The following article was originally published on FasterSkier on October 15, 2008. It was written by CXC (Central Cross Country Skiing) athletes Kristina Owen and Heather Zimmerman. Roughly contemporary photos have been added for this reprinting; the pictures that originally appeared with this article are no longer available. The piece is simultaneously from very much another era, yet also completely timeless. On the one hand, “Caitlin Compton” now has a different last name; Jessie Diggins,...
In early July, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation announced the launch of the Team Birkie professional racing team. The elite post-graduate training group would pull from the three primary midwestern clubs, the Loppet Foundation, Central Cross Country Skiing (or CXC), and the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. While the midwest has a strong culture of cross country skiing with a breadth of strong youth and masters racing teams, it has been nearly a decade since the...
If there’s one skier on the U.S. domestic circuit who knows how to time his wins, it’s Kyle Bratrud. The 25 year old now has three U.S. Cross Country Championship titles to his name–his most recent coming on Thursday in the men’s 15-kilometer classic race in Craftsbury, Vt–with all of these wins simultaneously falling on Championship years. In 2015, while still a senior at Northern Michigan University, he earned his first national title by winning the...
(Note: This article has been updated to include the hiring of Miles Havlick as the University of Utah’s head nordic coach, which was announced Monday afternoon.) There have been several notable career changes in North American nordic skiing this summer. Here’s a quick look at who moved where: Robert Lazzaroni: from U.S. Ski & Snowboard to Salomon. Last week, Salomon announced via a press release that Lazzaroni, of Park City, Utah, will join its staff as...
Many mornings, Eliška Hájek Albrigtsen’s husband, Tobias Albrigtsen, has to peel her out of bed. Living the life of an early bird like her spouse is nowhere near the top of her list — partly because she spends most nights prodding her hubby awake as he finishes his work, partly because she is strung out between four jobs of her own. Being in charge of three ski programs while assisting a fourth is not where...
With plans to begin research this fall, CXC's Madison-based Center of Excellence is on the brink of bringing new scientific studies to nordic skiing. “Our goal is to have top sports science facility to study latest innovations in the sport, potential application in cross country skiing to improve training, recovery and performance," CXC Executive and Athletic Director Yuriy Gusev explained.
After being nominated to the U.S. Ski Team D-team, Northern Michigan University junior Ian Torchia has decided to stay in school while simultaneously accepting the nod to the country's most-coveted training group. “One of the main reasons why I wanted this to happen is to show that you can do it while you’re in college,” Torchia explains.
SMS T2 US Nationals Wax Report Classic Individual Warming temps, glazing tracks, new snow. I went pretty simple on glide for the classic race, waxing with HF Blue cut with AX134 for the guys in the AM, and a mix of HF Blue, AX134 and HF yellow for the ladies who were racing second. The traffic from all of the competitors was releasing a pretty decent amount of moisture and I wanted to soften the...
U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. concluded last weekend with the 1.5 k classic sprints on the Michigan Tech Trails. Here are a collection of photos recapping the final day of the 2016 championships. Special thanks to Christopher Schmidt.
Why is membership growth important? Nordic skiing is a family – we’re all very close. We’re proud of our sport heroes. We need to give our entire family an opportunity to feel the pride of supporting our national team and the development system that helped them reach the top. Now, for just $15, you can be a part of their success. What’s important for USSA competitors? One of the most important elements of a sport program is having...
“Giving kids one more activity they find interesting and engaging, as a way to use their bodies to help settle their minds and be more available for the traditional learning is really beneficial and the “Brenden has been skiing with the “Passion for coaching and the sport only gets you so far, then you have to have the skill set to draw from to coach properly; especially now when you are seeing the pipeline...
Sure, West Yellowstone's the biggest and one of the longest-standing annual November ski camps in North America, but there are several other options across the U.S. and Canada for early season skiing. Start planning next year's trip now.
CXC Website.
This week, Michigan Tech and CXC's Alice Flanders shares a unique track workout: done by double poling to the beat of a metronome around a 400-meter track while working on technique at varying tempos.
Birkie Trail Run & Trek Kicks off this Saturday on the Legendary Birkie Trail One day. Eight events. Introducing NEW Ultra 100K Marathon! Hayward, WI (September 22) — The 14th annual American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation® (ABSF) Birkie Trail Run & Trek, Presented by Salomon, will be held on the iconic Birkie Trail this Saturday, September 26th. From the challenge and intensity of a new 100K Ultra Marathon to the fun of a 5k run/walk, an...
Press release) Central Cross Country Ski Association to support The 1st place winner will receive a custom designed, hand crafted, Shimano Ultegra wheel-set (or similar equivalent) and Shimano Ultegra speed component group (or similar equivalent). Total manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the bike and included components is $8,500.00. Second, third and fourth places will be able to choose between three packages in the order of the finish: 2nd Place Fat Bike Birkie Entry 3rd Place...
CXC masters skier and American Birkebeiner board member Charlie Dee recalls the story of two subsequent days of skiing in 2014 and the memories of late coach Igor Badamshim that came with them.
Central Cross Country Ski Association is looking for Communications and Media Coordinator. Position Activities:Writing – Developing impactful and targeted written communications content Data Management – Management of data of communications audiences and messages Content Distribution – Innovative management and operation of content distribution systems including Website, email, blogs and other means Web Management – Management of communications on CXC’s Web site, providing leadership and guidance to all CXC staff, plus integration with third-party sites, especially social...
By Peter Graves (1:2 challenge grant, we need to raise $30,000 to leverage the $60,000 from our generous benefactors. This donor opportunity provides a way for anyone to give back to our sport through CXC Programs.
The U.S. is hosting world championships this year -- specifically, Cable, Wis., where the American Birkebeiner starts annually, is gearing up to be the site of the 2015 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships from Jan. 22-Feb. 1.