Kait Miller

Over 150 women gathered at the Bethel Village Trails in Bethel, Maine for clinics for all abilities, lunch, an inspirational speaker, a wax clinic, raffle, and a chance to connect to the community of fabulous women in New England this past Sunday. This was the 16^th Annual New England Women’s XC Ski day, which is held at a different venue in New England each year. This day is organized by NENSA and made possible by L.L. Bean and Swix.

The day is also made possible by 20 volunteer instructors, many of whom are former high-level racers, and some who are former Olympians. These women volunteer to teach clinics from beginner to racer, and have come back to Women’s XC Ski Day year after year as instructors. There were also 12 additional volunteers from the Bethel area, who came to help with registration, and lead tours around the trails for those interested.

During lunch, Kristina Sabasteanski, 2 time Olympian in Biathlon, and Director of the Veterans Adaptive Sports and Training, spoke about her trials and tribulations on her path to the Olympics. Her personal story of ups and downs was inspirational, as was as hearing about her important work with VAST. Another highlight at lunch was a few videos from the women of the USST, sending a shout out to all those who were at Women’s XC Ski Day!

This year the benefit organization, Sexual Assault Prevention and Responses Services, received a portion of participants entry fee. They also keep the entire proceeds from the raffle of the one-night stay for two donated by The Bethel Inn Resort raffled off as the grande prize.

Many thanks to our wonderful instructors, The Bethel Inn Resort as the host hotel, The Bethel Village Trails and their staff, L.L.Bean for donating the instructor jackets, Swix for the official Women’s Day hats, all our ski vendors, and of course the volunteers! Thank you to Midge Eliassen for the beautiful photos of the day.

Snow has arrived in New England, and so has the racing season. The Zak Cup was supposed to kick off with the Quarry Road Opener, but due to the lack of snow in 2016, our first Zak Cup will be the Gunstock Skate Race this Saturday January 7th. Please click here to review the Zak Cup Points and rules for Zak Cup Scoring. All Zak Cups have registration on skireg, with an option to sign up as a NENSA member or as a Non NENSA member. Only those who have registered as NENSA members will be scored with Zak Cup points. If you have not signed up in the correct category please contact the race organizer to be changed.

NENSA members who participate in at least two Zak Cup races or Marathon Series Races will be automatically entered in a raffle to win a TWO NIGHT STAY at the Trapp Family Lodge! After the minimum of two races, each additional Zak Cup or Marathon Series race you enter you will get another entry into the raffle. Each race series will have a winner!

Interested in trying a race but not sure about all the details? If you are a NENSA Member interested in racing in the Zak Cup series, then join Amber Freeman at any or all of these three races for an intro to racing! Jan. 16 at the Geschmossel 15 km classic race, Feb. 12 Cheri Walsh 10 km skate race, or Feb. 25 at the Bogburn classic race. Click here for more details.

Get ready for the One-Day Club Championship, held as part of the White Mountain Classic on January 21st.  Race fees go up Thursday January 5th, and team representatives should consider organizing a team.  All that’s needed is to sign up and list your current Club on the SkiReg form. Remember, the Championship doesn’t always go to the big clubs, but it always goes to the most organized!

New England Women’s XC Ski Day is being held in Bethel, Maine on January 22nd. Sign up now and experience cross-country ski clinics for every level of skier-from first-timers to seasoned masters. In addition to top-notch instruction, there will be a wax demonstration, a fantastic prize drawing and a fabulous lunch. Clothing and equipment retailers will be on hand with items to try and buy. Space is limited don’t wait to sign up.

If you have any questions regarding Masters racing, please contact Amber Freeman at [email protected]. Get ready for a great 2017 season.

Through long-standing sponsorship of New England Nordic Ski Association, Swix is proud to support NENSA programing, from the Bill Koch Festival to the New England Junior National Team and beyond.

This coming season Swix and L.L. Bean will return as sponsors, their support most visible in the new all-lycra racing bibs used at Eastern Cups, Bill Koch League Events, the U16 Championships and the Eastern High School Championships. Swix is also the Official Performance Techwear of the New England Junior National Team, which includes the race kit, hats, jackets, and a sharp dressed coaching and waxing staff.

Additionally, Swix will continue to be the official sponsor of the Bill Koch League Jacket Program, available to all NENSA BKL Clubs. Further Swix support includes NENSA’s New England Marathon Series, as well as the New England Women’s XC Ski event.

About Swix Sport AS:

Swix Sport AS head quarter is situated in Lillehammer, Norway. Swix is one of very few Norwegian consumers’ products to be found in shops all over the world having snow and winter. Swix is wholly owned by the Ferd group, which is one of Norway’s leading privately owned businesses. Swix Sport AS is also the owner of the brands Ulvang, and Lundhags.

About the New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA):

The New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) is the Community Olympic Development Program for cross-country skiing in New England as well as 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 also provides the support structure necessary to bring cross-country skiers to their highest potential at regional, national and international events.

It is the mission of the New England Nordic Ski Association to implement educational, recreational, and competitive programs at all levels of cross-country skiing. NENSA works to sustain a vital and active skiing community in New England, and to provide the support structure necessary to bring cross-country skiers to their highest potential at regional, national, and international events.