Start making plans now for your 2002 "Masters Spring Break" as the 2002 Subaru National Masters Championships heads out to the West Coast in March for a week long celebration of XC ski fun in California. NM2002 events kick off on March 11, 2002 with a three-race schedule in the Tahoe City area located on the beautiful north shore of Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe XC ski area annually serves as the starting point of the 900+ skier "Great Ski Race" and has a long tradition of supporting a number of citizen, junior and youth racing events. After three races and numerous social/fun events in the Tahoe City area (the sprint relay will be held in downtown Tahoe City), action shifts to the world-famous Royal Gorge resort. The March 16-17 weekend at Royal Gorge will feature the NM2002 Expo, family events, and the National distance races run in conjunction with the traditional ASM Series-member California Silver and Bronze Rush events.

The two host, multiple site NM2002 promises to be one of the most exciting Nationals in recent memory but also one of the most logistically challenging says AXCS National Director J.D. Downing. "AXCS is working very closely with several groups in the Far West division to put together a plan for the NM2002 that will work for everyone involved. With two distinct resorts, each with their own personality, the NM2002 is really two Nationals in one. The Tahoe XC area events will feature the stunning beauty of Lake Tahoe combined with a carnival atmosphere while the Royal Gorge events will actually just be an extension of the already-successful Silver and Bronze Rush races. It's almost like two events in one!"

The AXCS is equally upbeat about the return of Subaru of America (title sponsor) and Nature Valley Granola Bars (platinum sponsor) as instrumental partners in the production of the National Masters. Says Downing, "Without doubt, Subaru and Nature Valley are elevating these annual events to a status and level of organization unheard of just five years ago. The Subaru National Masters is now recognized as the largest, most widely promoted, best designed, and most inclusive Championship on the North American competition calendar. AXCS intends to continue this tradition in 2002 and beyond!"

NM2002 activities will kick off with the 15/10km classic races at Tahoe XC on Tuesday morning, March 12 followed by a gourmet ski tour awards ceremony in the evening (open to non-competitors as well). Special social events and opportunities to explore the Lake Tahoe area fill the Wednesday off day. Then on Thursday, March 14 a new event format for Masters skiing will be introduced...a same-day pursuit. All ages and both genders will race a 5km classic event to start with followed roughly an hour later by a 5km+ freestyle race. On Friday, March 15 the National Sprint Relay (3 skiers x 3 laps each x 1km loop) will finish off the Tahoe XC/Tahoe City events.

Saturday, March 16 will see an expansion of the traditional pre-Gold Rush festivities at Royal Gorge which include the Gold Nuggets Kids race, a junior SuperCross, the NM2002 Expo, demos, product displays, and much more. Sunday, March 17 the Silver/Bronze Rush distance races will finish off the racing action followed by the traditional Gold Rush awards Bar-B-Que.

Since the NM2002 events at Royal Gorge are piggybacking on existing events, the AXCS will waive license fees for that one Nationals day only. Thus, all athletes 30-64 in the Silver Rush and 65+ in the Bronze Rush will be considered eligible for the National titles. The other special accommodation being made is that the distances will be adjusted from the normal 30/20/15km range. All men and women age 30-64 will race the 30km distance while all athletes 65+ will race a 15km distance. Any Master athlete wishing to race the California Gold Rush marathon is welcome to do so but that 50km race will not be a designated National Masters Championship.

Another new addition to the National Masters format will be the inclusion of an unofficial "sub-Masters" category for skiers age 20-29. This category will be awarded product prizes instead of National Championship medals with skiers racing the same distances as the 30-64 age category.

"There's some give and take with this schedule but it was the best possible plan given the way the 2002 season nationwide calendar stacks up," says AXCS Chairman Richard Hunt. "Along with all the normal considerations we have in scheduling the NM event week we also had to deal with both the Olympics and the Quebec Masters World Cup. In the end I think we have a compromise that will be well received by athletes from across the country."

Mark your calendar now for this fantastic trip to the coast in 2002!

***

Sidebar

2002 Subaru National Masters Schedule

Monday, March 11: (Tahoe XC)
	* Official Training  
	* Registration open into early evening.	
	
Tuesday, March 12: (Tahoe XC)
	* NM2002 15/10km classic individual races (wave start...approx 9:30am 
          start)
	* Late afternoon/evening...Gourmet Ski Tour and Awards Social, Tahoe XC

Wednesday, March 13: (Tahoe XC)
	* Official Training  
	* Social and Fun Events in afternoon around Tahoe City.
	
Thursday, March 14: (Tahoe XC)
	* NM2002 5km classic, 5km freestyle Same-Day Pursuit (start around 
          9:30-10am)
	* Post-race awards

Friday, March 15: (Cobblestone relay course)
	* NM2002 Sprint Relay (3 skiers x 3 legs each x 1km -- held in the 
          late afternoon/evening)
	* Dinner party and music combined with awards following races. 

Saturday, March 16: (Royal Gorge)
	* NM2002 Expo and Gold Rush Family Day --- an outdoor and tent fun-filled 
          showcase of the ski industry and National Masters sponsors. To 
          run concurrent with pre-existing Saturday Gold Rush events.

Sunday, March 17: (Royal Gorge)
	* NM2002 30 & 15km races held in conjunction with Silver and Bronze Rush 
          events. All adults 30 and older will be considered racers in the National 
          Masters...no day or annual licenses enforced for these races only.
	* NM2002 Closing BBQ/Party held in conjunction with Gold Rush BBQ.