NENSA News

The New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) seeks to find a dynamic, outgoing individual to be our next full time Youth & Introductory Program Director. This individual will be responsible for NENSA’s Youth programming, including the New England Bill Koch League and Festival, the Nordic Rocks for Schools program, Bill Koch League coach and parent trainings, U16 and Eastern High School Championship events, the New England Women’s XC Ski Day, and summer programming. This person should be familiar with NENSA and the New England Nordic ski scene. If interested, please read more below:

Youth & Introductory Program Director:
This position will directly manage NENSA’s Bill Koch League and Nordic Rocks programs and position NENSA as a central resource for the New England youth skiing community. The ideal candidate will bring a high level of collaborative energy to work with the Competitive Program Director to promote and have a presence for all ages at selected Popular races, with State team leaders to put on U16 and EHS Championships, and with the BKL District Chairs to put on the BKL Festival. Applicants should be incredibly self-motivated and able to work independently from home. This role requires strong, inspired leadership with a synergetic spirit to galvanize and work with our Nordic community. This position will work closely with many community stakeholders including venues, event organizers, clubs and the NENSA staff team. Lively and instructive engagement with potential and existing NENSA sponsors and contributors is another job requirement. The Youth & Introductory Program Director is an empowered position, requiring energy, vision, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask, in advancing NENSA’s youth and introductory programs.

Duties include but are not limited to:
Establish NENSA as the go-to resource for youth skiing information, events, and resources for the northeast region.
Providing leadership, education, instruction and guidance to District Chairs, coaches, club leaders, event organizers, parents, and athletes.
Work closely with the BKL Committee and Juniors Committee to facilitate communication in support of and between the youth ski clubs of the region and the broader community, and the State Team Leaders and coaches involved with U16’s ane EHS.
Support a wide base of parent-volunteers and club leaders focused on building an inclusive community through club visits, workshops, and parent trainings.
Manage all of NENSA’s youth programs, including the annual Bill Koch League, the New England Bill Koch Festival, and the Nordic Rocks for schools’ program.
Oversight and coordination of all aspects of New England Women’s XC Ski Day, U16 Eastern Championships, and Eastern High School Championships.
Collaborate with NENSA Competitive Program Director on Coach Education initiatives.
Work alongside and with the Competitive Program Director to fulfill and advance all NENSA summer programming including rollerski races, clinics, coaches education and camps.
Manage community communications via email, social media, and via regular newsletter as well as maintaining the youth program sections of the NENSA.net website.
Collaborate on additional community building programs, events, and projects, as part of the NENSA staff team.

Additional Key Priorities, including, but are not limited to, the following:
Work closely with NENSA staff and Board of Directors.
Maintain program-specific content on NENSA website.
Engage NENSA’s Bill Koch League, Women’s Day and Juniors Committees.
Obtain or have a US Ski & Snowboard Coach Certification of L100 or higher (which includes SafeSport certification and background checks) by start date.
Obtain Technical Delegate Certification  (this fall with NENSA).
Track and share relevant news and updates via NENSA.net and social media.
Assist NENSA Executive Director with writing grant applications pertaining directly to youth programming.
Other duties as assigned as being part of the NENSA staff team.

Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree.
Familiarity with the New England cross country skiing community.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.
Comfortable working on a computer, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Google Docs, WordPress, and NEON (will train).
Savvy social media user with demonstrated ability to effectively use Facebook and Instagram to help tell the NENSA story.
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced multidisciplinary team environment.
Must be eligible to work in the USA.
Must have a valid driver’s license and vehicle.
Passion for the sport of cross country skiing and the ideals of the NENSA mission.

Conditions:
This is a remote position that requires the ability to work and communicate regularly and effectively from a remote home office.
Frequent and extensive regional travel in and around New England.
Work will often be done outdoors, in varying and winter weather conditions.
Must be able to work weekends aligning with NENSA programming.

The Youth & Introductory Program Director is a full time salaried position. Salary for this full time position is $37k – $45k commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid vacation, a Health Care Stipend contribution, a matching IRA fund, and travel expenses. This position reports to the Executive Director. Start date is negotiable, but we seek to fill this role as soon as possible. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and three references by no later than May 1st, 2020 to Amie W. Smith, Executive Director via email at [email protected]

NENSA is proud to continue celebrating the athletic accomplishments of this winter by introducing the 2020 Elite and Development Team nominations and give you some updates looking into the future.  While we don’t know our exact calendars for the next few months we do know that our skiers are healthy and will be resilient to whatever challenges they face.  We will best navigate this important moment by staying calm and optimistic.

Read on for the: 1) 2020 Elite and Development Team Nominations, 2) insight from U.S. Ski & Snowboard (including Regional (REG) Camp / U16 National Camp updates and selections), and 3) an outlook on how we are approaching NENSA rollerski programming.

1. The criteria set forth to name the NENSA Elite and Development Team represent a pathway to regional, national and international success.  The number of athletes named to these teams each year demonstrates the depth of the Eastern region in cross country skiing.  Athletes named to these teams are invited to regional training camps and races, and part of a broader team that continues to excel at all levels.  Further Elite Team / Development Team information.

2020 Elite and Development Team Nominations

2)  From Bryan Fish, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Cross Country Sport Development Manager:

“Winter 19-20 was once again historic in year.  Thank you for being such an integral part of this success.  I am reaching out to provide U.S. Ski & Snowboard insight for the upcoming summer camp season during this time of uncertainty.  Our first goal is to ensure health and safety of our whole ski community.  We also want to continue to motivate and engage our up-and-coming cross country skiers.  Our REG, National U16, NEG, and NTG camps are a critical opportunity to do motivate, engage, and progress our junior athletes.

Covid-19 continues to spread across the USA.  More states are implementing mandatory stay-at-home policies in an effort to slow the spread of this pandemic.  We will return to normalcy, however it is challenging at this current time to know when that will be.  We would like to propose the following guidance:

We are anticipating normalcy will return at or before late July/August, therefore we are planning (hoping) that National junior camps in late July and August can remain as scheduled.  Please note that we have received notification (below) that the 2020 Equinor International Junior Camp (IJC) in Norway is scheduled to be held.  Norway will re-evaluate the decision to host in early June (as outlined in the invite below).  We would like to keep this camp a part of our development pathway by participating in this every other year.  We had planned on taking part in the IJC camp prior to Covid-19 and we hope to maintain this plan.

Our guidance is that we should wait to schedule Regional Elite Group camps.  Initial regional planning of REG should take place with a the understanding that dates are tentative.  We propose re-evaluating REG dates on May 1^st and determine if normal REG dates (mid-June through early-July) are appropriate OR if REG camps should be postponed and held later in summer – immediately before U16 camp, during U16 camp, or possibly in August.  U.S. Ski & Snowboard/ USST staffing would do its best to support REG, however we believe each region is highly capable of hosting a great camp without  U.S. Ski & Snowboard/ USST if necessary.  That said, we feel that creative options should be considered such as multiple REG camps held on the same dates.

PROPOSED PLAN:

• Regional Elite Camp dates: re-evaluate appropriate dates to host REG camps May 1^st.  Have later dates considered in advance of May 1^st.
• June NTG  Park City, UT June 7-14^th – re-evaluate feasibility to host this camp on May 1^st (recognize this camp might be cancelled due to Covid-19)
• 2020 National U16 Camp is slated to be held in Sun Valley, Idaho July 18-25
• 2020 Equinor International Junior Camp – (Lillehammer, NOR Aug 7-14) (USA – 2weeks – Aug 2-14)

Thank you for your continued hard work, patience, and persistence in keeping our athletes safe, healthy, and motivated. “

Bryan

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Proposed 2020 Eastern REG Camp – Stratton Mountain School
June 23-27 — feasibility of this date will be re-examined May 1st
Backup dates: August 17 – 21

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New England Nominations for 2020 U16 National Camp – Sun Valley, Idaho
July 18-25 — feasibility of this date will be re-examined mid-May / early June.

Below is the information regarding the National U16 Camp Selections for 2020. The calculations  were determined using the posted U16 selection procedures with the  exception that only the first two races were able to be utilized for scoring. In some ways, though we were fortunate in that we had one race in each technique.  Remember that a skier can score either their prelim or their final result from the sprint but not both.

For your reference:  National U16 Camp Selection Criteria

https://usskiandsnowboard.org/sites/default/files/files-resources/files/2020/U16%20Development%20Camp%20Selection%20Criteria.docx%282%29.pdf

Rankings as Calculated via National U16 Camp Selection rankings

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sn2f1PGnj-KSkF4u2N1-3FoEB3rvOTHKvMfyWiB2yqA/edit#gid=796743291

Girls:
Sophia Scirica
Ava Thurston
Emma Charles
Hattie Barker

Boys:
Trey Jones
Fin Bailey
Jack Lange
Cormac Leahy
Clint Macy

3)  Our 2020 Rollerski Programming is currently in a holding pattern as we want to ensure the safety of our community before trying to publish dates for programming.  We are optimistic we will be able to offer clinics, club outreach opportunities and competition before or during the fall.  We can’t wait to share exciting events with our population again and will be in touch with updates as soon as they are available.

• You can look forward to a “how to build” a bicycle ramp video in the coming weeks – so find carpenter / builder in the and we can help build some fun remotely.

Dear Nordic skiing community,

The respirators that many of us own to keep us safe while waxing skis, like the one in the attached photo, are now of great use to our healthcare industry, which is in desperate need of personal protective equipment (PPE). Just as these respirators keep us safe while waxing skis, they can now help keep our frontline healthcare workers healthy as they battle COVID-19.

I have been in contact with two PPE coordinators at two Boston hospitals. They are both accepting used respirators similar to the one in the below photo. I expect that many other hospitals are accepting other models of air-purifying, half-face respirators as well. I encourage you to reach out to your local hospital to gauge their interest and need.

If you have a respirator and are willing to donate it, see this spreadsheet. It details instructions for donating to two Boston hospitals, as well as instructions on how to find other hospitals, across the nation, that would be happy to accept your respirator.  (See the “How to Donate” tab at the bottom of the Google Sheet. This spells out the basic how-tos.)

Additionally, please mark your donation down on the spreadsheet so that we can track the Nordic ski community’s contribution to this crisis.

Let’s spread the news and amass as many donations as possible, as quickly as possible! Please share with your teammates, coaches, clubs, Nordic centers, and anyone else who you think could be of help.

I recently relocated to St. George, Utah, where I’m working as a community health worker.  I’m enjoying the beautiful outdoors out here, but I am missing New England’s colder winters!  I hope all are staying active, healthy, and sane through this crazy time.

Best,

Jacob Meyerson

Harvard Skiing Alumnus

Cambridge Sports Union Alumnus

Concord-Carlisle High School Ski Team Alumnus

Above: the image of a respirator that I sent to 2 Boston Hospitals.  They will accept similar respirators as well.

Here’s some awesome news – popular cross country ski racing is showing steady growth!

Despite a shortened season, and with a couple of snow related hiccups early on, participation in popular races grew by 48% this winter (full 2019 – 2020 participation statistics here).  Three major changes have occurred over the past two years to help fuel this growth: branding our citizen races as “Popular Races” versus “Zak Cup,” adding more races (including adding “Just Try It” or “Fun” races to existing events), and the inclusion of senior aged skiers (23-29) in our Zak Cup statistics.  The goal is to create a more exciting and inclusive feel to races while honoring the traditions of the Zak and Club Cup.  NENSA also introduced a free “Get Skiing” membership for any first time members this season and scored previous members to our Zak Cup standings beginning with the Craftsbury Marathon this winter.  Competition draws competition and we are so happy our members are responding!

Speaking of competition – the beauty of citizen racing in New England is the robust talent present at any given race – skiers of all ages from youth in Bill Koch, to novice adult racers, junior athletes and their coaches, parents, and elite skiers past and present (including many of our ageless masters), former National Team skiers and Olympians.  Popular cross country ski racing thrives because of this inclusive and diverse atmosphere.

Our masters men’s age group rankings included 229 individual skiers who collectively completed 628 races!  At the end of the season, young gun, Chris Burnham (NWVE) became the first senior skier to become the Zak Overall Men’s Champion at the age of 27.  Burnham and 2018 and 2019 Overall Champion, Eli Enman (NWVE/Rossignol) raced head to head 6 times this season each taking three victories in this duel – in the end Burnham prevailed, partly by completing more total races.  Adam Terko of the Mansfield Nordic Club had a strong master’s career debut, and was able to secure third place overall while balancing his full time coaching responsibilities with MNC.  Other notable finishes to mention: David Johnston an M8 from Mansfield, placed fourth overall, beating out 2017 Champion, Neal Graves (Stowe), and won his age group in all ten of his races!  M6, Tom Thurston (NWVE), was also undefeated in age group competition winning eight of eight competitions.  Also of note, the M5 and M6 categories included over 30 skiers making for deep competition.

The overall women’s field is also showing fantastic growth with 90 individual skiers who completed 220 races!  These numbers are more than double those in recent history (2017 – 38 individuals, 2018 – 45 individuals, 2019 – 48 individuals).  Sarah Graves of Stowe Nordic was able to regain her Zak Overall Women’s title for the first time since 2017 – completing nine races and scoring a perfect 175 points (7 best).  M7, JoAnn Hanowski a perennial strength from Mansfield, was also able to sweep victories in all eight races she competed in – securing her the second step of the overall podium.  Senior skier, Emily Stitt of Mansfield, reemerged on the scene this year taking multiple overall race victories and third place overall for the season.

In another measure of strength – our Marathon Challengers came out in record numbers this season – with 24 skiers completing four or more marathons.  Marathon hats will be delayed because of our current situation – but have no fear you will receive them!

As we continue to weather our current health crisis we want to celebrate these incredible athletes.  All of the podium position skiers listed below will be presented with a NENSA mug and our overall champions will receive Swix klister as prizes in the coming weeks.  We will also be opening bids for the 2020 – 2021 season soon – giving us all something to look forward to!!

In the meantime, be well, stay safe and enjoy working out in your backyards.

If you have specific feedback please reach out to [email protected] with “Popular Racing” in the subject line.

Also if you haven’t been looking already Jamie Doucett has awesome photos from Bretton Woods, Freeman Frost White Mountain Classic, Geschmossel, Race for Snow, and the Bogburn.

Women

Senior (23-29 years old)

M1 (30-34)

M2 (35-39)

M3 (40-44)

M4 (45-49)

M5 (50-54)

M6 (55-59)

M7 (60-64)

M8 (65-69)

M9 (70-74)

M11 (80-84)

Men
Senior (23-29 years old)

M1 (30-34)

M2 (35-39)

M3 (40-44)

M4 (45-49)

M5 (50-54)

M6 (55-59)

M7 (60-64)

M8 (65-69)

M9 (70-74)

M10 (75-79)

M11 (80-84)

M12 (85-89)

LINK TO FULL RANKINGS PAGE

We’re excited to be thinking about the 2021 New England BKL Festival! Though things seem uncertain in this time of social distancing, we are planning for the future and are hoping for a great ski season next year. The NEBKL Festival is the marquee event of the Bill Koch League, and as anyone who has attended in the past knows: it’s two days packed with fun!

This year’s festival at Great Glen Trails in Gorham, NH brought in 586 skiers and their families with the theme of SUPER SKI Heroes.  You can check out photos from this year’s festival here.

Interested venues should fill out the bid sheet linked bel0w, and can email [email protected] with any questions, ideas, or concerns.More information on hosting the festival can be found in our BKL Festival Hosting Manual.

2021 NEBKL Festival Bid Sheet

We hope planning for the 2021 ski season will give folks something to look forward to in this time of uncertainty.  While we cannot predict what the future will look like we can do our best to plan for an awesome upcoming season!  Working along side and witnessing the incredible amount of effort and passion that go into hosting these national caliber races is an absolute pleasure!  We applaud our venues for the work they did in 2020 and thank you in advance for submitting a bid for 2021 – going through bid submission process makes all of our events better – please don’t hesitate to write with questions.  Also now more than ever consider how you might work with another venue (even if it is a backup site) – we are truly a family and it helps to work together!

Thank you for taking the time to complete this form to submit a bid for an Eastern Cup race and/or SuperTour for the 2020-21 season.  Please note extensive national discussion of SuperTour events is ongoing and will be finalized at U.S. Ski & Snowboard Congress in May (virtually), if you are interested in hosting a Super Tour please contact Justin Beckwith and Bryan Fish ([email protected]).

Bids are reviewed throughout the month and typically the Athletic Development Committee (ADC) makes a decision on the final schedule at the NENSA Board Meeting the first weekend of May (2-3).  This year the meeting will be virtual and while we aim to stick to our typical schedule the current global pandemic and its unknown impact on our programs will require us to be fluid with decision making and the final product of our 2021 season.

LINK TO 2020-2021 BID SHEETS

**Popular Race Bids will follow in the coming weeks.

NWVE is accepting applications from Vermont high school Seniors who have a passion for Nordic skiing.

Spike was a fixture in the Nordic community and beyond.  He may be most recognizable as the bashful co-owner of Skirack, in Burlington, who would light up when the subject turned to anything athletic.  He had a way of making everyone feel valued and encouraged them to harness their potential to enjoy being active.  It did not matter if you were a World Cup athlete or someone who just signed up for the team having never skied before.  Spike would give the time and attention required to get you on the right track, not only for tomorrow but for years to come.   His guidance was about more than a sale; it was a resource and connection to his seemingly limitless knowledge and expertise.

It was the ability to recognize potential that led Spike to suggest NWVE be created, and he stood by and supported the club as it grew.  Spike joined the club, participating in some relays, and was delighted with his experience.  He could not get over how basic, simple, yet refined our approach is, providing the essential ingredients to a lifelong enjoyment of the sport.  “All you did was set up a table with a few waxes, and all these people showed up to have fun! This is great!!”

NWVE is honored to preserve Spike’s memory and vision through this scholarship.  We hope to carry on his passion for enriching others by supporting experiences like those that had a profound impact on his life.  It is through this extension of oneself onto others that one can truly appreciate the rewards of success.

To apply, complete, and return the application at  https://www.nwve.org/blank-page by May 11, 2020.

Be Positive   –   Work Hard   –   Never Give Up

Are you feeling cooped up at home? Do you miss your friends, teammates and coaches? Maybe you need an outlet for all your pent up energy? We get it, and that’s why we’re announcing the NENSA Virtual Video Challenge – a way for you to stay engaged with the ski community during these weeks of social distancing, support NENSA’s 25th birthday, and have some fun doing it.

The premise is simple – collaborate with your club or team (virtually), come up with a cross country ski themed activity, and make a fun video! Post the video on your Instagram or Facebook page, tag NENSA, and hashtag #NENSA25in20.  Then email it to us at: [email protected].  We will then repost the videos on our NENSA social media throughout the month of April.  

Some fun examples include:

• A virtual relay ski, run, or roller ski where you virtually “tag” off to another one of your club/teammates
• A virtual strength workout challenge where each member does 25 push ups (in honor of NENSA’s 25 years) 
• Whatever you dream up!

Video Guidelines:

• XC skiing theme 
• 60 seconds max 
• Horizontal orientation
• Email to [email protected] 
• Have fun and be creative!

Most importantly we want all challenges to be SAFE (please follow social distancing or shelter in place guidelines for your community) and FUN and the purpose is to engage with each other while celebrating all we have to be thankful for here at NENSA and in our ski community.  

NENSA will pick an overall Club/Team winner at the end of April and create a rollerski program for your club – including agility ramps and our rollerski fleet,  that will come to your club or team sometime late this summer or fall.

So get out there and be creative and have fun with your friends while doing this video challenge, as we look forward to our next season!  #NENSA25IN20 

Dear NENSA Members and Community,

As we are being whiplashed to change our routines and way of life during this global crisis, I hope you are staying safe at home and keeping your health. Or if you are in the front lines of providing medical care and essential services, a heartfelt and grateful thank you for all that you are doing.

Yesterday, like many states, Vermont Governor Phil Scott instituted a stringent Stay Home/Stay Safe order with only essential businesses like grocery stores and gas stations to be open. My hometown of Stowe, usually bustling with locals and tourists alike enjoying the finale of spring skiing is eerily quiet. Restaurants are in high gear to ramp up take-out, retail stores are closed and/or upping online sales and service. Though there is no lawful penalty for leaving your home, the governor stated people are only allowed out for procuring groceries, medications, gas AND for outdoor health pursuits like walking and CROSS COUNTRY SKIING.

The governor endorsed what is NENSA’s mission: to sustain a vital and active cross-country skiing community throughout New England. And that is what we want to keep on doing. With the bombardment of 24/7 negative and anxiety-provoking news, the hour or so each day when I get outside is a joyful and calming respite. I encounter other people sharing that pursuit and socially connect from a respectful 6 feet away.

So how does NENSA plan ahead for the next year with so much uncertainty? Well we are still making plans to offer our programs and events but with full awareness that we need to be nimble and ready to adapt to changes both at home, nationally, and at the global level. In the coming weeks, the staff will be creating fun challenges and video messages for the NENSA community to engage in. And as with every non-profit: membership dues, fundraising and sponsorships are how the organization survives, so there will be communications asking you to renew your membership and to participate in our annual fund drive.

Why NENSA? The year 2020 marks our 25th anniversary since first incorporating in 1995. The growth, influence and impact the organization has had over the past two and half decades is remarkable: from the success of developing Olympians, Super Tour racers, and college standouts to nurturing beginning skiers to overseeing the popular Citizen and Marathon series.

NENSA for me is hope for the future when I see BKLers mature into amazing adults with solid core values. NENSA for me is the relationships I have developed with mentors and heroes. NENSA for me is the conduit that I can use to provide what I have learned to teach others. NENSA for me is the privilege of working with our supremely creative and smart staff people. NENSA for me provides incentive to do the best I can with my ski interests because there are other people there to share commitment and support. As we commemorate the past 25 years, let us celebrate what the pursuit of cross country skiing means to all of us.

Carol Hillman Van Dyke
NENSA Board President