I would like to extend my sincere thanks to those of you who participated in the SkiPost Essay Contest. This started as an idea I had on my drive to US Nationals this winter. I began to realize I had served the master community well in the past few years of doing SkiPost, but young skiers were seldom the target of these articles. All of these entries impressed me with the writing skill and creativity. I hope I will be able to do this again, and increase the value of our prize in the future. Keep reading, and keep encouraging each other to share stories - they are part of what makes this sport so interesting! Now on to the winning essay.
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By: Jackson Bloch
Falmouth, ME
Age 13

Keys to Success

My most memorable day of skiing was chaotic, maybe even crazy, and in the end, exhilarating. This day took place in the small town of Rangeley, Maine, a snowmobile Mecca. It’s not bad for skiers either. Once a year, the Rangeley Lakes Cross Country Ski Center holds a loppet. Skiers from the Rossignol Ski team and premier colleges such as Dartmouth, Colby, Bowdoin, Bates, and Williams make the race fast paced and extremely competitive. You don’t have to be fast to enter, though, and I certainly wasn’t that when I signed up as an 11 year old, ignorant of the great speeds that can be reached on the thin boards with elfish points. So when I arrived in the bustling town two years ago, I had no idea what to expect. That seemed to be the theme of the day, for when my dad and I arrived in the overcrowded parking lot, my father locked our skis in the car.

Now, normally, AAA trucks are quick to the rescue, but the one we called seemed as slow as klister on skate skis. Finally, the truck rumbled into the parking lot, I got my skis, and went jubilantly off to join the fellow racers at the starting line.  Unfortunately, I was just in time to hear an urgent voice in a megaphone announce that there was two minutes to the start of the race. In a panic, I skied down a hill to make my wave. Unbeknownst to me, I was skiing on the race track, and in about fifteen seconds, I was about to be run over by 75 college kids jostling for a spot at the front of the pack. In the distance, a muffled voice yelled, “Get off the track!” but it was not until I heard the starting bell ring that I realized that muffled voice was talking to me.  My skiing in the split second I saw the wave coming was probably the fastest of my life.  As I looked up from the graceful face plant I had performed on the side of the trail, I saw the 75 machines that were about to run me over ski past, and I was safe; for the moment. “One minute to the start of the next wave,” (which was mine) was announced in that same urgent voice, and I panicked again. I hustled down to the starting line with fifteen seconds to spare, and just like that, we were off. Finally, I could relax and focus on skiing my little heart out.

This race that I was in consisted of a 25k race and a 50k race. I opted to participate in the 25k race, as it was the longest distance I had ever skied.  All along the race, there were rest stops. Being a racer, I certainly did not have time to rest, but when I came to the first rest stop, I gladly accepted a drink, and anticipated the cool Gatorade running down my throat. So, you can imagine my disappointment when I tasted a lukewarm watery drink consisting of "powdered energy." Drinking the tepid substance for the whole race was something I could not bear to think about. When I got to the finish and was handed a steaming cup of hot cocoa, I used what little energy I had left to leap for joy.

Don’t get me wrong; bad drinks were not the only aspect of the race I remember. Prominent memories include having the fastest skiers I had ever seen zoom by me on their way to impressive 50k times, being blown backwards by an ice cold wind while trying to climb a hill, and finding moose tracks at about 18k that seemed more important at the time than the thought of the approaching finish line. But now, looking back, they don’t stick out in my mind as much as the science experiments served at the rest stops do.

Yes there is a bib raffle, and yes you get a medal if you win; yet there is another reward at this race that is just as anticipated (even by the winners) when you cross the finish line. That prize is found in the warming tent, and that prize is 37 cubic feet of cookies. Not only are there your basic kinds; chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and white chocolate chip macadamia nut, but also never before seen kinds such as homemade vanilla wafers with chocolate chips, and my personal favorite, a sugar cookie with spicy cinnamon hearts spread throughout. Yumm. There were also plenty of brownies, sandwiches, and steaming vats of chili.

In the toasty confines of the warming tent, I waited forever for the announcer to finish handing out shiny medals to the multiple masters’ categories.  Finally, he came to the 14 and under category. I knew from looking at the results that I had won, but I was still extremely thrilled to receive a gold medal (please don’t tell anyone that there were only two people in my category). Then, the bib raffle started.  My dad and I enviously watched top quality skis and poles and warm puffy coats disappear one by one from the prize table, and when our names were finally drawn, we settled for a thin pair of running gloves and an ice cream scoop.

So, on the long drive home, I reflected on my eventful day. I was already planning my years ahead in the long race, but we decided that it would be best to bring more keys from now on. And, I’ll bring my own Gatorade.
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The three runners-up are:

Mara Stewart

Rebecca Thorsness

Pilip Hammersley

If you have written an essay and would not like for it to be published please inform me before March 1, 2007. If you do not respond, Endurance Enterprises will gain one-time printing rights from that day forward. Thanks!

The saga continues…

Craft will once again be present, both on the tracks and at the expo, for the 34th running (or should I say skiing) of the American Birkebeiner.  As the largest Nordic brand in the world, we are proud to sponsor the premier Nordic event in North America and look forward to seeing every racer turn in great performances, especially Craft sponsored Team Subaru!

So when you’re walking around the expo area on Thursday and Friday, make sure you stop by the Namekagon Room.  For 2007, we’ve teamed up with Gear West of Long Lake, MN who knows everything there is to know about Nordic skiing.  Just look for our brand new 10’ x 40’ booth with two dressing rooms and loads of Craft graphics against the entire back wall/stage area.  We’ll be chock full of brand new Nordic jackets, pants, base layer, thermal layers, gloves, hats and much much more.

We’re ready for the Birkie are you?

Performance.  Tested.  True.  Craft.
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Equipe 10 Skate: Stiff but Low Riding Camber


Equipe 10 Classic: Heal Toe Camber

Last year we introduced the Salomon “Black Beauty” S-Lab Boots to worldwide ovation.

This year we introduce the Equipe 10 “Black Beauty” Skis.
Try them out at the Birkie Demo for yourself. See how fast, light and easy skiing can be!

The 28th Annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Race
March 3, 2007
West Yellowstone, Montana

After a week of warm weather, winter has returned to West Yellowstone. And with the 28th Annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Race is just over two weeks away, race preparations are well under way. Don’t forget that the race date has been moved up a week (to avoid conflicts with other local events) and this year’s race will take place on March 3, 2007. Online registration is available now and the third registration deadline of February 21 is approaching fast. To register, visit www.rendezvousrace.com today.

If you have any questions about this year’s Yellowstone Rendezvous Race, email them to info@rendezvousrace.com . Thank you for supporting cross country skiing in West Yellowstone!
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"Wake up! It's time to train!"
New CXC training DVD released for sale!

Central Cross Country Ski Association is pleased to announce the release of a brand new training DVD "Wake up! It's time to train!"

70 minutes of exclusive interviews with US Ski Team coaches, XC drills and
technique, fitness testing, sports physiology, core strength, training volume,
intensity levels, race footage, and much more. Featuring CXC Ski Team and US Ski Team athletes.

"This video contains invaluable first hand information from the top coaches in the
US and can be helpful to all, coaches, athletes, parents and master skiers. This is
also a first step study guide for the CXC Coach's Education and Certification
Program which will be launched in the spring of 2007" commented Yuriy Gusev, Central Cross Country Ski Association's CEO

This exciting DVD can be purchased on line at www.cxcskiing.org or at the CXC booth during American Birkebeiner Expo. All proceeds from the DVD sales will directly support youth, junior, senior and master's programs in the Central Region.
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A Participation Prize will be given to continue supporting xc classic skiing!
One registered skier (age 18 and above) who completes one of the
following races (classic division) will win a Free trip to 2008 China Vasaloppet
50K classic xc ski race held in Changchun, China, on Jan. 2, 2008 (including
international and domestic air tickets, hotel lodging, 50k race registration
fee, fees to historic touring sites including the Great Wall, the Forbidden
Cities -- a trip package value of $2,800).

The races included in this Participation Prize are:
1) City of Lakes Loppet 25k classic race -- Feb. 4, 2007
2) Mora Vasaloppet 42k classic race -- Feb. 11, 2007
3) American Birkebiner 51k classic race -- Feb. 24, 2007
4) Rainbow Rendezvous 16k classic race -- March 3, 2007

The Participation Prize will be drawn on March 10, 2007 and will be
posted on skinnyski.com, www.rainbowresort.com, in SkiPost, and any other interested
website.
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RAINBOW RENDEZVOUS XC Ski Race
10K skate, 16K classic, and 6K tour
Saturday, March 3, 2007
36571 County Highway 35
Waubun, MN

Distance: 10K skate; 16K classic; 6K tour (wave starts, elite and age groups).
Late registration and packet Pick-up: Race day, at 10:00am and closes at 11:30am
Fees: Individual $15.00 mailed by Feb. 26, 2007; and $20 mailed after Feb. 26, 2007.
Ski Team (minimum 3 team members) each member $10 mailed by Feb. 26, 2007; and $15 mailed after February 26, 2007.
Post Race: soup, cookies, awards, door prizes.

Age/Division Groups: Men and Women divisions; Elite; Age groups include: 19 and under; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60 and up.

For more information about the race, please call race director, Amy Xu at 612-991-4912.

This race is part of the above mentioned Participation Prize drawing!
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Abby Larson, Subaru Factory Team-Olympian, will host a "Bring your dog
clinic, skate or classic."
March 9th (Friday)
5:00 pm - Millcreek
Outside of Salt Lake City, Utah.

It will be fun ski with your dog evening mixed up with some general
technique and training tips. There will be treats for dogs and people!
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FINDING RAINBOW II
25K SKATE RACE
Saturday, March 10, 2007
36571 County Highway 35
Waubun, MN

Registration: race day, registration starts at 10am and closes at 10:45am.

Fees: $15 (or $10 if you also register for the 3rd annual Pole Pedal Pant Winter Triathlon Race held on March 11, 2007 at Rainbow Resort). Cash or make check payable to Rainbow Resort.

For more info. about the race, please call race director, Amy Xu at 612-991-4912.
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The Equinox Ski Challenge
24-Hour Nordic ski race
Rendezvous Ski Trails in West Yellowstone, MT
Check-in time 8-9 AM March 24, 2007

There will be 6, 12, and 24 hour races
For more information visit www.equinoxskichallenge.com

NOTE: If you have an event you would like to have in SkiPost please send emails to weanswer@skipost.com

For more information on Subaru's technically advanced all-wheel drive vehicles check out www.subaru.com

"It's What Makes A Subaru, A Subaru."