Archives 2023
NewWorld Cup Racing: Gallivare Schedule
November 29, 2023The World Cup circuit moves on to Gallivare, Sweden this weekend for it's second stint of racing action, kicking off with an interval-start 10K freestyle race. Starting at 2:45 AM CST on Saturday, the women's field will be on course first, followed a short while after by the men's field at 5:00 AM CST. Then it's on to a 4x7.5K relay on Sunday which will feature the women's teams first at 2:50 AM CST, and the men's teams a bit later at 5:00 AM CST.
NewPrice Hikes: Vasaloppet USA, Great Bear Chase
November 28, 2023A number of December price hikes are looming...
Feb 10-11 Vasaloppet USA - Epic downtown finishes - times two; skate and classic on separate days now.
Mar 9 Great Bear Chase - A great way to extend your race fitness with a wide range of races.
Register by Thursday night to avoid the fee increase!
NewRacing Outlook
November 28, 2023The first scheduled race, the Season Opener in Calumet, has been rescheduled to the following weekend.
Holiday Relays Return
November 27, 2023The Holiday Relays are being restarted this winter, racing Wednesday Dec 20th at Battle Creek West, and in tribute to the hard work of Ahvo Taipale. True relay format, 4x2.5K with two classic and two freestyle legs. Up to 12 teams will be able to compete, register your high school team today!
St. Scholastica Open House Dec 8th
November 27, 2023CSS Skiing is having an open house the Friday before the Duluth JNQ, Dec 8th. Come for a campus tour, dinner, meet the team and ask them and coach Kask questions about skiing at CSS and in college in general.
World Cup Ruka: Freestyle Distance; Diggins, Brennan Go 2-3
November 26, 2023Saving the best for last, the final day of World Cup competitions in Ruka held no punches with drama unfolding in both the women's and men's mass-start 20k freestyle races. On course first, the women's race was largely contested by a group of 20 or so athletes up until the final climb into the stadium when all heck broke loose. Finding herself in a favorable position at the front of the group, Sweden's Moa Ilar would crest the hill first, with the US' Jessie Diggins (who had just lost a pole and corresponding glove not more than a kilometer ago) and Rosie Brennan in tow. Barehanded, Diggins would give Ilar a run for her money approaching the finish line, but Ilar would hold on in the end to claim her debut World Cup podium and victory, with Diggins taking second, and Brennan third. In a similar fashion the men's race would be settled on the final climb, with Michal Novak leading the charge ahead of the Norwegian newcomer, Jan Thomas Jenssen, and his teammate, Harald Oestberg Amundsen. With an impressive burst of speed Jensen would overtake Novak, earning his own debut World Cup podium and victory, while Novak would settle for second in front of Amundsen in third. A top-20 finish by Gus Schumacher (16th) and Scott Patterson (20th) in the men's race, as well as by Sophia Laukli (14th) in the women's race, would round out an impressive day for the US team. Next stop: Gallivare, Sweden for the second weekend of World Cup racing action.
World Cup Ruka: Classic Distance; Career Best for Brennan
November 25, 2023Day 2 of racing in Ruka for the World Cup season opener was reserved for an interval-start 10K classic race with the women's field getting the competition underway. The event would be tightly contested with the podium ultimately coming down to the Swedish duo of Ebba Anderson and Frida Karlsson, separated by five seconds on either side by Rosie Brennan of the US, her best finish to date in the event. The men's race would go down similarly, with the Finnish favorite Iivo Niskanen serving as the separator between two Norwegians, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget and Erik Valnes, who were all within ten seconds of each other. Among the rest of the US crowd, other notable results included a strong 11th place finish by Jessie Diggins, and a 22nd place finish by Gus Schumacher. A mass-start 20k freestyle race on Sunday concludes the competitions in Ruka for the opening weekend of the World Cup.
World Cup Ruka: Classic Sprints
November 24, 2023Cold weather, clear skies, and classic sprints kicked off the start of a new World Cup season in Ruka, Finland on Friday. Opening day for the Americans saw five qualify for the heats—Rosie Brennan, Jessie Diggins, Julia Kern, Ben Ogden, and JC Schoonmaker—with the first four advancing as far as the semifinals, a good showing for the group. For the women's final, Sweden's Emma Ribom, last year's winner, took first, followed closely by teammate Jonna Sundling, and Kristine Stavas Skistad of Norway. And in the men's final, it was not to be another victory for Johannes Hosflot Klaebo of Norway, but instead one for teammate Erik Valnes, with the aforementioned finishing third and France's Richard Jouve separating the two in second. The opening weekend action continues with interval-start 10K classic races on Saturday, starting at 3:00 AM CST for the women and 5:15 AM CST for the men.
US Ski Team: Staffing for the WJC/U23 and U18 Winter Trips
November 22, 2023The U.S. Ski Team is seeking coaches and support personal for the upcoming 2024 U18 Scandinavian Trip and World Junior/U23 Championship Team. Positions include coaches, ski technicians, medical/PT support, and a Director of Service. Application deadline is Dec 1st.
World Cup: Ruka Weekend Series
November 22, 2023The World Cup seasons opens this weekend at Ruka Nordic in Kuusamo, Finland! Events include classic sprints Friday, classic 10K on Saturday, with an exciting mass start 20K freestyle Sunday. Most of the US squad is expected to compete, including a trio Minnesotans: Jessie Diggins, Alayna Sonnesyn, and Zak Ketterson. Live streaming on the Ski and Snowboard app, starting with the heats Friday morning at 5:30 am CST.
Biathlon: World Cup, IBU Cup Rosters Announced
November 20, 2023The United States Biathlon Association has posted the World Cup and IBU Cup rosters for the first trimester. The IBU World Cup season starts Nov 25th in Oestersund, Sweden with the IBU Cup kicking off in Kontiolahti, Finland on Nov 30th. Midwest athletes are strongly represent with Deedra Irwin, Margie Freed and Jake Brown on the World Cup circuit and Michaela Keller-Miller, Anna French Vaclav Cervenka and Luke Brown on the IBU Cup team.
World Cup Streaming Discount
November 17, 2023Live streaming of the World Cup season will once again be handled through US Ski and Snowboard Live. The prices are up from last year, but they are offering a 15% until Nov 24th, when you use the code EARLYBIRD2023. The first races are Thanksgiving weekend at Ruka, Finland!
Price Hike: City of Lakes Loppet
November 16, 2023The City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival is Feb 3-4, with classical races on Saturday and freestyle Sunday. If you register by Saturday night, Nov 18th, you'll beat out the first price hike!
Spotlight: Washburn Nordic
November 13, 2023The Minnesota High School Nordic Skiing season kicked off on Monday under above average temperatures for Nov 13th. Skinnyski photographer Shannon Brault was out in south Minneapolis to capture the first day of practice at Minneapolis Washburn. The group started the afternoon with general updates from coach Jacob Polland then went outdoors for a warm up run, ski drills in the bleachers, speed drills on the field, along with some strength/fitness workouts under coach Beckie Alexander.
Round Up: Harvard Physics Professor Sets New Record for Run Across America
November 12, 2023Averaging over 60 miles a day, Jenny Hoffman, a Harvard physics professor, set a new record for the fastest time running across the United States (3000 miles), besting the previous time by over a week!
Price Hike: Fat Bike Birkie
November 8, 2023Set for early March, the Fat Bike Birkie provides the one-day unique experience of racing Fat Bikes on the famous American Birkebeiner trail. The event offers a wide range of categories and distance -- something for everyone. The next price hike is midnight Thursday, Nov 9th, so get your registration in by Thursday night!
Biathlon: Season Preview 2023-24
November 8, 2023US Biathlon has released a preview of the upcoming World Cup season, highlighting the selection process, key athletes, and important events including a World Cup race at Soldier Hollow in March!
Loppet Cup Lead Up This Saturday
November 6, 2023The Loppet Foundation invites you to put your pre-season training to the test and join them this Saturday, Nov 11th, for the Loppet Cup Lead Up presented by Concept2. Try out their new SkiErgs and learn about preparation for hosting a COOP FIS Cross Country World Cup! Register today.
Event Closing: Birkie Open Track, Prince Haakon
November 6, 2023The 50th anniversary American Birkebeiner is rapidly filling up their Birkie Week events -- Tuesday night the Open Track and Prince Haakon events close. Get your registrations in by Tuesday night, Nov 7th!
Minnesota High School Rankings Return
November 6, 2023After a few years off, the Minnesota High School Nordic Skiing rankings return as the Coaches Association takes up the helm. The first set, a preseason ranking, has been posted. Hopkins' Sydney Drevlow and Prior Lake/New Prague's Tommy Simmonds are the early favorites, with Duluth East teams (girls and boys) starting out the season on top. Minnesota's high school season kicks off official on Monday, Nov 13th!
Tour de Finn Race Series Announced
November 5, 2023A new race series, Tour de Finn, fires up this winter featuring races across the Midwest, including a number of smaller field events. Individual and team competitions along with weekly recaps and scoring updates.
Turkey Birkie Festival Just Weeks Away!
November 3, 2023Get ready to gear up and embrace a laid-back, enjoyable experience at Turkey Birkie from Nov 24-26! Enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend with some early-season skiing, reconnect with nature, and savor the holiday spirit!
Birkie Seeks Birkebeiner Warriors, Inga and Prince Haakon
November 1, 2023The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) seeks a trio of cross country skiers to represent two Birkebeiner warriors and Inga, mother of Prince Haakon, in the 50th American Birkebeiner Ski Marathon this February. Toss your ring in the hat -- register by Nov 30th!
Biathlon: Athletes Named for European Pre-Season Camp
October 31, 2023After an exciting weekend of trials in Utah mid-October, U.S. Biathlon has announced the roster for the European pre-season camp to take place in Vuokatti, Finland. A large number of Midwest athletes have been selected for the camp: Deedra Irwin, Margie Freed, Cheresa Bouley, Michaela Keller-Miller, Anna French, Paul Schommer, Vaclav Cervenka, Jake Brown and Luke Brown.
American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation Schwartz Miller Scholarships Available for High School Cross Country Skiers
October 30, 2023Applications are now open for the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation Schwartz Miller Scholarship, a new program for high school seniors established in honor of the late Andy Schwartz. Schwartz was a long-time Birkie skier who passed away in 2021. Registration for the American Birkebeiner Skate/Classic race is closed, but this scholarship provides up to 20 high school seniors the opportunity to experience the 50th event.
Race Closing: Kortelopet
October 30, 2023More of the Birkie week events are filling up and closing registration. Tuesday night, Oct 31st at midnight, registration closes for the Kortelopet. Register by Tuesday night if you want to still get in!
Price Hike: Sisu Ski Fest
October 29, 2023Registration for the Sisu Ski Fest, Jan 6th in Ironwood, MI, is already half full! The first price hike is coming Nov 1st, so register by Tuesday evening for the best pricing.
Midwest MTB Report
October 26, 2023Wetter weather and an increasing chance of a certain something in the forecast can only mean one thing: winter is coming. For his final Midwest MTB report of the season, Jay Richards caught up with Jenna Reinhart and Joel LaFrance who were both in Bentonville, AR for the Big Sugar Classic, and who both earned podiums in their respective races. Then, to close out the report, we turn to a preview of this year's final big mountain bike race in the Midwest, followed by a nod to the Minnesota Cycling Association announcing their awards, and an upcoming ribbon cutting for Phase 2 of the Trek Trails at Mt. Telemark.
Minnesota High School Nordic Coaches Association Fall Minutes
October 25, 2023Minutes from the October 14th fall coaches meeting at the Vasaloppet Center have been posted. Highlights include changes to the technique and order of events at the State Meet, proposals on season dates and winter coaching waivers, and formation of a committee on the State Meet venue.
CXC Rollerski Championships Coverage
October 21, 2023A very soggy morning Saturday as a mix of mist and rain kept the course wet for the women's and men's 10K individual start freestyle rollerski races on the dedicated asphalt trails at the Birkie Trailhead in Cable. Caitlin Gregg hammered out the top women's time with St. Scholastica's Mia Case second followed by Team Birkie's Julie Ensrud. Zak Ketterson cruised to the only sub-19 minute time on the course for the men's victory with Kevin Bolger coming in second, Matt Liebsch third. Zoe Wagner and Dylan Little had the top times in the U16 5K events. Photos from the 10K races posted along with full results. Posts from Sunday's classic sprints, by Tryg Solberg, added. New Video from the 10K skate races added.
Marshall Holiday Ski Camp, Dec 27-29
October 19, 2023Just a few months out, this year's Marshall School Holiday Ski Camp will be taking place Dec 27-29 at the Spirit Mountain Nordic Center in Duluth. Open to children ages 5-12, registration covers three full afternoons of learning and fun, with rental equipment, snacks, bonfires, and crafts all included as well!
CXC Rollerski Championships This Weekend
October 15, 2023CXC's Rollerski series wraps up in this weekend, Oct 21-22, with two days of racing on the new rollerski loops at the Birkie Trailhead in Cable. Saturday will feature individual start freestyle races, Sunday is classic sprints format.
Vasaloppet Online Auction Live and Social Event
October 12, 2023Bidding is underway on an assortment of items for the Vasaloppet's online auction. Part of their annual fundraising drive, the auction runs through Oct 18th. There will also be a social event on Wednesday, Oct 18th at the Sapsucker Farms in Mora, with games and kids crafts, raffles, live auction, local music and food truck.
Midwest MTB Report
October 11, 2023An especially cool turn in the weather is a reminder that the mountain bike season is quickly coming to a end, meaning many of the school circuits are drawing to a close as well. This week's Midwest MTB report from Jay Richards focuses on series riding in the schools, featuring an interview with a rider from the Minnesota Cycling Association, Jacob Olson of the Northwest Composite Mountain Bike Team, who will be competing in his final high school race at the State Championship in Mankato.
US Ski Team: Cross-Country Team Named for 2023-24 Season
October 10, 2023U.S. Ski & Snowboard formally announced 23 athletes representing the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for the 2023-24 season. From the Midwest, Jessie Diggins (A team) and Zak Ketterson (B team) were selected, with Kristen Bourne as D team World Cup coach and Bryan Fish continuing as Development director. Plus Chris Hecker, Eli Brown and Paul Choudoir will be working World Cup service.
Additional Loppet World Cup Tickets Available Wednesday
October 10, 2023The Loppet Foundation has announced a limited number of additional tickets for the World Cup races next February will be released on Wednesday, Oct 11th. You must register on the 'First to Know' list to be notified when the tickets become available at 9 am.
US Ski Team: Soldier Hollow Rollerski Races Coming Up
October 7, 2023The Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation is set to host the annual Schutzenski Festival Oct. 12-15, 2023 at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, home of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Unique to this year, nearly the entire Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team roster is slated to compete in the sprint and distance rollerski races, including three-time Olympic medalist Jessie Diggins
Sisu Ski Fest Registration Now Open
October 6, 2023The Sisu Ski Fest keeps growing in popularity as the premiere season opener event, January 6, 2024. They've brought back cloth bibs this season as well as new five year age groups, ski hats, and course improvements. Registration is open now but act quickly as this race filled within weeks last year!
College of St. Scholastica Nordic Ski Team Week of Giving
October 6, 2023The College of St. Scholastica Nordic ski team is running their annual Athletics Week of Giving, with contributions helping to fund team uniforms and warmups. Help support the team, and their new head coach, Jason Kask, by making a contribution today.
Midwest MTB Report
October 5, 2023After an unusual October heat wave that was felt far and wide throughout the Midwest, we've resumed our normal fall trajectory, tracking the dropping temperatures and winding down of summer actives. This past week hasn't been completely devoid of action though, and nowhere less so than on the big stage where the Life Time Grand Prix and UCI World Cup both shared the limelight stateside. The Midwest had representatives at both events, and race recaps from two of them, Jenna Rinehart and John Wessling, are the main feature of this week's Midwest MTB report from Jay Richards.
Vasaloppet Swedish Mile this Saturday
October 4, 2023The annual Swedish Mile Trail Race and Family Fun Day is this Saturday! The event featuers a 10K timed trail race, 5K fun run/race, kid’s race, and an afternoon of family-friendly activities to raise money for snowmaking and operations at the Vasaloppet Nordic Center.
Midwest Coaches Sought for March Junior Trips
October 1, 2023CXC is seeking candidates for the March junior trips, including Junior Nationals in Lake Placid, NY, and U18/U16 trip to Canadian Nationals in Nakkertok.
Race Closing: American Birkebeiner
September 27, 2023Short notice but the Birkie skate and classic races are closing tonight (Wed, Sep 27th)! Get your registration in quickly if you want to race the 50th anniversary event with Jessie Diggins!
Midwest MTB Report
September 20, 2023September is flying by and so are the leaves as we accelerate into the fall. Some of the best riding conditions lie ahead, and many of this month's biggest events are taking advantage of it including the Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival and Marji Gesick which both took place over the weekend. Jay Richards lined up for the Chequamegon 40 and recapped his race in this week's Midwest MTB report, alongside a debrief with Jenna Reinhart on her race as part of the Life Time Grand Prix. Also included in this week's report are highlights from the Marji Gesick and the F-M All Trail Enduro, plus a roundup of coverage focused on some of the recent trail building going on throughout the Midwest.
CXC Rollerski Championships Oct 21-22
September 13, 2023CXC's Rollerski series wraps up in late October with two days of racing on the new rollerski loops at the Birkie Trailhead in Cable. Saturday will feature individual start freestyle races, Sunday is classic sprints format.
Price Hike: Fat Bike Birkie
September 13, 2023The Fat Bike Birkie is set for March 9th and will be celebrating the Birkie's 50th anniversary, including a 50th anniversary gear bag. Act quickly, bags are limited and the price is going up on Thursday night (Sep 14th)!
Midwest MTB Report
September 7, 2023It's starting to feel like fall is in the air as we turn our calendars over to September and anxiously await the changing colors and cooler conditions it brings. While it may feel like the season is winding down for some, there's no shortage of goings-on for the month including last weekend's 33rd edition of the Laddies Loppet at Maplelag, and the Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival happening a little over a week out in Hayward, WI. Covering both of those events and a host of others in-between, this week's Midwest MTB report gets us up to speed for the start of Fall with highlights, recaps, photos, and more put together Jay Richards.
Jessie Diggins to Compete in 2024 American Birkebeiner
September 1, 2023Making an already big month of February even bigger, Jessie Diggins announced that she will be competing in the 2024 American Birkenbeiner, the 50th anniversary of the event, the weekend after the World Cup races in Minneapolis. With a nearly a two-week break in the World Cup circuit following the races at Wirth, Diggins said that she took the leap after the "stars aligned with [her] race schedule for the first time since [she] turned 18 years old".
NNF: Application for Trail to Gold Fellowship Open Through Sept 5th
August 22, 2023Coming off of a successful inaugural season that saw the likes of Minnesota natives Annika Martell and Caitlin Gregg make coaching appearances with the US Ski Team, NNF has officially opened the application period for their second class of Trail to Gold Fellows. Providing American women coaches and technicians the opportunity to gain international-level experience through an immersive internship with the US Ski Team, coaches working at any competition level of US skiing are encouraged to apply.
Midwest MTB Report
August 16, 2023Busy has been a recurring theme for the month of August and busy it was once again on the mountain biking scene this past weekend. Locally, there was the Ore to Shore in the UP and series racing in Minnesota, while a little further out there was the likes of the Leadville Trail 100 MTB in Colorado, and further out yet, the Mountain Bike World Championships overseas in the UK. Find coverage and exclusive interviews from those event in Jay Richards' Midwest MTB report for this week, and be sure to check out the look ahead too as the action doesn't let up there with a plethora of events still on the horizon.
CXC Rollerski Series: Up, Up and Away Set for Aug 12th
August 9, 2023The next stop in the CXC Rollerski Cup will be August 12th at Blue Mound State Park in southern Wisconsin. There are 6K and 10K classic rollerski divisions, racing to the high point.
Midwest MTB Report
August 9, 2023A week has already come and gone in the busy month of August which can only mean that it's time to check in with Jay Richards for another Midwest MTB report. Taking place in the span of that week was the Maah Daah Hey 100 in North Dakota which is the first feature of this week's report, highlighted by a race recap from Peder Arneson. There's plenty else to cover too, including additional trail building in Wisconsin, prep for the Leadville 100 Trail MTB by Jenna Rinehart, and a preview of the upcoming UCI Mountain Bike World Championships across the pond in the UK.
NNF: Applications Open for Summer Athlete Support Grants
August 7, 2023NNF is now accepting applications for its Athlete Support Grants which provide skiers with additional possibilities to pursue summer training opportunities, both within the US and abroad. Athletes who have qualified and participated in NNF Pillar Projects are encouraged to apply, with applications being accepted through August 18th.
Loppet Cup Tickets Sell Out in Less Than 24 Hours
August 3, 2023As many skiing fans have noticed, the Loppet Cup tickets sold out in less than 24 hours last week. The organization is working to increase capacity and hopes to have additional tickets available this fall.
Midwest MTB Report
August 1, 2023August has arrived and with it one of the busier months of the mountain bike season. Entering it's fourth consecutive week of racing the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series was in Detroit Lakes over the weekend for the Detroit Mountain Shakedown, while across the boarder in Wausau a full day's worth of racing was happening in the Wausau 24. This week's Midwest MTB report from Jay Richards features in-depth coverage from both events, as well as a look ahead at what's to come in the next few weeks, including the Maah Daah Hey 100, Great Deer Chase, and Ore to Shore.
Minnesota Voyageur 50 Coverage
July 29, 2023Tryg Solberg reports: Saturday's Voyageur 50 Mile Ultramarathon brought 235 starters that ran from Carleton to the Lake Superior Zoo and back. The well-marked course mostly followed sections of the Superior Hiking Trail and some gravel trail. Justin Stewart (bib 333) had a commanding lead by the turn-around and won with a 45 minute margin in the men's field. Stewart travelled from Illinois to race and completed the 50 miles in 6:38. Jill Wojita (bib 370) held her lead from the turn-around to the finish with nearly 18 minutes on second place. Wojita of Onalaska, Wisconsin finished in 8:14. The race highlighted the vast amount of trails in Duluth, only touching the western portion of the area's trails. Northern Minnesota Track Club puts on the Voyageur and it is organized and operated entirely by volunteers.
Midwest MTB Report
July 26, 2023July is heating up -- this week's MTB report by Jay Richards includes a first hand recap from the Lumberjack Singletrack, a report from the Miners Revenge, highlights of the Minnesota and Wisconsin series, a Jr MTB camp at WinMan trails, tips on riding in poor air quality and a look ahead as August approaches with an even busier schedule.
Machinery Hill Rollerski Criterium Coverage
July 25, 2023Giving an added punch to strong ticket sales for the Loppet Cut, the Machinery Hill Criterium featured exciting evening rollerski races on the famed Minnesota State Fairgrounds. In the women's race, Luci Anderson topped the field with Greta Hansen edging out Alice House for second. The men's race saw Norwegian Markus Bryan Groethe pull away for the victory with veterans Brian Gregg and Matt Liebsch rounding out the podium. Photosets and video recaps posted.
Minneapolis World Cup Ticket Sales Start Tuesday, July 25th
July 22, 2023Tickets for the huge Loppet Cup races, Feb 17-28, 2024, will open for sales this Tuesday, July 25th, beginning at 9 am CST! The Loppet Foundation will be celebrating the launch of the World Cup ticket sales at the Machinery Hill Rollerski Criterium rollerski races on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Tuesday evening. Come out to cheer on local skiers and celebrate the upcoming Loppet Cup! Update: Due to warm weather/air quality, races will begin at 8 pm on Tuesday.
Jessie Diggins Athlete of the Year Awardee: Anabel Needham
July 19, 2023CXC's Jessie Diggins Athlete of the Year Award is awarded to the outstanding athlete who displayed excellence in the sport of cross-country skiing and whose character serves as a role model for developing skiers throughout the Central region. This year's winner is Anabel Needham of Michigan Tech.
USCSA Announces 2023 Award Recipients and Election Results
July 15, 2023With the 2022-2023 season in the books, the USCSA recently announced the winners of several awards for the season including Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and the Keystone Award. In addition, several new members were nominated to the Board of Directors for the positions of President, Executive Vice President, and Executive At Large.
Midwest MTB Report
July 13, 2023The days are flying by as we're now in the month of July and well into the meat of the racing season. In the desert southwest the Life Time Grand Prix wrapped up its third race of the series this past weekend, while on the opposite side of the country the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships were being held in Pennsylvania. Find recaps from both events, as well as a healthy dose of updates from some of the ones back home, all served up in this week's Midwest MTB report from Jay Richards. Plus dont forget to check the Looking Ahead section to stay up to date on a selection of upcoming events.
Shoreline Events Coverage
July 12, 2023Out There has extensive coverage of their Shoreline rollerski races from last weekend, including full results and big photosets.
Out There: Shoreline Rollerski Races This Weekend
July 6, 2023The Shoresline Sprints rollerski features two days of racing, including a 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! Races are this Friday and Saturday, July 7th and 8th.
Loppet Rollerski Criterium at Machinery Hill Scheduled for June 27th, July 25th
June 18, 2023As part of the CXC Rollerski Cup, The Loppet Foundation will be hosting a pair of rollerski crit events on June 27th and July 25th out at Machinery Hill within the State Fair Grounds. Chip timing will be available for both events, with same-day registration available online for either date as well.
Midwest MTB Report
June 15, 2023We're only halfway through June and yet it already feels like we're well into the summer. Bigger bike events are starting to pop up with this week's Midwest MTB report from Jay Richard covering one from just this past weekend, the Epic Bike Fest in northwestern Wisconsin, as Jenna Reinhart offers her firsthand thoughts on her two races there and reflections from the Unbound Gravel in Kansas. Accompanying the report are a few series racing recaps, an article touting the toughest races in the world, and an extensive look ahead with plenty of racing action still on the horizon.
NNF: NNF Summer Series Returns
June 12, 2023With summer training in full swing NNF has announced their series of camps, trips, and training that they will be supporting through the fall. Included in the list of events is a new National U16 Elite Camp in Lake Placid, NY where the best U16 skiers in the country will train together all at once, as well as the currently ongoing NTG Camps in Park City, UT which are being attended by a selection of U20 standouts from the Midwest including Davis Isom, Jasper Johnston, Trey Jones, Lauren McCollor, Anabel Needham, and Tommy Simmonds.
Chippewa Triathlon Results
June 10, 2023The popular Chippewa Triathlon features paddling, biking and running, and was held Saturday in Cass Lake. Tom Bakke used a dominate paddling opener to take a 19 minute lead, then held on as Alan Christianson chipped away during the bike and run legs, with Bakke winning by a single minute in the six hour solo division victory. The duo of Phil and Kelly Rogers posted the top men's and women's times in the mixed doubles. John Kallemeyn had the fastest time on the day, finishing just under five hours in winning the men's double division. Kerrie Berg topped the women's double field.
Midwest MTB Report
June 2, 2023Temperatures are rising and so is traffic as more and more riders head to the trails to escape the summer heat. Keeping up with the surge, Jay Richards has the latest on Midwest racing news in addition related links and upcoming events in this week's Midwest MTB report. Included in this edition: a post by John Wessling on his journey to earning his first UCI points; a race recap from Badlands Ramble by John Peter; mountain bike related links; and a preview of the next Life Time Grand Prix event, the Unbound Gravel.
USA Nordic Sport: 2023-24 Team Nominations Announced
May 19, 2023The 2023-24 selections for the national and junior national nordic combined and ski jumping teams were announced on Thursday by USA Nordic Sport, with a host of athletes from the Midwest earning call-ups in the announcement. Among those named were Ben Lomis (Eau Claire, WI) to the National Nordic combined team; and Andrew Urlaub (Eau Claire, WI), Casey Larson (Barrington, IL), and Anna Hoffmann (Madison, WI) to the national ski jumping team.
US Ski Team: Cross-Country Team Nominated for the 2023-24 Season
May 10, 2023U.S. Ski & Snowboard has nominated 23 athletes to represent the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for the 2023-24 season. The nominations include active athletes who qualified based on predetermined selection criteria. From the Midwest, athletes include Jessie Diggins (A team) and Zak Ketterson (B team) along with D Team coach Kristen Bourne and wax techs Chris Hecker and Eli Brown.
Midwest MTB Report
May 9, 2023Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner with series racing officially in action throughout the Midwest. With some individual reflections on the season opener in Iola, WI, this week's report from Jay Richards opens with a recap of the first race of the Wisconsin Off-Road Series, followed by coverage of some of the happenings in the Cable area, and an ever important reminder to check for ticks. Closing it out is a look ahead to a handful of upcoming races, including the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series season opener in Rochester, MN.
Team Birkie Announces Chad Salmela as New Head Coach
May 9, 2023Team Birkie has announced Chad Salmela, a native of Minnesota's Iron Range, as the new head coach of the team. With over two decades of experience in the sport of biathlon and cross country skiing as an athlete and coach, Salmela brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the position.
Snake River Canoe Race Results
May 6, 2023Overcast skies and crisp conditions were the backdrop for the 2023 edition of the Snake River Canoe Race on Saturday as a field of over 200 individuals took to the waters in Mora, MN. Earning top honors in Pro Boat division were the teams of Allen Limberg/Joe Manns (male), Patricia Bohaty/Jessica Kozarek (female), and Ryan Peterson/Kira Stolen (mixed); while the pairings of Mathew Broderson/Chris Broderson (male), Allie Rykken/Kari Henry (female), and Rebecca Kolstad/Craig Stolen (mixed) were the top finishers in the Open Racing division. Complete results, including a full list of division winners, are linked in.
Midwest MTB Report
May 2, 2023The wheels are moving across the Midwest and beyond as we head into the month of May. In this week's Midwest MTB report from Jay Richards, coverage begins with a firsthand account of the Whiskey Off-Road in Prescott, AZ by Midwest local Jenny Beckman, followed by a selection of related mountain bike items. Capping it all off is a nod to the Wisconsin Off-Road Series kicking off in Iola, WI later this week, which marks the start of another exciting season of series racing in the Midwest.
Birkie Registration Now Open
May 1, 2023Registration 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!