NENSA Announces 2006-2007 Eastern Cup

September 27, 2006

New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) announces the TD Banknorth Eastern Cup race schedule for the 2006-07 Season.

Sponsored by TD Banknorth and NENSA, this series will see some of New England’s top athletes vying for the title of Eastern Cup Champion and for spots on the NENSA Junior Olympic Team. Athletes will also earn valuable points toward the National Ranking List and regional age-group rankings.

This series provides all cross-country skiers an opportunity to compete side-by-side with the fastest racers in the United States. Each year the TD Banknorth Eastern Cup Series welcomes U.S. Ski Team members and top collegiate racers. Patrick Cote, NENSA’s Executive Director comments, â€œIt gives the junior skiers an idea of where they are and where they need to be. It puts their focus on long-term development, not just being the best in their age-group; that’s fundamental to NENSA’s athlete development philosophy. The masters play a role too, they help show the younger athletes that skiing is a sport to be enjoyed throughout life and — I almost forgot to mention — we’ve got some masters who ski their way onto the podium.â€

This year’s events will take place across the Northeast beginning in Stowe, Vermont at Trapp Family Lodge December 16th & 17th. The Stowe Nordic Outing Club will work with NENSA staff to host this season opening event.

The TD Banknorth Tour de Rumford will follow from January 12th — 14th where competitors will follow a format similar to the famous Tour de France cycling race. The Tour de Rumford will be hosted by Black Mountain of Maine and the Chisholm Ski Club.

From Maine the racers move south to the Boston area, home of the 2005 and 2006 NENSA Club Champions Cambridge Sports Union (CSU.) There they will sprint at the Weston Ski Track on Saturday, February 3rd. On Sunday the 4th, , the snowy Berkshire region will welcome skiers to a classic technique event at Notchview in Windsor Massachusetts.

The final weekend of racing will take place at Oak Hill in Hanover, NH with the Silver Fox Trot on February 17th and at the Holderness School hosting the Cheri Walsh Memorial on the 18th. Hanover and Holderness have become the traditional hosts of the final TD Banknorth Eastern Cup Weekend. The Ford Sayre Ski Club in Hanover and the Holderness Ski Club are well-known for presenting top-quality events; and both venues always attract a large crowd of skiers.