NENSA News

July 2, 2021 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Register HERE!!

Join US Ski Team Coaches Matt Whitcomb and Kate (Barton) Johnson and Stratton Mountain School coach Alex Jospe for an afternoon technique clinic.  This clinic is a part of the new US Ski & Ski and Snowboard L100 Coaches Education program.  Come join leading regional coaches who will be certified as Coach Developers after this clinic and a week of coaching at the Eastern Regional Camp.  These Coach Developers will be the foundation of our U.S. Ski & Snowboard Coaches Education programs throughout the summer and fall.

This is a fantastic opportunity for all skiers to learn technique cues and get fired up for the upcoming training season.

We encourage coaches of all levels to come together for collaboration regardless of whether or not they are pursuing the US Ski & Snowboard certification.  There is always something to learn and Whitcomb, Johnson, and Jospe are adept at both teaching and inspiring.

Attendees should be prepared for a three hour clinic where they are encouraged to participate in both skate and classic drills on foot and rollerskis.  NENSA’s new fleet of Swenor rollerskis will be available for use and can be reserved at registration.  We will also introduce and share building concepts for agility ramps.  Justin Beckwith (NENSA) will lead this session.

Afterwards coaches will gather to share food, information, and socialize.

Click here to find out more information on US Ski & Snowboard Coaches Certification.

Price: $30 for NENSA members ($40 non-NENSA)*
*If you’ve never been a NENSA member you can sign up free for the first year here: https://nensa.net/joinrenew-membership/. Save $10 on clinic registration and get a full year of communication and member benefits!
Included: US Ski & Snowboard L100 technique clinic, flat bread pizza, option of using NENSA Swenor Rollerskis
Schedule: Friday July 2, 2021
2:00-5:00pm – Clinic (attendees will also have the ability to try the newest NENSA Agility Ramps)
5:30 pm – Meet at Big Slide Brewery for flatbread pizza

Link to 2020 Lost Nation Roll video recap

Our first event of the 2021 summer season is fast approaching and we’re excited to be partnering with the Craftsbury Outdoor Center to host a rollerski race, Learn-t0-Rollerski Clinic, and Drop-in Biathlon Clinic! The Lost Nation Roll is the first in our NENSA Rollerski Race Series and will be a freestyle, paired interval start race of either 5.6km (U16s), 11.2km (open skiers), or 7.5k (open intermediate skiers–no Dennis’s downhill). Registration is capped at 100 racers total.  Top 10 ranked open skiers of each gender will race on NENSA’s new fleet of Swenor Skate Long skis. Clinic details below.

[maxbutton id=”2″ url=”https://www.skireg.com/the-lost-nation-roll-21″ text=”REGISTER” ]

Course Information

The race will be contested on the Outdoor Center’s paved rollerski loop. The loop has a figure 8 layout, meaning that the middle portion including Dino Hill will be skied twice per “lap.”

The U16 and open race course includes the challenging Dennis’s Nemesis downhill once per lap. If you are not comfortable on rollerskis, this may not be the right event for you. This downhill is high speed and includes an S-turn (or chicane) at the bottom. Please arrive early enough to preview the course. A course map is available for preview here.

The intermediate race course only uses the inner loop of our rollerski track, eliminating the challenging Dennis’s Downhill. If you are currently registered for the open race and want to switch to the intermediate race, email [email protected] and he will switch your registration free of charge.

Learn-to-Rollerski Clinic

Have you ever wanted to try rollerskiing?! Join NENSA’s Justin Beckwith and Kait Miller for an hourlong Learn-to-Rollerski clinic following the Lost Nation Roll race from 1:00-2:00pm. This instructional clinic is geared towards folks who have on-snow ski experience, but little to no rollerski experience and want to give classic roller skiing a try. All clinic participants will use NENSA’s brand new Swenor rollerskis, but remember to bring your own boots, poles, and helmet!! We can accommodate SNS and Prolink/NNN bindings. Register HERE ($25/person). Check out this informational video on rollerski equipment from the Craftsbury Outdoor Center.

Drop-in Biathlon Clinic

This Craftsbury Green Racing Project-led clinic also runs from 1:00-2:00pm and is geared towards experienced skiers and rollerskiers who want to try biathlon. No prior shooting experience necessary. This clinic is free and you’re welcome to just watch if you are not comfortable shooting.

Schedule:

8:30AM – Bib pick up and day-of-race registration opens (if numbers allow); course opens for warmup

9:25AM – Course closes to all racers.

9:30AM – U16 races start. 2 skiers every 30 seconds, mixed gender. Two 3.3km figure 8 laps for a total of 5.6km.

10:00AM – Open races start. 2 skiers every 30 seconds, mixed gender.

11:00AM – Intermediate race start. 2 skiers every 30 seconds, mixed gender. Only uses the inner loop of our rollerski track, eliminating the challenging Dennis’s Downhill.

11:30AM – Podium ceremony

1:00PM – Learn-to-Rollerski Clinic and Drop-in Biathlon Clinic

The Fort Kent Outdoor Center is now accepting applications to our Post Graduate training program for Nordic and Biathlon Programs. There are currently openings for 4 full time athletes at this time to live in the Jalbert Athlete Residence

Please follow this link for information about the program and how to apply

https://www.fortkentoc.org/programs/

The University of Maine at Fort Kent has just announced that 5 scholarships will be given to five athletes that are enrolled in the FKOC PG program. Check out UMFK programs at this link

https://www.umfk.edu/

These programs are offered on a first come first serve basis, so send in your applications soon to be considered.

The value of well run localized events was perhaps one of the biggest takeaways from conducting races during the pandemic.  NENSA is committed to taking this learning forward and believes highlighting the Popular Race Series will help grow participation numbers and create a more accessible pathway for skier development.

NENSA is placing new emphasis on our Popular Race series this season – our initiative is to highlight these excellent regional opportunities as the core of our racing calendar and make accessible and celebrated race experiences for all levels and ages of skiers.  NENSA will offer two tiers of Popular Race calendaring this season, with increased NENSA support and media opportunities at Zak Cup events.  The goal is to grow participation numbers and development opportunities for venues and athletes alike, by highlighting the Popular Races Series including broad circulation of a NENSA Popular Race calendar posters at venue and retail locations throughout the region.

Popular Race Bid Sheet

Venues still interested in having their event(s) named to NENSA’s Zak Cup, Club Cup, and/or New England Marathon Series should contact NENSA.

The Zak and Club Cup Series brings together NENSA’s New England’s finest citizen races. These events offer regional racing opportunities for developing skiers, and season-long head-to-head competition for senior and masters.  There are often Bill Koch age offerings held in conjunction with many of the events.  All events that are part of this Zak Cup Series are also scored for Club Cup points. One distance (per age group) on each day is scored for the Zak Cup to ensure appropriate competition within age groups.  All timed race distances will be scored to Club Cup scoring.

While Zak Cup events often draw 100+ participants we hope to grow field sizes in the coming years with increased promotion and NENSA staff involvement.  New this season, organizers can submit for Zak or Club distinction — with Club races serving a vital role for local communities, those seeking lower key events and clubs that incentivise skier participation based on Club Cup points.  On request, NENSA will provide Technical Delegates at these Series events for the same criteria as Eastern Cups.  Zak and Club Cup Series Organizers should contact the Eastern TD Coordinator to request a TD for your event. Race sites with strong volunteer bases and event hosting experience are encouraged to bid for a Zak and Club Cup Series events.  Click here for more information on NENSA’s Zak Cup and Club Cup Series.

In the last two years the Popular Race Series has grown from approximately 10 events to over 20 events.  As we review the schedule for 2021-2022 we hope to create a balanced schedule between Zak and Club events.  Races will have varied techniques and distances throughout the season to make for an exciting calendar.  Many events are now offering untimed or touring classes – branded with fun names like, “What the Heck” and “Just Try It!”  We also look forward to and support the addition of terrain features, which is not so far removed from old school cross country skiing!  We are encouraged by the growth of participation prior to the pandemic and can’t wait for winter and highlighting this awesome series.

Zak Cup and Club Cup Series events are selected by NENSA’s Masters Committee.

To Bid:

• Bidding is now open for the 2021-2022 Zak Cup & Club Cup Season.  Bids are typically submitted in early summer.  Please direct questions to [email protected] and [email protected]

Popular Race Bid Sheet

• Full details of expectations are listed in the Bid Sheet and Event Organizer Handbook.
• Organizers are strongly encouraged to use SkiReg for registration.
• Entry fee is up to the host. NENSA will assess a $5 per participant for Zak and $2 for Club (BKL excluded) head-tax which is set up to automatically withdraw via SkiReg.

NEW ENGLAND MARATHON SERIES

The events of the New England Marathon Series offer a classic cross country ski experience with fully supported courses showcasing some of New England’s premier venues. There is something for everyone, welcoming skiers of all levels to test their endurance, or just make the most of a winter’s day on courses ranging from 25K to 50K. Elite racers and recreational touring skiers alike are invited to enjoy a traditional ski marathon experience and some of the finest skiing in New England! Visit our  NENSA New England Marathon Series page for more information.

To Bid:

• Bidding is now open for 2021-2022 New England Marathon Series and follows the same format as Zak and Club criteria.

Popular Race Bid Sheet

• Each season, 6-8 events will be named to the New England Marathon Series as selected by NENSA’s Masters Committee.  Marathons, whether designated Zak or Club will count towards the Marathon Series hats and recognition.