Comments for FasterSkier.com http://fasterskier.com FasterSkier: Cross-Country Ski, Biathlon, and Nordic Combined Racing, Training and News Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:53:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Comment on Three Years After Initial Run, Experimental Sprint Qualifier Sparks Debate by chadsalmelahttp://fasterskier.com/2012/02/three-years-after-initial-run-sprint-qualifier-sparks-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-4749 chadsalmela Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:53:03 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=73101#comment-4749 I think we are looking at two issues; both of which are FIS level things that trickle down to what each nation must try to do to be competitive internationally. Simply put, the FIS calendar is nearly impossible to follow--particularly for people not all that interested in the nuances of high level ski racing. As a result, FIS has trouble landing good TV deals and their production becomes so limited, that the TV product is poor anyway. They need to stabilize World Cup race formatting and make it much more predictable for everyone. Imagine if the NFL had 15 different types of games they played on 8 different fields of play! Good luck understanding that sport. The US reaction to this is finding ways to manage the development of athletes in a myriad of not only numerous, but numerous changing disciplines. When's the last time FIS did NOT have a change in its international racing formats? Secondly, the homologation issue is going to ruin the sport worldwide. Here's a sport struggling to have a following, with a schedule at the highest level that is nearly impossible to anticipate as a fan, requiring domestic race organizers to spend ridiculous amounts of money to get trails homologated, or face sanctions or the inability to host a race that any serious developing racer wants to take part in. The problem is above the US domestic level. It's basically a convoluted, uncertain, ever-changing game at the FIS level, to try to become more popular in television markets we aren't aware of in the US, We're really not even ON TV in this country. So at the ground level, everything seems nuts at this discussion level because we are reacting to issues that we're not even seeing. FIS needs to stabilize it's World Cup and Stage World Cup formatting so that the rest of the world can figure out how to prepare for it, and potential fans can figure out what the heck they are watching every weekend. This is all Farra was trying to manage when you boil it down. We need a stable FIS model of competition, so that the numerous national entities of the sport can get in line with that model. If you consider what a JOQ athlete, an NCAA college athlete, and a Supertour athlete (your basic development pipeline groups who race Supertours) need to accomplish in a domestic race weekend, it's a total mess right now. That'll happen when the ultimate target keeps moving on you. I think we are looking at two issues; both of which are FIS level things that trickle down to what each nation must try to do to be competitive internationally.

Simply put, the FIS calendar is nearly impossible to follow–particularly for people not all that interested in the nuances of high level ski racing. As a result, FIS has trouble landing good TV deals and their production becomes so limited, that the TV product is poor anyway. They need to stabilize World Cup race formatting and make it much more predictable for everyone. Imagine if the NFL had 15 different types of games they played on 8 different fields of play! Good luck understanding that sport.

The US reaction to this is finding ways to manage the development of athletes in a myriad of not only numerous, but numerous changing disciplines. When’s the last time FIS did NOT have a change in its international racing formats?

Secondly, the homologation issue is going to ruin the sport worldwide. Here’s a sport struggling to have a following, with a schedule at the highest level that is nearly impossible to anticipate as a fan, requiring domestic race organizers to spend ridiculous amounts of money to get trails homologated, or face sanctions or the inability to host a race that any serious developing racer wants to take part in.

The problem is above the US domestic level. It’s basically a convoluted, uncertain, ever-changing game at the FIS level, to try to become more popular in television markets we aren’t aware of in the US, We’re really not even ON TV in this country. So at the ground level, everything seems nuts at this discussion level because we are reacting to issues that we’re not even seeing.

FIS needs to stabilize it’s World Cup and Stage World Cup formatting so that the rest of the world can figure out how to prepare for it, and potential fans can figure out what the heck they are watching every weekend. This is all Farra was trying to manage when you boil it down. We need a stable FIS model of competition, so that the numerous national entities of the sport can get in line with that model. If you consider what a JOQ athlete, an NCAA college athlete, and a Supertour athlete (your basic development pipeline groups who race Supertours) need to accomplish in a domestic race weekend, it’s a total mess right now. That’ll happen when the ultimate target keeps moving on you.

]]> Comment on Three Years After Initial Run, Experimental Sprint Qualifier Sparks Debate by nexerhttp://fasterskier.com/2012/02/three-years-after-initial-run-sprint-qualifier-sparks-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-4748 nexer Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:27:18 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=73101#comment-4748 I've never seen a Kodak banner in any picture related to XC skiing. Ever. Who wants to put on a race when the athletes and coaches keep blasting the race organizers on a public forum? Volunteering is a thankless job. Cold bagels and you have to bring your own coffee half the time. It's hard to believe that teams can't come up with more prize money when the amount of fluoros on the floor is worth more than my car. The general skiing public doesn't care about the supertour. I’ve never seen a Kodak banner in any picture related to XC skiing. Ever.

Who wants to put on a race when the athletes and coaches keep blasting the race organizers on a public forum?

Volunteering is a thankless job. Cold bagels and you have to bring your own coffee half the time.

It’s hard to believe that teams can’t come up with more prize money when the amount of fluoros on the floor is worth more than my car.

The general skiing public doesn’t care about the supertour.

]]> Comment on Three Years After Initial Run, Experimental Sprint Qualifier Sparks Debate by T.Eastmanhttp://fasterskier.com/2012/02/three-years-after-initial-run-sprint-qualifier-sparks-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-4747 T.Eastman Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:41:02 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=73101#comment-4747 What is the depth of the field at the various Super Series races? Lots of skiers go to West Yellowstone but what of the other races on the circuit? The full treatment using the qualifier and all heats seems to be the proper format and should be the format used if points for possible World Cup starts are to be awarded. If sites want to host events, the full sprint format should be expected with bids along with appropriate funding for prizes. What is the depth of the field at the various Super Series races?

Lots of skiers go to West Yellowstone but what of the other races on the circuit?

The full treatment using the qualifier and all heats seems to be the proper format and should be the format used if points for possible World Cup starts are to be awarded.

If sites want to host events, the full sprint format should be expected with bids along with appropriate funding for prizes.

]]> Comment on Three Years After Initial Run, Experimental Sprint Qualifier Sparks Debate by abarretthttp://fasterskier.com/2012/02/three-years-after-initial-run-sprint-qualifier-sparks-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-4746 abarrett Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:39:25 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=73101#comment-4746 Roger Weston for president! He'll cure the economy AND get ski development back on track! Roger Weston for president! He’ll cure the economy AND get ski development back on track!

]]> Comment on Diggins Continues Ascent to Top of International Ski World by Lee Dilleyhttp://fasterskier.com/2012/02/diggins-continues-ascent-to-top-of-international-ski-world/comment-page-1/#comment-4745 Lee Dilley Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:31:20 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=73182#comment-4745 What a story! Great team support, a firm foundation that Kikkan has made and now Jessie building it up from week to week. She even gets knocked down twice in sprints and they come sprinting right back to win silver! These ladies are Loving what they are doing and skillfully sharing the magical experience in a way that encourages others to do their best too! What a story! Great team support, a firm foundation that Kikkan has made and now Jessie building it up from week to week. She even gets knocked down twice in sprints and they come sprinting right back to win silver! These ladies are Loving what they are doing and skillfully sharing the magical experience in a way that encourages others to do their best too!

]]> Comment on Three Years After Initial Run, Experimental Sprint Qualifier Sparks Debate by joeconn4http://fasterskier.com/2012/02/three-years-after-initial-run-sprint-qualifier-sparks-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-4744 joeconn4 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:23:05 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=73101#comment-4744 Very well written Audrey, thank you for the depth and background on this issue! Very well written Audrey, thank you for the depth and background on this issue!

]]> Comment on Johnson, Caldwell, and Patterson top weekend’s combined EC/EISA races by rwestonhttp://fasterskier.com/2012/02/johnson-caldwell-and-patterson-top-weekends-combined-eceisa-races/comment-page-1/#comment-4743 rweston Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:13:03 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=73275#comment-4743 Great Racing Indeed! ! ! ! ! ON A TERRIFIC COURSE !!!!! Well Done All !!!!!!! Mr.Estle under the mamouth snow piles of his loved Fairbanks and Mr.Hall up in Ottawa's frigid north gooda love seeing the Eastern College ranks being filled with home grown Americans, "gettin it done." Great Job Coaches and Athletes. College Teams, and NENSA from BKSL to Masters what a great weekend of ski racing. A truly beautiful weekend in Vermont. roger It was a Beautiful weekend spent in Vermont. Great Racing Indeed! ! ! ! ! ON A TERRIFIC COURSE !!!!!
Well Done All !!!!!!!

Mr.Estle under the mamouth snow piles of his loved Fairbanks and Mr.Hall up in Ottawa’s frigid north gooda love seeing the Eastern College ranks being filled with home grown Americans, “gettin it done.” Great Job Coaches and Athletes.
College Teams, and NENSA from BKSL to Masters what a great weekend of ski racing.
A truly beautiful weekend in Vermont.

roger

It was a Beautiful weekend spent in Vermont.

]]> Comment on Three Years After Initial Run, Experimental Sprint Qualifier Sparks Debate by rwestonhttp://fasterskier.com/2012/02/three-years-after-initial-run-sprint-qualifier-sparks-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-4742 rweston Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:12:25 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=73101#comment-4742 Lets not "mix the two". First and foremost we need "money-more money and much more money" for our sport to thrive. Money for athletes, coaches and race sites. Lets not mix this with what we need to continue-to-do and new adjustments needed to develop faster/tougher skiers for the International scene. Lets talk money first: have you not heard that Kodak, a long time sponsor of the US Ski Team and it's programs, just filed for bankruptcy? This corporation had a huge positive affect both nationally and locally on the development of nordic skiing. From New York State to the development of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Many of yesterdays/todays top athletes (in all the ski sports) and current and up-coming coaches passed thru inexpensive programs summer and winter (beginning in the mid 80's) made possible for America's Youth in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Rochester, NY area once had 15 or more schools with cross country ski teams and two leagues. That number is now down to 6 Schools and one league. This trend is state wide. Probably like much of the rest of the Nation? The money issue is real and athletes need to understand that they are not the only ones " going unpaid." There are many top level XC Coaches in all parts of this country working with every level of athlete that are in turn "giving more than they are getting." These coaches become even more important to our over-all development program as High School programs are cut or can no longer service the needs of aspiring xc ski loving kids. If we want to be "good at the top" we need to do everything possible to "expand our base." We need to generate interest for people from all parts of this country to get together with USSA,USST staff at the spring meetings to find and look for those new and potential sponsors. We can't leave any stone unturned. Which kinda brings us back to the "old catch 22" with each region of the country needing to run their own programs so there are not enough sponsors to go around esp. in this current economy. How can we come up with more money? Lets talk "Developing Speed" and "Fast Skiers" next time boys and girls. Hello Canada! Off to the gym. Still no snow in NY. roger Lets not “mix the two”. First and foremost we need “money-more money and much more money” for our sport to thrive. Money for athletes, coaches and race sites. Lets not mix this with what we need to continue-to-do and new adjustments needed to develop faster/tougher skiers for the International scene.
Lets talk money first: have you not heard that Kodak, a long time sponsor of the US Ski Team and it’s programs, just filed for bankruptcy? This corporation had a huge positive affect both nationally and locally on the development of nordic skiing. From New York State to the development of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Many of yesterdays/todays top athletes (in all the ski sports) and current and up-coming coaches passed thru inexpensive programs summer and winter (beginning in the mid 80′s) made possible for America’s Youth in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Rochester, NY area once had 15 or more schools with cross country ski teams and two leagues. That number is now down to 6 Schools and one league. This trend is state wide. Probably like much of the rest of the Nation?
The money issue is real and athletes need to understand that they are not the only ones ” going unpaid.” There are many top level XC Coaches in all parts of this country working with every level of athlete that are in turn “giving more than they are getting.” These coaches become even more important to our over-all development program as High School programs are cut or can no longer service the needs of aspiring xc ski loving kids. If we want to be “good at the top” we need to do everything possible to “expand our base.”
We need to generate interest for people from all parts of this country to get together with USSA,USST staff at the spring meetings to find and look for those new and potential sponsors. We can’t leave any stone unturned. Which kinda brings us back to the “old catch 22″ with each region of the country needing to run their own programs so there are not enough sponsors to go around esp. in this current economy.
How can we come up with more money?
Lets talk “Developing Speed” and “Fast Skiers” next time boys and girls. Hello Canada!
Off to the gym. Still no snow in NY.

roger

]]> Comment on Demong Achieves World Cup Podium for First Time in Two Years; Fletchers Tally Career Bests by bbrookerhttp://fasterskier.com/2012/02/demong-achieves-world-cup-podium-for-first-time-in-two-years-fletchers-tally-career-bests/comment-page-1/#comment-4741 bbrooker Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:41:53 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=73265#comment-4741 Yes!!!!!! Yes!!!!!!

]]> Comment on Three Years After Initial Run, Experimental Sprint Qualifier Sparks Debate by campirecordhttp://fasterskier.com/2012/02/three-years-after-initial-run-sprint-qualifier-sparks-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-4740 campirecord Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:38:05 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=73101#comment-4740 As long as USSski can provide proper bib sizes for women I am happy, those Yellowstone bibs were outrageous, footbal player size bibs... nice way to make athletes in spandex look like crap. As long as USSski can provide proper bib sizes for women I am happy, those Yellowstone bibs were outrageous, footbal player size bibs… nice way to make athletes in spandex look like crap.

]]>