Maine Nordic News and Race Reports
Feb. 22, 2008:Account balance Oct. 15, 2007:Little Lyford Pond Camps Recommended ski trip from Kay Storch.... Click Here Mar. 22, 2007:Bronze Bomber Maine Nordic member Mary Lou Lowrie came away with a bronze medal at the 2007 World Masters in Finland in the 30km classical no less!
Feb. 20, 2007:Hot Feet with Morgan Laidlaw Cold day, but "Hot" feet on snow with Morgan Laidlaw at the Sugarloaf OC. Attendees included Melinda Harder, Dick Storch, Jonathan Herland, Abby Weissman, Sandy Pearson, Sue & Paul O'Brien and Jane Barron...
Feb. 12, 2007:Stellar Day at Orono Black Bear Race Chris Dorion did another stellar job on the Orono trails for a great race. Part of the "Pack" below...Raul Siren and Lee Martin...
Jan. 29, 2007:January 27th Time Trial Press Release Sugarloaf USA A 5K Time Trial was held over the weekend at Sugarloaf USA. Anonymous Skier #1 nudged out Jonathan Herland, of Orono ME, with a time of 24 minutes for the 5K classic technique in cold clear conditions. Anonymous skier #3 established a time of 20 minutes as the benchmark for the season in the skate technique. Photo Below (Anonymous Skier, Anonymous Skier, Jonathan Herland, Kay Storch (Chief of Timing), Anonymous Skier).
Jan. 29, 2007:Hats off to Craftsbury Marathon Participants Maine Skiers are built tough. Maine Skiers showed their muster at Saturday's Craftsbury Marathon n very cool conditions to say the least. It sounds like John Brodhead and his team of volunteers did a fantastic job with the course. There is no prettier venue in New England for a race. Maine Nordic skiers participating and gained valued points in the club series were: Travis Vicary, Peter Hall, Chris Dorion, Peter Brickely, Raul Siren, Mark Danyla, Bret Vicary, Frank Woodward, Rachel Farrington, Ruth Hall, Mary Lou Lowrie, and Saranne Taylor. Next up in the NENSA club series is the Cheri Walsh continuous pursuit in Holderness NH. This race format is a particular favorite of Masters event coordinator Dave Hosmer. There will be a separate Masters wave. Jan. 22, 2007:2007 White Mtn Classic The Maine Nordic Ski Club was well represented at the 2007 White Mountain Classic in Jackson, NH. Here Rachel Farrington, Alice Goodwin, Travis Vicary, and Bret Vicary pose after a successful finish of the race. Other participants included: Chris Dorion, Jim Dowling, Jody Newton, Richard Read, David Roberts (went home with new skis!), Raul Siren, and Saranne Taylor.
Jan. 18, 2007:Last minute prep for Jackson You may want to bring your older skis. You can't ski fast if you are worrying about your very best race skis. You can't go fast unless you ski with wild abandon. Look where you want to go, not at the obstacle. No dawdling on Saturday, it's a race. Jan. 16, 2007:Checking account balance, Jackson race As of January 16th, 2007, the checking account balance is $941.43 Jackson race is on for Saturday. A group from Orono area is heading over. Carpooling too. Jan. 01, 2007:Great New Years Ski 12-31-06 Great skiing, new snow, bright sunshine and excellant coaching with Morgan Laidlaw was enjoyed on the Sugarloaf Golf Course.
Dec. 21, 2006:Account balance After depositing $240.00 in membership checks, our account balance as of December 21st, 2006, is $886.43 Nov. 17, 2006:Orono event(s) this weekend (November 18-19) GPS and orienteering adventure in the Great Caribou Bog, to finalize the location of the ski trail. GPS units allowed; flagging provided. Rubber boots and/or hip waders recommended. NOTE: Scandinavians and Finns use this resistance training method in the fall months. Roller ski in the Mann Hill or Bald Mountain venues this weekend; call for details and times. Chris (866-7806 or 944-9049 cell) Nov. 06, 2006:2006 Hampden Hoppett The Hampden Hoppett Roller Ski and Annual Meeting was held at Paul and Sue O'Briens on October 29, 2006. Here the group starts out for a wind aided roller ski, followed by smorgasbord of soups and other delicious foods. Left to Right: Jane Barron, Saranne Taylor, Alice Goodwin, Annette Brickley, Peter Brickley, C.C.Dorion, Raul Siren, Charlie Carey, Dave Kenyon, Paul O'Brien, Karl Johnson. Photo by Suzy O'Brien.
Nov. 06, 2006:New Suits? Opportunity for Team Suit purchase. At the our Annual Meeting of the Maine Nordic Ski Club last Sunday we agreed to pursue a new order of our Trademark "blue" lycra suit, if there was sufficient interest to meet Vomax's minimum order requirements. Vomax requires a minimum order of 24 pieces (any combination of tops and bottoms). This is an opportunity for those of you who may just have either a top or bottom that needs replacing or want a size change, or for those of you who need a whole new suit. It would be great to have as many people as possible with at least some part of the "Team" uniform either for racing or just general use. The following are the prices. Note: Actual price may be slightly lower depending on number of orders etc. Lycra top $84, Lycra bottom $66 Screened warm-up Jacket $90, Greylock warm-up Pants $90 ***DEADLINE FOR ORDER NOVEMBER 15, 2006*** PLEASE RESPOND TO ALICE GOODWIN Oct. 05, 2006:Thanksgiving at Foret Montmorency Foret Montmorency is located north of Quebec City, and usually gets early snow. I am planning to drive up during Thanksgiving week, and stay about 25 miles south of the park. The trip is weather-dependent. Sept. 12, 2006:checking account balance As of September 1st, 2006, the MNSC has a checking account balance of $805.77 Sept. 12, 2006:Finland Border-to-Border 2007 I am planning on skiing the tour across Finland in early March. Anyone else interested? Check it out at: http://rajaltarajallehiihto.ranua.fi/?deptid=6740 June 14, 2006:Womens Weekend 2006 Birds of a Feather Weekend comes to an end... A rainy day scramble up the Bald Face Circle Trail, Poem Reading, and Triathlon comprised the 2006 Womens Weekend held at Lake Pennesseewassee in Norway.
The Newly Crowned Queen Ruth Hall
June 11, 2006:Bad Boys Bike Brighton IV Early August, 2006 Don't miss the mountain bike adventure event. More info coming soon. Day-long ride, BIG BREAKFAST, swim, good workout promised. Apr. 03, 2006:End-of-Year-Account Balance With no end-of-season Nordic Hash or festivities, the MNSC checking account balance is $1,040.77 This is as of April 3rd, 2006 Mar. 27, 2006:Still Skiing The skiing was great at the Balsams last Saturday (25th) and two inches of powder fell on the trails while we were there. They plan to be open till April 16th. When the trail from the lodge gets too thin, they will be shuttling skiers up to trail 12. Mar. 27, 2006:Contributions to the Maine Nordic Gazette Expect to see the latest addition of the Maine Nordic Gazette sometime in May. Send your contributions to me at alice.goodwin@me.usda.gov or to P.O. Box 493 Kingfield. Mar. 23, 2006:The Balsams ski day, Saturday, March 25th Plan to meet at the LaHaye camp in Carrabassett Valley at 7am Saturday morning for carpooling, or Sugarloaf Grocery at 7:10am. Drive to Rangeley for breakfast; on to The Balsams. CLASSIC ski day, return late afternoon to Sugarloaf area. Conditions are excellent. Mar. 20, 2006:Bear Notch skate race 12 km/The Balsams? On Sunday, March 26th, there is a 12 km skate race at Bear Notch in Bartlett, NH. Anyone interested in driving down on Saturday, skiing the course, then racing Sunday? Alternatively, I wouldn't mind doing a long ski at The Balsams. cdorion@infionline.net Mar. 13, 2006:Maine Nordic Competes at White Mtn Classic A great day for racing... Led by Team Captain Saranne Taylor, Maine Nordic was well represented at Sunday's (03-12-06) White Mountain Classic in Jackson, NH.
Feb. 28, 2006:Cancelation Bog Bangor's Great Caribou Bog has been canceled for this Saturday. But the Rangeley Loppett is on. Still plenty of life left is this ski season. Don't be sitting at home dreaming of tulips in the backyard! Feb. 17, 2006:Oh Canada Skiing in full swing across the border... Mary Lou Lowrie reports she Nat Steele and Saranne Taylor all earned their Coureur des Bois pins at last weeks Canadian Ski Marathon. Jane Barron was also at Mont Sainte Anne this past week and reports lots of snow and good skiing with our French neighbors. Feb. 07, 2006:Ciao, News from Italia Bright sunshine covers the courses here in Brusson.... Bright sunny weather has graced the trails here in Brusson. Trails are on manmade base but challengeing. New England s Trina Hosmer has grabbed two gold medals already. Hope that is a good sign for U.S. Ski Team in Pragalato. Jan. 29, 2006:Great day at Craftsbury Marathon Bright sun and temps in the high 30s made for a great marathon. The staff did a fabulous job shovelling and "snow farming" with very challenging conditions this year. No-wax skis were 1st and 2nd place, as well as my 46th place. I used Fischer RCR with Solda warm Flour ironed in on tips and tails. The news of the day was MNSC member TRAVIS VICARY'S 7th FINISH!!!! And he's from Old Town, where we've had basically no snow all winter to train on. And he's 19 years old.... what a future. Jan. 19, 2006:White Mtn Classic POSTPONED TO MARCH 12TH! Jan. 18, 2006:ACCOUNT BALANCE As of January 18th, 2006, the MNSC checking account balance was $960.77 Jan. 17, 2006:Maine Nordic Dominates at Fort Kent 40K Maine Nordic's Travis Vicary came a wisker away from a victory! Only 8 seconds out of first place! Maine Nordic dominated the results page (Chris Dorion, Raul Siren, Paul Corrigan, Mark Lena and Bret Vicary). For full results Click Here Jan. 11, 2006:Ski Club account balance The Club balance in the checking account is $875.77 as of January 11th, 2006. Jan. 10, 2006:On Snow with Paul Stone 01-08-06 Weight shift, weight shift, that's the key, weight shift, weight shift, that's for me! Over a dozen Maine Nordic Skiers benefited from the wisdom of Coach Paul Stone over the weekend. Most skiers also took part in the Maine Nordic Sunday Time Trial.
Click here for Group Photo
Jan. 10, 2006:UMF Invitational Maine Nordic's Josh Plog wins the UMF Invitational held 01-06-06 at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center. Mr. Plog started last and finished first in a time of 16:40.5. Congratulations Josh. Jan. 05, 2006:Canadian Racing Opportunities I checked out the facilities at Mont Orford over the holidays. They have a classic race coming up in February which is part of the Circuit des Maitres Swix/Fisher, which visits the various Canadian National Parks. Some races are:
Also,
The Canadian Masters takes place March 22-26th in Rimouski (americans can ski as guests)
Jan. 03, 2006:western mountains ski conditions The skiing at Sugarloaf Touring Center is excellent. I skied on Jan. 2nd classic with a thin blue klister binder and extra blue hard wax corked in after letting the klister freeze hard. The classic track was fabulous. Jan. 03, 2006:Ft. Kent 40 km skate race There's a 40 km skate race this Sunday (Jan. 8th) at the 10th Mtn. Center in Ft. Kent. It's 4 loops, each loop is a gradual downhill of 5 km to Violette Settlement, then gradual back up 5km, with an aid station as you lap by the lodge. Low key race, great buffet afterwards, SAUNA and HOT SHOWERS downstairs in lodge. $10 entry fee, race starts at 12:noon. More info. at: www.mainewsc.org/Event_Registration/registration_home.asp Dec. 20, 2005:New Rangeley Center is Open Rangeley Nordic is open and waiting for you! Howdy skiers! Nat and I had a lovely ski with Jeff Foltz this afternoon on the new trails! Having witnessed the area in its early and very "raw" form this past summer, we're totally amazed at what has been accomplished in so little time! WOW! The trail system will continue to get better and better and better! The yurt is up and running, and is quite nice as our headquarters, for now. New Rangeley Yurt We hope you'll come out soon and experience our new trails!
Dec. 19, 2005:Inaugural Maine Nordic Time Trial Lots of fun and lots of excuses... Check out the preliminary results. To be age adjusted for end of year prizes. December 18, 2005
Skier,Time, Excuses Dec. 15, 2005:ACCOUNT BALANCE With the latest membership dues deposited, the account balance is now $900.77 Dec. 11, 2005:Acadia and Bangor skiing I skied with Mark Lena this morning at Acadia; it was gorgeous, did the Around The Mountain Loop and a bit extra, for 2 hrs of classic. Used Swix red hard wax. The Bangor Municipal golf course (a.k.a. "Bangor Muni") is good; I skied with Peter and Annette Brickley yesterday, no wax classic skis. If we get 2 more inches here, I'll pack the University fields. Dec. 05, 2005:Paul Stone Training Day Last Saturday (December 3rd), Coach Stone led us through dryland and on snow [well almost!] technique/strength drills to allow us to hone our bodies for the upcoming season. Find your "happy place" on your skiis! Dec. 05, 2005:Athlete Profile, Travis Vicary Interview with Travis Vicary by Chris Dorion Your age? 18. Residence? I’ve lived in Old Town since I was two. I live in Androscoggin dorm this year. Present Occupation? First year student at UMO, majoring in modern languages and international affairs. What’s your previous skiing experience? I trained and raced with Hampden Academy my junior year in high school and with John Bapst last year because Old Town doesn’t have a nordic ski team. What other sports did you do in high school? I played defenseman on the Old Town High hockey team through my sophomore year. Then I discovered nordic skiing and racing. How long have you skied? My parents got me interested when I was 6 years old. I’ve always liked endurance racing. What has been your fall training? I ran on the UMO Men’s Cross Country team. My PR was 28:12 for 5 miles of muddy xc at Franklin Park, Boston. What did you do for work last summer? I worked for the USDA, collecting and monitoring Coleoptera pests (beetles) from agricultural areas. Brothers or sisters that ski? Yes, my sister Heather will ski with John Bapst this winter. What are your racing plans for this season? I will race NENSA races and other open races. I’m going to try one marathon (or more, depending on how the first one goes). Skis? I have Fischers for classic and Peltonens for skating. Favorite wax? For classic, Rode red. Most of the classic races last season we used Rode red for kick. What was your best race ever? It was the J.O.Q. at Bethel last year. The conditions were tough; new, fresh snow. I used Rode red for kick wax, and I was at the peak of my season. I was 5th place. What was your worst race? The New Englands at Bolton Valley last year. It was one long bonk. It was a skate race, conditions were fair, but I had dead legs. What are your goals for the future? I want to race against other collegiate racers and see how I match up. I want to try a marathon.
Nov. 29, 2005:Races in Aroostook County There are many races in The County. Check out the listing at: www.mainewsc.org/Event_Registration/Aroostook_Cup/default.cfm . I plan to ski the 40 km on Jan. 8th; it was a great event last year, with reliable snow in Ft. Kent. Nov. 28, 2005:ACCOUNT BALANCE The MNSC checking account balance is $879.87 as of November 28th, 2005, with no outstanding bills. Nov. 28, 2005:great holiday skiing A number of nordic skiers enjoyed great powder snow conditions at Sugarloaf Touring Center this past weekend. Karl did a great job packing the trails. Just to emphasize to new members who live on the coastal plain of Maine, the snow conditions are very different in the western mountains, and even though it may be raining in Bangor, it is often snow at Sugarloaf, so check this page or call around! Nov. 23, 2005:Skiing in West Yelly The skiing is great and the weather is sunny. Andrew Johnson of the U.S. Ski Team just skied by. Nov. 15, 2005:Hampden Hoppett A bit of bad weather never stopped a few rollerskiers... Need a bit of gas for the road Sue? Oct. 26, 2005:Puzzle Mountain Loop Hike It was epic... Starting in the pitch black at the base of Old Speck to be awakened to beautiful colors, a sea of low lying clouds and frost ladened trees atop the Baldpates. Sue O. was the only one not the fall down, but...Hikers were kept on a strict schedule (only 4 minutes for lunch) and finished the 21 miles in just over twelve hours. Spectacular weather and a great workout. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. |
The next "official" time trial will take place Saturday February 3rd at the Outdoor Center at 11:30 a.m. It will be the same course, the Seven Bridges Loop running counterclockwise, starting and finishing at the Patrol building. Skiers choice whether you do skate or classic (or both!). Ski with the group or do it on your own at your convenience, anonymously or under your real name. Submit your times to myself or Charlie Cary at any time. Times will be age adjusted at the end of the season.
This is not meant to be just for racers. The current recommendation from the Nordic Skiing community (in particular for Masters Skiers) a "Level 3" interval maintaining good technique of about 15-20 minutes in length for the biggest gains in overall fitness and performance. Whether you join us on the Sugarloaf loop, or organize friends on a loop closer to home, we hope you will participate and let us know how you are doing.
See you on the trail.
