| December 20 ,
2007 Vol. 8/ No. 12 |
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Get your Limited Edition Kikkan Randall World Cup Victor Poster Autographed by Kikkan. Purchase a pair of Salomon Slab Skate boots and mail a copy of receipt to Salomon Nordic 201 S Wallace C1 Bozeman MT 59715. First 100 submissions receive Kikkan's autographed poster. (Make sure to include your return address and email address.)
It’s been a whirlwind couple of days and it’s taken me some time to collect my thoughts...
(Written on Sunday)
Where do I even begin. Today turned out to be one of the most thrilling races of my life! We traveled to Russia (an all-day ordeal) on Thursday and prepared for some skate racing action this weekend. Because I scored my first ever World Cup podium in Rybinsk last season, you can imagine how anxious I was to return and see if I could improve on that result. I opted to skip the distance race Saturday to be rested for the sprint and it paid off.
My day started off well with a runner-up finish in the qualifying round, just half a second out of the lead. It was by far my best qualifying performance ever! Then came the rounds, and that’s where I really got going. In my quarterfinal, I floated around second or third for most of the lap and then used a boost of momentum off the big downhill to work into the lead on the homestretch and win my heat.
In my semi-final, I let a Russian girl take the lead and followed until the big uphill, where I made a jump move and gapped the field enough to stay clear of drafters, winning my heat and advancing to the A Final. The Russian crowd was enormous and cheering at a thunderous volume. Then came the final race.
I had a good start and followed last year’s Sprint World Champion Astrid Jacobson of Norway through the first half of the race. When we hit the big uphill, I pulled side by side with her. Midway up the hill, I decided to go for it, and accelerated. I got a slight gap over the top and dropped down the other side, hoping my skis were fast enough to keep me in front. Coming into the homestretch I was still holding the lead. I sprinted as hard as I could and only as I neared the last few meters did I realize I was actually going to win the race!
No, it’s not a dream, this is for real. I just won my first ever (and the first ever for a US woman) World Cup race! It’s an incredible feeling and I’m still floating off the ground.
Now I get to head back to North America for the holidays, taking a short break from the World Cup to race at US Nationals in Michigan, and then on to Canmore, Alberta for World Cups in January.
Happy Holidays everyone!!
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| Three Basic Drills For Classic Technique |
By: Justin Freeman
I helped out at a clinic this past weekend, and I was helping skiers at various levels with their classic technique, including both double poling and striding. As I worked with people I realized that there are three drills I always come back to for classic skiing. The advantage of these drills is partly that they are simple but more importantly that they give their own feedback so that anyone can use these any time, whether there is a coach around or not, and will have a hard time developing bad habits.
The first drill is a dryland drill for classic arm swing. Stand with your feet should width apart with your knees and ankles slightly bent. Create a curve in your spine by slumping your shoulders forward and also tucking your pelvis forward – your spine should look a little like a “C” when viewed from the side. Your weight should be on the balls of your feet; the bend in your knees is balanced by the bend in your ankles and your shoulders and hips should be tucked equally forward. Now simply move your arms as you do classic striding. This will naturally create a slight motion up and down in your knees and ankles. You can play with body position and degree of arm swing. If you do this in front of a mirror, get a good look at what your classic skiing is like as you make adjustments.
The second drill is on snow. You simply find a rather steep hill and double pole up it. Try to keep your motion short and tight and your hips forward. Your power should come from your core and from a sharp initiation of the poling motion. The great thing about doing this on a steep hill is that if your technique deteriorates you will bog down and have difficulty moving forward. If you stay in a good position you should be able to keep moving up the hill, though you may run out of strength quickly.
The point of this drill is to teach you good body position and healthy habits in double poling. When you actually double pole in a race you use a much longer motion and more muscles, but if you start from the same position you will use all your muscles much more effectively.
The final drill is a no poles drill. Find a gradual downhill (or a steeper one as you become more advanced). Ski without poles in the track. Extend the time you spend gliding on each ski, and make sure your weight is 100% on the glide ski. When you are ready to kick, make it a secure and snappy kick onto the other ski. I like to glide for a count of three, kicking exactly as I say “three.”
This drill accomplishes two things. First, it improves your balance, helping you to feel secure as you glide. Second, it helps you with the speed of your kick. Especially as you go faster, as slow, lazy kick is not an option – it will most like cause a faceplant.
To truly master these three drills and be able to perform the last two on very steep hills is to have good body position (demanded by the second drill), excellent balance (demanded by the last drill), crispness of motion (demanded by both these drills), and a high level of comfort with the classic skiing motion (from the first drill). In short, to master just these three drills is to master classic skiing. |
Outfitting the Factory Team in Craft Technical Wear
Keeping the Factory Team’s 11 athletes and staff outfitted is no simple task.
Factory Team equipment sponsors are:
Salomon –Skis, Boots, Bindings, Running shoes
Craft – Technical Wear
Swix – Poles, Wax, Tools
Rudy Project – Eyewear
Suunto – Watches, Heart Rate Monitors, GPS
Nathan - Hydration Systems
Gleukos – Sports Drink
Eniva – Vibe Nutraceutical Supplement
A look at the great gear that each Factory Team athlete receives:
Our Technical Wear Suppler for the past decade has been Craft
This year the team has been provided:
ProZero Short Sleeve Crew Underwear M&W
ProZero Long Sleeve Crew Underwear M&W
ProZero Windstopper Short Sleeve M&W
ProZero Windstopper Long Sleeve M&W
ProZero Windstopper Long Underpant M&W
ProZero Long Underpant M&W
ProZero Windstopper WS Long Underpant M&W
ProZero Long S
ProZero WS Gunde Short M & W
Touring Jacket M & W
Pearl Basic Pullover M & W
Courier Brushed Zip Mock M &W
Flow Pant M&W
Curve Tight M & W
Pro Face Protector
Siberian Glove
Power Glove
XC Train Thermal Sock
XC Train Cool Sock
Run Train Thermal Sock
WS Flow Hat
Windstopper Skull Hat
Thermal Hat
Thermal Headband
Craft Custom Jersey-2
Craft Custom Tights– 2
Craft Custom Jacket
Craft Custom Vest
Craft Custom Hat
The key must-have piece of any skier attire should be!
proZERO Long Sleeve and Long Underpant
MSRP USD $49.99 for Long Sleeve and Long Underpant
 
Features
Raglan Shoulders (Long Sleeve)
Extended Back (Long Sleeve)
Machine Washable (Warm)
Machine Dryable
Flat Lock Seams
Keeps your body dry and comfortable during exercise in cool to cold conditions.
The core of our elite layering system, Pro Zero fabric adheres to your body like a second skin. Featuring internal air channel construction, warm body heat is allowed to escape before it turns into sweat, keeping you drier longer. Textured filament yarns stay in contact with your skin and transport any moisture that is produced to the outer layer of the garment, where it is quickly vaporized. Pro Zero’s signature fit is achieved through a circular knitting process that allows for most garments to have seamless torsos and a high
stretch, nonrestrictive fit.
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| Events/Clinics/Announcements |
Cross-Country Technique Fundamentals - CDROM
This CD lays the foundation for both Classic and Freestyle techniques on
which we can build a consistent technique program that will continue to
develop great cross-country skiers for years to come.
WAKE UP! IT'S TIME TO TRAIN - DVD
70 minutes of exclusive interviews with US National Team coaches, drills and
technique, fitness testing, sports physiology, core strength, training
volume, intensity levels, race footage, and much more.
X-COUNTRY - DVD
The inside story on one of the toughest sports around by top World Cup
racers.
Visit the CXC Store
http://cxcskiing.org/CXC%20Store/education.htm
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Cayuga Nordic ESG - Classic
Saturday Jan 5, 2008
Sponsored by Salmon Hills Outdoor Adventure Center, Redfield, NY
ESGQ/NYSSRA Series Qualifier. Classic, Wave Start, 10:30 am.
5 km Scholastic, 10 km all others, BKYSL to follow.
Registration closes 10 am, $20 by 1/2 - $25 after,
Payable to Cayuga Nordic Ski Club, Race Entry Form
http://www.nyssranordic.com/raceorg/entryfor.pdf with NYSSRA Nordic
Contact: Dan Karig, 71 German Cross Rd., Ithca, NY 14850
607-277-3380 or dek9@cornell.edu
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Salmon Hills ESG - Freestyle
Sunday Jan 6, 2008
Sponsored by Salmon Hills Outdoor Adventure Center, Redfield, NY
ESGQ/NYSSRA Series Qualifier/NYSSRA Club Series. Freestyle, Start 10:30
am.
5 km Scholastic, 10 km all others, BKYSL to follow.
Registration closes 10 am, $20 by 1/2 - $25 after,
Payable to Salmon Hills, Race Entry Form
http://www.nyssranordic.com/raceorg/entryfor.pdf with NYSSRA Nordic
Contact: Thomas Griffith, 100 Noble Shores Dr., Redfield, NY 13437
315-599-7008 or info@salmonhills.com or dek9@cornell.edu
www.salmonhills.com
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Boulder Lake Ski Race
Sunday January 13, 2008
Duluth, MN
Renowned for it fast and fun rolling course through the north woods, this 5th annual celebration is also known for having snow and being the premier early season race. 2008 will mark the first year this race is part of the Minnesota Skinny Ski Series, and is excited to be kicking it off for this winter!
Register at www.active.com
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38th Annual Salomon “Frisco Gold Rush”
Featuring the SALOMON Nordic races and TUBBS Snowshoe 7K
February 3, 2008
Join us at Colorado's oldest XC Ski & Snowshoe event - the Frisco Gold Rush hosted by the Town of Frisco and the Frisco Nordic Center.
To Benefit the Summit Nordic Ski Club
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NOTE: If you have an event you would like to have in SkiPost please send emails to weanswer@skipost.com
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Do you love the sport of cross-country skiing?
Do you look forward to each edition of SkiPost?
Do you wish to support some of America's best Nordic athletes?
Do you wish to associate your company with health, fitness and winter performance?
Would you like your brand to receive over 150 million media impressions
annually?
Become a sponsor of the Factory Team www.EnjoyWinter.com North America's
Premier Cross-Country Ski Team.
For more information on Factory Team sponsorship opportunities contact
endure@endurance-enterprises.com
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