On The Road With The USST Service Team
October 25, 2007 on 8:46 pm | In Sports | No CommentsBy Torin Koos
Published: Thu Oct 25, 2007 2:00 AM MDT
Peter Johansson (L) and Larry Paromaa catch a quiet moment before beginning a 1600kilometer drive up to northern Sweden. The two were in Torsby last week helping the USST sprint team test skis.
World Cup service techs make for a special breed. On the U.S. team, former serviceman Per-Erik traded in waxing skis for tracking domesticated reindeer along the tundra of Alta, Norway. Lasse spent his working days away from the ski races by chasing down drug runners along the Swedish-Finnish border. Roar Lillefjell was born a Viking, built for pillaging villages, both in size and temperament. An engineer by trade, Peter Johansson once drove iron ore-filled dump trucks in Scandinavias second largest underground mine. Oleg hails from Tartu, Estonia, speaks Russian and loves vodka. Need I say more?
When meeting Larry Paromaa for the first time, he threw in a snuss and said, Ettan. The One. Sometimes the simple sentences convey the most meaning.
In summer, all live under the midnight sun. In winter all know what twenty-four hours of darkness is like. Everyday. For three weeks straight, Peter, the serviceman from Gallivare, informs me.
Two American born service techs have been with the national team during the past ten years. Chris Hall was meticulous in testing skis, testing wax and applying it. He also never had a problem with time changes. A bed wrapped in 1500 thread count silk bedding, an airplane seat, or riding shotgun on an icy alpine road, for Mr. Hall its all the same. It never made any difference. If there was a free minute, with nothing to do, nobody to talk to, as far as I could tell Hallsey spent it asleep. Never met one who could sleep like Mr. Hall.
Randy Gibbs is a second year Continental Cup serviceman. First thing you notice about Randy is Randy. He has presence. He has size. He has style. Theres just no missing him. At 6 5 and well-built he towers over a crowd the way Maynard James Keenans bodyguard might. The difference is Randy can lay it out on the course. He also talks training. Hell give you his latest thoughts on everything from the band Tool to hypoxic and hyperbaric chambers for endurance sports. His sister Becky Lavelle, whom he coaches - USATs 2006 Multisport Athlete of the year uses both. Randy, finally, has some serious entrepreneurial spirit. He scouts Midwest movie shoot locations with A- to-D list movie stars and producers. And if youve ever bought a T-shirts online with a witty slogan or clever design you could be contributing to Randys empire.
In Dsseldorf Randy will be alongside the Swedes Larry and Peter, waxing Andy and Torins skis at the World Cup Opener. Only for Randy, this is his vacation. Hes traveling across the pond on his own dime to learn from the two Swedes, to be part of the action and take in the post-race Foo Fighters concert. You decide: as a fan of U.S. skiing you have a choice either Randy traveled over the Atlantic on his own dime to inhale fluorine in a wax trailer. Or Randys All In.
Within the USST, the service team has some serious ski know how. Larry raced through the eighties and nineties with Wassberg, Svan, Morgren, those guys. Peter ran Ski-Gos glide testing research when not adventure racing or working northern Scandinavias ore and copper mines. Talking with them one uncovers nuggets of insight obliquely embedded in stories they might tell or how they go about their job. The insight hits a range of themes, from ski choice, grinding (Larry prefers having three, maybe four grinds on every pair of a skiers stockpile of skis rather than a different grind on every pair) to adventures in civilian employment.
600 kilometers of roads make up the Kiruna mine. This must be known to understand how I felt driving into the underground tunnels alone for the first time, says Peter on a drive from Torsby ski tunnel to the Karlstad hockey arena. A couple hundred meters in and natural light becomes totally absent. Theres not even a hint of it. Its so dark your body begins playing tricks on you. To turn off the truck and climb out of the cab is to experience your body in special state. You feel almost like your swimming in darkness. Hardly feeling the difference from whats up, down, right, left, thats kind of spooky.
On the way back to Torsby, the cars radio picks up NRK 3 a Norwegian public radio station. Ah. I cant listen to this garbage. Change the channel, says Larry from the backseat. But isnt Norway Swedens little brother? Dont you want to hear what your sibling has to say? asks the passenger riding shotgun. Its true, yes, that Norway is our little brother. Its also true your younger brother can be a real pain in the ass at times, you know. See what I mean about the simple sentences saying the most?
Peter Johansson (L) and Larry Paromaa catch a quiet moment before beginning a 1600 kilometer drive up to northern Sweden. The two were in Torsby last week helping the USST sprint team test skis.
Torin Koos is a member of the National A Team for the United States. A World Cup, World Championship and Olympic competitor, Koos brings this experience to the FasterSkier sportscasting arena for the 2007/2008 season.
Equipment: Rossignol Skis, Boots and Bindings, Toko gloves and wax, Marwe, Exel poles, Rudy Project Eyewear, Powerbar
Home Ski Club: Leavenworth Winter Sports Club (www.skileavenworth.com)
Headgear Sponsor: USA Pears (www.usapears.com)
Best Western Icicle Inn (www.icicleinn.com)
BioSports NorthWest Physical Therapy (www.biosports.net) Continue reading On The Road With The USST Service Team…
Tony Haynes: Part-time Rivals Meet in Greenville
October 24, 2007 on 10:15 pm | In Athletics | No CommentsNC State and East Carolina don't belong to the same conference, nor do they play one another every season. But when the Wolfpack and Pirates do meet on the gridiron, the word “rivalry” is frequently used to describe the match-up.
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M. Tennis Set for ITA Mideast Regional Championships
October 24, 2007 on 9:25 pm | In Athletics | No CommentsNC State men's tennis will continue its fall season with the ITA Mideast Regional Championship in Charlottesville, Va. The tournament runs Oct. 17-22 and will feature the top players in the mideast region, one of the toughest regions in the country. The Wolfpack will send seven players to the tournament with four slated for the main draw.
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NENSA Launches Bill Koch League Ski Lease Program!
October 24, 2007 on 8:35 pm | In Sports | No CommentsPublished: Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:00 AM MDT
Updated: Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:52 AM MDT
NENSA BKL clubs can now purchase equipment in bulk orders with a Buy One, Get One Free” deal for any club interested in starting a new, or growing an existing, ski lease program. TD Banknorth's $10,000 grant was a huge boost to the program and is allowing clubs to get twice the equipment they'd normally be able to afford. It is our sincere hope that this program will directly enable hundreds of kids to get a start in this great lifetime family sport. says NENSA Executive director Pat Cote.
This program was based off the model that Maine Winter Sports Center developed. Several clubs in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont were utilizing a similar model. The development of such a program within the wider New England region was an important step in removing the financial barriers for youth to participate in nordic skiing. We had heard over and over again that the initial investment in equipment was an obstacle faced by our BKL youth clubs; something that was limiting their ability to attract new families. For several years we've wanted to do something and we're thrilled to have the program up and running now Cote added.
Once the clubs have purchased their equipment, the program becomes self-sufficient. Clubs lease and maintain their equipment, then over about 4 years they will have generated enough revenue from lease fees to purchase replacement equipment. Everyone wins!
This program was the result of the cooperation and hard work of
TD Banknorth, NENSA, Alpina Sports, Atomic, Rossingnol, and NENSA BKL clubs. Each has played a strong role in making this program a success.
The future of cross-country skiing is dependent upon the health of its youth programs. The BKL program is the foundation upon which our sport is built. The stronger we build that foundation, the higher we can go. The Ski Lease Program could have a huge impact on the level of youth participation in the sport of cross-country skiing in New England, and if it does, it will strengthen the whole sport all the way to the top.
Mary Ann Levins, the Bill Koch Committee Chair said Through the hard work of the NENSA staff and BOD, our dream of an affordable ski lease program for the BKL clubs of New England has become a fantastic reality. Over the years our clubs have worked hard to make sure every child has access to equipment, but financial resources and availability have made this difficult at times. Levins added The NENSA/Banknorth BKL Lease Program brings new life and energy to all of our clubs. We can welcome new skiers with the confidence that we will be able to outfit our new members with excellent equipment for years to come. On behalf of the youth nordic ski community of New England, present and future, thank you NENSA, thank you TD Banknorth.
Any BKL clubs interested in taking part in the ski lease program should contact Stuart Kremzner at stuart@nensa.net.
Photo Chris Dobe
Women's Golf Leads After 36 Holes in New Mexico
October 23, 2007 on 10:06 pm | In Athletics | No CommentsAn even-par round by Emily Street (pictured) and a pair of two-over 74's by Stephanie Derrey and Lauren Doughtie propelled the NC State women's golf team into first place after two rounds at the 2007 Price's “Give Em Five” Invitational on Tuesday in Las Cruces, N.M.
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GoPack recreates the 'Magic of 1983'
October 23, 2007 on 9:15 pm | In Athletics | No CommentsIt's been 25 years. The principal players are a little thicker around the middle. And the coach that inspired them has been gone for a decade and a half. But the memories of NC State's 1982-83 championship season seem to linger longer than most national titles. Maybe it's the constant replays of the final shot of the season, Lorenzo Charles' catch-and-dunk of Dereck Whittenburg's airball, the most famous miss in college basketball history. Or the enduring legacy as one of the greatest upsets in the history of team sports, right up there with the Miracle Mets, the 1969 Super Bowl and the 1980 United States hockey team. Or the fondness the world now has for then-NC State coach Jim Valvano, whose V Foundation for Cancer Research has refurbished the shine to his coaching career in general and that season in particular, thanks to his trademarked phrase “Don't give up. Don't ever give up.”
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Western faces UMKC and travels to IUPUI this weekend
October 23, 2007 on 8:26 pm | In Athletics | No CommentsMACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois volleyball team will compete in the last match of a six-match home stand that started October 5 against Oral Roberts when it faces UMKC, Friday, October 19 at 7 p.m. at Waste Management Court at Western Hall. The Westerwinds (8-12, 5-3 The Summit League) then travel to Indianapolis for a Saturday, October 20 match against IUPUI at 6 p.m.
About UMKC
The Kangaroos head into this Friday’s match with a 5-18 overall record and a 2-6 mark in conference play. UMKC’s two Summit League victories have come against Centenary and Oakland. When facing opponents on the road the Kangaroos are 2-8 overall and 0-2 in the league. Continue reading Western faces UMKC and travels to IUPUI this weekend…
Westerwinds enter regional polls for first time in school
October 22, 2007 on 9:56 pm | In Athletics | No CommentsMACOMB, Ill.- The Western Illinois women’s soccer team entered the regional polls for the first time in the school’s history at No. 15 in the Great Lakes Region.
The Westerwinds are off to their best start in the program’s 11-year history with an 11-1-1 record. They entered the polls for the first time after consecutive shutouts over South Dakota State (1-0) and Iowa State (2-0).
Western, currently on a 10 game unbeaten streak, is one win away from breaking the school record for wins in a season set by the 2006 squad. Continue reading Westerwinds enter regional polls for first time in school…
Game 8: Northern Iowa (Gateway Television Network Game of the Week)
October 22, 2007 on 9:05 pm | In Athletics | No Comments#17 Western Illinois (5-2, 2-0) vs. #1 UNI (6-0, 2-0)
Oct. 20, 2007 6:37 p.m. (CDT)
Macomb, Ill. Hanson Field Family Weekend
BROADCASTS
RADIO: WJEQ (102.7 FM, Macomb)
Michael Jones, play by play
Arlen Britton, color analyst
WEB
Live WJEQ broadcast
There will be no Rocky Vision broadcast due to the coverage by the Gateway TV Network.
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Alumni weekend for men
October 22, 2007 on 8:16 pm | In Athletics | No CommentsMACOMB, Ill. The Western Illinois men’s soccer team will hold alumni weekend October 20-21.
Saturday kicks off with the Leatherneck’s game against IUPUI at 1 p.m. at John MacKenzie Alumni Field. Following the conclusion of Western’s match, the alumni game will start at 4 p.m. Saturday concludes with a social at 7 p.m. at the Alumni House.
Sunday there is a golf outing for alumni, family and friends, at the Harry Mussatto Golf Course set to begin at 10 a.m. The cost is $50 per person and includes green fees, golf cart, t-shirt, and lunch. Continue reading Alumni weekend for men…
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