Erik Bjornsen enjoys the finer things in life: hot chocolate, Sequence and 1994 Ford Rangers. More about the younger of the Bjornsen siblings and first-time Olympian, who's racing at U23 World Championships starting Wednesday in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
On her 26th birthday, this northern Vermont native still has the smallest feet on the World Cup, can drink maple syrup straight, and is a self-described "horrible swimmer." More fun facts about Ida Sargent in the weeks leading up to her first Olympics.
Jessie Diggins is a banana-bread junkie, has a healthy fear of clipless pedals, and is one of the few people who will admit they like listening to Taylor Swift. More fun facts about the 22-year-old Minnesota native headed to her first Olympics.
In her first year of dental school, Audrey Weber, 27, has less time for ski-specific training and instead shifted her focus to the gym, where she's found success with CrossFit. "Currently, I am 13 months into my own personal case study called, 'How Fit Can an Ex-Cross Country Ski Racer Stay on Four Hours of Training Per Week?' " she says. "Some preliminary results are in, and the findings are quite interesting." she says.
Regardless of what happens with the official U.S. Olympic Nordic Ski Team naming on Wednesday, Caitlin Gregg says she's happy. The last four years have been about balance, Gregg explains, and a journey with her husband that she wouldn't trade for anything. "One of the greatest things though is that anticipation of not knowing that you made it," she says.
Santi Ocariz is living proof that you don't need a ton of free time to keep skiing and training when possible. "I would describe my exercising as opportunistic," he says. "If everything else is done, then I treat myself to some exercise.” While not the most foolproof training plan, it was enough to help him nearly win the SISU Marathon last Saturday. A former elite skier, he might be an exception.
Not quite all of the the skiing regions of North America have been hit by the so-called "arctic blast" of air that resulted in temperatures as low as -35F with the wind chill, but cold is the theme, and training in frigid weather can be challenging. So this week we bring two different Wednesday Workout options, both ideal for extreme cold.
Head coach of Rouge et Or nordic team at Laval University, Luc Germain shares part of his athletes' training plan during the holidays. "On January 1st, some of my athletes will be tired after a good celebration of the New Year, so I suggest them to come back to the basics ... and do only the first part of this super session, but if they can handle more, then the whole workout will leave them tired and happy!" he writes.
A follow-up article regarding the improvements ORDA has made to its Mt. Van Hoevenberg property, specifically its lodge, in the last two years and what could still be in store for the Olympic cross-country facility in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Merry Christmas! On the rare chance that you can sneak out for a workout during the busy holiday season, try the following 45-60 minute workout from Sam Tarling of the Maine Winter Sports Center.
'Tis the season and you're scrambling for gifts... but what could be better than something homemade? Like... granola! Buy a mason jar or two or three, whip up this easy recipe, and dole out like you're Saint Nick.
Some little-known facts about the 26-year-old US Ski Team sprinter, including the time he ate red ants with USST coach Matt Whitcomb and his 37 ascents of Grand Teton.
During the holidays, opportunities for races can be few and far between, and it’s often easy to get into the lull of long distance skis with old friends. While these can be fun and beneficial, it's important to get some high intensity and completive training in before the season starts to intensify in January. BSF has the right idea with a hill-climb time trial on Dec. 28.
Last week, Brian Gregg and Matt Liebsch decided on a whim that they might as well splurge for a chartered flight to Bozeman, Mont., for the second set of SuperTour races there. This is the first part of a story about their journey, which started with a two-day drive from Montana to British Columbia and a forgotten passport.
This Wednesday Workout comes to you from Canadian World Cup Team member, Perianne Jones, who's been training at home (and at altitude) in Canmore, Alberta, while preparing for her first international races of the season in Asiago, Italy, Dec. 21-22.
In mid November, national and elite teams start flocking to northern Scandinavia in search of early snow: Muonio, Bruksvallarna, Beitostolen. But what's it like if you're just a normal guy seeking some skiing of your own? Are you going to get "hupped" by an exasperated Charlotte Kalla? Simon Evans investigates this strange world, and learns something about why we love our sport.
Some of the most-useful random knowledge you'll ever need (or care) to know about U.S. Ski Team leader Kikkan Randall. "I used to hate pink," she says of her trademark color. Randall is also Alaska's safest driver -- at least she was as a teen.
With less than a year of nordic experience, Tatyana McFadden -- a three-time Summer Paralympian with 10 Paralympic medals and a marathon Grand Slam to her name -- has her heart set on Sochi. "I have to just be relaxed and go with the transitions," she says. "When it comes time for me to put my skis on the snow, I have to remember everything I've learned ... and ski as fast as I can and hopefully make people proud.”
Bump up your strength routine with gymnast rings -- and no, you don't need to be the next Arthur Nabarrete Zanetti, (wait, who's he?). FS contributor Katie Bono writes: "It’s fun, the rings are extremely portable and versatile, and the exercises develop strength, coordination, and stability. However, the main benefit is that ring training is HARD. Like REALLY HARD."
Nutrition expert Georgie Fear explains how to ward off illness when training volume is at its highest. "As the season approaches, athletes want to be strong, fast, and lean, and putting in the hours to train is essential," she says. "It’s also critical for good nutrition to be a part of your routine."