Second of two photo montages recapping the 2013/2014 FIS World Cup season.
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Alex Kochon
Alex Kochon (alexkochon@gmail.com) is a former FasterSkier editor and roving reporter who never really lost touch with the nordic scene. A freelance writer, editor, and outdoor-loving mom of two, she lives in northeastern New York and enjoys adventuring in the Adirondacks. She shares her passion for sports and recreation as the co-founder of "Ride On! Mountain Bike Trail Guide" and a sales and content contributor at Curated.com. When she's not skiing or chasing her kids around, Alex assists authors as a production and marketing coordinator for iPub Global Connection.
The Tim Burke Uphill Run Test up the slopes of Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid was held for the first time Tuesday, the second day of U.S. Biathlon's Talent ID Recruiting Camp. A former professional cyclist won it, setting a new mark for aspiring (and current) U.S. biathletes.
In his first week as president/chair of Cross Country Canada, Jamie Coatsworth -- a longtime financial supporter of Canadian nordic skiing -- talks about the position and how he ended up filling the vacancy left by Richard Lemoine. "Sort of looking up around the room, I spoke to some of the other board members," Coatsworth said. "And I said somebody’s gotta do it."
Post-Retirement, Crawford Hits the Books Hard, Gets into Calgary’s MBA Program
Alex KochonJune 19, 2014
Chandra Crawford stuck with skiing long after winning gold as a U23 at the 2006 Olympics because she remembered when Beckie Scott and Sara Renner explained "it would take ten years to get good." She committed, and after three Olympics, Crawford, 30, retired from the sport to pursue higher education -- cutting right to the chase with an MBA to better serve Fast and Female.
Two weeks ago, Richard Lemoine learned that he would not be reelected for a second term as president of CCC's Board of Directors, should he run again. He resigned and an acting chair and former president is filling the void until CCC's Annual General Meeting, an open board meeting, this weekend.
Canada’s Newest Coach, Tor-Arne Hetland Gets Dose of Canadian Ski Life at Sunshine Camp
Alex KochonJune 9, 2014
Tor-Arne Hetland is officially part of the Canadian crew after wrapping up his first training camp with the Canadian World Cup Team in May. Onboard since April, he says he's eager to give the perspective and stability that Cross Country Canada wants. "It is asked for new ideas into the team and I’m ready to give this," Hetland says. "And also more stability in the World Cup."
Sophie Caldwell broke her funny bone just over a week ago during a team mountain-bike session in Bend, Ore., and while it's no laughing matter, she's found humor in the situation. "I actually accidentally found myself in a spin class for senior citizens and it was one of the top ten sweatiest workouts of my life," she explains. "We did stage 14 of the Tour of Italy."
Dalen Moves on to Coaching Marathoners: ‘It’s Time to Go for New Challenges’
Alex KochonMay 29, 2014
We haven’t seen the last of Magnar Dalen. After eight years as head coach of the Finnish National Ski Team, Dalen, 50, is moving on to coaching marathon skiers on a private team, he explained in an email.
(www.birkie.com. New for 2015! There are a few changes and additions this year, including the brand new Birkie website, a new event insurance option, and a chance to win a Birkie Week VIP package when you Like the Birkie Facebook page. See details below. REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 2 at 8:00 a.m. CST www.birkie.com. The ABSF suggests you visit the new site to get familiar with the Birkie ski events page. The new website makes it...
Bryan Fletcher Becomes USSA Athlete Rep to Voice Nordic Combined and Jumping Needs
Alex KochonMay 27, 2014
U.S. Nordic Combined's Bryan Fletcher was recently one of three new athlete representatives selected to the USSA Board of Directors. “For me the biggest thing that came out of congress was just knowledge of the positive development in our sport," he explains, adding that his sport's organizational structure is progressing forward each day.
While you're tipping back a beverage of choice this Memorial Day weekend, here's a look at Sylvan Ellefson's new enterprise with the 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company in Vail, Colo., which pays tribute to the members of the 10th Mountain Division in the form of locally sourced whiskey, bourbon, vodka, and cordials. Ellefson retired from full-time nordic racing this spring.
Canada’s 10-Time Paralympian, Bourgonje Bows Out, Keeps Spreading Paralympic Message
Alex KochonMay 22, 2014
Twenty-two years ago, Colette Bourgonje was a grade-school teacher with a ticket to the Albertville Paralympics. But the school wasn’t about to let her take off for her first Paralympics. She went anyway and began an unprecedented streak of competing at seven Winter Paralympics -- 10 Paralympics in all.
Wednesday Workout: Mountain Boarding Anaerobic Workout with Colette Bourgonje
Alex KochonMay 21, 2014
This week's workout comes from Colette Bourgonje, a 10-time Paralympian who recently retired from the Canadian Para-Nordic Team with 10 Paralympic medals to her name. "I like this workout because of the change in pace, which makes you focus on technique with speed and adds variety with the distance you end up putting in," she says.
Guri Hetland Weighs Options After Leaving Swiss National Team: ‘I Have No Hurry’
Alex KochonMay 20, 2014
Guri Hetland spoke with FasterSkier on Monday about how she and Swiss-Ski were at odds when it came to the direction of the team, a stumbling point that ultimately ended in the non-renewal of her contract. "I had planned to work longer in Switzerland and I hoped and I thought that we could agree on the proposal ... but my bosses in the ski federation wanted some changes," she says.
Anyone who follows U.S. racing closely knows the name Patrick O'Brien. He's been a staple at Craftsbury for the last four years, captained the Dartmouth ski team, and is now delving into a career as head coach of the Stratton T2 Team -- something he didn't necessarily anticipate but sees as a good fit and ideal transition.
One author's take on the whole Northug fiasco, including the consequences it could hold for the 28-year-old Norwegian skiing star.
Ben Saxton and Paddy Caldwell were two new names on the 2014/2015 U.S. Ski Team nominations released last Friday. Both with Stratton ties, the two were asked to join the D-team, an unfunded development squad back after a one-year hiatus.
Not on the U.S. Ski Team List, Brooks Still in the Hunt for International Podiums
Alex KochonApril 29, 2014
Holly Brooks was the one well-known name left off the U.S. Ski Team's nomination list for 2014/2015, and that's by her choosing, she says. Rather than retire, she's hoping to tweak her training to get back to podium contention, especially in marathons and distance races.
More on U.S. Nordic Combined's predicament after its program lost direct USSA funding earlier this week. We caught up with both Fletcher brothers as well as USSA Vice President Luke Bodensteiner to hear more about the decision and what it means for the sport in the U.S.
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association dealt U.S. Nordic Combined tough news on Monday when it informed them funding would cease after July 31, 2014, according to head coach Dave Jarrett, who's now searching for alternative financial solutions.