The International Herald tribune reports that the Finnish Ski Association is standing behind the organization's secretary-general Jari Piirainen. This comes just hours after a report that the Association would ask Piirainen to step down. The decision was made following a special board meeting. The board meeting was called in the wake of claims of widespread doping by former Finnish head coach Kari-Pekka Kyrö. Of Kyrö's claims, Piirainen said, “This only corroborates what I said already...
After a six year reprieve, the U.S. Ski Team finished its second camp of the season and second spring on-snow camp in Bend, Oregon in as many years this last week. Ten days at Mt. Bachelor Nordic Resort played host to a myriad of conditions — from classic Oregon crust to transformed spring slush to fresh powder — giving athletes the chance to test equipment in an assortment of snows. Andrew Newell and Chris Grover...
After three successful seasons as one of the most dominate cross-country ski teams in Canada, it is with regret that the INDi2010 Racing Team announces that it will dissolve for the 2008-2009 season. Editor's Note: This is the second top Canadian team to fold this spring, following in the footsteps of the X-C.com Race Team ( The INDi2010 Racing Team at the 2010 Olympic venue for the 2008 Canadian Championships in March (left to right:...
Based on long-term, structured anti-doping efforts, including the FIS Blood Profiling Program that was introduced as of the 2001/2002 season, FIS is increasingly in a position to conduct targeted testing. In line with this focus, FIS last season performed as many as 375 out-of-competition tests, including both blood tests and urine (normal screen and EPO analysis) along with blood transfusion and insulin tests. This is almost five times as many as the season before when...
The dry-land training and Roller Skiing season started in earnest around Europe with the arrival of the summer. While some national races have already taken place, the FIS Roller Skiing World Cup 2008 will kickkicked off yesterday in Piglio/Frosinone, near Rome (ITA), the host city of the FIS Roller Skiing World Championships 2009. Three competitions are on schedule in Italy from 26th to 28th June, a sprint in the free technique in Frosinone, as well...
â€Everything is going really positively, I’m much stronger than last year!†The 2007-08 World Cup Sprint Overall Runner-Up Emil Jonnson from Sweden, is even more optimistic for the upcoming World Championships season and has led off the training season already surpassing expectations. This week he is working as an instructor at the Solleftea Summer Ski School along with fellow Swedish ski stars Charlotte Kalla and Robin Bryntesson. Pete Phillips, coach at Burke Mountain Academy, leads...
What has become known as the “Sweden Trip” has been in Scandinavia now for 13 days. The trip, which travels to a ski camp in Sweden and then continues on to ski on snow at Sognefjell, is in its eighth year. This year's group consists of ten skiers plus two guest coaches (Erik Nilsson and Annelies Cook) and the head coach from Burke Mountain Academy; Pete Phillips. We spent the first ten days in Sweden...
The Finnish news source YLE reports that the former Director of Cross-Country Skiing for the Finnish Ski Association has admitted that the organization bought blood-thinning substances for members of the Finnish national team at the 2001 World Championships. This supports the accusations of former national team head coach Kari-Pekka Kyr̦ and comes after the newspaper HELSINGIN SANOMAT reported that Kyr̦ also implicated the Finnish anti-doping agency Рcharges that were vigorously denied. FasterSkier reader Vesa...
We recently came across a great photographic history of rollerskiing with some incredible images of early equipment. Skiroll.it reports that rollerskiing first appeared in the 1930's and has a photo dated at 1958. The equipment has come a long way since the earliest models, but interestingly, the changes over the last 30 years have not been as large as one might expect.
At the Worldloppet Annual General Meeting in Mora on June 13, 2008, the Polish race Bieg Piastόw was accepted as a new member in Worldloppet. This old race is well known amongst long distance skiers, in fact Bieg Piastόw has been a member of Euroloppet for many years. The race takes place in Jakuszyce near the small city of Szklarska Poręba in south-western Poland near the Czech border on the first week-end in March. On...
One of the Nation’s leading Nordic Ski Clubs — The Auburn Ski Club, is creating a new year round, full time Development Coach position, to better serve it’s growing number of athletes. Far West Nordic Ski Education Association Administrator Responsibilities include: Managing membership, collection of annual membership dues; maintaining website; race schedules and results; organizing travel and logistics for races and events. Strong organizational, communication and administrative skills required. Candidate to work from a home...
Since the passing of our friend Paul this past February we have all shared sadness but also joy in the exchange of stories and tales of how he impacted our world. On Saturday afternoon, June 28, Paul’s family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate his life. Paul Robbins Celebration Saturday, June 28 – McLane Family Building, Dartmouth Skiway 1:00-2:00 p.m. – Celebration Service 2:00-3:30 p.m. – Social Gathering A celebration service will be...
Choosing your own line out in a big open meadow in the Deschutes National Forest is what makes the West’s spring skiing scene so special. This year six hundred inches of snowfall, combined with the high desert climate of sub-zero Celsius nights and sunny days make for epic crust cruises. It’s June 15th and rollerskiing’s a choice, not a necessity. Running high on the trail up Cascade Head, above where saltwater and freshwater meet. Nothing...
Pineland Farms, Maine. The United States Biathlon Association (USBA) is pleased to announce the induction of John Morton to their national Hall of Fame. Morton has represented the United States at 7 Olympics, dating back to the Sapporo Games in 1972, as an athlete, coach and Team Leader. “John has modeled the spirit of the Olympic movement for generations of athletes over his 30 years of involvement with the US Biathlon Team, and set a...
DENVER — The 2008 NCAA Champion University of Denver ski team will travel to Washington, D.C., to visit the White House on June 24, the White House announced today. The Pioneers will join 19 other teams at the White House for Champions Day, celebrating championship teams from the 2007-08 season. “Receiving an invitation from President Bush to the White House is a great honor,†DU alpine head coach Andy LeRoy said. “The student-athletes, coaches and...
CANMORE, ALTA. — Canada’s best cross-country skiers, including Olympic and World Cup medalists Chandra Crawford, Sara Renner and Devon Kershaw, will take their summer training program on the road while traveling coast-to-coast to work with young athletes and coaches in six Canadian communities, June 23-29, 2008. The inaugural National Ski Team Outreach Week, presented by Haywood Securities, AltaGas and Teck Cominco, is a new initiative designed to support and foster the development of cross-country skiers...
The Steamboat Pilot & Today reports that former US Nordic Combined Star Todd Lodwick is coming out of retirement. Lodwick last raced in 2006. The Colorado native told The Pilot “It’s not like I woke up one morning and decided to do this. I’m committed to the sport; I’m committed to this comeback and whatever it takes.†Lodwick ended his stellar career after the 2006 season. He put together a string of eight consecutive seasons...
The International Edition of the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reports that Kari-Pekka Kyrö, the former head coach of the Finnish cross-country skiing team, claims that in terms of Olympic sports, the FSA has been the largest distributor of doping substances in Finland. Former cross-country skiing coach accuses Finnish Ski Association of orchestrating doping In related doping news, Finnish Biathlete Kaisa Varis, who was caught doping and banned for two years from Cross-Country skiing after the...
Middlebury College Ski Team Cross Country Assistant Coach / Rikert Touring Center Staff Person Responsible for managing all aspects of the NENSA (non-carnival) Cross Country Team (driving, waxing, equipment.). Coach will attend training sessions and many New England race. Hours at the touring center will also include teaching skiing, grooming and work with Bill Koch skiers. Bachelors Degree and collegiate racing experience preferred. Position runs approximately Nov 15 – Mar 15. Compensation: $1500-$1800 per month....