Highlights
World Cup Ruka: Freestyle Distance
November 27, 202220K freestyle pursuit races on Sunday capped off the opening weekend of World Cup racing in Ruka, Finland. In a return to form, Frida Karlsson of Sweden broke away from teammate Ebba Anderson late in the women's race to reverse their finishing order from the previous day. Meanwhile, the men's race saw Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo complete his weekend sweep, comfortably sprinting away from the lead pack on the final climb. American standouts included Rosie Brennan in 6th and Jessie Diggins in 10th of the women's contingent, and Scott Patterson finishing 14th for the men after moving up 37 positions. The second weekend of the World Cup will take place in Lillehammer, Norway, beginning with freestyle distance racing on Friday.
World Cup Ruka: Classic Distance
November 26, 2022The opening weekend of the World Cup continued in Ruka, Finland on Saturday with 10K classic races for both the men and the women. Sweden continued to headline the women's results with Ebba Anderson posting the fastest time of the field, while Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo claimed another decisive victory in the men's race, his career 50th. Crossing the line in 7th, Rosie Brennan had the best result among the US women, while Ben Ogden was the highest finisher among the US men in 28th. Midwesterners Jessie Diggins and Zac Ketterson put in strong performances as well, finishing 21st and 31st respectively. The final day of competition in Ruka will feature freestyle distance racing in a pursuit-start format.
World Cup Ruka: Classic Sprints
November 25, 2022With temperatures hovering in the teens, the 2022/2023 World Cup season officially got underway in Ruka, Finland on Friday with classic sprints. For the US, JC Schoomaker and Ben Ogden, and Julia Kern and Jessie Diggins led the way in qualifying, making the heats. Kern would be the only one to advance out of the quarterfinals, finishing 11th on the day. Sweden's Emma Ribom would go on to win the women's final, a career first, while Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway continued to show no sign of slowing down, taking it for the men. The opening weekend of the World Cup continues tomorrow with classic distance racing.
World Cup Racing: Season Preview
November 23, 2022It's that time of year again: the start of the 2022/2023 World Cup racing circuit is this weekend in Ruka, Finland. Covering changes since last season, the schedule ahead, and who to keep an eye on, our season preview has everything you need to know to get up to speed heading into the new season.
US Elite Racing: Season Preview
November 22, 2022The start of the SuperTour is already just one week out, calling for a preview of the US elite racing heading into the season. Covering the scene this season is Adam Bodensteiner, who has a rundown of the upcoming races, along with Midwestern names to keep an eye out for as the season gets underway.
Midwest Racing Season Preview
November 21, 2022Despite the official start of winter being a month out yet, it feels as though it's on our doorstep, if not already here. A week with temperatures below freezing has left a blanket of snow across the Midwest, and when there's snow on the ground there are scheduled races not that far off. As such, we've prepared a preview of this season's racing calendar, complete with highlighted major events, notes on changes big and small, and a tally of events arriving or departing in 2022/2023.
Biathlon: Pre-World Cup Camp, IBU Cup Rosters Announced
November 15, 2022This past month U.S. Biathlon named it's lineups for both this season's Pre-World Cup Camp in Vuokatti Finland, and the first two competitions of the IBU Cup in Sjusjoen, Norway. Notable Midwestern nominees included Minnesotans Jake Brown, Vaclav Cervenka, and Amanda Kautzer, Wisconsinites Paul Schommer and Deedra Irwin, and Scholastica alumna Kelsey Dickinson.
Mpls Ski Club's Lollipop Run Results
November 12, 2022Erin Moeing reports: It started to feel like winter this morning for the Minneapolis Ski Club's Lollipop Hill Run. The cool temperature and snowmaking at Afton's alpine hill just added to the excitement of the ski season being around the corner and the hilly course allowed for ski fitness to be tested. Eddie Snider took the win, besting Brad Moening and Torry Kraftson. On the women's side, Erica Kazin crushed the field, with Megan Snider having a strong showing in second and Abby Drach taking third. Results are up, and photos will be added later this weekend.
NNF: Introducing New Virtual Speaker Series
November 6, 2022In an effort to promote the latest ideas in training and developmental philosophy and offer an excellent sport education opportunity, NNF is launching a virtual speaker series, and is inviting skiers, coaches, and supporters alike to attend the inaugural lecture. The first speaker will be renowned American physiologist Dr. Stephen Seiler, whose talk will take place on Friday, Nov 11th, at noon. Registration is limited, so sign up soon!
Great Bear Chase: Announcing Registration, New Bib Policy
October 31, 2022Registration is open for the 2023 Great Bear Ski Chase, with signup fees at their lowest through the end of November. A new season brings a return to in-person norms for the race, and also a notable change: a bib collection at the end of the race so they can be reused in the following years, cutting costs and waste.
Vasaloppet Online Auction Live, Fundraiser Saturday
October 27, 2022Bidding is underway on an assortment of items for the Vasaloppet's online auction. Part of their annual fundraising drive, the auction runs through Oct 30th. There will also be a social event on Oct 29th at the Grand Event Center with hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, raffles, and a special 50th anniversary program. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
NNF: Support Trail to Gold Fellowships at World Championships
October 25, 2022NNF is teaming up to support Trail to Gold Fellowships while supporting the US athletes at this season's World Championships in Planica, Slovenia. For each traveler who books a trip to the Championships through Lumi Experiences, a portion of their fees will be donated to the Trail to Gold Fellowship. Book by Oct 31st to receive a discount.
MSC Lollipop Hill Run, Nov 12th
October 21, 2022Minneapolis Ski Club proudly presents the first annual Lollipop Hill Run. Join them on Nov 12th at Afton State Park for a 5k running race with 450 feet of vertical climbing. This will be a great test of your fall training as this course was built for skiers, with impressive strength and endurance required. All are welcome!
Sisu Ski Fest Registration Now Open
October 19, 2022The UP of Michigan has already received their first big snowfall of the season and plans are well underway for the Sisu Ski Fest, Jan 6-8th, in Ironwood. Registration for the events is now open, with the first price hike coming at the end of the month.
Loppet Festival Registration Now Open
October 18, 2022Registration for the City of Lake Loppet Winter Festival and Luminary Loppet, taking place Feb 4th-5th, is now open. From cross country skiing and fat biking, to skijoring and snowshoeing, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Sign up today to avoid the price hikes later.
US Ski Team: Cross-Country Team Named for 2022-23 Season
October 17, 2022U.S. Ski & Snowboard has announced 22 athletes for the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for the 2022-23 season. The team includes those active athletes who qualified based on the published selection criteria in the prior season. Midwest athletes include Jessie Diggins (A team), Zak Ketterson (B team) and Kevin Bolger (B team) along with Midwest connections in the support staff: Bryan Fish (development manager), Kristen Bourne (D team coach), and Chris Hecker (wax tech).
Midwest MTB Report
September 20, 2022The days continue to get shorter and the nights colder as we steadily march on into the fall. Two big races dominated the Midwest mountain biking scene over the weekend: the Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival held in Cabel, WI; and the Marji Gesick held in the UP of Michigan. With recaps and interviews to boot, Jay Richards shares in-depth coverage of both races, as well as an accompaniment of photos and results, in this week's Midwest MTB report.
Northshore Inline Marathon Rollerski Race Results
September 17, 2022Saturday saw rollerskiers descended upon the Duluth area for the 26th edition of the NorthShore Inline Marathon. Starting with a field of over 50 skiers in the 42K race, the men's title was ultimately contested by a group of six, with Xavier Mansfield taking the victory by a handful of seconds. The women's title would end up going to Jenna Ruzich who crossed the finish line with a sizeable lead over her competition.
Crystal Grinder Oct 16th
September 12, 2022The Crystal Community Ski Club is hosting a rollerski race on Oct 16th at Crystal Mountain, just outside of Thompsonville, MI. Featuring a 10k Masters race and a 5k Juniors race on a smooth course with no perilous downhills and a gentle uphill start, the event should provide an excellent opportunity for skiers to experience what the Lower Peninsula has to offer, especially in advance of the JNQ race being held nearby at Hickory Hills this upcoming season. Helmets are required, although technique and wheel speed will be left to the discretion of competitors.
CXC Rollerski Cup: NorthShore Inline Marathon Weekend
September 9, 2022The NorthShore Inline Marathon, the final race of the annual CXC Rollerski Cup, is scheduled for next weekend, Sept 17th - 18th, with a point-to-point marathon and half marathon taking place on Saturday, and sprints taking place on Sunday. Unique to the sprints, competitors will get the opportunity to experience an FIS style event, with qualifying and knockout rounds seeded by U.S. Ski & Snowboard/FIS points.
US Ski Team: Diggins Wins 42K Kangaroo Hoppet
September 9, 2022The Kangaroo Hoppet, the first stop of the Worldloppet, took place this past weekend in Falls Creek, Australia. With nearly 1,000 competitors, there was no shortage of competition for Americans Jessie Diggins and Julia Kern who had been there for several weeks training for the upcoming World Cup season. From the start the two were hot on the heels of the men's lead pack, only falling back once fellow American and men's champion, Peter Wolter, made a move to break up the group. Diggins would end up being the first woman across the line, followed shortly after by Kern in second, with Australian Casey Wright rounding out the women's podium in third.
Minnesota Paddling Championships, Sep 10-11th
August 31, 2022Minnesota Paddling Championships are set for Sep 10th and 11th in Bemidji. Saturday will feature tandem canoe and kayak races, Sunday will be solo race events.
Biathlon: Max Cobb to Head International Biathlon Union
August 30, 2022U.S. Biathlon President and CEO Max Cobb has been named by the International Biathlon Union (IBU) as its new secretary general. The highly-respected biathlon leader will be leaving U.S. Biathlon this fall to take the helm of the international sports federation based in Salzburg, Austria.
Ski Hut: Women's Enduro Race Coming Sept 13th
August 24, 2022The COGGS Duluth Enduro Series is thrilled to announce the first inaugural Women’s Enduro Race, presented by Ski Hut and Ursa Minor Brewing, taking place at Lester Park on Tuesday evening, Sept 13th.
CXC Rollerski Cup: Grinding Up Granite this Sunday
August 24, 2022The annual CXC Rollerski Cup will be making its next stop with the Grinding Up Granite Race in Wausau, set to take place on Sunday, Aug 28th. Grind up Granite will feature classic and skate race options to race to the top of Rib Mountain with a total climb of 700 feet in 2.5 miles.
Midwest MTB Report
August 16, 2022We're midway through August and, despite the local racing series starting to wind down, there is still plenty of racing to be found near and far. The antepenultimate race of the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series took place over the weekend, along with the Ore to Shore and the Leadville 100, all of which are covered in Jay Richards' Midwest MTB report for this week. Closing out the report are a trip to Maplelag Resort by the Stillwater Mountain Bike Team and the requisite look ahead.
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.