NENSA Craftsbury Thanksgiving Camp

by Spencer

Skiing, eating, sleeping--that’s how a few lucky kids burned off the thanksgiving meal. NENSA hosted the first annual Craftsbury thanksgiving ski camp this year. Because the Craftsbury ski center now has snowmaking, it was possible for them to hope to be on snow by Black Friday. While it was too warm for much man-made snow, we were blessed by a significant storm mid-week, which was enough to open the ski center. Athletes from all over New England converged on some of the only skiing in the area. Three Ford Sayre skiers (Caitlin, Spencer, George) joined (created) the NENSA camp for 3 days of training and a race. It was great to be back on snow! Even though snow became rather sparse by the last day, it was a blast for all. Training all day, without much else to think about was a very relaxing yet productive life style we all agreed we could live with. One of the snow free highlights involved a partially frozen lake and a sauna. All in all, it was a great way to kick off the winter.

Sam M in Sweden

Sam M is in Östersund, Sweden with his dad.  They are supporting the US biathlon team for the opening World Cup races - Ed as team physician, Sam as ski/wax tester, photographer, videographer, etc.  He's getting in some great training (though I think we had more snow here for the first few days!), and has posted some pics on his blog: http://ostersundsam.blogspot.com/

Thanksgiving Snow: Bretton Woods

by Sarah L

Getting up early to drive two hours usually isn't one of my favorite things to do. However, this was for snow. Snow in November. Although the temperature was steadily rising as my dad and I approached Bretton Woods, the base was still intact. For about an hour and forty minutes we just cruised. The adjustment from rollerskiing was awkward and both of us are now 1 for 1 on number of falls. However, it was great to get on snow again. Praying for colder weather!

Life After JNT, revised

Not all JNT skiers continue cross country ski racing after high school or college, but many pursue diverse athletic interests. I would like to think the basic training principles learned in the JNT are valid in other endurance sports. I had a chance to watch two former skiers in the New York City Marathon Sunday, Nov 6. Impressive results from both: Stephen Donahue, 59^th overall, 2:32:25 and Megan Kelly, 283^rd overall, 3:04:58.

During lunch with Stephen after the race, I asked him for his reflections. After a half dozen marathons, Stephen noted he was better able to pace himself and not lose a lot of energy before and during the early stages of such a long race. Practice makes perfect, even for 26 mile events. But I do remember how nervous he would be prior to a cross country ski race as a JNT member. Obviously he has learned a few things over the years - one of the primary goals of the program (sport for life).

Firewood vs. Thanksgiving Snowstorm

Many thanks to Kate and Paddy for helping with Tuesday's last-minute scramble to get the firewood under cover before the snow came!

8am Weds

2pm Tues

This year's firewood is the result of pushing back the treeline above the house to give the photovoltaic solar panels as much sun as possible.  It was a real team effort: Dennis and Sam R (and Ben Nichols) ran the saws, Paddy and Spencer shared in the fun of splitting, lots of hands moved and stacked, and a couple even had to drive the truck!

happy (now unshaded!) solar panels

sculpture in the field

lots more firewood to come!

Snow in Bend

Last weekend, Chelsea made the three-hour trek from Eugene OR to Bend OR.  She reports several feet of snow and great skiing!

MBSEF version of BKL practice.  Too bad about the snow and the scenery!

Chelsea and Anna

Her friend in Bend, Anna Schulz, invited her to guest-coach at a Mount Bachelor Ski Education Foundation BKL practice, where she got chatting with one of the 13-year old boys in her group.  They discovered they were both from New England.  He explained he had skied in the Eastern Mass Bill Koch program before moving to Oregon, and Chelsea told him she skied for Ford Sayre.  He went on to say that the Silver Fox Trot is his favorite race, and hopes to come back to race it again soon!

XC States Video

video from Sam M of the boys' race at NH XC States, 10.29.11

Snowfall Totals

This is being posted so we accurately remember what transpired the night of 10.29.11. Sorry New Hampshire, the forecasters in Gray, ME don’t seem to like maps like the crew in Burlington, VT.

10.27.11 First Tracks East of Rockies set by JNT Skier

Thursday 10.27.11: snow had been falling at altitudes above 1200’ for much of the day, it wasn’t until dusk that the rain turned to snow in the lowlands of downtown Norwich. By 7:00 pm there was full snow cover on exposed surfaces and at 7:12 pm JNT skier Caitlin declares herself to be the first skier on snow this season east of the Rocky Mountains. The course was short and the duration brief, but, hey... first tracts.

If you want to contest the claim for first tracks east of the Rockies, digital photo with date stamp please.

More Photos from Last Weekend's Ski

thanks to Sam M for photos from our first ski of the season!  (click any photo to open a larger version)

pinnacle fields

Strafford Nordic

Saturday 10.29.11 Father of JNT Skier Emily Muller and I hopped on our bikes for a visit to the new Strafford Nordic Center. After a "shortcut" to Strafford we rode up to the ski center from the valley via Carpenter Hill and Ayres Road. Although this route presented beautifully unique vistas it was rather steep and narrow: don’t go this way in winter. Access either by Cross Road, or better, Brook Road out of Strafford Village which is paved.

Father of JNT Skier Emily Muller's "shortcut"

We met Rett Emerson and his father. Rett was busy clearing brush along electric fence lines in preparation of the snow forecast for Saturday night, but had the time to orientate us to the land and location of the trails.

We left with two impressions: the setting is beautiful, a blend of forest, rolling hills, old orchards and open fields and second, something one really appreciates when riding a bike, its at a fairly high elevation, so expect good snow. I’m thrilled to have this opening and look forward to skiing the trails.

Scenery on the climb up Carpenter Hill

Here is the web page: http://straffordnordicskiing.com/

And lets all get out for their first event, A 5 km Turkey Trot:

http://straffordnordicskiing.com/runningrace

XC Running States

by Noah, George, and Sam M
Last Saturday (10/29/11) the Hanover Cross Country Team woke up early and hopped on a school bus at 8AM to go down to Manchester, NH for the State Meet.  It was a bitterly cold day with a taste of snow in the skies and not a glimpse of sun was to be seen.  At last it was time for the races to begin.  The girls raced valiantly to a 2nd place finish in Division II.  But our real Ford Sayre heroes were in the boys race.  Noah Williams led the Hanover wolf pack as number one runner, followed by George Voigt and Sam Merrens.  The race began with a bang and sprint into the swamp that was Derryfield Park.  As our heroes reached the first mile, they sat comfortably in the top 30 with plenty of room to make their moves in the following hills.  Noah clipped along at the heels of champions in an advantageous top 5 position, while Sam and George joined forces to battle the evil forces of Coe-Brown and Merrimack Valley.  Just short of the second mile lay a dormant monster, known only as “The Ski Hill.”  Naturally, our intrepid skiers smited this beast with all the energy they could spare.  They then sprouted wings and flew down the proceeding hill, back into the marshes and nearing the final challenge.  As they approached the 800m mark, a deafening roar rose from the crowds upon seeing these true champions fight to the end.  With the finish finally in sight, each athlete conquered their own obstacles.  Noah fought desperately to overtake a competitor, but in the end, settled for a respectable 4th place in a blistering 16:29.  George followed suit with an incredible kick putting him 24th place, with an astounding 30 second PR of 17:14.  Sam made a modest effort at a sprint, but in the end it was for naught, still finishing with a top-30 position of 28th with a stellar time 17:27.  In the end, the boys took 3rd overall in Division II, an incredible feat for an unranked team.  Stay tuned for the next installment of our brave heroes journey, this time into the mighty plains of Nashua.

Hi Viz Shirt Order

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