NENSA News

Hello all U16’s racers ~

The ADC committee has voted to score all U16 racers with modified World Cup points this season for JN qualifying.  This will make for the most equitable and fair results for picking our U16 JN team.  All U16’s with competitor memberships will still be scored with USSA points, and will still be building their points profile.  Full details on the modified WC scoring to come from the ADC next week.

NENSA is proud to name the 2016-17 season Devo Team.  Athletes named to the Devo Team have achieved success on the Regional Level, and are part of the developmental pipeline here in New England, and nationally.

Skida is proud sponsor of our NENSA Devo Team – these athletes will be given a Skida NENSA Devo Team headband to signify their accomplishment.  I will be handing these out at our Eastern Cup this coming weekend!

Congratulations to the following New England athletes for being named to the 2016-17 season NENSA Development Team:

U16 Boys:

Ben Ogden – SMS

Conor Munns – SMS

Greg Bert – GMVS

Adam Witowski – SMS

James Kitch – CSU juniors

Sam Hodges – Frost Mountain Nordic

U16 Girls:

Mae Chalmers – SMS

Callie Young – Craftsbury

Anna Lehmann – SMS

Charlotte Odgen – SMS

Phoebe Sweet – Craftsbury

Laura Appleby – CSU juniors

Olivia Cuneo – GMVS

U18:

Men:

Forrest Hamilton – Bates

Calvin Bates – Dublin XC

Walker Bean – GMVS

Will Rhatigan – Harvard

Russell Boswell –SMS

Women:

Sarah Nadeau – UNH

Tegan Torley – Harvard

Kirsten Miller – Independent

Gabby Vandendries – CSU juniors

Sophie Hodges – Middlebury

U20:

Men:

Gavin McEwen – Dartmouth

Koby Gordon – Dartmouth

Lance McKenney – OSI

Kamran Husain -SMS

Women:

Zoe Snow – Dartmouth

U23:

Men:

Ian Moore – UVM

Jordan Fields – Williams

Women:

Hallie Grossman – C’bury Green Team

Elizabeth Gill – UNH

Olivia Amber – Colby

Senior:

Men:

Ben Saxton – SMS Elite

Raleigh Goessling – UNH

Women:

Kaitlin Fink – Middlebury

EISA list:

Amy Bianco – Colby

Luke Brown – Dartmouth

Jack Schrupp – Williams

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

To all Eastern Cup Athletes and Coaches –

Our Eastern Cup Opener is just a week away – here are a few reminders and tips so you will be all set to race next weekend.

1. Registration is on SkiReg.com. Registration closes next Weds. 12/14 at 5pm sharp.
2. You must have valid and current NENSA and USSA memberships in order to register on SkiReg. If you have not renewed those memberships yet – NO NOT DELAY – DO THAT NOW.   NENSA memberships are instantaneous, but there is lag time in verifying USSA membership numbers, so get your memberships renewed, before going to SkiReg.  DO NOT wait and do it all on the final day.
3. 83% Classic Pole Rule: This new FIS ruling will be enforced at all FIS sanctioned races this season. Craftsbury is building a simple measuring guide that ALL racers can use, to be sure their classic poles are in compliance. The new rules say that your classic poles have to be no more than 83% of your height, wearing your ski boots. Pole height is measured from the tip of your pole on up to the top of your pole strap. NO racers will be allowed to race if their poles are too long. So, take time to stop by the measuring station well before the start of your race on Saturday, so if your poles are too long, you have time to exchange them.  For more information on this new FIS rule see fis-ski.com
4. Be sure to check the Virtual Team Captains Meeting (VTCM) page often for updates on the weekend. VTCM can be found on NENSA.net under EVENTS and EASTERN CUP SERIES.
5. THINK SNOW, and we look forward to seeing you all next weekend ~ let the season begin!

This coming March, the USSA Junior Nationals will be held in Lake Placid New York, site of the 1980 winter Olympics – and a town rich in Nordic skiing history and pride!

The New England Team coaching staff was selected through an application process that aims to support our young athletes with a strong team, blending some of our most experienced coaches with those who are ready for this next level in their coaching career.  This ensures an educational pipeline for coach development within our region.

A team of 50+ plus athletes takes a massive behind-the-scenes effort to ensure the athletes have the best experience they can once they arrive as a team.  This is accomplished with the help of the coaches and wax techs like these, who volunteer their time for the week of Junior Nationals.   All our JN staff members are USSA L100 (or L200) coach certified.

Our 2017 JN Staff include:

Matt Boobar:  Head Coach (SMS)

Amie Smith:  Team Leader (NENSA)

Our Awesome Age Group Coaches:

Adam Terko – U16 boys (Mansfield Nordic)

Katrina Howe – U16 girls (GMVS)

Pat Casey – U18 men (Holderness)

Robert Bradlee – U18 women (CSU)

Audrey Mangan – U20 men (Craftsbury)

Alexandra Jospe – U20 women (CSU)

The Magic Happens Here Wax Room Techs:

Ollie Burruss – Lead Kick Waxer (Craftsbury)

Jeremy Hecker – Lead Glide Waxer (SMS)

Justin Feresheian – Wax Tech (OSI)

Jake Barton – Wax Tech (Craftsbury)

Jeremy Nellis – Wax Tech (Gould)

Here are a few cool thoughts from our staff:

“Junior Nationals is an incredible event that brings together many different skiers, coaches, mentors, and leaders. A ski club relies on these same strong roles, and I always look forward to championship events as a melting pot of ideas and inspiration where everyone can not only experience the excitement of the competition, but also the community and development of the sport.”  ~ Adam Terko, U16 boys coach

“I am looking forward to learning as much as I can from the coaches and wax technicians at JNs. We have a great group of coaches in the East and I look forward to working with and learning from them as much as I can…I am looking forward to learning more about the juniors from other clubs and see what has worked for them as far as training, racing and race support.”  ~ Jake Barton, wax tech

“From a coaching standpoint, one of the coolest aspects of Junior Nationals is the opportunity and setting it provides for coaches to learn from each other as part of the same staff. Everyone runs their individual club programs a little differently, but when you gather 50+ kids together with area coaches for a week of racing for NE, the athletes aren’t the only ones learning from their peers. Coaches who are otherwise competing during the regular season get a rare glimpse into how other coaches do their jobs, from race-day wax testing protocol to running team logistics to helping kids stay loose and relaxed for the biggest races of their season.”  ~ Audrey Mangan, U20 men’s coach

“I like to think that I can inspire and motivate my skiers, and they often will request my cheering at certain spots of a race course. It’s time to turn the tables and allow the NE team to motivate and inspire me, bringing new positivity to my coaching at home. Building relationships among the other coaches can sometimes lead to new ideas for training, team building, and general fun, and JNs is a great way to spread those ideas among the coaches to percolate down to our skiers!”  ~ Alex Jospe, U20 women’s coach

“Making Team NE is not the goal.  Performing above and beyond your expectations at Junior Nationals is.  I love the fact we can rally around the Alaska cup for motivation, but I know there is even more in our team.  This year think “Next Level” across the board.  Set higher performance goals and even better process goals to back them up.  If everyone asks a little more of themselves, teammates and coaches, the sum will be huge.  With such a strong group of athletes and coaches working together, we can achieve an extremely high level in all aspects of our trip and racing!” ~ Matt Boobar, Head Coach

#bringbacktheAKcup,again!!  #4-peat