Sport in world

Candidates for the 2013 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships

Published: Wed May 21, 2008 2:00 AM MDT

The organizers of the 2012 FIS Ski Flying World Championships and the 2013 FIS Alpine, Nordic, Freestyle and Snowboard World Championships will be elected by the FIS Council on Thursday, May 29th. The announcement of the elected organizers will take place at the Westin Grand in Cape Town (RSA) at approximately 19:00 CET.

FISh is pleased to present brief portraits of the five candidates for the 2013 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships (in alphabetical order). Due to the large total number of the candidates, the candidates for the 2012 Ski Flying and 2013 Freestyle and Snowboard World Championships will follow on 21st May.

Falun (SWE): Candidate for the 2013 Nordic World Ski Championships

2013 is likely to be remembered as the best ever in the history of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. Sweden is one of the worlds best event managers something we have demonstrated many times. Most recently with the success of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in re in 2007.

The candidate venue for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2013 is situated in Falun, Sweden. We are modifying it and adding to it. The jumping hills, of course. But also a large media center. We are developing both the finishing lines and the spectator areas.

The arena is compactly designed, allowing spectators to stay in direct and continuous touch with what is happening, while providing ideal conditions for TV coverage. The event organizers, Falun and Sweden, are determined to ensure that the world can participate, too. Sweden has for decades been considered one of Europes leading IT nations. We mean to confirm and demonstrate this in 2013.

We also enjoy a close association with the Swedish public service broadcaster - Sveriges Television (SVT)- which has established a reputation as a leading light in the TV presentation of sporting events.

We are well prepared. We are experienced. We are ready to go to work. The world, FIS and the sport of skiing need truly exceptional FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2013.

For more information, visit www.falun2013.com

Lahti (FIN): Candidate for the 2013 Nordic World Ski Championships

The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Lahti in 2013 would mean two weeks of winter sports excitement with high-quality organization in all aspects of the event.

All competitions are planned to take place at the Lahti Sports Center a compact venue with all important areas and facilities. By 2013 the venue will see many significant improvements: a modernized normal hill, new courses and a service building for cross-country, extension of the exhibition center, a coaches tower, wind nets, improved stadium set-up and a new spectator area at Karpalo, etc.

All changes are made to protect the environment. Building permanent facilities decreases the need for temporary construction during the championships. This means that not only the competition conditions are at a championship level but that athletes, media, sponsors, spectators and officials will be provided with brand new facilities that do not exist elsewhere. The TV-compound, MPC and IBC are all located inside the Great Hall. In Lahti there is the capacity to serve more than 7500 VIPs and Special Guests at the same time.

Moreover, the Athletes Village at the Sports Institute of Finland provides the teams with common accommodation in a compact and peaceful environment with practically endless possibilities for training, relaxation and recreation. A new fast railway connection to Lahti has brought the Helsinki metropolitan area only 48 minutes away from Lahti - just one of the reasons that underline the target of 375,000 spectators on site.

For more information, visit www.lahti2013.com .

Oberstdorf (GER): Candidate for the 2013 Nordic World Ski Championships

A wonderful reunion in Oberstdorf in 2013!

Oberstdorf is prepared to set another benchmark in the history of Nordic skiing with the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2013.

For more than 50 years, Oberstdorf has demonstrated its skill and competence through the organization of numerous World Cup events and FIS World Championships as host of large sporting events at the highest international level. Both the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 1987 and 2005 were unforgettable moments in the annals of the Nordic ski sports. It comes therefore as no surprise that, in 1987, Marc Hodler called Oberstdorf Holmenkollen of the Alps whilst Gian Franco Kasper named it the Mecca of Nordic skiing in 2005.

With its modern stadium facilities in the midst of a wonderful mountain landscape in front of the Allguer Hochalpen, Oberstdorf offers a breath-taking atmosphere and setting.

A total of 750,000 spectators participated in a Nordic ski festival without frontiers in Oberstdorf in 1987 and 2005! This is the tradition that Oberstdorf 2013 has set out to continue while breaking records against its unique scenery.

Oberstdorf is ready to experience another celebration of Nordic skiing together with all the athletes, officials and large numbers of spectators in 2013.

For more information, visit here http://tp.posta-nova.fr .

Val di Fiemme (ITA): Candidate for the 2013 Nordic World Ski Championships

After the successful experience of 1991 and 2003, Val di Fiemme presents its candidacy to organize the World Championships for the third time. The 1991 World Championships can be considered a real milestone, as the event was organized south of the Alps for the first time in the history of Nordic skiing. It was an unforgettable debut, followed by another world experience for Val di Fiemme in 2003. The 2003 championship was a “sunny” event from every point of view, as FIS President Gian Franco Kasper stated during the FIS Congress in Miami in 2004 when the “final report” on Fiemme 2003 was presented. There were no clouds in Val di Fiemme from 18th February 18th to 1st March, neither in the sky nor on the organization”.

On the basis of those words and the successful event, Val di Fiemme is now looking for another new prestigious appointment, betting on its organizational skills, a team of qualified volunteers and the famous hospitality tradition of the valley and of the Trentino region as a whole. Val di Fiemme is the Italian cross-country skiing capital and a world renowned tourist destination in the heart of the Dolomites. The cross-country skiing centre at Lago di Tesero and the ski jumping stadium in Predazzo are the main “monuments” of a valley that has had and continues to have great skiing talents such as Franco Nones, Giorgio Vanzetta and Cristian Zorzi.

For more information, visit www.fiemme2013.com .

Zakopane (POL): Candidate for the 2013 Nordic World Ski Championships

The first FIS World Ski Championships took place in Zakopane in 1929, followed by 1939 and 1962. We have been waiting for the opportunity to host another championship for over fifty years now. In the meantime, Zakopane has proved that it is capable of organizing even the most prestigious sporting events, such as the FIS World Cup in Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined, and the FIS Junior World Championships.

Zakopane has a special location on the map of Europe. It is here that the devotees of winter sports from the European Union member states meet with the ones from the countries only striving for its membership. It is us who open Europe to the east; it is us who say that there are no border lines for people joined by common passion and dreams! In Zakopane, one frequently hears English, German, Russian and Ukrainian spoken on the ski slopes and in cafs.

We believe that granting the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2013 to Zakopane will be the crowning achievement of the efforts for a common Europe. The road from Zakopane will lead further, straight to Sochi, to the Olympic Winter Games in 2014. Should the Nordic World Ski Championships in 2013 take place in Zakopane? We have no doubt they should. Zakopane is the city of athletes and people fascinated with sport where each child skis and many families boast beautiful competitors traditions.

Poland has been a member of the European Union for four years. It is a continuously developing country, modern and friendly. Such is also Zakopane. Our city is situated in one of the wealthiest and fastest developing regions of Poland. Whatever winter sports enthusiasts associate with Chamonix, Aspen or Val di Fiemme, they will also find in Zakopane. Modern ski infrastructure, immaculately clean snow from November to May and many sunny days a year are a guarantee of successful FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Zakopane in 2013. Come and see for yourselves. Youre invited!

For more information, visithere http://tp.posta-nova.fr . Continue reading Candidates for the 2013 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships…

Snow Sports Retail Sales Buck National Economic Trends

Published: Wed May 14, 2008 2:00 AM MDT

McLean, VA (May 8, 2008) — The snow sports products market grew by $280 million to reach $2.97 billion for the 2007.08 season, up from approximately $2.69 billion in all channels last season. Equipment sales were relatively flat in specialty shops and chain stores but increased by more than $40 million in online sales. Apparel sales increased by more than $100 million with snowboard tops and parkas selling very well in all channels. Kurt Widen, KJUS USA COO says, The US market is challenging especially in these difficult economic times. However, snowfall is a great equalizer in our market, and early snowfall in the 07/08 ski season helped jump start sales in our segment. This along with strong sell through and continued growth in awareness of our relatively young brand positioned us well for the 08/09 order season where we saw a 27% increase over last year.

Healthy sales of helmets, goggles and snowshoes led increases in accessories sales that grew by $64 million this season in specialty shops and online. Its hard to imagine a better season in the accessories business. We sold out of helmets and our goggle supply was similarly tight thanks to a season where every region had record snowfall and every resort was open, states Blair Clark, SMITH Optics, Sr. VP, Marketing and Sales.

Chain store sales were not measured in 2006.07, however, in the 2005.06 season, total chain sales reached $537 million and this season they increased to $616 million. Trending was used to estimate total chain store sales at $578 million for the 2006.07 season.

2007.08 Seasons Trends

Twin Tips
Twin Tip skis sold well in every channel and more than 75,000 new pairs were sold this season. The most popular place to buy a new twin tip ski was in a specialty shop where the average price was $355.63. Almost 30,000 clicked online to buy their twin tips between August and March this season where the average price was slightly lower at $304.51 and online customers and specialty shop customers probably paid about the same amount for their twin tips once shipping costs were added into the online price. Fewer skiers purchased their twin tips in chain stores; just 6,300 were sold in that channel this season. Twin tips do not sell well as integrated systems; more than 95 percent are sold as flat skis with bindings sold separately.

Cross Country Equipment
This seasons heavy snowfall created excellent conditions for cross country skiing as reflected by the 26% increase in cross country equipment unit sales. In fact, Nordic skiers purchased more than 114,000 new pairs of skis, 135,000 pairs of boots, and 107,000 cross country bindings this season.

Helmets
934,000 skulls have new protection this season as helmets sales reached record levels. Specialty shops sold about three quarters of all helmets purchased throughout the snow sports market this season at an average price of $81.68. Online customers paid an average of $70.47 for their new helmet and chain stores sold helmets at an average price of just $67.64 but fewer than 20% of the helmets were purchased there.

Snowboard Tops
In apparel, snowboard tops led the charge with more than $173 million in sales representing a 12% increase in dollars sold in the specialty channel and more than 142% gain in dollars sold in the Internet channel. However, specialty shops are still the place to shop, just 14.5% of all snowboard tops sold were sold online this season.

Snowshoes
The weather conditions were right across the country for snowshoeing this season and many headed outside wearing new snowshoes. Snowshoe sales topped 200,000 pairs this season, a 20 percent gain in units sold.

Sales by Channel

Specialty
The Specialty channel was the largest sales channel with $1.86 billion in sales, 60% of industry total. Apparel sales in specialty shops increased by more than 6% this season with snowboard apparel leading the way. Accessories sales increased by more than 7% as heavy snow drove helmet and snowshoe sales up significantly. Equipment sales in specialty shops were relatively flat this season but twin tip skis and cross country ski equipment flourished.

Internet
Sales in the Internet channel grew 75% in dollars this season. The Internet channel totals include sales made by companies that have no brick and mortar locations as well as the online sales made by specialty shops that sell on their shops websites and record those sales separately from in-store sales. The dramatic growth in this channel represents more accurate measurement of these sales as well as the changing behavior of consumers and of retailers. Many Internet-only shops have their roots in catalog sales. These clicks-only shops formerly sold products by catalog (phone and mail order) before the Internet made catalog shopping even more convenient for shoppers who cannot, or will not come into a shop to buy products.

If there is one category in this high growth channel to highlight, it is equipment. While apparel and accessories sales grew by more than 40% each, equipment sales increased by more than 75% in dollars. Sales of alpine skis were exceptionally strong with 121% growth in units sold, thats more than 111,000 pairs of skis sold online. Flat skis, particularly twin tips sold well online with 138% growth in dollars sold. Adult bindings sales increased by 155% in dollars, and sales of boots did equally well with more than 75,000 units sold. Apparel sales increased by 37% in units led by parkas and snowboard apparel. Accessories sales also increased dramatically in this channel to $120 million.

Chain Stores
The Chain stores sold $616 million in snow sports equipment, apparel and accessories. End of season data on the top lines is compared to 2005.06 season data because SIA did not measure sales in chain during the 2006.07 season. Using simple trend lines, we can now estimate sales in this channel for 2006.07 at $519 million. Equipment sales were flat at $150 million this season but there were some notable exceptions; juniors skis, poles, and boots sales, carry-over skis, boots, and bindings, cross country equipment, and randonee/AT equipment sold well in the chain stores. Apparel sales were up 16% in dollars over sales during the 2005.06 season, and accessories sales increased by 23% in dollars over the past two seasons.

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is a not-for-profit trade association whereby competing on-snow product suppliers magnify their power, by working together, for the development of the on-snow sports industry. For more information, check out www.snowsports.org.

Exel Group Sells Its Outdoor Business to Karhu Sports

Published: Tue May 13, 2008 2:00 AM MDT

Helsinki, FIN: In a move to increase the profitability of both its Outdoor Sport and its Industrial Composite business, Exel Plc has sold the EXEL Sports Outdoor sport division, which includes cross-country, downhill, Nordic walking and blading, to KARHU, Finland, one of the leading Finnish Sports equipment manufacturers. Karhu is one of the oldest sports brands in Finland dating back to the beginning of last century.

Note: Karhu Finland is not related to Karhu USA (K2 Corp.) of Seattle, WA.

The transaction with Karhu Sports secures the continued presence and
distribution of Exel branded poles in the sports equipment market in a model
that strengthens Exel's profitability. Karhu Sports has a strategic
interest in developing the business. The transaction also includes a
long-term licensing agreement related to the use of the Exel brand together
with other brands such as Nordic Walker and Nordic Blader for selected
product groups. The employees of the outdoor business in Finland and Germany
will be transferred to Karhu Sports as existing employees.

“This arrangement is positive for both parties. Karhu Sports has a long-term
interest in developing the business. The Outdoor business transfer secures
the continued presence and distribution of Exel branded poles in the sports
equipment market in a model that strengthens Exel's profitability.” says the
President and CEO of Exel Oyj, Vesa Korpimies.

“The combination of Karhu and Exel broadens our product range and
international presence. We can utilize Exel's distribution channels in
Europe and offer strong brands and performance oriented products within
cross-country skiing, Nordic Walking and other outdoor sports”, says the
President and CEO of Karhu Sporting Goods Oy, Pertti Keskitalo.

“A more natural match would be hard to find. Two traditionally strong
sporting brands are now under the same roof. Karhu will bring skis and
boots, Exel poles.” Olli E. Juvonen, CEO of Exel Sports.

According to Frank Thibodeau, President of Alpina Sports Corp., the
distributor for Exel in North America: “We knew from the outset of our
negotiations with Exel Sport last year, that they were seeking suitors for
the purchase of the Outdoor Sport Division. With this knowledge Exel and
Alpina Sports created a very solid North American Distributor Agreement that
will continue in full force for the Exel brands.”

The North American Cup Series

By Kevin Brooker
Published: Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:00 AM MDT

This is the latest installment of Kevin Brooker's journey into the land of Biathlon. Kevin has documented his experience over the course of his first summer of training and has now finally gotten up the good part - getting on snow….

The best way to place the level of competition for the NorAm Cup races is to think of it a double A baseball. The athletes in the elite divisions are vying for a spot on national teams competing in the Europa Cup and on the World Cup level. Races are held in the US and Canada beginning in December at the Canmore, AB facility. The next stop is West Yellowstone Montana before heading back to Canada for NorAm Cup 3. Fortunately for me, I live no more then 5 hours drive from series races 4 through 7.

NorAm Cup 4 is held at my home training area, the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, Vermont. I know the range well and was glad to enter the national races at a venue I am familiar with. This event was combined with the Eastern National Guard Biathlon Championships so the fields were relatively large. There were over 100 athletes in all categories competing for various reasons. Some for their home state, others for a slot on a national team along with a handful of field fillers like myself.

Overall, my races went very well. Both days I grabbed the final NorAm Cup finishing spot awarded points. I had a national rank! The course at the Ethan Allen Firing Range is wonderful to say the least. The track will accommodate two skiers racing side by side with ample room between them. The hills vary in length and steepness. The downhill portions are fast with sweeping curves requiring flat skis but no tap dance footwork to remain upright. Abundant snowfall and fantastic grooming made the skiing straightforward. The range is world class with trails leading up to the entry.

One aspect of the race which was really fun was meeting people who have read bits Ive written for Fasterskier.com and other sites. Some found my biathlon website 6qbiathlon.com and wrote asking about housing for the races. I also spent a good bit of time talking to the Maine Winter Sports Center who have planned a biathlon club in the Portland, Maine area. This venue will be near a population center (not huge by most standards but big for northern New England) and should continue the tradition of excellence started in Fort Kent. I felt like a celebrity.

Lake Placid, NY was the host for NorAm Cup 5. Saturday's 10k Sprint was held in marginally legal temps. It was -10 at the start and warmed to -5 or so at the finish. They delayed the start ten minutes to look like they cared but temps remained low. Pressure from the commercial ski area to clear the trails of gun carrying skiers might have contributed to the rush but this is just speculation on my part.

The cold made skiing super hard. The two best analogies I heard about the conditions were “skiing on sandpaper and velcro. The snow on the shaded hillsides was so cold and dry you could almost classic up with parallel skis. It was more efficient to run the hills then try to skate them. The overnight temps were -20 and the snow didn't warm up at all. My face was so cold feeling the rifle cheek comb was impossible. I have never shot in temps so low and the wind chill on my face going downhill must have been -30 or -40. Trying to find the normal rifle feel I pushed the comb too hard and sent my shots right. I'm a lefty so the pivot around the trigger moves the muzzle right. I didn't shoot as well as I'd have liked. I'm better then the results show and cold weather aside, I am a bit disappointed in my performance on the range.

To combat the cold and avoid frostbite, I greased the hell out of my earlobes, nose and cheeks so no damage but they were all numb. After the race I had a hard time speaking as my cheeks were stiff and I couldn't annunciate too well. I finished 5th in age group less then 1 second out of 4th spot. I was about 2 minutes off the podium.

Sunday it was warmer, maybe 15 above but the wind was ripping. Flat calm with 30+ mph gusts and blowing snow on the range made shooting not hard but extremely difficult and frustrating.

Skiing into the wind was like going uphill. The poles swung wildly and one gust grabbed my ski and pushed it into a V-board marking the P-loop almost causing me to crash. I think the wind actually pushed me back up! I was a 50% shooting effort which I was told fantastic considering the conditions.

My zero was set neutral and in an effort to hit as many targets as possible Id wait for a lull to set it. During a moment of calm I just shoot and don't have to make adjustments. My prone went well and the first offhand was in a blinding windstorm. It was difficult to hold the rifle remotely steady. Out of a sense of pride I didn't just “machine gun” the targets to send the lead to save time waiting, get onto the P-loop and get skiing. I couldn't do it although the last shot I just sent and got out. I spoke with two former Olympians who shot worse than I did! There were only five clean stops from all competitors all day.

Deb, one of the Olympians, mentioned the feeling of not wanting to quit on the range but mentioned it is a race and if the wind is going to hurt you send the lead and get skiing. Maybe next time. I finished 4th in age, 2:30 off the podium.

NorAm Cup race 6 was held in La Patrie, Quebec, a small town just 15 k north of the New Hampshire border. The plan was to pack up the car Friday evening and leave at 4:30 AM for the sprint race on Saturday. While packing I went to look for my passport only to discover it would expire on the Saturday of the race. The new rules for crossing the border back into the U.S. allow citizens to reenter with a drivers license and a copy of their birth certificate. Unfortunately, my proof of existence and citizenship of the U.S. was at my mothers in Connecticut and not immediately available. Without documentation I would be allowed into Canada but not granted permission to re-enter my own country.

Ill admit being frustrated with, as I see it, the knee-jerk over reaction of the U.S. governments plan to keep our borders safe. Im all for security but not the shortsightedness of the ideas and poor execution of the plan makes me think we are just cowering and becoming paranoid as a nation. The idea of a piece of paper, a birth certificate, which has no standardization coupled with a picture I.D. guarantees I am a U.S. citizen is just absurd. Give me a half dozen motivated high school kids, a decent photocopier and Photoshop and see how many undetectable forgeries can be produced.

Even with the absurd rules not getting to the race falls squarely onto my shoulders. I should not have waited until the last minute to see if my paperwork was in order.

The week off from biathlon was frustrating but did allow me to enter the Ford Sayre Silver Foxtrot 10 k ski race held at Oak Hill in Hanover, NH. I had a late start and most of those behind me were much faster and soon I was skiing alone. I was a bit depressed and found it difficult to stay at race levels of effort seeing I had no one to chase or remain ahead of. I was down on myself and not having too much fun.

I crashed in a fast downhill sweeper 400 meters from the finish. The calf on my right leg cramped pretty hard and it took a minute or so to work out. I limped into the finish demoralized. Turns out, even with the crash and subsequent delay it was only thirty seconds off my fastest 10 k ever. The snow was variable, the racecourse hilly and I was on pace to set a new PR. My depression transformed to elation.

The next and final NorAm of the 08 season was held in Valcartier, Quebec. My paperwork was in order and the family was coming along. We would stay in the old city of Quebec where Jill and the kids were able to walk to attractions while I took the car to the race.

Saturday's race was super fun. Darrell, the guy starting :30 behind me had a better prone shoot than I did and moved into the lead. 2 k later he was shooting offhand when I arrived at the range and I slotted in the next point to his right. He shoots right handed and I'm a lefty so we were looking right at each other. He was 3 shots in when I arrived and also 3 misses and I dropped the first two targets. I was hoping my arrival might pressure him into mistakes and soon I'm back in it. I go two better then him and leave the P-loop 10 seconds ahead but he is still 20 ahead on race time since he started behind me. It's now a ski race to the finish. I shot my way back into contention. I ski like mad with the intent of winning or blowing up big and losing. Uphill I suffer and going down I try to recover and not puke.

I cross the finish line first. Darrell arrives but I was too shot to look at the clock and see what happened. When the results are posted turns out he got me by 5 seconds! I was so bummed but the race was really fun. Due to some rule quirk we were scored as 2 and 3. The guy who won was in our age group but shooting an air rifle so he didn't have to carry it (not a big handicap for us) but his P-loop was 50 meters per lap shorter so he skied about 300 total meters less then the rest of the field. Darrell was :01 back and I was :06 off the win. Filing a protest would have been whining but I feel we both were ripped off.

Sundays race was fun too but not the nail biter of yesterday. Darrell won and I was second. I had one bad shoot and that was the race. I'm faster on skis but not enough to make up for the error. Good day though. Getting back across the border with the rifle was a piece of
cake. I have been told it can be a nightmare. Maybe sleeping kids in the back seat helps.

I raced well this weekend. I wish I had shot better but this will always be true. Saturday's race made the training, money and effort worth it. The only way to have made it better was to have won.
Traveling to races with the family is interesting and somewhat frustrating. When I asked them to come along it seemed like a good idea at the time. The kids really enjoyed Lake Placid during the summer and Quebec is a fantastic place to visit. While I race, there is something for the kids to do. Should be a win/win situation, right?

Not always. On race days I have my own routine from awakening through leaving the venue. Upset this routine and I start getting tense. Arriving ninety minutes before the first start is minimal and allows for warming up, zeroing the rifle, previewing the course, and accommodating any unexpected headaches or gear fixes. Im not too concerned about eating a proper breakfast as nerves and pre-race jitters keep me from putting down a normal amount of food. I dont worry about it as the races are usually under forty-five minutes duration and I have the energy for that almost right out of bed.

The kids dont adapt so well. Keeping them in their routine requires getting up earlier to drive to a food outlet, eat and get ready to go about the day. Now their out of synch setting up a new series of problems to deal with.

If the family attends the race its better if I am dropped off and they arrive sometime near my projected start. This worked in Lake Placid. They eat while I prepare for the race unencumbered by untied boots; bathroom breaks (they both dont need to go at the same time), being hungry, or wandering off. After the event I like to ski a bit to cool down and relive the race with other competitors while standing around swapping stories and telling lies. The family wants to leave almost as soon as I cross the finish line.

Why are they invited? Is it to do something together or does having them along allow me to attend the race? Im not really sure and such narcissistic thinking bothers me. Racing and training is difficult enough without the additional worries of family. As with all things I must learn to strike a balance between selfish and generous expenditures of my time with the family. Learning about life after the arrival of kids not being all about me is more difficult than the toughest climbs in rotten snow on poorly waxed and prepped skis. I can fail while skiing but to fail as a dad is unacceptable. Ultimately they are more important so the warm-up interruptions to take a five year old to the bathroom are okay with me.

About the author: Kevin is 42 years old, married with two children and living in Post Mills, Vermont. He began racing bicycles at sixteen and continued pursuing individual sports. After a six-year layoff, Kevin is returning to athletics racing in biathlon events and will write about the pitfalls and triumphs of mounting a comeback to competition. You can read more about Kevin at www.6qbiathlon.com.

Sponsors:

Izhmash Rifle: Russian American Armory www.raacfirearms.com

Skis: Ski Trab www.chi-townsports.com

Boots and bindings: GoFaster www.chi-townsports.com

Clothing: Reliefwear: www.reliefwear.com

Cobble Mountain Hammock: www.cobblemountain.com

Plant Furniture Company: www.theplantfurniturecompany.com/

New England Radon Control: www.neradon.com

Fiocchi Ammunition: www.fiocchiusa.com

Infinity Ski Poles: www.nordicskipoles.com

Utah Celebrated 60 years of Ute Skiing

Published: Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:00 AM MDT

SNOWBIRD, Utah Utah celebrated 60 years of Ute skiing with the Celebration on the Snow reunion, held at Snowbird Mountain Resort, April 18-20.

Over 160 alumni from around the world traveled to Utah for the event. Activities for the weekend included both a Nordic and alpine (slalom) ski race and an all-mountain scavenger hunt. Josh Smullin (men) and head Nordic coach Wendy Wagner (women) won the Ski Up, a four-mile cross country race up the Snowbird service road to the top of the tram. Participants were split into teams of four for the slalom race and scavenger hunt. Team Park City, which featured current Ute Hermann Lager, 1959 Slalom, Alpine and downhill champion Marv Melville, Brita Knockum and Bjorn Bjornstad, was the grand prize winner, with the best combined score in the alpine and scavenger hunt events. The group also won the slalom with a combined time of 3:00.39. A full list of winners is below.

The events culminated with the annual ski team banquet on Saturday evening. The Utes were honored for their 2008 third-place finish, and team awards were handed out. Scott Veenis was a double winner on the evening, being awarded the Jerry Dixon Scholarship and the C.D. Reddish Memorial Award. Eva Huckova and Even Sletten earned the outstanding womens and mens skier awards, respectively. Chirine Njeim took home the Alf Engen Sportsmanship Award for her tenacity throughout the season, skiing well and keeping her grades up while taking care of a loved one with terminal cancer.

Former NCAA individual and team champions were also honored at the banquet. Former Utah Ski Director Pat Miller, who coached from 1974-2000, received one of the biggest ovations of the evening.

The reunion was a smashing success, Director of Skiing Eli Brown said. It was a great experience to get to know former skiers, reconnect and build new relationship. We hope to use this as a starting point to create a strong bond with our alumni.

One of the highlights was the slalom race. I had the pleasure of helping at the start and watching the alumni get their game faces on after many years was a hoot! We are already looking forward to the next reunion.

Utah Team Awards
C.D. Reddish Memorial Award: Scott Veenis
Awarded to the graduating senior or upperclassmen who has contributed the most to the team, not only in results, but with respect to community relations and promoting the sport as a diplomatic ambassador.

Jerry Dixon Scholarship Recipient: Scott Veenis

David Novelle Outstanding Skier Award: Even Sletten
Awarded to the male athlete who has been one of the most influential factors in the success of the team with outstanding results through the entire competitive season.

Toril Forland Outstanding Skier Award: Eva Huckova
Awarded to the female athlete who has been an important factor in the success and accomplishments of the womens ski team programs.

Alf Engen Sportsmanship Award: Chirine Njeim
Awarded to the outstanding athlete in either their junior or senior year who has best demonstrated the most inspirational qualities. This award takes into consideration outstanding competitive achievement as well as noteworthy leadership and sportsmanship.

Reunion Results and Awards
Ski Up (Four-mile cross country race up service road to top of tram)
Men
1. Josh Smullin
2. Torin Koos
3. Van Edgtte

Women
1. Wendy Wagner (Utah head Nordic coach)
2. Elizabeth Guiney
3. Giggi Burns

Oldest Ski Up Participant: Bjorn Malkomsen

Slalom
1. Team Park City (Hermann Lager, Brita Knockum, Bjorn Bjornstad, Marv Melville)
2. Team Sundance (Markus Leunig, Elisa Stephens, Steve Myers, Hensing Rudd)
3. Team Canyons (Will McDonald, Thor Kallerud, Pete Karns, Fred Duberow)

Scavenger Hunt/Poker Run
1. Team Snowbasin (Chirine Njeim, Robyn Newcomb, Marit Lind, Barbro Hatlevik)
2. Team Quebec (Alain Britt-Cote, Markos Leunig, Per-Christian Nicolaisen, Zoe Roy)
3. Team Alta (Eva Huckova, Thor Kalleru, Marita Wtherill-Hart, Kevin Sweeney)

Fastest Woman (who is not a current athlete): Sabrina Leunig
Fastest Man (who is not a current athlete): Markus Leunig
Oldest Female: Marita Wtherill-Hart
Oldest Male: Marv Melville

Grand Prize (Combined slalom and scavenger hunt)
Team Park City (Hermann Lager, Brita Knockum, Bjorn Bjornstad, Marv Melville)
Originaly from Source

World Cup Recap From FIS Race Director

Published: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:00 AM MDT

Jrg Capol, the FIS Race Director for Cross-Country Skiing shares some of his observations from 2007/2008 Viessmann FIS World Cup Cross-Country season.

“It was a very exciting season. We carried out all the scheduled events. We did have some difficulties with the weather especially in February but thanks to great efforts by the Organizing Committees, all planned competitions took place.

From the sports perspective, we saw both old and new faces with Charlotte Kalla (SWE) and Astrid Jacobsen (NOR), two young ladies who established themselves in the overall World Cup elite in their first year in the open category. 19 nations made it to the podium this season a new record - which shows us that Cross-Country Skiing has a high value in many countries where they work in a very professional manner for the sport.

Our highlight this season was the 2nd edition of the Viessmann FIS Tour de Ski performance by Craft Sportswear. For the first time, we carried out eight competitions in ten days and reached an additional 25% of TV viewers during the event compared to the first edition.

At the end of the season, we introduced the three-event World Cup Final which created excitement right up to the end of the World Cup season. Although the athletes had to work hard to finish the entire mini-series to get the points and prize money, it was a plus that the sprinters and distance racers had their final on the same weekend and could conclude the season together.

For the future, there are several tasks on my to do list. First of all, we need to continue to work to develop and improve the quality of TV production from our World Cup events. Our main goal is to ensure that all events have the same standard and viewers at home will always benefit from one TV look and feel. We will be organizing a TV seminar to evaluate the season this spring and come up with some really practical next steps in this area. Second, I would like to create clear focus in the World Cup calendar. Compact events fewer sites with several competitions at each - are an advantage for the athletes as well as for the fans, TV viewers and sponsors. The cooperation in marketing issues among the World Cup Organizers is also an important development project as well improvements in the rights situation so that we can execute more effective cross-border projects.

From the more overall perspective, there are two areas on which more emphasis is required in the future. Currently, there is little overall cooperation and coordination among the industry, the organizers of the popular races and the National Ski Associations. I believe that together, perhaps though common campaigns and activities under the umbrella of FIS, we have a great opportunity to get more people interested in Cross-Country Skiing as an excellent way to keep fit. Call it a Bring the people onto the tracks campaign if you will. The other area where we are still in the starting blocks is allowing spectators to get to know the athletes better. There are probably several ways we could allow more contact between the fans and the racers at the venues before and after the competitions.”

Source: FIS

Jrg Capol (Photo Credit: FIS)

Coaches Around the Country: Adam St. Pierre

Published: Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:00 AM MDT

Fasterskier.com caught up with Boulder Nordic Junior Racing Team (BNJRT) J3-J6 coach Adam St.Pierre between his daily training/coaching sessions. Adam tries to stay in top shape to keep up with the J4s and J5s from Boulder at ski practice and to be the most dominant ski/soccer player in the world.

Adam (in yellow jacket) with BNJRT kids on a training run

1. Background

I grew up in New Hampshire and started ski racing in High School as a
way to cross train for my other sports (soccer and track). I went to
Colby College where I intended to play soccer and run track, but a
funny thing happened one fall day when a girl on the ski team
approached me and asked about my Eastern High School Championships T-
shirt. She told me there were only 4 guys on a team with 6 spots. I
thought this girl was pretty cute so I approached Coach Tracey Theyerl
(now Cote), and she said I was welcome to train with the team this
fall and for the winter too, if I showed some dedication. Needless to
say I loved ski racing. I never got that fast, but I loved the
training so I quit soccer and track and focused solely on skiing. I
got better every year and even managed to meet a girl skiing too. My
sophomore year I started dating a ski racer from a rival college, and
we got married last summer!

I graduated from Colby in 2004 and went to grad school at UNH the next
fall. I studied Exercise Science in the Kinesiology department. While
at UNH I began my coaching career as an assistant to Marty Hall at
Bowdoin College. I moved to Boulder almost 2 years ago with that girl
so she can attend law school at CU.

2. How has the Boulder Jr program grown in the 2 years you've been
working with them?

I'm not sure how, but it certainly has grown. Last year we had around
50 kids, this year we were more like 65 kids strong. 40 of them are
J3s, J4s, and J5s (we even have a few J6s). I think by keeping
practice really fun and leaving the serious training for later years
we keep kids excited about skiing while they are young. If I'm lucky I
can fit some actual technique instruction into each practice before
their attention spans run out. It's nice to have enough kids at
practice to play games (2 on 2 ski soccer isn't nearly as chaotic, or
fun, as 12 on 12). Hopefully we keep growing. It means we're doing
something right.

3. Coaching the little kids takes a tremendous amount of energy and
patience! How do YOU do it?

I never thought of myself as a patient person, and in many aspects of
my life I'm not. But when I'm around my kids I transform. I get this
patience that I didn't think existed. There are times when this
patience gets tested because I expect a lot from my kids, even the
youngest ones. By mid-season I expect them to know what's going on
enough so that we can proceed with the fun and learning on skis
without any babysitting. My secret is to envision every kid as a
future Olympian. They each have their motivations and unique learning
style. I try to give each kid the opportunity to get out of skiing
whatever they put in. I doubt any of my 10 or 11 year olds are
thinking that far in advance, but I like to imagine myself laying the
foundations for their ski careers. I hope that someday, when they are
on some podium somewhere they'll think of that great coach they had
when they were first learning to ski.

I have the pleasure of working with a great group of parents. Our club
is run by a completely volunteer parent board. They take care of all
of the logistics and free up myself and the other coaches to focus on
what we love, coaching. This club couldn't exist without the support
of the parents. I don't think I'd have the patience or the energy to
coach if I didn't have them working behind the scene.

4. How about outside skiing? Other things you're into?

Wait, you mean there's life outside of skiing?! That's news to me. I
never thought I'd say this but I actually really love to run. In
college, running meant that there was no snow to ski on, so I thought
it was awful, but now I actually enjoy it a lot. I train for running
races during the summer and fall and that keeps me fit for winter.
This summer I'm focusing on trail running races from 4 to 50 miles
long. I know it's a big range, but as long as it's on a trail I want
to run it. There are some amazing trail runs in Colorado. I've
discovered that I really do like to train. Most of my free time is
spent training, planning to train, or just thinking about training. I
wish I had this kind of motivation 6 years ago and maybe my ski racing
career would have taken off. When I'm not coaching or training, I'm
working as an Exercise Physiologist at the Boulder Center for Sports
Medicine. I love getting to talk about physiology with athletes who
are interested in learning, I'm sort of a dork that way.

5. Where do you foresee yourself in 10 years?

10 years from now I hope to still be a ski coach and an Exercise
Physiologist. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity here in
Boulder to be able to make a living doing exactly what I want to do
right now, at the relatively young age of 26. Ten years from now I'd like to
be coaching juniors and/or U23s who want to race at the highest levels
of competition. By then my wife and I might have a little house
somewhere and maybe even a little J6 of our very own!

6. Was studying to earn your Exercise/Kinesiology major at the
University of New Hampshire partly influenced by your sports background?

Absolutely! I've always been a science nerd. At Colby I majored in
Physics and Biochemistry because they were what I found most
interesting. I was lucky enough to have a great coach at Colby. Tracey
taught me a lot about physiology, enough to make me want to learn
more. Being an endurance athlete, a ski racer in particular, was the
primary factor motivating me to go on to graduate school at UNH in
Exercise Science. I didn't know I wanted to be a coach, but I knew I
wanted to understand human exercise physiology.

Thanks Adam! Continue reading Coaches Around the Country: Adam St. Pierre…

Maine Winter Sports Center Seeks Community Development Coach

Published: Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:00 AM MDT

Updated: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:23 AM MDT

The Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) is looking for a multi-talented Community Development Coach to join its staff in Aroostook County Maine. The candidate will be responsible for creating and implementing introductory and development ski programs to participants at all ages, but focused primarily on youth and junior community and race programs. In addition, this coach will share direct responsibility for community outreach and ski club building in remote communities around Aroostook County. These grassroots community outreach efforts may include meetings, speaking engagements, trail building, ski park design, community races and events, learn to ski clinics, learn to shoot clinics and on-snow school visits. The candidate will need to develop biathlon skills in order to run learn to shoot programs with live ammunition rifles as well as with laser rifles. Candidate will need to play a supportive role in MWSC XC and Biathlon training sessions designed primarily for youth and juniors, including biathlon range support. Candidate will have some travel responsibilities, including coordinating and transporting athletes to events and camps. Candidate will be expected to create strong relationships with local and regional coaches, Community Ski Clubs, municipal recreation directors, and the organizing committees of our two World Class Nordic/Biathlon Venues. The MWSC Community Development Coach will manage the deployment of the Healthy Hometown Ski Trailers to communities and events to provide ski equipment and instruction to people of all ages. Skilled and effective communication, creativity, initiative, self-direction, as well as inspired leadership are all critical pre-requisites for the position of MWSC Community Development Coach. A four-year college degree, experience as a coach and Nordic skier are requirements for the position. All MWSC Coaches will be involved in the initiation and implementation of other programs and events and other duties that will advance the MWSC toward its mission. Responsibilities can be negotiated depending on experience. Female coaches are strongly encouraged to apply.

This position is a full-time position to begin on June 1, 2008. Applicants should send a short cover letter and resume with three professional references to eileen@mainewsc.org or to Eileen Carey, Program Coordinator, Maine Winter Sports Center, 552 Main St, Caribou, ME 04736

Shepard, Currier, Spector and Nordgren Win Second Titles at US Biathlon Nationals

Published: Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:00 AM MDT

Coleraine, MN. Walt Shepard (Brunswick, ME), Russell Currier (Stockholm, ME), Laura Spector (Lenox, MA), and Leif Nordgren (Marine-on-St. Croix, MN) all won their second National Championship of the week in the Pursuit Format competitions at the North American/US National Championships.

Shepard continued his strong showing today with another excellent day on the shooting range at the Mount Itasca Biathlon facility. After recording one penalty in the Sprint yesterday, he came back to shoot clean in both prone stages and followed with just three penalties, in the two standing stages. He finished in 35:00.5, putting him 12.5 seconds ahead of Brendon Green (Hay River, NT Canada), who had six penalties. Third went to Zach Hall (Lake Placid, NY) of the National Development Team. Hall had the best result of his career with three penalties, 35.5 seconds back. The Bronze medal in this Senior Mens 12.5K went to Jesse Downs (Jericho, VT) of the National Guard, with six penalties, 1:29.5 back.

Currier had the fastest time of the day over the 12.5K distance as he captured the Junior National Championship in 34:53, with six penalties. (Shepard would have had a faster time, but skied an extra penalty loop, as his final target closed so slowly that he had left the position before it recorded the hit). Wynn Roberts (Battle Lake, MN), also with six penalties was second again today, just 7.8 seconds behind Currier. Marty Smith (Steamboat Springs, CO) took third while matching Currier and Roberts on the shooting range. He finished 3:54.8 back.

For the second day in a row, Spector had the top time among all women, as she captured the Junior 10K title. She had five penalties (four prone, one standing) to finish in 34:34.3, putting her 40.9 seconds of the top Senior Woman, Ekaterina Vinogradova (Auburn, CA),who had a time of 35:15.2. Second place in Junior Womens division went to Brynden Manbeck (Grand Rapids, MN), with three penalties, 1:49.9 back. Meagan Toussaint (Madawaska, ME) of the Maine Winter Sports Center also had three penalties, 3:19.9 back.

Vinogradova topped the Senior Womens Division with seven penalties. Second went to Caitlin Compton (Minneapolis, MN) with ten penalties, 51.7 seconds back. Third went to Sara Studebaker (Boise, ID), with four penalties, 1:53.8 back.

World Youth medalist Nordgren won the Youth Mens 10K today for his second title of the week. His time of 31:52 put him 47.1 seconds ahead of Ethan Dreissigacker (Morrisville, VT). Nordgren had five penalties to Dreissigackers three. Third went to Raleigh Goessling (Duluth, MN) with 11 penalties, 3:42.9 back.

In the Youth Womens 7.5K, Hilary McNamee (Fort Fairfield, ME) took the title over the Sprint titlist Addie Byrne (Grand Rapids, MN) in a time of 28:47 to Byrnes 30:57.6. The MWSC athlete had five penalties, while Byrne had eight. Andrea Mayo (Winterville, ME) with five penalties was 3:50.7 back in third.

Competitions in the Masters divisions found several repeat winners today. In the 30-39 Women, Jill Troutner (Matthews, NC) took her second covering the 7.5K in 29:50, while recording three penalties. She also won the Sprint in 21:55, with four penalties. Madeline Fairchild (Boulder, CO) placed second in both competitions.

Arminda Phillips (Seattle, WA) took both 40-49 crowns, winning the Sprint in 31:05 with three penalties and the Pursuit in 46:01, with 11 penalties. Judy Geer (Morrisville, VT) matched her in the 50 plus division, with a 28:54 victory in the Sprint with seven penalties and a 42:18 win today, with 15 penalties.

In the Mens 30-39 division, US Biathlon Athlete Development Director Piotr Bednarski (St. Louis Park, MN) took the Sprint crown in 22:43, with three penalties, a mere three seconds ahead of Tom Moffett (Peru, NY) with one penalty. Moffett reversed the table on Bednarski today scoring a 36:57.8 win with five penalties. Bednarski finished 54.8 seconds back, with nine penalties.

Tony Carter (Coleraine, MN) captured the 40-49 title today in 36:52 with four penalties. Second went to the Sprint Champion Paul Peterson (Hastings, MN) 3:07.4 back with 14 penalties. Peterson won the Sprint in 28:03 with five penalties.

Bill Quinlan (Boulder, CO) took the Sprint and Pursuit 50 plus titles, with a 26:34 win and four penalties yesterday and a 44:52 win with 12 penalties today. Lou Chouinard (Minneapolis, MN) took second today in 45:31 with nine penalties, while John Neal (Marshfield, WI) took second in the Sprint with four penalties, 1:18 back.

Source: USBA

Maine Crowned 2008 TD Banknorth Eastern High School Champions

Published: Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:00 AM MDT

STOWE, VT (Trapp Family Lodge) - In some of the best and tightest competition in many years at the TD Banknorth Eastern High School Championships, 212 of many of New England and New Yorks top high school skiers battled it out over Trapp Family Lodges perfectly groomed and extremely challenging trails.

These Are the Type of Conditions You Dream of for March Racing. 35 degres, perfect snow, sun!

Friday Afternoon 5K Freestyle

Lia Van Dyke and Chris Stock win Opening Races at TD Banknorth Eastern High School Championships

The 2008 TD Banknorth Eastern High School Championships Kicked off today under bluebird skies and excellent course conditions. Boys and Girls raced a tough 5k freestyle course that wound through Trapp's scenic trails.

Women's top three were the hometown's Lia Van Dyke from Stowe, VT who won in 17:50. Gilford, New Hampshire's Jenia Badamshina grabbed second in 17:51. Shannon Mulshine, New York's number one ranked athlete finished third in 18:05 .

It was Massachusetts earning in the individual race victory for men with Chris Stock taking the win in 15:05, followed by Vermont's Peter Hegman and Mike Gibson.

Saturday Morning Classic Sprint
Olga Golovkina and John Dixon Grab Sprint Victories

The 1K classic sprint started off under very tricky waxing conditions. Just hours before the start a coating of fresh new snow fell at freezing point with rising temperatures.

The Sprint Start

Coaches were scrambling to test everything from klister, klister/wax combinations to hairies. Conditions varied on the rolling 1K course that challenged both wax coaches the skiers alike.

Massachusetts' Olga Golovkina grabbed a huge 7-second victory in the girl's sprint, followed by Maine's Erin Hatton and Vermont's Cam McDermott.

Maine's Page McKinley Sprinting

John Dixon (VT) also earned a huge victory, matching the 7-second margin Golovkina earned in the girl's race. He was followed New Hampshire's Will Anderson and Vermont teammate Mike Gibson.

Maine's Justin Fereshetian Knows that Every Tenth of a Second Counts in Sprinting

Saturday Afternoon Relay

Massachusetts Surprises With Victory in Mixed Technique, Mixed Gender Relay

The venue allowed incredible viewing of much of the race action with down-to-the-wire action. The girls scrambled with a classical leg, tagging to boys racing another classic leg, then tagging to girls freestyle with boys anchoring a last freestyle leg. The skiers blasted through the first 3k classic leg with Olga Golovkina (MA) in the lead over Maine, NH, and VT.

The boys flew through the first lap with Corey Hill (NH) turning the fastest leg and covering an 18 second gap to take the lead for New Hampshire. They held onto the lead going into the third leg, but final leg skier Nick Fogel from Massachusetts flew by to regain the lead by 12 seconds. The relay finished with Massachusetts wining followed by New Hampshire and Maine. Maine had four teams in the top-10, followed by New Hampshire with three, Vermont with two and Massachusetts with one.

Massachusetts Shocks! Wins Relay! Nick Fogel Brings it Home

Sunday Morning 7.5K Classic Mass Start

Mainers Strong, Complete Weekend Victory

The 7.5K classic race had more consistent course and waxing conditions, but there was still an element of panic in the team wax tents to hit that right combination of kick and glide. Just hours before the start, again a coating of fresh new snow fell at freezing point, and with teams of 24 boys and 24 girls, waxing is never easy!

In the boys race the field was packed together on the first hills, with the group snaking around screaming downhills in a manner that would have awed NASCAR fans. Chris Stock (MA) gapped the field on the last hill and won by over 10 seconds over the second finisher Adam Fissette(ME) who was followed by fellow Mainer Corey Park in third.

Boys Classic Mass Start

Boys Mass Start Classic - first downhill

The boy's race competition was very tight with the top 15 skiers packed into less than one minute.

The girls race was filled with excitement right from the start with the pack lead changing throughout the course between skiers from each state.

Girls Classic Mass Start

On the last climb on the tough Trapp's courses, Olga Golovkina (MA) surged to the finish for the win in 28:11, followed by Maine's Emily Atwood in 28:21, and Vermont's Caroline Carpenter a close third in 28:28.

Weekend Summary

Maine Wins Team Title; Massachusetts Sweeps Relay and Individual Honors with Golovkina and Stock

Massachusetts' winning relay team. From left to right Nick Fogel, Nadja Kern, Olga Golovkina and Chris Stock

Golovkina and Stock's individual titles speak volumes for the great work being done right now with both the Eastern Mass BKL program, the CSU club program, and their high school coaches. Congratulations to those individuals and their dedicated coaches!

Chris Stock won both the 5 km skate and the 7.5 km classic on his way to the overall title (Photo courtesy of Jaime Doucett)

Olga Golovkina climbs the final hill on her way to winning the 7.5 km classic mass start. Golovkina also won the 1 km classic sprint on her way to the overall crown (Photo courtesy of Jaime Doucett)

Maine's depth was phenomenal and included a mix of strong athletes from the northern part of the state (Maine Winter Sports Center), central Maine's high school programs especially at Leavitt and Mt. Blue, and southern Maine's Cape Nordic and Maine Coast Jr Team. It seems that Maine may have regained the depth that allowed them to dominate the Eastern High Schools and J2s for a few years before the recent drought.

New Hampshire, for some time, had dipped to some very low team totals at these championships. It was nice to see them fighting to almost earn second place as a team, earning some individual podiums, and working amazingly well as a team of coaches, wax techs, and athletes. With strong clubs at Gunstock, Ford Sayre, Mount Washington and others, look for continued improvement from New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Train

Let's not forget about the host state of Vermont. They were most effected by athlete absence for the Junior Nationals in Anchorage, Alaska and still earned numerous individual podiums and finished second as a team.

And thanks to New York for sending a crew over for the BKL Festival, J2 Championships, and this event. We hope to see full teams next year so that this event can return to its original 5-state field of the late 80's and early 90's.

There are Signs of Great Things to Come for NH and MA, but Vermont and Maine Remain the Teams to Beat

Final TD Banknorth Eastern High School Championships Results and Standings

Girls Free 5K - Boys Free 5K

Girls Sprint - Boys Sprint

Mixed Relay

Boys Classic 7.5 km - Girls Classic 7.5 km

3 Event Individual Standings

Team Score

Source: NENSA

(Unless otherwise noted photos by flyingpointroad.com) Continue reading Maine Crowned 2008 TD Banknorth Eastern High School Champions…