Carlisle High School
3. Emily Appleby, Lincoln Sudbury

4. McDermott, Lily, Mount Greylock
5. Kirincich, Sarah, Concord-Carlisle
6. Collins, Genevieve, Lenox

7. Cumming, Hannah, Winchester

8. Culver, Alice,  Lenox

9. Lee, Isabelle, Wellesley High School

10. Keating, Erin, Mount Greylock

High School Boys (U18 and U20)
1. Justin Levesque, Hoosac Valley High School
2. Linden Niedeck, Brookline High School
3. Sam Gallaudet, Phillips Academy Andover

High School Girls (U18 and U20)
1. Amelia Tucker, Dexter Southfield
2. Sofia Scirica, Wellesley High School
3. Evelyn Walton, BB&N

4. Lake, Clara, Newton North
5. Elliot, Mary, Lenox
6. Brams, Shea, Belmont
7. Graziani, Elizabeth, Concord-Carlisle
8. Wells, Jacqueline, Mount Greylock
9. Nichol, Ella, Concord-Carlisle
10. Bodkins, Mica, Dover-Sherborn

And last but note least… a huge shoutout to every volunteer, staff member, and coach who worked tirelessly to make this event a success! A lot more work goes into hosting an event during a pandemic to keep everyone involved as safe as possible, and this crew did a fantastic job.

 

 

Since we cannot all gather in one place for our annual Festival in 2021, NENSA is working with clubs to support family, club, district, and state-based BKL Mini-Fests. Visit our Mini-Fest Homepage on the NENSA website where you’ll find support materials, information, and ideas for organizing a Mini-Fest as well as information about upcoming Mini-Fest events. Be sure to check out the BKL Mini-Fest Guide (which has links to state-themed Scavenger Hunt images) for ideas and info to help you create a fun celebratory event in as safe a manner as possible whether you are celebrating skiing with your family, with your home club, or with multiple local clubs. All BKL skiers can participate and fill out the BKL Mini-Fest Activity Entry form to be eligible for raffle and contest prizes from NENSA’s wonderful sponsors. You can also use this form to let us know you’re a 2021 BKL Graduate so we can ensure you receive your BKL Graduation Certificate! And don’t forget to download and print the Activity Booklet if you like trivia, word searches, and coloring. Clubs can also special order special Mini-Fest themed Fishy Fish Skida Tours (buffs). We will add information to the homepage as Mini-Fests get added to our Youth Calendar. If you are a Mainer, be sure to check out the NENSA Maine Mini-Fest at Quarry Road on March 6-7!

This year’s Mini-Fest theme is ​State By State, United We Ski.​ While we cannot all gather at one festival, we can still celebrate skiing at home in our own state. We can focus on what makes our own state unique while celebrating our shared love of skiing that knows no border.

If your club would like to organize a multi-club or district-wide event with additional NENSA support including registration and health screening, you can review this 2021 BKL Mini-Fest Manual and reach out to Kait ([email protected]) for more information.

We look forward to welcoming and hosting friends from Maine on the beautiful trails at Quarry Road! The theme for the weekend is State by State United We Ski! While we cannot all gather at one festival, we can still celebrate skiing at home in our own state. We can focus on what makes Maine unique while celebrating a shared love of skiing that knows no border.

REGISTER HERE!!!

COVID Requirements: This event is open to Maine residents ONLY. Our primary goal is the safety and well being of our community and all our event participants. We require that everyone follow NENSA’s COVID Guidelines as well as all Maine State COVID Requirements.

Health Screening: All attendees must fill out a Pre–Event Health Screen by 5pm on Thursday March 4th or they will not be allowed at the event.  NENSA will distribute the Pre-Event Health Screen as soon as registration closes on March 3rd. Coaches, parents, volunteers, and race officials are also subject to NENSA Health Screening. All attendees will also be required to fill out the CDC Facilities Health Screen the day of the event and show proof of completion upon arrival at the venue. There will be no indoor space for event attendees.

Registration Notes: All parents, coaches, volunteers, and race officials must also register (for free). Registration is capped to meet Maine State Gathering size limits. If we reach our cap on Saturday, we may ask parents to stay in their vehicles so we can allow more skiers to participante. Participant registration includes an event T-Shirt. You can pick your size during checkout. Participants who register after February 17th are not guaranteed a t-shirt!! 

NENSA Membership: A full NENSA membership or a day membership is required to race. The day membership cost ($10) is factored into the Non NENSA Member race entry. If you have NEVER been a member of NENSA, you can sign up for a free GET SKIING membership prior to registering for this event. Direct all membership questions to [email protected].

Refund Policy: If you do not pass our health screen, or if we must cancel the event, you will be fully refunded (except for the small SkiReg fee).

Schedule: 

Saturday, March 6, 2021
10:00am Grades 5&6 (girls followed by boys), 3km individual start skate race
11:00am Grades 7&8 (girls followed by boys), 4km individual start skate race
Nordic Adventures* for Grades 5, 6, 7 & 8

Sunday, March 7, 2021
10:00am Lollipop, 500m mass start race
10:30am Grades 1&2 (girls followed by boys), 1km individual start skate race
11:00am Grades 3&4 (girls followed by boys), 2km individual start skate race
Nordic Adventure* for Lollipop and Grades 1, 2, 3 & 4

* Nordic Adventure, (aka non-timed events) will include a Mini Marathon, Sledding Hill, Obstacle Course, Terrain Park, Bump Jump, and Tennis Ball Biathlon. Activities are subject to change. Some will run all day while others will start after racing concludes in the morning. **Nordic Adventure events are included in the race registration fee**

8th Grade Graduation: Graduation Certificates and a special treat will be at the finish line for each 8th Grade Graduate.

Questions? Reach out to Kait Miller ([email protected]) and Caroline Mathes ([email protected]).

 

Photo: Steve Fuller, Flying Point

In the necessary absence of full region EHSC and U16 Championship events this year, a combined EHSC and U16 Championship race–Eastern State Champs 2021–will be held in every regularly participating New England state possible. Our first state to compete is Massachusetts! This Massachusetts Eastern States Champs race is open to all U16 and High School (U18 and U20) skiers residing in the state of Massachusetts. Coaches must also live in Massachusetts and must register (for free).

REGISTER HERE!!!

The registration deadline is 5pm on Wednesday February 1oth. THERE IS NO DAY-OF REGISTRATION!

When and Where: Weston Ski Track (Weston, MA) on February 13th at 6pm.

COVID-specific Requirements: Attendees MUST follow NENSA’s COVID Requirements, the Massachusetts State Regulations, and wear a mask AT ALL TIMES! Spectating is prohibited and all accompanying family members must remain in their cars or leave the venue during the event.

Health Screening: All competitors must fill out a Pre–Event Health Screen by 5pm on Thursday February 11th or they will not be allowed to compete.  NENSA will distribute the Pre-Event Health Screen as soon as registration closes on Wednesday February 10th. Coaches, volunteers, and race officials are also subject to NENSA Health Screening. All attendees will also be required to fill out the CDC Facilities Health Screen the day of the event and show proof of completion upon arrival at the venue. There will be no indoor space for competitors or support staff. Covid Coordinators / Controllers will be present during the entire event.

NENSA Membership: A full NENSA membership or a day membership is required to race. The day membership cost ($10) is factored into the Non NENSA Member race entry. If you have NEVER been a member of NENSA, you can sign up for a free GET SKIING membership prior to registering for this event. Direct all membership questions to [email protected].

Race Info and Schedule: An individual start 6k skate race (distance may be change to 7k). Race start at 6pm. More details to follow. The race course will be CLOSED during competition! If there is sufficient snow, bring a headlamp to warm up on other trails. If there is not sufficient snow, be prepared to warm up on pavement. This race will count as a NENSA Junior Ranking List (JRL) event for use in potential future selection processes including camps.

Bib and Chip: If you rented a Bib and Chip from NENSA for the 2021 season, you can use them at this race. Those who do not have a rented Bib and Chip will be accommodated. Fear not!

Wax Policy: The only permitted waxes at this race are the non flouro blocks and their liquid equivalents listed below.

Swix CH, block and liquid
Swix PS, block and liquid
Toko NF, block
Toko Base Performance, block and liquid
Rex Glider
Rex G-Series, block and liquid
Star NF
Star Next Powder, Liquids or Block

Awards: The top 3 boys and girls in both the High School and U16 age categories will recieve medals. There will also be a small NENSA prize raffle for all participants.

MA State Team Recognition: The top 24 U16 and High School boys and girls will be considered official members of the 2021 Massachusetts U16 and Eastern High School Teams.

Refund Policy: If you do not pass our health screen, or if we must cancel the event, you will be fully refunded (except for the small SkiReg fee).

Start Lists and Results through Bullitt Timing.

Questions? Reach out to Kait Miller ([email protected]) and Chris Li ([email protected]).