FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Greg Fangel
National Masters 2000
[email protected]

November 9, 2000

 

MAJOR GRANTS GIVEN TO CROSS-COUNTRY SKI COMMUNITY

The National Masters 2000 organizing committee, led by executive director John Fitzgerald will bestow grants to a number of Twin City area organizations. The National Masters Cross Country Ski Championships held last February in St. Paul, set an all-time record with nearly 600 registrations, according to John Downing, National Director of the American Cross Country Skiers (AXCS) association. Skiers from 25 different states participated in the weeklong series of races. A Master skier is defined as someone 30 years old or older.

Prior to the Masters Championships, Fitzgerald told his organizing committee �In addition to our primary goal of running the best ever masters national ski race series, we are also going to establish another major goal for ourselves. That goal will be to generate sufficient profits from our efforts so as to be able to make a major financial contribution to the sport of Nordic skiing in the St. Paul area.� That goal has been reached.

A presentation ceremony and celebration will occur on Saturday, November 18, 2000 at the Phalen Golf Clubhouse in St. Paul from 6:00-10:00PM.

The following parties will receive grants as indicated, from the National Masters 2000 Organizing Committee.

  • Ramsey County Parks and Recreation, Greg Mack, Director � New Skandic Snowmobile with Tidd Tech trail groomer/tenderizer, two track setters and one roller.
  • City of St. Paul Parks and Recreation - Howard Bell, - $2500
  • Minnesota Youth Ski League - Anne Rykken, Executive Director - $1000
  • Chad Giese, Mora, MN � United States Cross Country Ski Olympic training fund. - $500
  • A Reserve Fund will be established for the development of an indoor, year �round cross-country ski facility and for future cross country ski events - $10,000

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