This is meant to, among other things, be an attempt to start categorizing and
recognizing those skiers who are really fit over the age of 40 (or maybe I should
start at age 30?). I’m taking about skiers in the category that are not
gunning for Olympic or National team status. It would be nice if someone representing
US masters would take these ideas and develop some kind of nation wide point
system and come up with an age group list. John Downing (AXCS Director) –
are you ready for this?
Getting all the best skiers together for Masters Nationals seems, at this point,
unrealistic due to the travel involved. I went to the last five Masters Nationals
and felt that some of the better skiers were there, but not everyone. But maybe
if there was a real reason to go there – the big carrot – we could get all the
best to come! What about giving everyone points based upon your time behind
the winner when you participated in the American Ski Marathon events? Age need
to be factored in so someone age 55 or 60 could get the same points as a 40
year-old if the performance was of equal quality. Each five-year age group could
maybe get 5-10 seconds per 3 minutes of race time credit?
Finals at Masters Nationals
If everyone could accumulate points by participating in races around the country
then Master Nationals could be the final that ultimately decides the winners
of each age category! I believe that this could really boost the interest for
Masters Nationals and make this into a true national championship – The
Ryder’s Cup of master skiing.It could become an international event –
The XC Super Bowl!
For my own sake I would like to see shorter races that could count as point
races. Maybe designate some half marathons or even 5-15K events into point races
so it’s not all marathon events. I also think it should be a mix of classic
and skate events. Right now there are way to many skate races. Classic will
soon be forgotten in the US! In Norway it’s opposite – most of the
big events are classic.
I have taken an interest in doing this since the younger age categories have
their ranking list based upon FIS point and there is no one ranking or caring
about us – the real studs and studetts. We might be getting old but we are still
tough as nails – right? And we all want to know how tough we are compared
to the ultra-fit ones in our age groups, and who are they?
Who are the fit ones?
I apologize for mostly listing people I personally know, but this is meant to
be a way for our readers to get involved and send us names of appropriate candidates.
Nominating yourself is acceptable if you think you qualify.
