Rochester Nordic Invite Results
January 27, 2012
John Resman reports: With just enough snow falling this past week, the Rochester Nordic Ski Invitational took place on Friday at the Eastwood Golf Course on natural snow (something that unfortunately is not happening very often this winter). Over 230 skiers from Northfield, Prior Lake, Rochester, and Winona skied in the freestyle technique on a 4.4K route wandering throughout the golf course with the varsity skiers adding a section through the adjoining woods for a 5.8K ski. Ian Torchia, Rochester, was the boys varsity champion and led his team to the title. The Winona girls, led by Erin Keane, the girls varsity champion, took the top three spots and earned the team title. Erin Keane and Ian Torchia also won the individual titles last year.

OHP Cross Country Ski Technique and Training Program
January 27, 2012
Karen Bebchuk will be leading a six week cross-country skiing technique and training program, beginning February 1st. Sessions will meet at various parks in the Twin Cities metro area.

Weekend Skiing and Trail Reports
January 26, 2012
Plenty of good skiing being reported across much of the upper Midwest. Get out and explore some natural snow this weekend! New reports from Buena Vista, Theodore Wirth(2), Woodland, Fox Hill(2), Birkie(3), Zippel Bay SP, Lake Bemidji SP, Lakewood XC(2), Elm Creek(2), Rainbow, Cascade River/Deer Yard Lake, Sugarbush, Nine Mile County Forest, Red Barn, Three Eagle, Central Gunflint, After Hours(3), Miljes, Lester, Seeley, Anvil National(3), Minocqua Winter(2), Chester Bowl, Upper Gunflint, Afterglow Lake, Lindenwood, Graystone, Green Acres, Lapham Peak, Troll Hollow, Wolverine, Maplelag, Nordic, William O'Brien SP, Greenbush, Movil Maze, Raven, Escanaba , Trade River, Coon Lake, and recent reports from Lauterman National, Elm Creek, Theodore Wirth, Standing Rocks, Snowflake, Como GC, Kamview, Phalen GC, Nordic(2), Levis/Trow Mound, Fox Hill, Viroqua Hills GC, Maplelag(2), Black Bay, After Hours, Edgewood GC, McNaughton Lake, Tower Ridge, Maple Bluff Country, Timberland Hills, Viking Ship/Davy, Inshalla GC, William O'Brien SP, Afterglow Lake, Mukwonago, Camp Forest Springs, Hixon Forest, Barron Association, Flathorn-Gegoka, Minocqua Winter, Mt. Ashwabay, Highland 9-hole GC, Bagley Nature, Green Acres.

Cable IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup Coverage
January 26, 2012
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is holding Nordic Skiing World Cup events at Telemark Lodge in Cable January 26-30 featuring some of the world's best cross country skiers with physical disabilities.
Related:
Photoset from Eve Stein: Cable IPC Photos
Video: Live Video Coverage
IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup Midwest Events
Brelsford, Cnossen lead U.S. in first day of 2012 IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup

Midwest Mountaineering: Win a Free Birkie 2012 Entry!
January 26, 2012
Believe it or not, but you've still got a chance to get into the 2012 American Birkebeiner... Midwest Mountaineering will hold a drawing from all the entries received (in-store) between Friday and Sunday this weekend (Jan 27-29).
Related:
Additional Drawing: Smartwool Birkie Entries

Weekend Racing
January 25, 2012
With the recent snowstorms, a lot of races are up and running for the weekend...
Jan 28 Noquemanon - Loads of snow should provide one great course for this popular point-to-point race.
Jan 28 Iowa Winter Games - The games are on!  Held at the Mines of Spain State Park.
Jan 28-29 Tour de Twin Cities - Sisu Foundation hosts the final two races of the Tour de Twin Cities at Green Acres.
Jan 29 Marine/O'Brien Race - William O'Brien has been groomed and organizers are going ahead with the race!
Jan 29 Iola Norseman Challenge - Good conditions at Iola Winter Sports Club trails.
Jan 29 SMU 10K - St. Mary's in Winona also has good snow for their pair of 10K races this Sunday.
Find out more details on these and other upcoming races in the Racing Outlook.
Related:
Jan 28 Washington County Parks Cross Country Ski Festival - Skiing Clinics

Waxing Recommendations

Wood Ski Waxing Clinic
January 25, 2012
Out There is offering a special wood ski waxing clinic for the Marine/O'Brien race at the Bikery Du Nord in Marine on St.Croix, MN on Saturday evening.

Mayor's Challenge Sprints
January 25, 2012
The Mayor's Challenge series of events wrapped up Wednesday evening with a sprint prologue. Skiers competed on a 1.4K to post the top time. Tim Reynolds and Jennie Bender bested the fields with times of 2:46.18 and 3:13.39, respectively. The Tour de Twin Cities moves to Green Acres for two days of racing this weekend.
Related:
Photoset from David Owen: Sprints
Results: Sprints

Chequamegon Lottery Entries Now Available
January 24, 2012
Hoping to ride the big Chequamegon 40 mountain bike race next fall? Entries are awarded by lottery draw only, so sumbit your registration by March 15th to be entered in the drawing.

Out There Clothing Sale
January 24, 2012
Out There Nordic shop in Rice Lake is offering a 25% clothing sale on brands like Ibex, Swix, Craft and more. Plus free shipping on orders over $199.

Toko: Kick Waxing Tips
January 24, 2012
Toko reviews the proper application of kick wax, plus highlights from racing in Driggs, ID, and World Cup videos.

Skinnyski.com High School Rankings - Week 9
January 23, 2012
The Mayor's Challenge JOQ races last weekend put a big rumble in the individual rankings. For the second week, we have a new number one for the girls as Duluth East's Annie Harvieux earns the top spot. Ben Saxton continues to sail at the top for the boys. No changes in the team rankings: Wayzata girls and Roseville boys still number one.
Related:
Racing Outlook: Sections

Gear West Wax Recap on Mayor's, Wax Service
January 23, 2012
Gear West has posted the results of their waxing testing from Mayor's Challenge, and is offering professional wax service for this week's Tour de Twin Cities races at Green Acres.

Making Tracks: Volks Ski 400km Takes Place February 11th
January 22, 2012
Cook County is hosting their annual Volks Ski 400 event on February 11, 2012. The event will attempt to get skiers to spread out and cover all 400K of Cook County trails in a single day. Prizes for individuals and teams.

Racing Outlook
January 22, 2012
Tour de Twin Cities ready to go at Green Acres with mass start classical and freestyle pursuit races. Marine/O'Brien, and many more are on!

Lappe Invitational Results
January 22, 2012
Phil Brown reports: Nordic ski racers from ages three to 63 competed in the 33rd Annual Lappe Invitational this weekend. Skiers from Thunder Bay's Big Thunder & Lappe Nordic Ski Clubs as well as the Kamview Jackrabbits took part in the two day event. Saturday's individual time trial, as well as Sunday's mass start free technique event saw Murray Carter take the Senior Men's Division while Kelly Henry won the Senior Women's Division.

Mayor's Challenge Freestyle Coverage
January 22, 2012
Sunday brought warmer but damp and cloudy conditions for the Mayor's Challenge freestyle races at Theodore Wirth. The mens 15K race featured a tight battle between Matt Liebsch and Tad Elliot, starting 15 seconds apart, with Liebsch holding on to a narrow victory. Caitlin Gregg topped the womens 10K field.
Related:
Photoset: 10K - 178 photos, 15K - 256 photos, 5K - 146 photos
Photoset: Top Picks (high res)
Photoset from David Owen: Freestyle
Photoset from Todd Bauer: Womens 10K, Mens 15K
Results: 5K, 10K, 15K freestyle
CCSA: Northern Michigan on top again as Markvardsen, Soderman lead CCSA
Matt Liebsch Wins Mayor's Challenge Cross Country Ski Races

Marshall Sprints Coverage
January 22, 2012
Moved to Ely for better snow conditions, the Marshall Sprints Saturday featured a 0.8K qualifier loop and then sprint heats. A 3.3K consolation race was held for those not qualifying for the sprint heats. Duluth East's Geoff Ash and Grand Rapids' Viren Solveig was the sprint titles.

Mayor's Challenge Classical Coverage
January 21, 2012
Sunny skies, crisp temperatures and light winds combined for some good classical conditions Saturday morning for the Mayor's Challenge events. Matt Liebsch continues to show improved classical form, topping the mens 10K field by just .4 seconds over Sylvan Ellefson! Jennie Bender posted the fastest womens time with a winning margin of 10 seconds.
Related:
Photoset: 5K - 235 photos, 10K - 225 photos
Photoset: Top Picks (high res)
Photoset from Todd Bauer: Men, Women
Results: 5K, 10K classical
CCSA: Markset, Markvardsen propel Wildcats to lead at Mayor's XC Challenge

Snekkevik Results
January 21, 2012
A good turnout Saturday morning for the rescheduled Snekkevik races as skiers traveled from around the Midwest to enter the 12K and 24K distance events. The 24K freestyle crowns went to Tom Wood and JoEllen Torresani, 12K skate victories for Jim Mullen and Rae Bassette, 12K classical winners were Michael Arce and Barbara Bradley.
Related:
Lapham Loppet Results Posted