NENSA Media Guide
2004 Edition
| About NENSA Nordic: A New England Tradition | |
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HOW TO COVER CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING IN NEW ENGLAND
Sports writers everywhere have a difficult time covering cross-country skiing. And it's no wonder: It's outside, it's cold, the skiers frequently disappear into the woods, and the results are sometimes calculated after everyone has left. We understand why basketball, volleyball, swimming and bowling take up the majority of print and sound bites. But our sport is changing and you need to know about it. Race sites are spectator-friendly with open stadiums, multiple laps, sprint events, and a variety of start formats. Again this year three of our NENSA races are being filmed for regional cable TV.
This is your Media Guide to cross-country skiing in New England. NENSA members, parents, coaches, and supporters across New England are requesting published information about the upcoming winter season's events. We mean to make it as easy as possible for you to satisfy your readers. Please refer to our website for the dates of events, the names of skiers who live in your area, for events to be held in your area. You do not have to send a reporter to cover a story — we will take care of that for you by sending you press releases, race results and text summaries highlighting skiers from your area, as well as, at your request, digital photos taken at the event. If you are not on our list to receive press releases, please contact NENSA media coordinator, Dorcas Wonsavage, dorcas@nensa.net, or at 207/778-0653.
Thank you. Now, let it snow!
ABOUT NENSA
The New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) is the Olympic development organization for cross-country skiing in New England. In 2003 NENSA hosted or sanctioned over 75 competitive events and more than 25 clinics for skiers and coaches year round at venues across northern New England. NENSA has well over 2,500 individual members of all ages and provides a year round calendar of competitive and recreational events and educational programs. These programs and events are open to the public. More about NENSA
NEW ENGLAND'S NORDIC TRADITION
Cross-country skiing is a lifetime activity firmly rooted in New England tradition. Cross-country ski racing, as it can be seen in the Volvo/Eastern Cup, and Volvo/NENSA Championship events, is a fast, explosive, and visually dynamic sport.
New England-born cross-country skiers are presently competing with the best cross-country skiers in the world. The 2002 U.S. Olympic Team included several New Englanders: Pat Weaver, Carl Swenson, Kristina Joder, Kris Freeman, and Andrew Johnson.
In 2003, NENSA was represented in the World Championships by Kris Freeman, Andrew Johnson, Justin Freeman, David Chamberlain, and Carl Swenson. Kris Freeman was the U23 World Champion. Andrew Newell and Ryan Foster each had top ten finishes at the Junior World Championships. Former Olympians Charles Kellogg (`68), Bob Gray (`68, `72), Leslie (Bancroft) Krichko (`80, `88), and Dorcas (DenHartog) Wonsavage (`88, `92, `94) compete regularly as Masters in NENSA Eastern Cup races. Continuing to support skiing in New England are also former Olympians Sue Long (`84), Patty Ross-Tran (`84), Tim Caldwell (`72), Marty Hall (coach`76), John Morton (`76), Dennis Donahue (biathlon `76), Tom Upham (`68, coach `76), Jon Lufkin (`68), Mike Gallagher (`64, `68, 72, `coach `84 ) Dick Taylor (`64), Tom Jacobs (`52), Chummy Broomhall (`48, 52), and John Caldwell (coach`72 and `68, `52).
A History of Cross-Country Skiing in the United States
Cross-country is the original skisport. It is called nordic because it came from the nordic countries of northern Europe, whereas alpine skiing was developed in the Alps.
Until 20 years ago, there was only one technique, the diagonal stride. In 1982 American Bill Koch popularized the skating or freestyle technique, which had been used in Europe by the long-distance skiers. It began as one ski in the tracks and the other pushing off to the side. Eventually, the technique evolved to the point where both skis stay out the track, the skis are used much like ice skates, and no kick wax is used. Skating was fought on the World Cup tour by opponents who claimed it wasn't "traditional". Koch and U.S. Coach Mike Gallagher responded by asking, "How traditional are fiberglass skis and metal poles?" In the mid-80s skating was approved as the World Cup divided into "classical" technique (diagonal stride) which is often abbreviated "CL", and "free style" (then two words, now just one), now often called skating or abbreviated "FS". In the Olympics and World Championships the 50-50 split in r
acing goes down event to two legs of classical style and two legs of skating in the "mixed technique" relays.
Cross-country racing is a rugged mix of speed and endurance. Races are held at a variety of distances. On the World Cup tour, women race 5km, 10km, 15km and 30km races. The men race 10km, 15km, 30km and 50km races. New to the tour, and to the Olympics, are the sprint races, of 1km or less. The race-avid recreational skier might ski in one of the American Ski Chase (which includes the American Birkebeiner race in Minnesota) or the New England Marathon Series races, that feature distances of 25 to 55kms.
In the mid `90s the Pursuit race was adopted (see Glossary). In Europe it is also known as the "hunter start" because the first day/first race winner is hunted down by the rest of the pack in the second race.
While the alpine world Cup tour recognizes champions in each event, as well as an overal champion, cross country skips the idea of classical and freestyle points and recognizes only overall men and women's champions. What the average specatator might not realize, is that it requires more stamina to win the overall World Cup, because the racer must race well all winter, in all techniques and distances, than to win an Olympic or World Championship medal.
Ideally, races should be held on courses which are `homologated', which is to say they are 1/3 uphill, 1/3 undulating, and 1/3 downhill. The International Ski Federation (FIS) has set maximum standards for course elevation and for accumulated vertical climb.
The NENSA Elite and Development Teams are named to honor the significant acomplishments of these ski racers, as well as to support them in their goals in the sport. These skiers are highly motivated, high-performing athletes, and deserve recognition and support in their pursuit of excellence.
The NENSA Elite Team members are part of a program to support and facilitate the appropriate development of topo athletes towards the goal of international excellence. It seeks to provide incentives for athletes to seek high levels of competitin and to encourage athetes to plan for long-term development. These athletes were nominated for their excellent results at U.S. Nationals, Junior Olympics, and/or World Junior trials. Qualification criteria. It is worth noting that all members of the Senior Elite Team had World Cup racing experience this past season. Visit the Racer Points History page for details on their past NENSA races.
2003-2004 NENSA EVENTS
NENSA provides educational, recreational and competitive events year `round. A complete list can be found under the Schedule/Results tab of the NENSA website.
For updated information on NENSA events, please refer to the website's Schedule of Events. Visit the archived Press Releases for a sampling of last year's events. A few key events this coming season include:
Women's Day, Pineland Farms, Maine, February 1, 2004
The third annual New England Women's Ski Day, February 1 at Pineland Farms, Maine, addresses nordic sport as lifelong recreation for women, self, and family. This event will allow the beginner skier to attend with little or no equipment, and as many girlfriends, mothers, daughters, aunts as they can. Once there, they will be treated to the chance to be outfitted with proper equipment, their skis will be waxed. Then there will be clinics, games, tours, and timed loops and a non put on by other women passionate about enjoying winter on skis. all programs are directed towards the never-ever skier, the shy and the novice. Industry representatives will be there with equipment and clothing to try and buy. There will be babysitting and delicious food available from vendors. And at the end there will be a non-competitive, pair relay, with awards and prizes.
The New England Marathon Series, 2004
The New England Marathon series has something for everyone -- ski tourers, racers and fans. It has something for every age, every level of participation, and every era of ski equipment. From Vermont, to Maine, to New Hampshire, the New England Marathon Series will introduce you to three of the most beautiful, spectacular, and peaceful cros-country ski courses. Ski with your kids or race with the best and stop along the way for gourmet treats. Choose a distance an speed that is right for you and enjoy. Be supported along the way with gourmet food, music and entertainment. And raise money for your local United Way chapter, for people who may never know the joy of gliding with friends through beautiful New England in Winter.
The Craftsbury Marathon, January 31, 2004, is a point-to-point experience, a classic tour and/or race, beginning at the Highland Lodge in Greensboro, Vermont, looping through pastures and woodlands, by rustic barns, 19th centure farmhouses, and ending at the Craftsbury Academy in the historic village of Craftsbury Common. The Craftbury Marathon is featured in this year's winter issue of Vermont Life. www.craftsbury.com
The Great Glen to Bretton Woods Nordic Adventure Race, February 29, 2004 is a classic technique cross-country ski adventure rounding the northern half of Mt. Washington, The Adventure begins on the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center's ski trails before heading into the White Mountain National Forest. The route joins up with the Dolly Copp ski trail system, continues on the Pinkham B road (closed in winter), then travels the Presidential Range Rail Trail to the Jefferson Notch Road. A mighty climb to the top of the Jefferson Notch, and then a long descent brings skiers to the Base Road in Bretton Woods. The grand Mount Washington Hotel comes into view as adventurers cross the finish line. Many recreational skiers in the Gorham/Conway area are now training for this, their first-ever marathon! www.ggtobw.com
The Rangeley Loppet, March 6, 2004, features 2, 25km loops that wind gently through miles of pristine Maine forest corridors, broken by sensational views of Saddleback and Sugarloaf mountains and the Rangeley Lakes. The Rangeley Loppet offers the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Maine northwoods, and their 250-memeber Nordic Ski Club will provide gourmet food and hospitality second to none.
NENSA Championship Events
End-of-season culminating events for all ages, the NENSA Championship events include:
February 27-29, 2042 New England J2 Championships, Sugarloaf, ME
The NENSA J2 Championships acts as a bridge between the Bill Koch League and the High School and Junior Olympic programs. Girls and boys ages 14 and 15 can earn a trip to the New England J2 Championships. Four New England states qualify 20 boys and 20 girls each for this exciting event, which features four races in a variety of formats over three days, with teams competing state against state.
March 6-8, 2004 New England Bill Koch League Festival, Waterville Valley, Maine
The Festival is a weekend event open to all Bill Kochers. It is a celebration of the season and all that it means to be a kid on skis. Complete with an opening ceremony, activities, and games on skis, races, a graduation ceremony for the 13-year olds moving up to J2s, a banquet and other fun events. Each year has a theme, and this year it is "Find the Rhythm Out There" and will feature music and instruments on the trails.
March 12-14, 2004 Eastern High School Championships, Rumford, Maine
The Eastern High School Championships is the culminating event in the East for public and private school skiers and the New England Junior Olympic Team members. Each state qualifies 20 young men and 20 young women for the 3-day, 4-race championship series which pits state against state. Skiers must qualify for their state team under their state criteria. State EHSC Leaders will be listed on the NENSA website as they are announced.
March 22-24, 2004 Eastern State Championships, Bolton Valley, Vermont
New for 2004! Regional U23 individual and team champions will be recognized as states go head to head for bragging rights in this season-ending meet.
Glossary of Ski Terms
Ski Techniques
Classic The traditional cross-country ski technique that people have practiced for centuries. Like walking or running on snow. Also called "diagonal" or "kick and glide." Classic skis are long and with a single camber, which allows the sticky kick wax under the ski binding to remain off the snow except when the skier kicks down for traction. In race situations, identifying the right wax for the snow and weather conditions is extremely important. Having "bad wax" could mean that the best skier has a horrible race and is bested by a better, or luckier, waxer.
Skating: The newer ski technique similar to speed skating on snow. Skating skis are on average 10cm shorter than diagonal skis. Skating skis are waxed only for glide, not for kick. Glide wax is important in skating races, but usually not as critical as kick wax can be in a classical race.
Classic: Racers must ski the entire race using only the traditional, classic ski technique; using the skating technique anywhere except when rounding corners or making lane changes, leads to disqualification.
Freestyle: Racers are free to choose whatever technique, or combination of techniques, they prefer. Skating is most common since it is faster than classical.
Race Start Formats
Individual: Racers start one at a time at fixed time intervals. Usually 15, 30, or 60 seconds apart.
Mass: All racers start together in one large pack.
Wave: Small groups of racers start together at fixed time intervals.
Relay: As in track, all teams start their first racer together in a mass start, then tag off to their teammate.
Pursuit: A two-race format in which the winner of the first race starts first in the second race; the second place finisher starts according to their time behind the winner in the first race results. Creates an exciting finish for the second race since racers finish in the order of their combined time for both races.
Ski Waxes
Kick wax: The sticky wax used in classic technique. Usually applied to the skis only underneath the boot and binding area ("kick zone") to provide grip and traction on the snow.
Klister: An extra-sticky type of kick wax used only on crusty, icy, or mushy snow.
Glide wax: A slippery wax applied to the tips and tails of Classic skis and to the entire length of Skating skis to lower resistance and increase speed. A more durable version of wax used on alpine skis and snowboards.
