Minnesota State Meet Preview
February 8, 2010
The Minnesota State Meet is just days away, coming up early this season, on Thursday, February 11th. As usual, we've taken our shot at predicting who will be a top of the podium at the end of the day. What's your take?
Related:

Waxing Recommendations

Wisconsin High School Nordic Skiing Championship Preview
February 8, 2010
The Wisconsin State High School Championships are this Saturday, February 13th in Wausau. Ken Schoville provides a complete breakdown on the favorites.

MNJRC Season Kick-Off Meeting Feb 12th
February 8, 2010
MNJRC, the Minnesota Juniors Cycling organization, will hold their annual kickoff meeting this Friday, February 12th at KSTP in St. Paul.

Arrowhead Ultra Results
February 8, 2010
Cheryl Ostor writes: The Arrowhead 135 mile Ultra Marathon took place under optimal weather conditions on Feb 1-3rd. A record number of 61 racers out of 102 starters reached the finish line. Jeff Oatley of Alaska, the overall winner, finished on bike in 16 hours 17 minutes with bikers Pete Basinger, Alaska and record holder, Dave Pramann of Minnesota, a few seconds behind. All finishers receive a unique custom handmade arrowhead trophy. Next year, the City of International Falls will offer a purse to top finishers in each category. Several records were broken on foot and bike, but the ski record held by Phillipp Finzel remains at 36h 35 min.
Related:
Int'l Falls Journal: Arrowhead 135 Intro

Gear West Womens Night Out
February 8, 2010
Gear West is hosting a special Everything Birkie Womens Night Out this Thurday evening, February 11th. Come sample some chocolate, wine, and clothing, as well as tips for preparing for the Birkie.

Weather Roller Coaster
February 8, 2010
Mark Lahtinen provides a brief look at the continuing roller coaster of weather we've had this season.

Major Snow for SE Wisconsin, Illinois
February 8, 2010
Winter Storm Warnings are posted for much of SE Wisconsin and northern Illinois the current weather system pushes further to the east, bring big snow for the western edge of Lake Michigan -- perhaps as much as 14" of snow.
Related:
Regional Winter Storm Statements

Weekend Trail Reports
February 7, 2010
Good weather and great skiing conditions appear to be the theme over the weekend. New reports from Itasca SP, Buena Vista, F.A. Buscher, Irondale, Mt. Ashwabay, Lebanon Hills(2), Theodore Wirth, Fox Hill, Piedmont, Vadnais/Sucker Lakes, Carver, Lester River GC, Saint Paul Alleys, Battle Creek West, Hiawatha GC, Snail/Grass Lakes, Lake Bemidji SP, Woodland, Wild River SP(2), Penokee Mtn, Raven, Madeline Lake, Escanaba , Central Gunflint(2), Potawatomi SP, Elm Creek(2), Monona GC, Spooner City, Beaver Brook, Red Barn, Scuppernong, Zillmer, Grand View Lodge - The Pines, Peninsula SP, Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve, Terrace Oaks, Murphy-Hanrehan, Sugarbush, Birkie, Zippel Bay SP, Northwoods, Reforestation Camp, Mirror Lake SP, Balsam Branch, and recent reports from Zak, French(2), Maplelag, City of Lakes Loppet, Governor Nelson SP(2), Boulder Lake(2), Reforestation Camp(3), Scuppernong(2), Lake Minnewashta, Tettegouche SP, Timms Hill, Washburn Lake, Sibley SP, Lebanon Hills, Standing Rocks(2), Mirror Lake SP, Cherry Hills, Blue Hills, Flambeau Hills, Carver(2), Woodland(2), Pine Point, McMiller, After Hours, Pattison SP(2), Willow River SP, Irondale, Nine Mile Forest, French Rapids X-C, Bice County Forest, Jay Cooke SP, Balsam Branch, Chomonix GC, Greenbush, Nordic(2), Giants Ridge, Terrace Oaks, Vadnais/Sucker Lakes, Fort Snelling SP, Superior MF, Timberland Hills, Springvale County, Phalen GC, William O'Brien SP, Pine Valley, Sand Dunes SF, Lake Maria SP, Iola Winter Sports, Kinnickinnic SP.
Related:
Regional Snowfall Reports

City of Lakes Loppet Sunday Coverage
February 7, 2010
Sunday's Loppet races featured the new stadium start area, which allowed fields to roll out on a fairly flat to downhill terrain over the opening kilometer. Weather conditions were ideal with temps in the low 20s and firm, fast trails. In the 35K freestyle, Matt Liebsch (just back from Canmore World Cup) took the lead from nearly the opening gun and held off a hard pressing Josh Smullin to take the victory. Andre Watt took the sprint for third. Kristina Owen lead a CXC podium sweep with Maria Stuber and Johanna Winters for the womens 35K. In the classical race, Andy Liebner powered off the front of the mens field to win handily. Audrey Weber topped the womens classic division. Results posted now along with nearly 1200 photos broken into 12 photosets.

Mt. Ashwabay Summit Ski Race Results
February 6, 2010
Scott Nesvold writes: The Mt. Ashwabay Summit ski race was a tight duel between local High School racer Scott Johanik and many time Stormy Kromer winner Jonathon Rulson. With a home field advantage, Scott came out on top this time with a time of 32:29. A former skier of 4H-CANSKI, Catie Cogger, walked away with the womens title in 40:16. The 3.5 km race mens race was won by 4H-CANSKI skier James Gilbertson. The womens 3.5 km was won by Britta Schropter. Including the kids 1/2 km kids race, over 100 skiers enjoyed beautiful conditions and lots of pie and cookies.
Related:
Badger State Games Results

Moraloppet Results
February 6, 2010
Over 60 skiers participated in the mini-tuneup for the Vasaloppet, the Moraloppet, Saturday on the trails at the Vasaloppet Nordic Center. Chip Gerdin and Kim Kylander won the 14K race, Pedro Pesta and Jessica Olen the 7k event.

City of Lakes Loppet Saturday Events Coverage
February 6, 2010
Big crowds turned out all day for the City of Lakes Loppet Saturday events. Mild temperatures in the mid-20s made it almost a perfect winter day, especially with a few brief glimpses of the sun. The day was packed with events starting with the snow sculpting in the morning, ice bike racing, a huge ski-jor race, the Junior Loppet and Minneloppet events, sprints in the late afternoon, and capped with the Luminary Loppet night ski on Isles (whew!). Sunday will feature the big races from Wirth to the uptown finish.
Related:
Photoset: Snow Sculptures - 27 photos, Ice Bike Races - 73 photos, Skijor Races - 104 photos, Junior Loppet - 89 photos, MinneLoppet - 143 photos
Photoset from Dick Anderson: Sprints - 28 photos
Video from Bill Lundberg: Ice-Cycle Loppet Advanced Race, Skijor Race
Video from Scott Brown: Skijor Race
Results: Saturday Events

Fast Wax Clinic at Finn Sisu
February 5, 2010
Fast Wax founder Dan Meyer will present a waxing clinic at Finn Sisu on Monday, February 8th, starting at 6:30 pm.

Canmore World Cup: Compton 14th
February 5, 2010
In the final tune up races before the Olympics, Caitlin Compton scored an impressive 14th place finish on Friday in the womens 10K freestyle in Canmore. Matt Liebsch and Garrott Kuzzy also had solid results in the mens 15K, finishing 29th and 33rd respectively.
Related:
Results: Canmore World Cup 10K, 15K Freestyle
Canmore World Cup: U.S. Qualifies Seven in Canmore Sprints

State Meet Info
February 5, 2010
A few helpful links for the Minnesota State Meet...
- MSHSL Info (including schedules and lodging)
- Skate Course Map
- Classic Course Map

Performance Enhancing Acupunture Clinic at Finn Sisu
February 4, 2010
Hilary Patzer of JADA and Rossignol skier will be at Finn Sisu on Wednesday evening, February 10th for a presentation on Performance Enhancing Acupunture. Special Rossignol discounts and fitting by Rossi reps.

Section 7 Results
February 4, 2010
Section 7 wrapped up the week of Sectional meets, and as usual, racing on the State Meet course of Giants Ridge, turned out one exciting finish. Amy Bianco, 9th grader from Ely, took a 22 second lead out of the freestyle race and then held on to win the classical pursuit by a mere three seconds over Kelly Kjorlien, Grand Rapids, and Annie Harvieux, Duluth East. The Ely girls would need every second as they came down to a tie with rival Duluth East with Ely getting the nod based on the tie breaker. Ely will be sending both teams as the boys earned the team title as well. Raleigh Goessling won the boys title. Full results posted.

Section 2 Results
February 4, 2010
Camp Ripley hosted its third day of racing with the Section 2 meet on Thursday. Wayzata dominated the section, taking both the boys and girls team titles as well as a sound victory by their own Paige Schember in the girls pursuit. Number one ranked Ben Ohman, Orono, won the boys pursuit, although Wayzata's 10th grade star Alex Meyer nearly snapped up the fastest skate time, finishing just two seconds behind Ohman's posted split. Full results posted.

Gear West Race Wax Service
February 4, 2010
Gear West is offering waxing service to get your skis ready for the big races here in February. Service from basic waxing to high end fluro jobs, just drop the skis off a couple days in advance.

New Moon Newsletter Signup
February 3, 2010
Sign up today for New Moon Ski Shop's New E-Newsletter! Keep up with the goings-on in Birkie country and catch the latest trail reports, technical discussions, special discounts and feature products, current events, and much more.

MiSSeries: Nordic Spirit Recap
February 3, 2010
The MiSSeries is in mid-season form with four races now in the books and just three to go. Michael Meehlhause recaps the action from the Nordic Spirit last weekend.

Section 8 Coverage
February 3, 2010
Camp Ripley trails received a second day of racing as Section 8 squared off on Wednesday. Jake Richards, Detroit Lakes, spotted Bemidji's Matt Lee a four second margin after the classic and then moved ahead to win the pursuit title by an eight second margin. Summer Ellefson topped the girls field. Little Falls swept the team titles ahead of northern neighbor Bemidji. Results plus photosets online now.

Section 6 Coverage
February 3, 2010
Ari Mahonen reports: The Section 6 meet took place at Baker Park Reserve on Wednesday with excellently groomed trails. Great tracks made classic waxing simple. In the boys race, Jack Hinkens (Hopkins), Connor Benton (Hopkins) and Ted McKlveen (Edina) went 1, 2, 3 in the classic event. They maintained their positions through the skate pursuit with Hinkens becoming the boy's section champion. In the team competition, Eden Prairie and Hopkins tied on points going to the tie breaker. Hopkins boys came out the victor by a 6 second average to become Section 6 team champions. In the girls race, Jen Rolfes (Edina) skied to a 50 second lead after the classic race with Shannon Evans (Eden Prairie) and Sarah Benton (Hopkins) taking the next two spots. In the pursuit race, Rolfes increased her lead to become the section 6 girl's champion. Evans held onto second with Emma Krieter (Edina) skiing her way into third. In the team competition, both Eden Prairie and Minneapolis Southwest put three girls in the top 10. Southwest came out on top by a 7 point margin becoming Section 6 team champions. Full results and photosets posted.

Section 4 Coverage
February 3, 2010
The state's powerhouse teams faced off Wednesday at Battle Creek for the Section 4 title. Jessie Diggins, Stillwater, easily handled the girls field, posting top splits in the classic and freestyle races. Steve Coozennoy had similar results in taking the boys pursuit title. The Stillwater girls topped Roseville for the team title by taking places 1, 5, 6, 7. The Forest Lake boys team earned yet another trip to the State Meet. Full results and classical photosets posted.
Mike Weimerskirch adds: Stillwater lead by 9 points after the morning in the girls race. Roseville closed the gap in the afternoon, with Rachel Mason and Zoe Reker picking up a place each, but Stillwater's Annie and Emily Olson held off Roseville's Nikki Reker and Kristina Poss to clinch the four point victory.

Skinnyski Race Team Weekend Recap
February 2, 2010
The Skinnyski Race Team was competing in three events over the weekend with a number of podium placings to their credit. Read race stories from Paulette, Grant, Elaine and Dave (Karl).

Section 1 Coverage
February 2, 2010
Brian Abery reports: The Section 1 pursuit meet took place at Valleywood on Tuesday on a soft track that made for a difficult two races for skiers. ISD 196 teammates Andy Dodds (Apple Valley High School) and Chris Parr (Eagan High School) staked themselves to unassailable leads in the morning interval start classic race. After battling it out with each other throughout the freestyle pursuit event, Dodds took first place over Parr by 8 seconds with Lakeville North skier Ben Saxton third. After close morning and afternoon races, the Lakeville North Boys took the Section 1 crown from the Eagan team by 6-points. Racing after the boys, the girls had to deal with extremely tough conditions as the track broke down. Lakeville South senior Jordyn Ross posted herself to a 37 second lead over Kyla Ewert of Winona/Winona Cotter in the morning classic race and stretched that to over a minute by the time the afternoon pursuit was complete. In the battle for 3rd place between Lakeville North’s Michelle Ferguson and Eagan Freshman Sonja Hedblom, the latter turned in one of the best performances of the day with a stellar freestyle ski that netted the 3rd spot on the podium. A close contest between Winona/Winona Cotter and the two Lakeville teams emerged after the morning race, but the Winona Girls broke things open in the afternoon freestyle pursuit placing 4 skiers in the top ten to take the Section 1 Girl’s Championships. Full results plus photos from the classical races.

Section 5 Results
February 2, 2010
Racing over a coating of fresh snow at Camp Ripley, Section 5 titles were decided on Tuesday. The Osseo boys secured their spot at the State Meet with a nine point victory over Andover as their top three skiers finishing 3, 4 and 5. Robbinsdale Armstrong girls also denied Andover in collecting the team title. Calvin Mehrhof, Coon Rapids, won the boys pursuit. Alice Flanders, Robbinsdale Cooper, posted the top pursuit time with nearly a minute margin of victory.

Section 3 Coverage
February 2, 2010
Beautiful afternoon conditions at Battle Creek West for the Section 3 Meet on Tuesday. Annie Hart took a commanding 2:28 lead from the classic race and stretched it to more than a four and half minute margin of victory in the girls pursuit. The SPA girls turned in a stellar performance, narrowly taking the team title over Minnehaha Academy. A bit of an upset in the boys race as Jake Brown, Minnehaha Academy, and Eric Slater, Henry-Sibley, finished first and second, ahead of favorites Ben Greenwald and Martin Aspholm. Minneapolis South boys took the team title ahead of Minnehaha by just 6 points. Full results linked in plus photos from the pursuit races.

Vasaloppet Expects Very Good Race Course Conditions
February 2, 2010
Mora Vasaloppet organizers report trails should be in good condition for the big race on Valentines Day, Feb 14th.

Bike Dr Newsletter: John Howard, Clothing Sale
February 2, 2010
In the current newsletter, the Bicycle Doctor is proud to announce cycling legend John Howard will be in shop for individual bike fittings, up to 30% off on Nordic ski clothing, as well as a number of event reminders.