Midwest MTB Racing Recap
May 15, 2012
Jay Richards' MTB report recaps the Rasta Rally, provides a slew of tidbits on camps and special events, and looks ahead to the start of the Minnesota off-road series, as well as the Cable Off-road Classic.

Finn Sisu Spring Sauna Sale! May 15, 2012 Finn Sisu is hosting their big Spring Sauna sale this Saturday, May 19th. Stop in for big savings along with seminars on benefits of saunas, as well as how to assemble one. Plus, there will be grilled food, snacks and cold beverages for sale with proceeds to benefit the Irondale HS Nordic Team.

Randall: Sprints, Pull-ups, and a Nap
May 14, 2012
The Wall Street Journal recently profiled Kikkan Randall's off-season training as part of their "What's your workout?" series.

Midwest Mountaineering 42nd Anniversary Sale
May 14, 2012
Midwest Mountaineering will be running two weeks of special deals in celebration of their 42nd anniversary! Coupons for big discounts and even some freebies, along with a selection of May events posted.

Chippewa Triathlon 2012
May 13, 2012
The 2012 Chippewa Triathlon is coming up in a few weeks on June 9th. The event features paddling, mountain biking, and trail running covering a span of nearly 50 miles.

Gene Kay Profile
May 13, 2012
Twin Cities skier Gene Kay was profiled Sunday in the Star Tribune's How I Got This Body feature.

Farm Dog Time Trial Coverage
May 12, 2012
A beautiful day in Lakeville Saturday morning as riders rolled over an 8 mile course in the Farm Dog Trial Time. The only thing making it less than perfect was some heavy truck hauling along the start of Highview Ave.
Related:
Photoset: 153 photos
Photoset: Top Picks (high res)
Results: Farm Dog TT Series

Chequamegon Festival Contest Awards Race Spots
May 11, 2012
The Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival is once again hosting their '50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon Essay Contest'. Lucky contestants could win a ride in the 2012 Chequamegon race. Entry deadline is July 1st.

Diggins Heads East
May 11, 2012
Jessie Diggins announced Friday that she will be leaving the CXC team to join Gus Kaeding and the newly formed Stratton Mountain Elite Team in Vermont.

MN High School MTB Race For Free
May 10, 2012
The Minnesota High School Cycling League is offering student athletes the chance to "Race for Free" on June 3rd at the Bluff Riders Charge at Mt. Kato in Mankato, provided MN HS League Team Directors complete minimum requirements by May 31st.
Related:
Minnesota High School Cycling League

Velocal: Ride with Riverbrook
May 10, 2012
Riverbrook has joined Velocal and is listed as a Wisconsin group ride -- now they're inviting to join up! Whether your local or just in town for the weekend, check out the schedule and saddle up.

Summer Rollerski Rentals
May 10, 2012
Gear West is offering a summer rollerski rental program, with two models of ONEWAY rollerskis to select from (classic and/or skate).

Midwest Mountaineering May Deals
May 9, 2012
Midwest Mountaineering has some coupon specials for Mother's day, including free socks and 20% off for mom. And check out their May line up of events.

Salomon Trail Running Tour
May 9, 2012
Salomon will be making a number of stops in the Twin Cities next week to promote their trail running line up.
May 17 Hoigaards - Clinics, truckload of demo shoes, giveaways, plus a womens only group run.
May 18 Gear West - See their mobile showroom, new shoes and packs, and demo pairs.  Group run in the evening.

Past Twelve Month Period Warmest on Record
May 9, 2012
NOAA's National Climatic Data Center has reported the past 12 month period was the warmest on record, with 2.8F departure from average.

Thunder Bay Dryland Training Camp
May 9, 2012
Big Thunder Nordic is putting on their annual dryland training camp in Thunder Bay, Ontario, July 1-5. The camp is intended for skiers 13 and older who are looking for more comprehensive training experience.

Midwest MTB Racing Recap
May 8, 2012
Jay Richards recaps the Sandwich and Iola Bump and Jump races from last weekend, including a couple of first-hand reports, and looks ahead to the opening of the Buck Hill midweek races as well as the popular Rasta Rally this weekend.

Rice Creek Athletes Gear up for Summer
May 8, 2012
The Rice Creek Boat Club is proud to announce a number of paddlers have made the USA Canoe Kayak U-18 team representing the US at a pair of international regattas this summer.

Bike Dr: Bikes and Tech, Wheel Demo, Upcoming Music
May 7, 2012
The latest Bicycle Doctor newsletter highlights advanced in bike technology, upcoming music performances, wheel demos, and Wisconsin Bike Federation membership.

Gear West Womens Night Wednesday
May 7, 2012
Gear West is hosting a special Womens event this Wednesday evening, May 9th. Speakers will be Ali Holman, Fitness and Nutrition expert for Fox 9, and local XC ski enthusiast Leslie Hale. Hale will be talk about her trip to Greenland for a ski race/tour this past March.

MN Coaches Spring Meeting Follow Up
May 5, 2012
The original 3x5 proposal from last fall's MN Coaches Meeting has been modified a couple of times, and now will need to be voted on again by the coaches before moving back to MSHSL for final approval.

Snake River Canoe Race Coverage
May 5, 2012
Recent rains helped lift the water levels in the Snake River, providing a safe and fast course for the canoe/kayak race Saturday. The event is part of the Mora Classic series and this year there were over 170 entries. In the Pro Boat divison, the team Devin Arenz and Dama Henry beat out the duo of Kate Ellis and Kjell Peterson by just over a minute. Top kayakers were Joe Zellner and Lana Voynich.
Related:
Photoset: Start - 28 photos, CR 19 Bridge - 181 photos
Photoset: Top Picks (high res)
Video from Greg Seitz: POV
Results: Snake River Canoe Race

Go Green Run Results
May 5, 2012
Nearly 200 athletes came out Saturday morning for the 5K and 10K trail runs at Battle Creek. In the 5K race, titles went to Oli Vrambout and Jennie Bender. 10K victories were collected by Matt Liebsch and Johanna Winters.
Related:
Photoset from Darrin Kovar: Go Green Run
Results: Go Green 5K, 10K

UAA Position Available
May 4, 2012
The University of Alaska-Anchorage has an opening for graduate assistant Nordic ski coach for the upcoming season.

Nordic Combined: Loomis Returns to Eau Claire
May 3, 2012
Eau Claire native Adam Loomis will return home next Tuesday, May 8th to host a dryland clinic with rollerskiing at Carson Park. Loomis was a member of the US Ski Team's Nordic Combined World Junior Championship team this past winter.
Related:
WEAU: Loomis Excelling at Nordic Combine

ONE WAY Signs Dario Cologna
May 2, 2012
The Finnish Nordic Sports company ONE WAY has signed a long-term contract with the Swiss cross-country star Dario Cologna.

Midwest MTB Racing Recap
May 1, 2012
Jay Richards' latest MTB report has race recaps from the Decorah Time Trials, End-SPAR, and Whiskey 50, as well a number of highlights for upcoming events, including the Lusten 99er, Sandwich 50, and the big Midwest race series.

US Ski Team: Jason Cork Named Asst Coach
May 1, 2012
Veteran regional cross country coach Jason Cork has been named as an assistant coach for the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team. Cork will work primarily with the men’s World Cup team under the leadership of Cross Country Head Coach Chris Grover. Grover will serve as interim men’s head coach following the resignation of Pete Vordenberg, who left the team this spring after more than a decade as an athlete and coach.

Top Norwegian Swimmer Passes Away
May 1, 2012
Alexander Dale Oen, a 26-year-old world champion swimmer who was one of Norway's top medal hopes for the London Olympics, died of apparent cardiac arrest after collapsing Monday night in the shower of his Flagstaff, Ariz., hotel room. Dale Oen was known for cross-training, including rollerskiing.

Gear West May Events
April 29, 2012
Gear West has a number of great events lined up in May...
May 9 Women! Wine! Adventure! - Relaxing evening with women guest speakers.
May 12, 26 Marathon Training Runs - Spring marathon tune up runs with support stops.
May 17 Newton Running Clinic - Justin Dyszelski clinic on Newton natural running shoes.
May 18 Salomon Trail Tour - Over 200 pairs of demo shoes plus giveaway items.
May 20 Gear West Duathlon - Run, bike, run event on the off-road trails and backroads near Baker Park.

Otter Tail River Kayak/Canoe Race Results
April 29, 2012
Jason Sannes-Venhuizen reports: With snow flurries forecasted, the weather turned out to be much better (for a kayak/canoe race) on Saturday with temps in the mid 40s and a brisk 10-15 mph SE wind to greet paddlers to the Otter Tail River in Frazee, MN. The river flows south in this 7 mile section but eventually turns north to the Hudson Bay. Jonathan Sanborn was rocket fast in his surf ski kayak setting a new course record.
Related:
Results: Otter Tail River Canoe/Kayak Race

Ken Woods Road Race Coverage
April 28, 2012
After a cold and wet morning, the rain shut down but temperatures remained brisk for the afternoon events at the Ken Woods road race. Competing in the afternoon were the Masters 50+/Open, Mens Cat 4 and 5, Womens Cat 1/2/3, and Junior boys and girls. As usual, gusty winds split many fields into packs early on.
Related:
Photoset: Afternoon Races - 105 photos
Photoset: Top Picks (high res)
Results: Ken Woods Road Race

Falls Duathlon Coverage
April 28, 2012
Light rain and cold temperatures made for a chilly Falls Duathlon race in Cannon Falls Saturday morning. Racers competed on a 2 mile run through the streets, 14 mile bike on county roads, before finishing with a 3 mile run on the Cannon Valley trail. Chad Millner and Devon Palmer dualed for the mens title, Millner taking opening lead, Palmer moving in front on the cycling leg, and Millner then reeling in Palmer on the final 3 mile run to take the victory by less than a minute. Regina Hornk topped the womens field.
Related:
Photoset: 2 Mile Run - 46 photos, 14 Mile Bike - 137 photos, 3 Mile Run - 81 photos
Photoset: Top Picks (high res)
Results: Falls Duathlon

Michigan Tech Coaching Position
April 27, 2012
Michigan Tech is seeking candidates for an associate head coach of Nordic Ski / assistant coach Cross Country and Track & Field.

Gustavus Nordic Ski Camp
April 26, 2012
Gustuvas will host their annual Nordic Ski Camp July 8-12. The camp will focus on training and instruction in ski walking, bounding, skate and classic technique, strength training, and interval training and is designed for skiers in grades 8-12.

US Ski Team: Longtime Coach Vordenberg Resigns
April 25, 2012
Two-time Olympian and longtime cross-country ski coach Pete Vordenberg announced his resignation from the U.S. Ski Team after 10 years of coaching to spend more time with his growing family.

Birkie Already at 1,700 Registered
April 25, 2012
Skier registration for the 2013 American Birkiebeiner events topped 1,700 on Wednesday, just ten days after registration opened.
Related:
Birkie Submits Comprehensive Proposal to Telemark

Midwest MTB Racing Recap
April 24, 2012
Jay Richards MTB racing recap reports on the action from the big Sea Otter Classic out west, as well as the Mammoth Gravel Classic closer to home.

Sisu Adult Programs
April 24, 2012
The Sisu Foundations Year-Round adult training programs kick off in early May, but there is still time to register. A number of program options and locations to choose from.

Finn Sisu Newsletter: Time to Run, Strength Program
April 23, 2012
Finn Sisu's latest newsletter highlights new Scott shoes, the Finn Sisu Running Team, trail running series, and Tuesday night strength circuit.

Midwest Mountaineering Spring Expo Coupons and Updates
April 23, 2012
Midwest Mountaineering holds their big Spring Outdoor Adventure Expo this weekend, April 27-29th. And they are offering special coupons for great deals, including: 20% off coupon and 50% on one item under $20. Plus check out over 120 free presentations!

National Nordic Foundation Spring Meeting
April 22, 2012
The National Nordic Foundation will hold their spring meeting May 9th in Park City, UT. On agenda for the meeting: review what the NNF has accomplished in the past year and develop an action plan for improvement.

Trail Mix Coverage
April 21, 2012
Temperatures in the low 50s made for nearly ideal running conditions for the 2012 Trail Mix races at Lake Hyland Park on Saturday. Runners competed in 25K and 50K solo divisions, as well as a team 50K event, over a 12.5K loop on mostly turf trails.
Related:
Photoset: Team 50K - 177 photos
Photoset: Top Picks (high res)

Hoigaards Pre-Season Paddlesports Sale
April 20, 2012
Hoigaards is running their big Pre-Season Paddlesports Sale, April 20-29th, with savings on canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and accessories along with 20% discounts on car racks, rainwear, water shoes, and more.

Matt Liebsch Update
April 20, 2012
Matt Liebsch wraps up the 2011-2012 season and posts information on fundraising efforts.

Health Articles
April 19, 2012
A couple of health related articles from the past week...
Do We Need More Advice About Eating Well?  - A debate over diet information and choices.
Feeling Fat?  Facebook is to blame - A look at the role Facebook is playing in some perceptions of feeling fit.
Related:
Nordic Skier Leads Boston Marathon for Opening 9K

Midwest MTB Racing Recap: Season Preview
April 17, 2012
Jay Richards is back for another season of MTB racing, kicking things off with some spring news and a look at the upcoming racing season.

Midwest Mountaineering Outdoor Adventure Expo
April 17, 2012
Midwest Mountaineering's Spring Outdoor Adventure Expo is coming up next weekend, Apr 27-29. Included in the over 120 free presentations are David and Josie Nelson's Noatak River canoe adventure, and Sue and Roland Ring Jarvi's 3.5 Trans-America Bike recap.

LSC (Opus) Criterium Coverage
April 17, 2012
Criterium racing action opened the Minnesota season Tuesday evening at the Opus Complex in Eden Prairie with the LSC Criterium series. Cloudy skies hinted at rain with temps in the mid 50s, but the roads remained fast and dry for the evening set.
Related:
Photoset: Mens Cat 5 - 32 photos, Mens Cat 4/5 - 22 photos, Womens - 29 photos, Cat 1/2/3 - 34 photos
Photoset: Top Picks
Results: LSC (Opus) Crit

MN High School MTB Racing Info Meetings
April 17, 2012
Informational meetings on new teams for the Minnesota high school MTB racing league will be held April 18-25 across the region.

Alaskan Coaching Position
April 17, 2012
The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks Cross Country (NSCF-FXC) racing program is searching for an assistant coach to work with its Prep and Comp Teams. Application deadline is May 1st.

Korir, Cherop win Boston Marathon
April 16, 2012
Racing in blazing hot conditions, Kenya's Wesley Korir, Sharon Cherop won Boston Marathon titles on Monday.
Related:
Marathoners Manage to Beat Heat