Highlights
CXC Rollerski Series: Up, Up and Away Set for Aug 13th
August 3, 2022The next stop in the CXC Rollerski Cup will be August 13th at Blue Mound State Park in southern Wisconsin. There are 6K and 10K classic rollerski divisions, racing to the high point.
Midwest MTB Report
July 21, 2022Another round of hot and sticky weather made for challenging racing over the weekend as Jay Richards took on the Rock Splitter Challenge for this week's Midwest MTB report. Including a synopsis of his experience at the inaugural event, he also highlights visits to a few newer trail systems in Northern Minnesota, alongside a few links and a look ahead.
Midwest MTB Report
July 12, 2022Busy is where we find ourselves as the summer days fly by, and busy is the theme of this week's Midwest MTB report from Jay Richards. Covering the recent Minnesota and Wisconsin series races, upcoming events, and relevant articles, including one about an NHL bound local rider, this week's report is jam-packed and sure to have something for just about everyone.
Machinery Hill Rollerski Criterium Coverage
July 12, 2022Hitting the Minnesota State Fairgrounds a month early, rollerskiers were treated to some fast criterium style racing along the streets of the famous venue. Daniel McCollor dominated the junior mens/masters race. Caitlin Gregg pulled away with the women's title. And Brian Gregg scooped up the men's victory. Results linked in, photos posted, plus some video clips.
Shoreline Sprints Freestyle Results
July 9, 2022The Shoreline Sprints wrapped up on Saturday with scenic freestyle rollerski races along the waterfront in downtown Rice Lake. Ingrid Thyr and Graham Ritchie won the sprint titles.
Shoreline Sprints Classic Coverage
July 8, 2022The Shoreline Sprints rollerski racing weekend kicked off on Friday afternoon on a quiet county road east of Rice Lake, with strong sunshine matching the heat generated on a challenging course. Michaela Keller-Miller powered away from the women's field along the final climbs to capture the women's title with fellow Minnesota natives Ingrid Thyr and Amanda Kautzer rounding out the top three. Canada's Graham Ritchie took the men's title, even after losing a pole tip in the final stretch, with Pierre Grall-Johnson second and Brian Gregg breaking the Canadian block for third. Results linked in, along with photosets from both races. Racing continues on Saturday with freestyle sprint races in downtown Rice Lake.
Loppet Rollerski Criterium on Machinery Hill Set for July 12th
July 4, 2022The Loppet Foundation is hosting the CXC Rollerski Series kickoff event on Tuesday, July 12th at Machinery Hill on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds! The event will use matched pair rollerskis with a limited set available so register now!
Midwest MTB Report
June 28, 2022The last weekend of June saw riders flock to the North Shore for the Lutsen 99er, the spotlight of this week's Midwest MTB report. A quick update from Jay Richards delivers coverage of the race from the perspective of both the women's and men's champions, as well as updates from an Alexandria rider taking on the Tour Divide, and highlights from the opening ceremony for new trail at Cayuna.
Midwest MTB Report
June 23, 2022And just like that, we're officially past the solstice and into summer. Aligning with the longest days of the year are some of the longest races of the year as this week's Midwest MTB report covers both the Chequamegon 100 and Epic Bike Fest that took place these past few weeks, and also looks ahead to the Lutsen 99er happening this weekend. Included as well: clinics, camps, and more; all courtesy of Jay Richards.
Worldloppet Bans Russia Skiers, Events
June 18, 2022As part of the Worldloppet Annual General Meeting, this year held in-person in Mora, Sweden, it has been announced that Russian (and Belarus) athletes will be barred from Worldloppet events, and the Demino Skimarathon has been suspended as a Worldloppet series event. The American Birkebeiner and the Gatineau Loppet are both Worldloppet events.
CXC Announces Coaching Excellent Award for Team Birkie's Caitlin Gregg
June 17, 2022Each year CXC recognizes one of its great coaches with the Igor Badamshin Coaching Excellence Award. This year’s recipient of the Igor Badamshin Coach of the Year Award goes to Caitlin Gregg, a driving force behind the creation of Team Birkie, the newest professional cross country ski team in the Central region.
Olympics: Nordic Combined May Be Cut From 2026 Winter Games
June 16, 2022Nordic Combined could be dropped from the Winter Olympic Games as one possible outcome of resolving gender equity issues. It is the only Olympic sport without women and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is due to make a decision soon about whether to allow women to compete in Nordic combined at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Games. Men in Nordic combined have been publicly pushing on social media and elsewhere for women to be included.
Chippewa Triathlon Results
June 12, 2022Just over a month after the lakes and rivers thawed out in Cass Lake, the Chippewa Triathlon took place on Sunday, drawing in a sizeable crowd from across the Midwest. Chris Godwin and Deanne Hart were the fastest finishers in the solo category, while John Kallemeyn and Maria Janowiak retained their titles from the previous year in the doubles category. First place in the 2-4 person relay went to the Michigan Paddlers, Ryan Harris and Jim Harwood.
Team Birkie Returns After Successful First Season
June 9, 2022After a standout inaugural season, Team Birkie is reaching for new heights during the 2022-2023 cross country ski season. The team expands with four additions: Renae Anderson, Erin Bianco, Xavier Mansfield, and Gus Schatzlein, all Minnesota natives. Consider helping fund their efforts this season with an individual donation.
Biathlon: Distinguished Career - Leif Nordgren
June 6, 2022US Biathlon featured Minnesota native Leif Nordgren and his storied career, along with his plans for the future, in a recent podcast.
Athlete Updates
June 5, 2022Altitude Training - Zak Ketterson writes a guide to altitude training as he heads out west for a training block with Team Birkie.
April Adventures - Alayna Sonnesyn recaps a whirlwind post-season vacation, hitting Jamaica and Europe before getting back on the skis in Bend, OR.
Recap and Reflections - Michaela Keller-Miller recaps the second half of her season, including the big races at the Birkie and up in Whistler.
Back to Square One - Top junior Greta Hansen shares some of a brief history with Nordic skiing, including overcoming a serious medical issue.
Tech to the Stars - Chris Hecker covers his season as wax tech for the US Ski Team.
US Ski Team: Bourne Joins Cross Country Team As D-Team Coach
June 2, 2022U.S. Ski & Snowboard announces that Kristen Bourne, a Twin Cities native, will join the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team staff as D-Team coach. Bourne, who has worked with the team on several projects as a ski technician and coach, replaces Kate Johnson, who coached the D-Team for the past two seasons.
Midwest MTB Report
May 25, 2022Racing action is in full swing across the Midwest with stops in both the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series and the Wisconsin Off-Road Series taking place over the weekend alongside smaller events like The Log Jam in Cloquet. Jay Richards has highlights from those races, as well as excepts from a handful of articles from around the web in this report for the last week of May, with a look ahead to some events beginning in June to cap it all off.
Price Hike: Birkie Races
May 24, 2022Prices on the American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, Prince Haakon and Open Track events jump this Friday. Get your registration in by Thursday night to save some cash and ensure your place on the start line!
North End Trail Run Saturday
May 24, 2022The North End Ski Club in Cable will present the fourth annual running of the North End Trail Run on Saturday, May 28th. The Trail Run is a low key, low-frills event intended to provide a community building event and an opportunity to enjoy the local trails and a positive trail experience. Distance include 5K, 10K and half marathon and utilize the singletrack bike trail and segments of the North End ski trail.
Out There: Shoreline Rollerski Races July 8-9
May 23, 2022The Shoresline Sprints rollerski event expands this July with two days of racing, including a new classic distance race on Friday and then skate sprints on Saturday. Pro, senior and junior athletes are all invited to participate, with spectators encouraged to come out and cheer!
Minnesota High School Canoe and Kayak Championships Set for June 12th
May 18, 2022The Minnesota Canoe Association and TwoPaddles.org invites all high school students (grades 9-12) to participate in the Minnesota High School Canoe and Kayak Championships on Sunday June 12th in Coon Rapids. No experience necessary and all equipment is provided.
US Ski Team: Cross-Country Team Nominated for the 2022-23 Season
May 10, 2022U.S. Ski & Snowboard has announced 22 athletes nominated to the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for the 2022-23 season. In addition to established veterans, including three-time Olympic medalist Jessie Diggins and two-time Olympians Rosie Brennan and Scott Patterson, the team includes five new members. Moving up to the A Team for the coming season are 2022 Olympians JC Schoonmaker, Julia Kern, Novie McCabe, Ben Ogden and Patterson. Midwest athletes making the list include Zak Ketterson (B team) and Kevin Bolger (B team).
Snake River Canoe Race Results
May 8, 2022Beautiful Saturday morning in Mora for the annual Snake River paddling races with over 125 entries competing. Pro Boat winners were Devin Arenz and Mike Vincent for the men, Jessica Kozarek and Patti Bohaty for the women, and Josie and Dave Nelson the top mixed pairing.
Midwest MTB Report
May 3, 2022Rolling on despite a delayed start to the season in some places, Jay Richards in here to bring us up to speed on where the wheels are moving throughout the Midwest. Early season racing recaps, ongoing and upcoming skill clinics, an article of the week, and a look ahead to events on the horizon are all featured in this week's MTB report.
Birkie Registration Now Open
May 2, 2022Registration for the Slumberland American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, Prince Haakon, Birkie Tour, and Open Track Birkie opened on May 1st. Secure your wave placement and get in on early pricing by registering now!
Midwest MTB Report
April 27, 2022As unlikely as it may seem in parts of the Midwest, spring is finally here, and with it, the mountain bike season. Delivering his first report of the year, Jay Richards takes an in depth look at two of the Midwest series soon to start up—the Wisconsin Off-Road Series and Minnesota Mountain Bike Series—and details some helpful communications tools for all things mountain biking, in addition to an article on sustainable tourism.
Biathlon: National Team Nominations Announced
April 15, 2022The US Biathlon Association released the nominations for the 2022-23 National Team, Junior National Team and National Development Group. The list is stacked with Midwest athletes: National A Team - Deedra Irwin, Jake Brown, Paul Schommer; National B Team - Vaclav Cervenka; NDG - Amanda Kautzer, Luke Brown; Junior National Team - Matej Cervenka, Alexandra Rud.
Epic Bike Fest Expanded to Three-Day Weekend Festival, June 3-5
April 10, 2022The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) continues to expand its reach into cycling with the hosting of the Epic Bike Fest, Jun 3-5, as well as the start of the Mt. Telemark Village mountain bike park. The Epic Bike Fest will feature an expo Friday through Sunday that includes cycling and lifestyle vendors and exhibitors onsite, food trucks and drink vendors and a beer garden. The Telemark bike park will add cross-country trails, enduro and gravity trails, a skills area, pump track and kick-bike track for kids.