Registration Form and Parental Waiver

Registration is now open for the 2009 Summer Youth Training program. Coaches Andre Watt, Anders Osthus and Nikolai Anikin, Jr return along with Jenna Dickinson to lead high school aged athletes and recent high school grads in ski-specific strength and endurance, conditioning and rollerskiing. DXC has some rollerskis available to borrow.

The 8 week program begins June 8th and will meet from 5-7pm Monday through Thursday evenings in addition to at least 2 morning sessions per week (to be determined by registration numbers and requests). Participants are welcome to attend as many of the sessions as they’d like. Workouts will take place at various Duluth parks and trails including Chester Bowl, Park Point, Spirit Mountain, Lakewalk, Rock Pond and the Superior Hiking Trail.

The Duluth XC Ski Club is able to offer this high quality program at a very low rate, in part, thanks to proceeds from the Banff Mountain Film Festival hosted in November. The summer program fee is $90. Scholarships are available.

Register early to help us determine our schedule and staffing needs.

Remember, skiers are made in the summer! June…July….August!

More on the Summer Youth Training Program
Link to photosets from the Summer Training Program
Registration form for the 2009 program

Almost fit enough for a bumper sticker, the thought, “If we don’t know where we are going, how will we ever know if we get there?” gives us plenty to chew on. There is a great wealth of merit in identifying position and charting a course, setting goals, making plans. This acknowledgement of the present allows us to move forward into the future with more grace and confidence.

One particular skier on the Marshall Nordic team brings that focus to practice daily. She is not afraid to identify where she is and set goals. Importantly, this is not a process she keeps to herself. It is not always easy to be transparent, to let others in on goals and dreams, because of the alleged vulnerability that accompanies letting people know our plans, for fear we might not fulfill them. Fear does not hold Carolyn Lucca back. Throughout the season she has approached her practices and races with particular and thoughtful goals in mind. She is always a gal on a mission and boy, has that focus paid off! She continues to head straight for success!!! SKI ON, CAROLYN!!!

Swank, Vinogradova Win 2009 California Gold Rush in White-Out Conditions

By Emma Garrard · March 23rd, 2009

Challenging conditions for Gold Rush competitors

Women’s Winner Katerina Vinogradova (photo by Emma Garrard)

Donner Summit, CA—

More than a foot of snow fell on Donner Summit overnight Saturday and continued prior to the start of the annual California Gold Rush, a 46k cross country ski race held at Royal Gorge.

The weather resulted in a delayed start and slight course change.

The races started at 9:30 a.m. and instead of a two-lap 21k loop, Gold Rush competitors skied three laps of a 15.3k loop.

Silver Rush Competitors skied two laps (30.8k) and Bronze Rush skied a 9k.

The only thing more challenging than trying to skate ski through the soft, fresh snow was the visability, or lack of.

Adam Swank, 33, of Duluth, Minn. won the Gold Rush race with a time of 2:28.49.

The Minnesotan said the conditions were the toughest he’d ever seen at the race.

There were sections where it was coming down so hard, he was trying to skate through “boot-high” snow.

“It was like an expedition out there,” he said. “There were times when you couldn’t see the trail in front of you.”

Adam Swank (Fischer-Craft) finishes lap 2 and heads out on his final lap. Photo by Emma Garrard.

Swank took the early lead and broke away from the pack around 7k, along with local skier Ian Case of Truckee.  The two were soon joined by Nikolai Aniken, also from Duluth, who bridged the gap within two or three kilometers after Swank’s initial break.

The three leaders worked together for the first two laps before Case dropped off heading into the final lap, leaving Aniken and Swank to battle for the win. Swank was able to put an impressive two minutes on Aniken on the long final climb up to the finish.

His best finish prior to Sunday was 2nd in 2007.

Aniken easily took second with a time of 2:30.36, while Case hung on for third with a time of 2:34.17 after skiing the entire third lap alone.

On the women’s side, Katerina Vinogradova of Auburn won with a time of 2:45.22.

Behind Vinogradova were Sarah Max of Bend, Ore., with a time of 2:51.03 and Lenka Palanova of Boulder, Colo., with a time of 2:56.00.

Swank had nothing but praise for the race organizers and groomers who dealt with the challenging conditions.

“They did a good job,” Swank said. “Free beer and chili (for racers) will keep you coming back.”

Besides the racing, Swank said he enjoys coming to the Sierras to train in the 60-degree spring weather.

“I love coming out here,” Swank said.

      Springloppet (well known as Winterloppet)

      + Candy Cup # 4

When:          Saturday, March 7th, 2009

Where:         Sugar Hills Ski Trails,  Itasca County

Distance:    Springloppet: 24k Skate, 12k Skate, 12k Classic

                       Candy Cup: 3k, 1k, 200m, 100m Skate

Age groups for Springloppet:

     18 years old and under, men and  women 19-39, masters 40+

Age groups and distances for Candy Cup:

                        4 year old and under (100m), 5-6 years old (200m), 7-8                        and 9-10 years old (1k), 11-12 and 13-14 years old (3k)

Schedule:  10:15 AM Registration opens, bib pick-up

                      11:00 AM 12k Classic Race

                      11:20 AM Skate 24k + Skate 12k

                        1:00 PM  Candy Cup

Entry Fee  $ 25.00 Springloppet,  $15.00 for 18 years old and under

                      $  5.00  Kid’s race – Candy Cup #4

Registration:  Race day at Sugar Hills. Please pre-register by sending the entry form to pcervenkova@hotmail.com  

Download the Entry Form Here  

More March Races Here                                       

Here are some suggestions:

1. Continue skiing after school.  The wax trailer, ski room and ski trails will be open every day after school until 5:00 pm for you to use and enjoy.

2. Consider following the CXC Academy high school workout plan until it ends on March 22. PDF of the Plan

3. Keep Racing!  Look here for a racing calendar on skinnyski and consider these two races that are close to Duluth:
Saturday, Feb 28 = River View Loppet
Sunday, March 1 = Twin Ports Championships

4. Explore the city trails and all the great skiing up the North Shore and on the Iron Range.  See here for a link to NE Minnesota Ski Trails

Enjoy this wonderful time of year!

Marshall Nordic Sends Two to the State Meet!

State Meet 2009 Results   Boys  Girls
State Meet Participants Slide Show
State Meet Event Photos

At the Section 7 Nordic Ski Meet Nick Power (junior) and Sarah Johnson (senior) qualified for the MSHSL State Nordic Ski Meet to be held on Friday, February 13, 2009 at Giants Ridge Ski Area in Biwabik, Minnesota.

Nick qualified after finishing 5th in the 5k classic race and 7th in the  5k skate pursuit race.  Nick’s classic race was one of the best of his high school career; bringing him to within 18 seconds of his summer training partner, Erk Rupert of Proctor.  Nick skied an excellent skate race later in the afternoon, dropping back just two spots in the last 100 meters to hard charging assaults from Kellen Witschen of Mesabi East and Peter Schurke of Ely.

Sarah, the 2009 Lake Superior Nordic Ski Conference Champion, qualified with an 8th place finish in classic followed by a strong surge forward 3 spots to 5th place in the afternoon freestyle pursuit race.

Both Nick and Sarah have worked very hard over the past two years to acheive this goal.  Last summer, Sarah’s training included wilderness canoeing, competitive rowing, long distance bicycling and running on the Marshall CCR team.  Nick worked hard at roller skiing, bicycling and running on the Marshall CCR team.

Marshall Nordic is sending forth two excellent individuals to represent the team, the school and section seven.  All of us at Marshall Nordic are very proud of Sarah and Nick!

Section Seven Results

State Meet Information from the MSHSL

2009 STATE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ NORDIC SKI RACING MEET

Friday, February 13, 2009
Giants Ridge, Biwabik

SCHEDULE

An awards ceremony will follow the final race.

Within the city limits of Duluth we have Snowflake Nordic Ski Center, Spirit Mt., Bagley Nature Area and the Duluth city trail system.  Just outside of the city limits we have Boulder Lake, the Superior city trails and Korkki Nordic Ski Center, the focus of this post.

Korkki Nordic Ski Center is one of the finest single track classic ski areas in the nation.  It is a place where time seems to stand still. While skiing at Korkki, nordic skiers have a chance to “get back to the roots” of the sport.  Skinnyski.com has this to say about Korkki Nordic: “Korkki Nordic Center is a secluded trail just east of Duluth, consisting of a single-track classical trail. Wicked hills, flats, downs…it has everything. Trails were designed for racing and are recommended for those with at least intermediate to advanced classical skiing skills.”

Charlie Banks crafted the Korkki Nordic trails with an axe and grub hoe in 1954, to make a trail system for his Duluth Central Ski Team.  Charlie would often bring members of his Duluth Central Team out to Korkki, delivering them to practice and back home again in his car.  If you look hard you can even find evidence of the lighting system that Charlie installed to extend the practice hours for his team.  Charlie passed away in 1998, but left Korkki Nordic in the able hands of Mark Helmer, Charlie’s dear friend.

Mark has carried on the strong traditions started by Charlie Banks as well as added some new ones.  Soon after Charlie’s death; Mark Helmer and the Korkki Nordic Board started the Charlie Bank Memorial Fund.  This fund has generously distributed much needed monetary support to all of the area high school ski teams.  It is with this support that Marshall Nordic was able to purchase a Ginzu groomer for our home trail.

One tradition that has remained strong is the annual Eric Judeen 10K Classic Ski Race.  Held since 1963, the Eric Judeen race attracts skiers from Olympic level down to the newest Jr. High level high school skier.  Another tradition that has grown in popularity is the 100 and 50 kilometer challenge.  If a skier is able to ski 100 or 50 kilometers in one day, Mark will place their name and the date of their ski on the plaque in the chalet.  Just remember when you try the challenge, be sure to ski the entire loop, include the big hill to be eligible for the award!

I would like to encourage every member of Marshall Nordic (and anyone else reading this article) to consider purchasing a yearly membership at Korkki Nordic.  Korkki Nordic is a gem in the nordic ski world.

Membership application

Eric Judeen Entry Form for February 15, 2009

Eric Judeen Results from Feb 15, 2009

Link to a photoset of a day at Korkki Nordic

The following members of the Marshall Nordic Ski Team have been selected to represent their team and Marshall School at the 2009 Section 7 Nordic Ski Meet on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 at Giants Ridge:  (course maps)

Photo Tour of State Meet Classic Course
Photo Tour of State Meet Skate Course

Boys: (grade)
Nick Power (11)
Mitch Campbell (11)
Joel Welinski (11)
Josef Fairbanks (8)
Cody Johnson (8)
Thomas Hodge (12)
Sam Johnson(9)

Girls: (grade)
Sarah Johnson (12)
Lydia Jacobs (11)
Lee Weintraub (10)
Kemin Fena (8)
Carolyn Lucca (8)
Dana Hovland (11)
Esther Miner (12)

Alternates for the boys team will be Brandon Channell (8) and Chris Jarocki (8) and for girls Sylvie Weintraub (8).

Congratulations to these fine individuals and best of luck at the Section 7 Nordic Ski Meet!

It has been noted throughout time that passion procures promise. With passion comes a sense of deep commitment and understanding. It is the one common thread that weaves its way through the diverse collection of triumphs in all history. Passion goes beyond interest or involvement, it becomes a way of being. It is easier to catch glimpses of it in our daily lives, and rare to see it in its fullest form.

This year we are fortunate to have the essence of passion embodied in one of our very own Nordic teammates. For this skier, ski season is not bound by any dates on a calendar, practice is not confined to a few hours after school, but rather it is a philosophy, a way of life and her passion is contagious. It is hard for her teammates not to want to focus more or push harder when they see her focus on the trail, in the commons during stretching, or in the way she conducts herself at meets. Speaking on the very topic of passion, philosopher Jim Garrison once said, “We become what we love.” And that spirit of Nordic skiing is fully embodied in our own Sarah Johnson.

Race Announcement

Junior High Championships

 Tuesday, February 3, 2009

 Snowflake Nordic Center

4348 Rice Lake Road

 Duluth, MN  55802

Registration for skiers not on a high school team 3:30-4:00 p.m.

 Bus Leaves Marshall School at 3:30 pm

Bib Pick-up 4:00 p.m.

Coaches Meeting 4:30 p.m.

Race Start time 5:00 p.m.

Format:

3 km freestyle race on lighted trails (there will be a classic track along the side of the trail)

Order of Start:

7th grade Boys

7th grade Girls

6th grade Boys

6th grade Girls

5th grade Boys

5th grade Girls

Break

9th grade Boys

9th grade Girls

8th grade Boys

8th grade Girls

Awards: Individual – Top 10 ribbons in each grade

Coaches Information:

Cost: $5 per skier.  Make checks payable to Duluth East Nordic Ski Team.

Send to: Duluth East Nordic Ski Team, Duluth East High School, 2900 East 4th Street, Duluth, MN  55812 or bring to the race.

Start List must be received by Saturday, January 31

Sent to: Steve Deschene timing@boreal.org or enter on web site www.boreal.org/~durfee

Questions call Dave or Bonnie at 218-724-2775 (no phone entries please)