The Covid-19 news in the United States is unequivocally grim: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, July 3rd stands as the current peak of Covid-19 cases diagnosed in the U.S. The curve is spiking as opposed to flattening. Last week, the European Union took the unprecedented step of banning U.S. citizens from traveling […]
The Virtual Eastern REG
Skiers are made in the summer, and one of the hallmarks of summer training is periodic training camps. But as with racing, the coronavirus pandemic has upended summer group training. In April, the New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) opted to turn their June regional elite group (REG) training camp into a virtual event. Part […]
A Vision and a Difference in Salt Lake City
This is a two-part series exploring how some students in the Salt Lake City area are exposed to cross-country skiing through the good work of community members. Part-one features Gilberto “Juan” Rejón Magana of Hartland Community 4 Youth and Families, a non-profit serving disadvantaged youth. Part-two explores how the Utah Nordic Alliance, local teacher Rose Kjesbo, […]
News Roundup: WADA in the News Cycle
WADA Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act: On June 18th, WADA issued a press release announcing its Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act. According to WADA, the act was developed and approved by the organization’s Athlete Committee. Essentially, the document asserts it is an athlete’s “fundamental right” to participate in clean sport. It is a two-part document. The first […]
Discussing the Building Blocks with Canadian National Team Coach Erik Bråten
At twenty-seven-years-old, Canadian National Team coach Erik Bråten brings youthful energy and a spirit that fosters independence amongst his athletes. Originally from Oslo, Norway, and new to the Canadian system in November 2018, Bråten has the dual task of shepherding a crop of young Canadian talent and assisting veteran athletes like Dahira Beatty and Katherine […]
Gilbertson Returns to Coaching With USA Nordic (Press Release)
Press Release PARK CITY, Utah (June 15, 2020) – USA Nordic has hired Chris Gilbertson as the head ski jumping coach for the men’s nordic combined team. Gilbertson spent 17 years coaching for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club as well as the US Ski Team, where he led his athletes to five World […]
True Value with the Greggs
Since 2011, Brian and Caitlin Gregg have been residents of north Minneapolis. They added daughter Heidi to the mix a year and a half ago. They are close to Theodore Wirth Park, an urban magnet for cross-country skiing with amenities like snowmaking, homologated trails, and mountain biking in the non-snow months. The Loppet Foundation, […]
Middlebury’s Kate Barton Advances to U.S. Ski & Snowboard D-Team Head Coach
If you read FasterSkier, you are likely aware that elite cross country skiing in the U.S. has been steadily on the rise over the last decade. In the last four years alone, we’ve borne witness to medals at all levels, including a Diggins-Randall double podium in the freestyle sprint at the 2017 World Championships, a […]
Notes from the IOC’s Athlete 365 Survey during the Global Lockdown
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) released results from a wide-ranging survey to assay how the challenges athletes are experiencing during the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown. According to the Athlete 365 Survey Findings, there were over 4000 respondents across the globe, of which 80 percent were athletes, with the remainder described as “entourage” and “stakeholders”. […]
FIS sets Covid-19 Guidelines for World Cup Events
A phrase we probably have all become familiar with: Risk assessment and Covid-19. The International Ski Federation (FIS) published guidelines last week to assist local organizing committees of FIS World Cups to mitigate community spread at races. This comes on the heels of FIS joining an initiative called #Sport4Recovery. According to FIS, the new […]
Listening in: Nordiq Canada’s Webinar – Group vs Individual Training
As part of an ongoing webinar series, Nordiq Canada held a webinar titled Group vs Individual Training. Senior National Team athlete Dahria Beatty, National Team coach Erik Bråten, Para Nordic head coach Robin McKeever, and sports psychologist Jon Coleman were on the panel. For any person interested in learning about the yin-yang of individual versus group […]
Media Roundup: Elevating BIPOC Athlete Voices Edition
On June 3rd, FasterSkier published a statement regarding our commitment to diversifying the stories we cover and to providing a platform for people of color in the ski community to share their experiences. We aim to highlight the philanthropic actions members of the ski community have taken to support disadvantaged skiers and to promote inclusivity […]
A Day in the Life from APUNSC : Thomas O’Harra
This series comes to FasterSkier from the Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Club. A Day in the Life: APUNSC is checking in with Elite Team members of the course of the next few months to get a glimpse into what life looks like for elite athletes as training starts up again during a global pandemic. […]
U.S., CANADIAN NGB/NSOs FORM NORTH AMERICAN FLUOROCARBON FREE POLICY WORKING GROUP (Press Release)
Press Release PARK CITY, Utah (June 15, 2020) – National Governing Body’s and National Sport Organizations (NGB/NSOs), and snow sport organizations from the United States and Canada today are announcing the formation of a Fluorocarbon Free Policy Working Group. With representation from U.S. Ski & Snowboard, USA Nordic, U.S. Biathlon, USA Para Nordic, USA Para […]
Settled in Canmore and Making Gains: Katherine Stewart-Jones
Win now? Win later? Or somewhere in between? A one year plan with a World Champs looming in 2021 or something befitting a six-year plan for capturing hardware at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy? Those are the strategies in play as national teams set budgets, rosters, and priorities. For countries like Norway and Sweden […]
Johaug: Fleet Footed in the 10 k
Norway’s Therese Johaug made news today on the running track, clocking a speedy 10 k in 31:40.69. Johaug’s run was part of a made-for-TV sport event in a time of limited international travel and social distancing. Called the “Impossible Games”, the format pitted some of Norway’s best track and field athletes against those from Kenya […]
Gear Review: Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System
Here in the Rockies near Carbondale, Colorado, June is often a transitional month. Low elevation trails are dry and surrounded by lush vegetation and spring blooms, while jagged peaks and ridges remain encrusted with receding snowfields. Roaring creeks and flooded riverbanks hint the speed with which these sun-cupped features melt away. As someone whose preferred […]
Momentum Northwest Seeks Head Coach
Momentum Northwest is seeking a Head Coach for our year-round Nordic program based in Seattle, Washington. Our ideal candidate will have the ability to coach athletes ages 12-18, assist with training of volunteer assistant coaches for our youth Mavericks program, and handle managerial and administrative functions with support from our dedicated volunteer base. We wish […]
USOPC Pivots on Athlete Protests, IOC Stands Firm (Updated 6/11/20)
This story has been updated to include the Thomas Bach’s statement made on 6-10-20 regarding athete protests. Bach is the President of the IOC. Since the video of George Floyd’s killing was released, pent up frustration has emerged on the streets, social media, and amongst the influential athlete rank and file. Many have […]
Leavenworth Winter Sports Club Seeks Nordic Head Coach
Leavenworth Winter Sports Club Work Dates: Year-round Status: Part-Time, Hourly (approximately 750 hours annually) For inquiries or instructions on how to apply, please contact Callie Baker at cbaker@skileavenworth.com. Description Summary This is a dual-functioning role. It is both a managerial and an active coaching position whose focuses are to set goals for the entire […]