Tag: USSA Nordic

 

Can You See the Forest for the Trees?

As we approach the Fall season and the start for many folks in the Nordic Community their journey to a Winter Event like the American Birkie, Swedish Vassaloppet, World Masters or a local 5km. For some this journey begins in Late April or Early May, but many it begins in October or when the snow starts to fall softly from the heavens. Also during this time many local ski clubs start to put ideas together for the upcoming season, reflect on the past season, look at budgets equipment etc. With those thing happening I have been hearing some crazy thoughts being said to folks you are TRULY Out There to Support Nordic. (Don’t support that group, they have different goals than ours, or I don’t like so and so) As a community we all need to sit back and look at a number of things to ensure that our sport in the USA gains traction, grows programming and develops long-term sustainability.

1. Support ALL Clubs (USSA, CXC, LNR, NESNA, NANA, FAST & Female, etc) and the things they are doing, like them or not are things that are trying to grow the sport in YOUR community.

2. Support trail Systems. Be it your local 3km loop, 20km trail with a lite section, or the Birkie Trail. All places that are being maintained for skiing require funding! So if you are skiing at a number of trail systems, sign up for even the individual membership. Put your name in the ring and go to an event the trail is having or spread the word to others. Unlike many of the European countries Nordic is not a Federally supported activity in our country (we can dream).

3. Introduce someone to the sport. There are 2 ways to do this. 1.Take someone who has never skied and get them Out There on the snow this season. Ski 1km with them on a flat section of trail and see the joy it brings. Do not take them to some World Cup course and say come on. GO somewhere that seems so easy it hurts and see what introducing someone to our sport in a positive way can do to bring a NEW dimension to the sport for you. 2. If that is to much donate to an organization such as NNF, CXC, etc. These organizations are ones that give funding to athletes as well as run “Learn to ski” programs “Skis to Schools” and such where your monies can get NEW skiers started.

 

I will leave you with these 3 simple things. We are not asking you to get on a trail board or give 20 hours to trail work or coaching. Start small! If the Sport of Nordic is something that you find important to you, we must learn to work together, agree to disagree and say “What we are doing, is that growing the sport in some fashion?” If we as a collective group of Trail Board Members, Parents, Kids, Shop Owners, Teachers, Manuf. Rep., etc. do this we will see OUR sport grow to NEW Heights!

 

 We challenge you to look Out There and SEE The Forest for the Trees!

 

 

 

 

The People who think they are Crazy enough to change the World~ Are the ONES who Do!

 

Original post from August 2014

USA Nordic Has left the Launch Pad!

So this AM I received a message from a family member in Norway about a Norwegian NEWS outlet headline of the USSA Nordic Ladies Team  (http://www.dagbladet.no/2016/01/08/sport/idrett/ski/langrenn/tour_de_ski/42661693/ )

and how they are doing amazing at the 2016 Tour de ski! Minutes later Jessie DigginsWINS Stage 6! Sophie Caldwell hammered it out for a WIN on Stage 4. Folks this is CRAZY BIG NEWS! Email your local TV, Radio & Newspaper. These are days that will change the course of NORDIC in the USA for the future Generations. Do not sit by and let media discuss the wows of some of our other athletes or how some other country on the other side of the planet is going to screw up our economy ~ This is Positive Great Stuff! SPREAD THE WORD OUT THERE!
Also a HUGE Congrats to the USA Nordic Team and our Johaug Girls Jessie & Sophie on Amazing WINS!

Coaching News~

New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) U16 Trip Coaching Staff

Central Cross Country Ski Association (CXC) will provide an opportunity for qualified talented young juniors from the Midwest Division to compete amongst their peers at the 2016 NENSA U16 (J2) Championships at Black Mountain in Rumford, ME, March 11-13.

Kelly Skillicorn, Head Coach & Trip Leader (Winona, MN)
Kris Hanson – (Rice Lake, WI)
Drew Holbrook – (Minnepolis, MN)
Steve Swenson – (Madison, WI)

nensa-transparent

Amazing Days in Falun! Let’s Support some Athletes!

Today 2 Amazing US Athletes got their payday! Silver (Diggins) & Bronze (Gregg) in the Women’s 10km Freestyle race in Falun Sweden. Years of hardwork and dedication to training & the sport paid off for these two. Congrats!Falun Fundraiser 15'

 

Amazing Season…… #ruoutthere

Well the 14-15 Season is an amazing one thus far. The US is on a great uphill run in the Nordic World. Here is a little Run Down of what’s happening Out There!

1. Liz Stephen Has the Highest Finish ever in a WC distance race for a US Woman! 2nd in Rybinsk Russia (10km)

2. Holly Brooks is leading the FIS Marathon Cup!

3. Amazing Athletes from around the Country & The Midwest ( Paige Schember, Tom Bye & others at the U23 WC) in Kazakhstan

4. Keep an Eye Out There at Worlds in Falun!

Jessie Diggins Fundraiser

The 4th Annual JD Fundraiser was held last evening at Chilkoot with an Amazing Group of Jessie Supporters. From our Host Lee & John @Chilkoot and their amazing staff to Jessie’s Family, Her Sponsors, Coaches etc. As well as Jessie Of Course! The evening raised a generous sum for NNF with the Auction Items as well as over $9k for Jessie’s upcoming season. We wish her a Fantastic 14-15 World Cup Season and very proud to be supporting & working with such a GREAT Person & Athlete! See YOU Out There for the 5th Annual in 2015!

 

 

The Chilkoot Café and Cyclery in Stillwater is once again hosting a fund raiser dinner for Olympian, World Champion and US Ski Team member, Jessie Diggins, on November 9th at 6PM. The cost for dinner is $100, all proceeds of which go directly to Jessie to support training and racing expenses. In addition to an evening of wonderful food and great race stories from Jessie, Jessie will be auctioning off some Olympic gear. All proceeds form the auction will go to the National Nordic Foundation, to support junior skiers who qualify for international and national racing and training opportunities. Call for more information or to reserve your spot at the Chilkoot Café, 651-342-0429.

A Great Foundation is being built!

This past week in Lillehammer Norway site of the 1994 Olympics the US Women came to the show with TWO, Yes two strong teams for the 4x5km relay. USA I did an amazing job finishing  3rd overall. To see the highlights from this great day: http://vimeo.com/81381732