December Greetings ~
I want to thank all of you who made our NENSA 2020 on-line Auction such a huge success! Together we raised $16,847, which is greatly needed and appreciated, especially this year with so much uncertainty.
We continue to navigate the COVID pandemic. This week we made the decision to have our Opening Eastern Cup race, scheduled for 12/20 at Quarry Road, be a Maine only race. As we have said all along, we want to be responsible and keep our communities across New England as safe as possible. At this time it is not advised, or prudent, to encourage cross state traveling. So Quarry Road will be an awesome race for our Maine athletes. And even though we have had to push the pause button this month on a multi state Eastern Cup, we are hopeful that we can still host a number of our Eastern Cup races later in the season. Read the full story in the box below under our Racing Update, including the latest on our Popular/Citizen race series and virtual offerings! There is something going on for everyone!
Here's what we have in store for you in this week's KickZone in the boxes below ~
-
Racing Update: Eastern Cup, Popular and Virtual ~ still so much going on for our ski community this month!
- Our NENSA 2020 Awards continue ~ this week we announce our NENSA 2020 Coach(s) of the Year Award ~ drum roll please...Kathy Maddock of Dubln XC and Justin Fereshetian of Quarry Road Trails ~ Congrats to these two amazing coaches ~ our New England junior ski community is better off because of them both!
- Year End Giving to NENSA just got a lot easier! The CARES Act added a new $300 charitable contribution deduction for 2020, and we have some incentive gifts for you to choose from!
- BKL Youth BINGO is here ~ state by state virtual game started on December 1st with amazing prizes from our friends at LL Bean!!
- The NENSA December Virtual Club KM Challenge kicks off a season long A Hall Mark of Excellence Award for all our NENSA clubs ~ with $5000 going to the top club/school at the end of the season, $3000 to 2nd place and $1000 to 3rd place! Get your clubs registered and get out and ski some km's this December! The race is ON!
- Middlebury College is doing reserarch on waxing, fluoros & health ~ please click on the survey in the box below to participate as they would greatly appreciate our NENSA members help and thoughts!
- Registration for the Eastern Cup Opener on 12/20 at Quarry Road Trails is live on SkiReg.com for Maine athletes ~ juniors, seniors and masters welcome!
-
From our Partners: U.S. Ski and Snowboard how to watch the World Cup action from Davos Switzerland this weekend: from our friends at FasterSkier, The not so Lost - Lost Nation Roll; and from TOKO, and interview with their chief wax chemist Udo Raunjak
A HUGE shout out and please support ALL of our NENSA Sponsors ~ they are all such a big part of our NENSA programing continued success!
I hope this finds everyone safe and well and hopefully able to find some snow, or at least a patch of it, in your corner of New England!
Best,
Amie
Amie W. Smith
Executive Director
New England Nordic Ski Association
Amie@nensa.net
GIVING: DONATE to NENSA today, and thank you!
MEMBERSHIP: RENEW or JOIN today, and thank you!
Please take a few minutes to do that and support the organization that supports XC skiing here in New England, and beyond! NENSA is here for you, running programing for you, our ski community ~ we need your support this year, more than ever!
Be sure to follow us on fb, Twitter and on Instagram @nensa_nordic
|
|
NENSA News from the Field
Highlights and Notes from NENSA and the Nordic World
|
|
NENSA Racing Update: Eastern Cup,
Popular and Virtual
|
As anticipated, our racing calendar is, and needs to remain fluid – increased COVID case numbers and health care stress throughout New England reinforces NENSA’s paramount focus to protect the health of our membership and the communities we reside in.
While there will be undeniable disappointment with some decisions, we can all take solace in the creative programming available for the month and a half – and find motivation in cooling temps, a start of a snow-base and the addition of regional on-snow racing! Cross country skiers are leaders – and we must all be vigilant and do our part over the coming weeks “to abide” above our regional guidelines. We’ve laid down some brilliant plans and protocols, including the New England Cross Country Promise – now is the time to stay focussed on adherence to exemplary behavior – which includes a reduction in our personal travels. To steal a phrase from Killington Mountain, “Help us get Open, and stay Open.” We’re all in this together.
Click HERE to read full story on:
Eastern Cup & States Cups
And, our Popular Racing – Zak Cup / Club Cup / A Hall Mark of Excellence
|
|
CONGRATS to NENSA's 2020
Coach of the Year Award Recipients: Kathy Maddock and
Justin Fereshetian
|
|
NENSA is pleased to announce two hard working coaches for the 2019-2020 Coaches of the Year — both Kathy Maddock, Dublin XC and Justin Fereshetian, Quarry Road Trails have been integral in the development of their clubs — which are now strongholds of the East. Maddock joined forces with Dublin School Nordic Center, which opened in 2014, to create a robust programming that spans BKL, Juniors and masters skiers. Fereshetian was named the Program Director and Head Nordic Coach for the City of Waterville at Quarry Road Trails just last year and has already put a skier on the New England Junior National Team...read full wonderful story HERE
|
|
Kathy Maddock instilling technique advice to Dublin XC skiers |
|
Justin Fershetian reviewing
technique with athletes
|
|
Year End Giving to NENSA just got a little easier! The CARES Act added a new $300 charitable contribution deduction for 2020
|
The CARES Act, which went into effect this spring, established a new above-the-line deduction for charitable giving. You can write off up to $300 in cash donations on your 2020 income tax return!!
The CARES Act, included a “partial above the line deduction” for charitable contributions. This allows people who take the standard deduction - which is $12,400 for single filers and $24,800 for married-filing-jointly in 2020 - to claim a deduction of up to $300 in donations.
You’d claim this tax break when you file your 2020 return next spring.
So giving a few bucks to your favorite charity (like NENSA!) by 12/31/20 means you can collect a tax break for it next spring! Click here to donate any amount, and we thank you for considering NENSA in your charitable giving plans!
GIVING: DONATE to NENSA today, and thank you!
For any donation of $250 or more, we have three incentive gifts for you to choose from:
- Our NENSA/SKIDA 25th Anniversary Hat ~ 25 years in 2020
- Our snowflake NENSA/SKIDA fleece line neck-warmer
- From our partners at Cabot Cheese Cooperative ~ a $25 gift box of cheese!
|
|
|
|
Receive a Gift Certificate for a $25 Gift Box of Cabot Cheese! |
|
|
BKL XC Ski Bingo Opened December 1st |
NENSA is psyched to be partnering with LL Bean and some northeastern Ski Centers in a fun, free, engaging youth cross country ski game this winter: XC Ski Bingo! We realize almost all of you are still waiting for snow… so while you wait you can start planning how you’ll get Bingo. Every few weeks we will raffle off LL Bean US Ski Team Pom Hats and $20 LL Bean gifts cards to players who completed Bingo. Players can submit more than one Bingo throughout the season if each one is unique.
Download and print the Bingo card for your state and get ready for some winter adventuring. Be sure to fill out the BINGO ENTRY FORM when you get Bingo. We’ve got Bingo cards specific to Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont with local Ski Centers to ski at and fun activities to complete. Activity descriptions and info about participating Ski Centers included in the Bingo card downloads below.
Rules of the Game:
- Must be under 14 years of age to play.
- Game runs from December 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
- Get “Bingo” by completing the activities and skiing at the Centers in a full row, column, or diagonal.
- Document your activities and the Ski Centers you skied at with photos and mark your Bingo card.
-
Fill out the Bingo entry form once you’ve completed Bingo. You will include your activity and Ski Center photos and a picture of your marked Bingo card.
-
Follow all state COVID-19 Regulations: MA, ME, NH, NY, or VT.
- Get outside and HAVE FUN!!!
-
Direct any questions to kait@nensa.net
|
|
NENSA Announces Virtual
December Club Challenge ~
December Club KM Challenge #DCKC
|
While we don’t know what the beginning of this season is going to look like NENSA is working hard to try and keep our population enthused, excited to ski, and provide some incentives for your clubs to work together as a team! We’ll be unrolling our Popular race schedule this week – which will include Virtual Events so people can participate in BKL, Club and Zak Cup racing regardless of where they live. Our Club Cup rankings have taken on new meaning this season with the gracious support of Marty and Kathy Hall – with a carrot of $5000 going to the top ranked club at the end of the year, $3000 to the second place club and $1000 to the 3rd place club/school. This ranking will be based on rollerski races we hosted, Eastern and Vermont Cup races, and the Popular Race calendar (which will include Virtual events).
To kick us off and get teams together we created the December Club KM Challenge – it’s designed to be simple and driven by the leaders and coaches of our awesome NENSA clubs. December Club KM Challenge #DCKC
Join NENSA clubs of all walks for an inclusive kilometer logging challenge.
To read full story and to register click HERE
|
Current Club Cup Champions. Mansfield Nordic poses at Sleepy Hollow, Vermont |
|
Hey NENSA members ~ click on this banner ad below from Trapp Family Lodge to purchase your season's pass membership ~ and get ready for a great season of cross country skiing and exploring the trails at Trapps! |
|
Middlebury College researchers want our NENSA's members help with a survey on skiing, waxing and health! |
Middlebury College researchers want to know what skiers like yourself think! They are conducting a survey about involvement in skiing, waxing activities, and health history. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. People who compete the survey will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of three $300 gift certificates to a U.S. ski shop. Winners will be notified by email. To participate, simply click the link below to get started!
If you have any questions, please contact:
Kathryn Crawford, PhD
Assistant Professor
Environmental Studies
Middlebury College
|
|
NENSA Eastern Cup / FIS - Bib Purchase and Timing Chip Rental
"Bib & Chips" (hold the salsa and guacamole)
Back by popular demand!
|
|
NENSA and our venues are working tirelessly to produce a schedule of high level races that will keep competitors, officials and volunteers safe during the COVID pandemic. As per our Eastern Cup COVID-19 Contingencies we identified a system that will allow for touchless registration and timing systems by purchasing a race bib and assigned timing chip for each competitor to use throughout the season. Each competitor's bib and chip number will follow them throughout the season as a NENSA, USSS and/or FIS number does. This effectively eliminates the need for typical registration / bib pick-up - eliminating a touch point and gathering point at events. This purchase will also help subsidize the cost of vetting participants: athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers - including health screenings and adherence to state and county travel guidelines.
These bibs and chips will be used exclusively for the FIS competitions hosted at Craftsbury and all Eastern Cups. In order to compete in these events, you need to purchase your bib (you will keep it at end of the season) and rent your Zone4 chip. Eastern Cup fields (Eastern Regional Qualifiers) will have unlimited field size. FIS races at Craftsbury will be limited to racers with current FIS licenses and the field size is currently capped at 120 participants. If you intend to race in any of these races you need to purchase your NENSA bib and rent a chip.
|
|
Registration for our NENSA Eastern Cup Opener
|
|
Hey NENSA members ~ check this new offer out ~ subscribe to Cross Country Skier Magazine for just $12!! Click on the ad below for the offer, and to enjoy a years worth of gorgeous photos and wonderful articles! |
|
NENSA COVID-19 Considerations ~
Contingency Planning
for our Events and Races
this coming season
|
The Covid-19 pandemic poses significant challenges to NENSA’s 2020-21 winter event schedule. We are committed to hosting races and will make every effort to safely put on events in whatever form they might take. Our first objective is to ensure the health of our community in New England. Our second objective is to host our major events: Eastern Cups, Popular Races, U16 and Eastern High School Championships, the Bill Koch Festival, and Women’s Day as scheduled. To further foster excitement and an inclusive and community-centric atmosphere around skiing, NENSA will also be organizing some new fun season long challenges and goal-oriented activities. Skiers are encouraged to limit their travel and attend events that are within their region and state.
....click HERE for the current NENSA plans for Eastern Cups, Popular/Citizen Racing, U16 & EHS Camps, BKL Festival and Women's Day
Venues, event hosts and event organizers, BKL Club Leaders check out:
|
|
How to watch the World Cup action this weekend from Davos:
Saturday December 12th:
Sunday December 13th:
Monday, Dec. 14
|
|
The not so Lost –
Lost Nation Roll
by Jason Albert, FasterSkier December 4,2020
DRYLAND | OPINION | RACING
During the long pandemic slog, there have been times to celebrate small victories. One of those moments was the Lost Nation Roll – a skate rollerski race on October 25 at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center. Over a month ago now, during which Covid-19 restrictions have become more restrictive in Vermont, athletes were able to compete and grasp, even for a few hours, some normalcy.
Justin Beckwith, the competition director for NENSA and Ollie Burruss, a person with similar responsibilities at Craftsbury, navigated a labyrinth of safety protocols to ensure the show goes on.
It goes without saying that organized sport right now can seem frivolous. Covering sports even more so. But what the Lost Nation Roll illustrates is that good people can make good things happen. And make them happen safely. ...Click HERE to read the full story
|
|
Interview with Toko Chemist Udo Raunjak
Udo Raunjak has been the head of Toko Research and Development for the past 15 years. In addition to developing innovative new waxes, Udo also oversees quality control, production, and purchasing of raw materials. He is a straight talker who I think knows more than anyone in the world about ski wax. We discuss the development process of new waxes, the liquid paraffin revolution and what makes the Toko liquid paraffins different from others on the market, new fluorine free racing products, how to best waterproof skins, and ECO friendly waxes. If you are interested in ski racing wax or are curious about ski wax development, this is a great podcast!
The audio podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean. Also, watch the video by clicking on the link below.
|
|
Upcoming Events
A Look Ahead at the NENSA Calendar
|
|
Eastern Cup/VT Cup Race Series Calendar HERE
Popular/Citizen Racing: Zak Cup Race Series Tentative Schedule HERE
Full NENSA.net Calendar Listing HERE
Link to our NENSA Virtual Resources Page HERE
Link to our NENSA BLM Resources Page HERE
Link to our NENSA Equality & Diversity Policy HERE
|
|
New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA)
49 Pineland Drive, Suite 301A
New Gloucester, ME 04260
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
