June Greetings NENSA Community ~
Our NENSA staff spent time in April and May reflecting on our past year, and making plans for this coming season. One major takeaway is our commitment to placing a new emphasis on our Popular/Citizen Race series this season – and as you will see in the article below, our initiative is to highlight these excellent regional opportunities as the core of our racing calendar and make accessible and celebrated race experiences for all levels and ages of skiers. Our goal is to grow participation numbers and development opportunities for venues and athletes alike.
We also brought back our virtual challenge #25kinMay this year, and it was again a huge success! Check out the excellent article below with results, data sheets, a fb photo album and video from Mohawk Trail High School Nordic.
At the bottom of this newsletter is our already jam pack calendar (so nice to see that again!) with so many opportunities for camps, as well as the first NENSA Rollerski Race in our 2021 Series, the Lost Nation Roll, to be held on July 11th. And if you are new to rollerskiing, and want to learn more, check out Non-Stop Nordics learn to rollerski week in July.
As NENSA moves forward we are looking for ways to better support and engage skiers of all skill and experience levels. Stay tuned for our upcoming Rollerski Race Series release coming mid-June and be sure to check out our Learn to Rollerski page which we will be updating with opportunities as we finalize the schedule summer.
Here's what we have in store for you in this week's KickZone
- Recap of our second annual #25kinMay virtual challenge and preview of more fun summer rollerski programming!
- 2021-2022 Popular/Citizen Race Initiative and Bidding
- CAMPS & Rollerski Races: check out the calendar at the bottom of this newsletter. Plus dates for our 2022 NENSA Women's Day, BKL Festival, U16 & EHS Championships!
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From our Partners:
- From Concept2: 2k RowErg World Record from a NENSA native ~ Brook Mooney
- From U.S. Ski & Snowboard: Julia Kern rolls passions into Pastimes
- Job Postings: Bethel Outing Club 3-year Program Director/Head Coach initiative
Thank you to all of our NENSA Sponsors ~ they are such a HUGE part of our NENSA programing continued success, and we so appreciate their support. I want to be sure we all acknowledge the businesses who support us and cross country skiing!
Best,
Amie
Amie Witten 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
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NENSA News from the Field
Highlights and Notes from NENSA and the Nordic World
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#25kinMay is a wrap!
from Kait Miller, Youth & Introductory Program Director
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And just like that it’s June! But before we all get caught up in the summer hustle and bustle, we want to take a moment to reflect back on #25kinMay. |
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It was super inspiring to see folks of all ages and ability levels getting outside and being active. There were BKL skiers to masters skiers out there getting after it! By the numbers, 123 people covered 4,428k across 8 states and 2 countries. Most folks rollerskied, but we had a few bikers and runners mixing things up.
Three skiers in the “Keeping up with Beckwith” category covered over 250km with Erin Mahone-Moore topping the charts at 303km for women and Phil Lawson for men covering 586km with multiple modes. Joey Rouhana of Nonstop Nordic skied the fastest male 25k and Caitlin Patterson led the women in the Rockstar category. Rosalie Wilson of Ford Sayre and Patrick Coughlin of the Brunswick HS Ski Team skied the most kilometers in the Speedy Repeater Category clocking in 51.6 and 90.2k respectively. Congrats to everyone who participated!! You can check out the full 25k in May data sheet HERE.
We’ll be rolling our category and raffle winners on social media in the coming days. They will be receiving snazzy new NENSA branded hats or LL Bean Gift Cards.
As NENSA looks forward we are seeking more ways to better support and engage skiers of all skill and experience levels. Stay tuned for our upcoming Rollerski Race Series release coming mid-June and be sure to check out our Learn to Rollerski page which we will be updating with opportunities as we finalize the schedule summer.
Looking for more motivation to keep skiing in June – join the our Associate Sponsor, Swix, for their Strava Challenge. You can also look forward to Roy-llerski, a memorial rollerski event for Roy Varney of Maine in July.
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THANK YOU TO OUR ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
L.L.Bean and SWIX!
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2021–2022 Popular Race Initiative
and Bidding
from Justin Beckwith, Competitive Program Director
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The value of well run localized events was perhaps one of the biggest takeaways from conducting races during the pandemic. NENSA is committed to taking this learning forward and believes highlighting the Popular Race Series will help grow participation numbers and create a more accessible pathway for skier development.
NENSA is placing new emphasis on our Popular Race series this season – our initiative is to highlight these excellent regional opportunities as the core of our racing calendar and make accessible and celebrated race experiences for all levels and ages of skiers. NENSA will offer two tiers of Popular Race calendaring this season, with increased NENSA support and media opportunities at Zak Cup events. The goal is to grow participation numbers and development opportunities for venues and athletes alike, by highlighting the Popular Races Series including broad circulation of a NENSA Popular Race calendar posters at venue and retail locations throughout the region.
Venues interested in having their event(s) named to NENSA’s Zak Cup, Club Cup, and/or New England Marathon Series should complete this form by July 2nd.
The Zak and Club Cup Series brings together NENSA’s New England’s finest citizen races. These events offer regional racing opportunities for developing skiers, and season-long head-to-head competition for senior and masters. There are often Bill Koch age offerings held in conjunction with many of the events. All events that are part of this Zak Cup Series are also scored for Club Cup points. One distance (per age group) on each day is scored for the Zak Cup to ensure appropriate competition within age groups. All timed race distances will be scored to Club Cup scoring.
While Zak Cup events often draw 100+ participants we hope to grow field sizes in the coming years with increased promotion and NENSA staff involvement. New this season, organizers can submit for Zak or Club distinction — with Club races serving a vital role for local communities, those seeking lower key events and clubs that incentivise skier participation based on Club Cup points. On request, NENSA will provide Technical Delegates at these Series events for the same criteria as Eastern Cups. Zak and Club Cup Series Organizers should contact the Eastern TD Coordinator to request a TD for your event. Race sites with strong volunteer bases and some experience in hosting races are encouraged to bid for a Zak and Club Cup Series events. Click here for more information on NENSA’s Zak Cup and Club Cup Series.
In the last two years the Popular Race Series has grown from approximately 10 events to over 20 events. As we review the schedule for 2021-2022 we hope to create a balanced schedule between Zak and Club events. Races will have varied techniques and distances throughout the season to make for an exciting calendar. Many events are now offering untimed or touring classes – branded with fun names like, “What the Heck” and “Just Try It!” We also look forward to and support the addition of terrain features, which is not so far removed from old school cross country skiing! We are encouraged by the growth of participation prior to the pandemic and can’t wait for next winter and highlighting this awesome series.
Zak Cup and Club Cup Series events are selected by NENSA’s Masters Committee.
To Bid:
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Bidding is now open for the 2021-2022 Zak Cup & Club Cup Season. Bids should be submitted by July 2nd. Please direct questions to justin@nensa.net
- Full details of expectations are listed in the Bid Sheet and Event Organizer Handbook.
- Organizers must use SkiReg for registration.
- Entry fee is up to the host. NENSA will assess a $5 per participant for Zak and $2 for Club (BKL excluded) head-tax which is set up to automatically withdraw via SkiReg.
NEW ENGLAND MARATHON SERIES
The events of the New England Marathon Series offer a classic cross country ski experience with fully supported courses showcasing some of New England’s premier venues. There is something for everyone, welcoming skiers of all levels to test their endurance, or just make the most of a winter’s day on courses ranging from 25K to 50K. Elite racers and recreational touring skiers alike are invited to enjoy a traditional ski marathon experience and some of the finest skiing in New England! Visit our NENSA New England Marathon Series page for more information.
To Bid:
- Bidding is now open for 2021-2022 New England Marathon Series and follows the same format as Zak and Club criteria.
- Each season, 6-8 events will be named to the New England Marathon Series as selected by NENSA’s Masters Committee. Marathons, whether designated Zak or Club will count towards the Marathon Series hats and recognition.
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THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS: |
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Congrats to our April Fund Drive
Lucky Raffle Winners!!
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Sam Damon - Rossignol Ski Bag 2/3 pair
Linda Dell - 1-night stay at the Trapp Family Lodge
David and Cindy Glueck - Rossignol Hero boot bag/pack
Linda Haines - LL Bean insulated 1 liter canteen
Phil Lawson - LL Bean NENSA logo'd large Boat and Tote
Sandra and Matthew Meyerson - 1-night stay at the Trapp Family Lodge
Mike Tarakanov - LL Bean NENSA logo'd large Boat and Tote
Jonathan Chaffee - set of two Allagash stainless Kleen Kanteen pint glasses
Watch your mail for your prizes arriving from NENSA shortly!
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THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA SUPPORTING SPONSORS: |
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Brooke Mooney:
Fastest Woman on the RowErg
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In late March, US National Team member Brooke Mooney broke the previous 2k rowing indoor world record by 1.5 seconds. She is now the fastest known woman on the RowErg for 2000 meters.
Concept2 had the honor to catch up with Mooney to congratulate her on this great achievement and to see where 6:21.1 will take her next.
Congratulations on your new world record! In comparison, do you remember your first 2k on the RowErg?
I do not think I will ever forget my first 2k on the RowErg. It was my senior year of high school, and my first year rowing. We were doing a 3 x 1500m workout on the RowErg and I thought, 'a 2k isn’t that much longer, I should see if I can do one so I have a time to send to colleges.' That is the last time I will think a 2k isn’t that much more than 1500m. I went a 7:22 and that was the only 2k I did before attending the University of Washington...read full story HERE
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May 21:
Kern Rolls Passion Into Pastimes:
Davis U.S. Cross Country Ski Team member Julia Kern is always game for sharing her outdoor passions. And now she has an app for that!
Kern has found a unique way to mix her studies toward a degree from Dartmouth in economics, with a minor in human-centered design, her day job as a professional cross country skier, and all of her outdoor adventures into serving as an athlete ambassador and team member for Pastimes - an app that connects like-minded outdoor enthusiasts for activities and adventures. ...READ MORE
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JOB POSTING:
Maine West Project Play
An Initiative of The Bethel Outing Club Program Director/Head Coach Job Description To be Posted 5/20/21
The Bethel Outing Club seeks a Program Director/Head Coach to launch their 3-year initiative ‘Maine West Project Play.’ A successful candidate will be:
● Creative in designing an outdoor sport program that equally emphasizes physical literacy and social/emotional well-being.
● Resourceful in managing existing program assets and developing new funding streams.
● Collaborative in reinforcing community partnerships and broadening the reach of the program.
● Committed to ensuring that all members of our community have access to high quality outdoor programming regardless of financial ability.
● Experienced in coaching the technical aspects of the people-powered sports of cross country skiing, mountain biking, running and alpine ski touring.
This 3-year initiative is a direct response to the heightened sense of isolation, hopelessness and depression in our community resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to being a great coach, we are looking for a candidate interested in working with mental health experts to build resilience in our kids and adhere to the philosophy of The Aspen Institute’s “Project Play.” Although based in Bethel, Maine, we hope to scale the program to reach other communities in subsequent years.
The Bethel Outing Club (BOC) is a 501c3 organization that has historically been committed to fostering the development of Nordic Skiing in Western Maine. Although the BOC believes in the importance of competition, it is refocusing its programming to meet the needs of the moment. We hope to utilize sport to build resilience in our community.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume and three references to Wade Kavanaugh, wadekavanaugh@gmail.com. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. Salary is commensurate with experience.
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THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS: |
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Upcoming Events
A Look Ahead at the NENSA Calendar
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Summer CAMPS are starting to schedule dates ~ here is what we have so far!
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
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If you already shop Amazon ~ please link to Amazon Smile
with NENSA as your beneficiary!
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Did you know that NENSA could benefit from the Amazon purchases you are already making??! Please link your Amazon account to Amazon SMILE (with /smile) and choose NENSA as your non-profit beneficiary! All the purchases everyone is already making, all add up, and we would love to be able to benefit from that! Thank you!! |
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New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA)
49 Pineland Drive, Suite 301A
New Gloucester, ME 04260
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