Will Sweetser – FasterSkier.com

Wildfires, Smoke, and Air Quality: A Survey of Programmatic Response in the West

Rachel PerkinsOctober 20, 2021

Spinning past the autumnal equinox into fall, the West looks back on a summer marred by wildfire smoke. Here in Colorado, the Aspens have dropped their golden leaves, snow encrusts the high peaks, and I’m struck by the beauty of my backyard, which spent the majority of June, July, and August muted by smoke that — thankfully — blew in from elsewhere. Over the last six weeks, checking AirNow before training has been phased out...

Resources Training Workouts

Wednesday Workout: Sizzling Hot 30/30’s with BSF’s Nick Michaud

Jason AlbertOctober 24, 2018

This Wednesday Workout was provided by twenty-six-year-old Bridger Ski Foundation (BSF) skier Nick Michaud. Bates College educated and raised plumb-line north in Fort Kent Maine, Michaud has emerged as a sprinter to watch on the SuperTour. He’s a gritty, salt-of-the-earth athlete who barely missed a nomination to the 2018 Olympic Team. Michaud offered FasterSkier a menu of options for the 30/30 workout — 30 seconds on 30 seconds off. From junior athletes to masters in M8...

Other News

Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy Appoints Will Sweetser Director of Nordic Programs

FasterSkierAugust 16, 2018

(Press release) Outgoing Director Martin Benes to coach for US Paralympic Nordic Skiing Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy (SBSTA), a youth development ski team and college- preparatory high school for competitive skiers, announces the appointment of Will Sweetser as Director of Nordic Programs. Sweetser, who served as a coach for SBSTA last season, brings over 25 years of coaching experience to the position, including serving as Program Director at Carrabassett Valley Academy, Maine Winter...

General Juniors News Regional / Local

Over Before It Really Began: Burke and Sweetser Part Ways

Gavin KentchJuly 19, 2017

A recently promised revival of the nordic program at Vermont’s Burke Mountain Academy (BMA) now seems to be on hold, following a recent change in leadership and what appears to be the school’s subsequent decision to cut ties with its describes itself as “the preeminent ski academy” was bright. A a May 26 article on FasterSkier. “We felt really welcomed there,” Sweetser said of the Burke community. He dismissed concerns that the school’s nordic program...

Other News

BMA Revives Nordic Program with Olympic-Level Coach

FasterSkierMarch 9, 2017

(recognized as a U.S. Ski Team High Performance Center – in large part thanks to the academy’s superior on snow training venue and new, state-of-art Ronnie Berlack indoor athletic training facility.

Continental Cup General Interviews Juniors News Racing

Fereshetian Takes the Reins as Maine Winter Sports Center Cross Country Coach

Chelsea LittleJuly 10, 2015

After working alongside Will Sweetser last season, 25-year-old Justin Fereshetian now has the experience and confidence to take on head coaching duties of Maine Winter Sports Center's junior skiers, who are coming off one of their best seasons ever.

Continental Cup General News

End of an Era: Sweetser Leaves MWSC After 15 Years; Club Focus Shifts from ODT to Juniors

Alex KochonApril 24, 2015

Earlier this month came the news that Will Sweetser was parting ways with the Maine Winter Sports Center and leaving his post as competitive sports director. Meanwhile, the MWSC is restructuring its Olympic Development Team, which means less money for top-tier athletes and more toward the junior and postgrad programs.

General Interviews Lifestyle Training

Postgrad Life: Austin Huneck & the Maine Winter Sports Center

Peter MindeApril 25, 2014

This interview with 19-year-old Austin Huneck gives a glimpse of what it's like to be a postgraduate skier and make the transition to full-time training and racing after high school. Huneck liked it so much, he's onboard with the MWSC for the second-straight year.

Biathlon General News Racing

Doherty Rockets to Gold on Day 1 of IBU Youth Worlds; Maddie Phaneuf Lone Skier to Clean Sprint in Fourth

BrainspiralFebruary 28, 20141

Two Northeastern U.S. biathletes are already off to outstanding starts in the first day of the IBU Youth/Junior World Championships in Presque Isle, Maine, where Sean Doherty racked up gold and Maddie Grace Phaneuf placed fourth as the only racer to clean all day.

Interviews Lifestyle Para Nordic Racing Training

After 10 Years in the Marines, Bermejo on his Next Mission

Alex KochonNovember 26, 20131

In his third season of skiing, Omar Bermejo is striving for the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia. The 31-year-old U.S. Paralympics Development Team member joined the Maine Winter Sports Center this summer in an effort to make that happen and trained with teammates like Kris Freeman in Italy.

Continental Cup General Training World Cup

Hoffman, Freeman Take Altitude Training to a New Level

Steven McCarthySeptember 30, 20131

Noah Hoffman didn't check the elevation on the Stelvio Pass glacier in the Italian Alps while packing for a two week training camp with Kris Freeman and the Maine Winter Sports Center Olympic Development Team. It turned out to be just shy of 11,000 feet, the highest Hoffman and Freeman have ever lived and trained.

General Training

Wednesday Workout: Finding Your Realistic Race Pace

Steven McCarthySeptember 11, 2013

It happens all too often. Inexperienced skier takes off from the start of a distance race as though it is a sprint qualifier, only to struggle through several more kilometers. Will Sweetser, competitive programs director at the Maine Winter Sports Center, has a workout that encourages athletes to take an honest look at their individual ability and find a sustainable pace for every distance.

Continental Cup General

The 12: Maine Winter Sports Center

Steven McCarthyJuly 26, 2013

With nearly two dozen athletes, the MWSC in northeastern Maine is shaping up to be a national powerhouse in both cross-country and biathlon. "From my perspective as director, this group is more of a team than we've ever had," says director Will Sweetser. "There is no doubt that our program will have one of the best men's distance teams in U.S. XC."

Dryland General News Regional / Local Training

Elite Team Preview: Maine Winter Sports Center

Alex KochonJune 22, 2012

Note: This is the third preview in a quick-and-dirty series on U.S. elite teams. We asked coaches to send their 2012/2013 rosters and tell us what’s new for the coming season. We will be publishing additional reports over the next few weeks. Teams are presented in no particular order. Team: Maine Winter Sports Center Olympic Development Teams Coaches: Will Sweetser (cross-country), Seth Hubbard (biathlon), Amber Dodge (development), TBD (wax tech, intern) Roster: Cross-country: Kris Freeman (U.S....

Biathlon Continental Cup General News Racing Training US Ski Team

Freeman, Cook Newest Members of MWSC

Alex KochonMay 24, 2012

The Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) officially grew by two on Thursday, adding U.S. Ski Team veteran Kris Freeman and US Biathlete Annelies Cook to its roster. They join another national team member, biathlete Russell Currier, and three others on the Caribou-based club’s Olympic development team. While the MWSC’s competitive program took off in earnest 11 years ago and produced several Olympic biathletes and cross-country Olympian Ben Koons, the recent signings mean more good news...

Other News

Maine Winter Sports Center Reorganizes Staff

Inge ScheveDecember 7, 20102

Will Sweetser and Mike Smith Named Division Heads. David Chamberlain joins staff.

Continental Cup General News Racing

New Format to Enliven SuperTour Finals

Nathaniel HerzMarch 24, 2010

Everyone’s excited about the three-day mini-tour at the 2010 SuperTour Finals, and why not? Featuring a mass start classic race, a classic sprint, and an uphill climb, the event has something for everyone: sprinters and distance specialists, climbers and all-rounders, fans, and the media. The only ones who might have reservations are the coaches, since they have to wax all the skis and tackle the logistics. But a survey of those here in Fort Kent...