Last November, the International Ski Federation announced in a press release the banning of fluorinated waxes starting with the 2020-2021 race season. FIS states, “The use of fluorinated ski waxes, which have been shown to have a negative environmental and health impact were banned for all FIS disciplines from the 2020/2021 season.” Behind the scenes, the transition to fluoro free racing has begun both in Europe where the majority of World Cups are held, and...
On July 13th U.S. Ski & Snowboard held a virtual discussion titled “Discussing Racial Diversity In Snowsports“. The panel, moderated by Henri Rivers, CEO, President and Founder of Drumriver Consultants and President of the National Brotherhood of Skiers takes an unfiltered view of diversity and inclusivity across the snowsport disciplines. The voices represented are well worth the listen as we envision a safer and more inclusive sport. Courtesy of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, bios...
The Biathlon Integrity Unit Comes Online: Earlier this month, the website biathlonintegrity.com came online. The site is the digital interface of the Biathlon Integrity Unit, an independent arm of the International Biathlon Union. Part of the Biathlon Integrity Unit’s mandate, according to the website, is to provide a mechanism to “investigate and prosecute violations” as they relate to “integrity related matters in Biathlon, including anti-doping, ethical breaches, betting-related issues and any kind of result...
My VIP was slow and deliberate, but in control. “Okay Joanne,” I directed her, “This is a grade 1 downhill, flat camber with a slight curve to the left part way down. Move forward and then get into a snowplow.” Following her down, I called out “Ski left” as the trail curved. “OK, now straighten out”. She reached the end of the ramp without incident, but I needed to make sure she...
Press Release COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing today announced the five Para Nordic skiers named to the national team and two skiers named to the development team for the 2020-21 season. All seven athletes represented Team USA at the Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. “Our program is committed to developing athletes from their first-time experience to the top levels of Nordic skiing and biathlon,” said Eileen Carey, Director of U.S. Paralympics Nordic...
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 to the region. With few exceptions, unless one is a healthcare professional, seasonal agricultural worker, diplomat, or an essential international...
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 part focuses on rights established in WADA’s Code and International Standards. The second part consists of recommendations, and according to...
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 Championship medals and four historic Olympic medals. Gilbertson returns to the sport after a seven year hiatus. Gilbertson will team...
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”. Six percent of respondents were from the U.S. Of the challenges described by athletes, 56 percent found it hard to train...
This past weekend I had my first races of the season. Saturday was a 5k classic race and Sunday was a 10k skate. It felt great to get a couple races under my belt and I had some solid results, including a second on Sunday! It was pret...
The following is a press release from the Alberta World Cup Academy. The Alberta World Cup Academy (AWCA) coaching staff play an essential role in our National Nordic Skiing Success. The AWCA was developed to offer developing athletes a means to improve their Nordic skiing technique and physical capacity. Many of the AWCA athletes are now representing Canada in the world cup circuit. The week following the world cup the AWCA is planning to run...
I was a bit nervous about returning to Muonio this year after getting burnt out on the darkness and Arctic living here last November when the snow was very scarce. I was at my breaking point last year and didn’t know if I could ski another loop in the dark around the short, icy, and [...]
After a substantial weekend of racing, we often have interesting tidbits that didn’t make it into the main race report. Here are Notes and Quotes from races in Bruksvallarna, Sweden, and Muonio, Finland. Chandra Crawford (CAN) was plenty excited about her 2nd place finish in the FIS sprint in Brusvallarna, Sweden. She told FasterSkier that she may have let her emotions get the best of her, saying “I just wanted to be Fast & Female...
Plenty of snow at the Methow Valley's Washington Pass. Skiing on Rode Super Blue. Snow falling...I was caught in the act: applying grip wax in falling snow in a parking lot. Good conditions for classic skiing; skatin...
This weekend the domestic race scene kicks off with the West Yellowstone Super Tour. After 6 months of preparation and training it is exciting to have the opportunity to show off the hard work. I actually ski more on roller skis, ...
As we wait for the winter to trickle in to the West, here is a fun little video I made in 2008 when I was trying to ski the Catamount Trail between races and training.The team is currently in Sun Valley taking a rest day as we prepare for the first rac...
I traveled to Muonio, Finland, a small town 2 degrees North of the Arctic Circle last Sunday where our season begun this weekend with some FIS Openers. These are the races where you blow some cobwebs out before hitting the World Cup next weekend....
Sovereign Lake Nordic Center at Silver Star MountainI got a quick report and a couple pics from Sam Naney (Methow Olympic Development) today. Sam went to Silver Star early to get some solid training days on snow, and then he'll head for W...
Responsible for assisting with all aspects of the Cross Country Development Team (driving, race management, equipment, etc.) as well as general team responsibilities with waxing, video and social media. Assistant is expected to attend training sessions and many New England races, although schedule has some flexibility. It is possible to do some racing. Bachelors Degree and collegiate racing experience preferred. Part time, through the winter months, starting immediately through Mar 10. Compensation: $1200-$1500 per month. For information, please call cami.thompson.graves@dartmouth.edu
Over the past several years, I've made an effort to travel to Silver Star, B.C. for a week or so prior to the opening Super Tours in West Yellowstone. Training at Silver Star gives me an opportunity to spend several days at moderate altitude (~5500ft) ...