Greetings NENSA Community ~

Spring is here in Boston - the forsythia and daffodils are in full bloom in my yard, and the silver lining on no snow here this past winter is that my garden peas and hearty greens are planted and are already up! I hope you are all doing well and getting out, even if it is just in your back yard, doing some sprints, laps, strength or yoga around your home. If you have come up with a creative workout during this COVID-19 shelter at home time - share it with us at staff@nensa.net. See box below for full details.

April is also NENSA's annual Fund Drive month. This year, in light of all that is going on, and to celebrate our 25th year as a non-profit organization here in New England, we are asking each NENSA member to donate $25 (to honor our 25 years!) #NENSA25in20
Thank you in advance for supporting NENSA, and our mission of implementing educational, recreational, and competitive programs at all levels to sustain a vital and active cross-country skiing community throughout New England!

Here's what we have in store for you in this week's KickZone ~
  • Info on how to donate in our April Fund Drive #NENSA25in20
  • A great full season recap of our Popular/Citizen Race Series ~ which is thriving! See who made the top 3 in each age group - males and females - as well as links to great photos of our racers throughout the season, and our Marathon Challengers!
  • Congrats to our new NENSA Elite & Development Team members, National U16 Camp nominees, REG Camp info (still evolving...) and our Rollerski Programing in this time of COVID-19.
  • A great video submission from our NENSA Virtual Video Challenge! See all the great videos we have received so far on our NENSA fb page, and keep those videos coming! Box below gives you all the info!
  • Time to submit BIDS for our NENSA Eastern Cup Race weekends 2021 and for the New England Bill Koch Festival 2021.
  • How to donate a wax mask for medical PPE use! One of our NENSA members, and former EISA and junior racer, Jacob Meyerson, is spearheading collecting our waxing masks for re-use by doctors and nurses as PPE's in hospitals. Way to go Jacob! See box below on how you can donate a mask today!
  • Link to special SAVINGS and OFFERS from our NENSA Sponsors! Take a look at all these great offers and please support the companies that support NENSA and skiing!
  • From our NENSA Partners: BNF names Andy Newell their new Elite Coach; Ollie Burruss of Craftsbury talks greening waxing on FasterSkiers latest Podcast; and Salomon gives use soom sweet Nordic video on their new Salomon TV. A great escape!

Be well everyone ~
Amie

Amie W. Smith
Executive Director
New England Nordic Ski Association
Amie@nensa.net

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
Popular/Citizen Ski Racing Thrives in New England – Despite Shortened Season
Here’s some awesome news – popular cross country ski racing is showing steady growth!

Despite a shortened season, and with a couple of snow related hiccups early on, participation in popular races grew by 48% this winter (full 2019 – 2020 participation statistics here). Three major changes have occurred over the past two years to help fuel this growth: branding our citizen races as “Popular Races” versus “Zak Cup,” adding more races (including adding “Just Try It” or “Fun” races to existing events), and the inclusion of senior aged skiers (23-29) in our Zak Cup statistics. The goal is to create a more exciting and inclusive feel to races while honoring the traditions of the Zak and Club Cup. NENSA also introduced a free “Get Skiing” membership for any first time members this season and scored previous members to our Zak Cup standings beginning with the Craftsbury Marathon this winter. Competition draws competition and we are so happy our members are responding!

Speaking of competition – the beauty of citizen racing in New England is the robust talent present at any given race – skiers of all ages from youth in Bill Koch, to novice adult racers, junior athletes and their coaches, parents, and elite skiers past and present (including many of our ageless masters), former National Team skiers and Olympians. Popular cross country ski racing thrives because of this inclusive and diverse atmosphere...

Click HERE to read full story, as well as see the top 3 winners in all age categories, and links to photos from Jamie Doucett from many of the Popular Races!
Larry Berman (M12) and Jody Newton (M8) at the Bretton Woods Marathon
(Jamie Doucett photo)
Keep Skiing Alive April Fund Drive! Please help sustain NENSA into the future and celebrate our 25 years! #NENSA25in20
NENSA is committed to making sure that cross country skiing here in New England continues to thrive and grow while encouraging our next generation to enjoy the outdoors and sport we all love so dearly. We are lucky to have had a great foundation of leadership and programming these past 25 years, and it is our goal to continue to bring that to our members in the next quarter century too!

For now, NENSA April Fund Drive success depends on every member giving what they can. This year NENSA is asking each member of our ski community to give $25 in honor of our 25 years. We hope you will join us in making this goal happen. THANK YOU!

Click  HERE  if you are a NENSA member to give to NENSA

Click  HERE  if you are a guest supporter to give to NENSA

Of course, you can always mail a donation check into our NENSA office at:
49 Pineland Drive, New Gloucester, ME 04260

*Donations of $250 or more receive the commemorative NENSA/SKIDA 25th Anniversary hat show above
Doing GOOD in the time of NEED ~ Donate your Waxing Respirator (PPE) to much needed Health Care Workers!

Click HERE to see how one NENSA member is making a difference, and so can you , by donating your waxing respirator to heath care workers on the front lines at hospitals today, and THANK YOU! (BTW, fluoros on the OUT and PPE's for Health Care workers are on the IN!)
Development Camps (including NENSA Elite/Development Team & National U16 Camp nominees) and
Rollerski Programming Update
NENSA is proud to continue celebrating the athletic accomplishments of this winter by introducing the 2020 Elite and Development Team nominations and give you some updates looking into the future. While we don’t know our exact calendars for the next few months we do know that our skiers are healthy and will be resilient to whatever challenges they face. We will best navigate this important moment by staying calm and optimistic.

Read on for the: 1) 2020 Elite and Development Team Nominations, 2) insight from U.S. Ski & Snowboard (including Regional (REG) Camp / U16 National Camp updates and selections), and 3) an outlook on how we are approaching NENSA rollerski programming.... click HERE for full story and all nominations!
2021 BID sheets are OPEN for both
Eastern Cup Weekends and BKL Festival bids
Want to host one of NENSA's Eastern Cup Race Weekends or the NEBKL Festival in 2021? Bids sheets are now OPEN for both!

Click HERE to find out more info on hosting and bidding for an Eastern Cup Race Weekend.

Click HERE to find out more info on hosting and bidding for the Bill Koch Festival
Join the NENSA Virtual Video Challenge!
Are you feeling cooped up at home? Do you miss your friends, teammates and coaches? Maybe you need an outlet for all your pent up energy? We get it, and that’s why we’re announcing the NENSA Virtual Video Challenge – a way for you to stay engaged with the ski community during these weeks of social distancing, support NENSA’s 25th birthday, and have some fun doing it...just remember to please follow all physical distancing rules and sheltering in place rules! We want you and our ski community to be safe!
Click HERE to find out full details on making and submitting your video to NENSA.

To see even more Video Challenge Submissions - go to NENSA's fb page, and enjoy!
Special Savings and Offered from our
NENSA Sponsors on NENSA.net
NENSA is SO grateful to all our Sponsors for their support of our non-profit organization and our sport! Did you know they also have some special offers for YOU, our NENSA members??! Be sure to check out the Members Only Benefits page on NENSA.net . There you will find savings on:

SIDAS, your footwear company: use code NENSA20 to receive 20% off your order at
sidas-usa.store
UnTapped Maple nutritional products: NENSA members receive a 10% discount on all nutritional products, use code NENSA10 at checkout
Concept2 SkiErgs: $40 off the retail price of a Concept2 SkiErg
Nokian Tyres: 20% Discount to NENSA Member off the purchase of any Nokian Tyres at one of their Vianor retailers listed on our NENSA website page (see above). You must present your valid NENSA membership card at payment.
TOKO: special Team Night and Team order forms pricing each fall (stay tuned for fall 2020)
EnjoyWinter.com: 15% off select product ~ To take advantage of your NENSA spring special visit www.enjoywinter.com and use “NENSASpring” as your discount code, while you are there apply for sponsorship at the bottom right corner. EnjoyWinter every day of the year.
Trapp Family Lodge: NENSA members will receive a 10% discount on mid-week (Sunday-Thursday) rooms they book this year! Some black out dates exist, including holidays and vacation weeks. Just mention this 10% NENSA member discount when booking, and then present your valid NENSA member card (you receive this on your confirmation email after renewing or joining NENSA) when checking in

It's another way we can say thank you to you all for being NENSA members and supporting us too!
More News from our NENSA Partners & Community!
NORDIC NATION • EPISODE 79

Check out the lasted PODCAST from FasterSkier and enoy!
BSF Hires Four-Time Olympian Andy Newell
as Elite Team Coach 
PRESS RELEASE
April 6, 2020

BOZEMAN, MT – Bridger Ski Foundation is pleased to announce that Andy Newell is their new Nordic Elite Team Coach, effective April 1, 2020.

He’ll work with the competitive Nordic racers, collegiate skiers, and the incoming Elite Team to help these athletes bridge the gap between domestic racing and international success. “BSF is excited to rebuild the Nordic Elite Team under the leadership of four-time Olympian Andy Newell,” said BSF Nordic Program Director Andrew Morehouse.

Andy Newell, BSF Nordic Elite Team coach. (Photo: BSF)
Newell said, “I’m thrilled to start this full-time coaching position with the Bridger Ski Foundation and work even more closely with the ski community here in Bozeman. We have incredible ski training and racing resources in Montana, which is a real draw for me. In addition, I think BSF has the potential to be the strongest ski club in the US.”
...link to full story HERE
Salomon TV ~ Nordic Edition
Watch and Enjoy
Salomon TV ~ NORDIC ~ Watch some great videos HERE on Jessie, Lapland, Inside Biathlon, A Team Journey, Willi, Karoline, Olaf and Podium, and ENJOY these great stories and adventures with Salomon!
SafeSport Program
U.S. Ski & Snowboard, our National Governing Body (NGB) requires the following individuals complete training provided by the U.S. Center for SafeSport:

Individuals associated with Member Clubs (that means any NENSA club)

  • Adult athlete members of Member Clubs, except Short Term Athlete Members due to their limited participation and Master Athletes who do not i) have regular contact with minor athletes or ii) have authority over minor athletes
  • Adult members (who are not athletes) of Member Clubs who i) have regular contact with athletes, or ii) have authority over athletes
  • Employees and Board Members of Member Clubs
  • Individuals providing services to Member Clubs, including but not limited to contractors, volunteers, interns, who i) have regular contact with athletes or ii) have authority over athletes
  • More info here: https://usskiandsnowboard.org/safesport-athlete-safety/safesport-training

NENSA urges ALL New England coaches, parent volunteers, venue volunteers and anyone working with youth to take the SafeSport on-line course and get certified. NENSA requires this of all our staff and volunteer coaches and wax techs at JN's and REG Camps. Please take time this season to be sure all your club volunteers and coaches are SafeSport certified. Do it today. Go to: https://www.safesport.org

Further information on SafeSport, and important updates made as of 4/15/19 to the SafeSport Program, can be found on our NENSA website HERE
Upcoming Events
A Look Ahead at the NENSA Calendar
U pcoming NENSA Events:
April 6th-30th: NENSA's annual Fund Drive and Club/Team Virtual Video Challenge!
April 1st-30th: Bids open for submission for Eastern Cup weekends and BKL Festival 2021
May 2nd & 3rd: NENSA's Spring Board of Directors and Committee meetings, Hanover NH (virtual)

Full NENSA.net Calendar Listing HERE