Greetings NENSA Community ~

I am still on a natural high from our New England (NENSA) Team winning the Alaska Cup and bringing home the U.S. Junior National Divisional Championship. It was a great week of racing out in Minneapolis, and we have three great articles (one from us, one from a JN athlete and one from FasterSkier) with full recaps in the newsletter for you today.

Congrats to Team New Hampshire on their State winning the U16 Championship last weekend in Jackson NH. This weekend is our NENSA Eastern High School Championships to be held at Titcomb Mountain in Maine. Our top high school athletes from across the Northeast will be competing head-to-head for their States. This weekend also wraps up our Popular/Citizen racing, with a 3-day event ~ the Rikert Grand Prix, in Ripton VT. Registration is open until tomorrow at 10am - come for one day of racing or all three - lots of fun prizes and an overall cash prize for our 3-day tour winners.

Finally, if you can, please take the time to compete the climate change and XC skiing survey being done by a UVM Graduate Research student ~ link below.

Here is what we have for you in this jam-packed edition of KickZone:
  • New England Regains Alaska Cup in True Team Effort
  • New England's nomination for the Dave Quinn Award at U.S. Junior Nationals ~ Jack Lange
  • JN Athlete Reflection: Emma Page
  • Eastern U16 Championships Recap
  • SWIX's Responsible Waxing Project
  • The Rikert Grand Prix starts tomorrow!  March 18-20
  • For Sale ~ NENSA's custom fabric SKIDA hats & neck warmers
  • Invitation to participate in a UVM research study about climate change and cross country skiing
  • From our Partners & In the News:
  • From FasterSkier: 2022 Junior Nationals Recap: After Long Wait, Minneapolis Hosts Top US Juniors for Full Slate of Racing
  • From U.S. Ski & Snowboard ~ final World Cup Recaps from Falon and more great XC ski team articles
  • From Salomon ~ article on Listening to Your Feet: Ski Testing Methods and Commentary, written by Akeo Maifeld-Carucci, a Salomon Nordic Athlete

Hope to see you at Rikert this weekend!
Best,
Amie

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

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NENSA News from the Field
Highlights and Notes from NENSA and the Nordic World
New England Regains Alaska Cup in True Team Effort
The second half of Junior Nationals put Team New England to the test — with mass start classic racing and a perennial favorite event, team relays. After two days of New England dominance in the freestyle and sprint events it would be a hard charging Midwestern team that would take the win on the day in the classic races. One of the huge factors heading into the Championships was to keep everybody healthy, with strict protocols to limit potential exposure to Covid. Throughout the week New England athletes and staff did a superb job of accommodating and responding to any potential health concerns — trying to limit any unneeded stress on the athletes. The mass start races also proved to have a fair share of spills and equipment breakage — both factors that held some athletes back from their top performances on the day.

Despite these challenges three skiers dug deep and came out as National Champions in the classic races: U18’s Fin Bailey (SMS) and Ava Thurston (Mansfield) and U20 Nina Seeman (Dartmouth). It’s a pretty remarkable statistic when you have one division win half of the races at such a highly competitive event. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that Thurston and Seeman won all three of the individual events for their age group! At the end of Friday’s races New England claimed six podiums and nine top-10 All American results . U20M Aidan Burt (UVM)🥈; U20W Nina Seeman (Dartmouth)🥇; Cat Stow (Gunstock)🥈; U18M Fin Bailey (SMS)🥇; Jack Lange (SMS) 7th; U18W Ava Thurston (Mansfield)🥇; U16M Tabor Greenberg (GMVS)🥈; U16W Annelies Hanna (Craftsbury) 4th and Julia Thurston (Mansfield) 10th!

After a hard fought day on the classic tracks Team New England woke up Saturday ready to show their very best in the freestyle relays. For the first time in Junior National history the relays were mixed gender — providing for some really exciting races and showing the true depth of each division. The first race of the day belonged to the U16’s: Tabor Greenberg (GMVS), Quinn McDermott (Berkshire Nordic), Beth McIntosh (Frost Mountain) and Annelies Hanna (Ford Sayre) put on a show and set the stage for an amazing sweep of all three age groups. These results would cement the overall team award, bringing the Alaska Cup home to New England for the seventh time in ten years!

Despite highlighting the top results from the races in Minneapolis — New England’s continued success belongs to the whole region. The team that traveled to Junior Nationals was shaped by the competition and community we find at training camps, rollerski races, popular races and Eastern Cups throughout the year. It took a herculean effort to get a team of sixty plus skiers and staff to the event after two years of a pandemic. The skiers and support staff rose to the challenge, unifying as a team, finding success and new friendships.
...click HERE for video, photos, full results
New England's nomination for the Dave Quinn Award at U.S. Junior Nationals ~ Jack Lange
The Dave Quinn Award is awarded each year to one Junior National athlete. Each of the 10 divisions nominates one person, and then all 10 divisional cast one vote. The Dave Quinn Award recognizes that JN athlete who best exemplifies the ideals of the cross country sport that Dave Quinn expressed thought out his life. In addition to outstanding results, nominees should have special attributes such as love of the sport, leadership, overcoming hardship, worth ethic, which make them unique. New England nominated Mr. Jack Lange for his leadership throughout the event, including nightly pep talks to the entire team, and his unmatched love of cross country skiing and competition.
SWIX Responsible Waxing Project
Competitive skiing programs around the country are moving away from fluorinated waxes as we learn more about their negative impact on the environment. NENSA in 2019 was among the first to adopt a fluoro-free policy, which continues today, and as of Jan. 17, fluorocarbon waxes are banned at all FIS-sanctioned cross country races in the United States.

We encourage all our skiers to learn more about skiing fluoro-free. One new option is the Responsible Waxing Project at the Swix Education Center. 
For a limited time, Swix is offering coaches a chance to win $5,000 of Swix fluoro-free wax and products for their team just by completing an online, 45-minute course on responsible waxing. Every coach who completes the course will earn one entry into the giveaway. And … there’s more:  Coaches who complete the course also earn a continuing education credit from U.S. Ski & Snowboard.

For all skiers, you can earn a chance to win $1,000 in Swix fluoro-free products by watching a responsible waxing video at the Swix Education Center website. Swix will have multiple drawings so the sooner you sign up and watch the video, the more chances you’ll have to win.

To participate, start at the Swix Education Center. Under available courses, coaches should choose “Responsible Waxing Project.” You will be prompted to register for the course. Skiers should choose the video option listed as “Enter for a Chance to Win $1,000 of Swix Products.” You’ll be promoted to register. Once you complete the video, you’ll be entered in the drawing.

And if you have just been wondering how to use the new updated SWIX line ~ how their new fluoro-free waxes replace the old CH, LF and HF waxes we all had in our wax boxes ~ just check out this quick video below!
JN Athlete Reflection: Emma Page
I moved to New England two years ago and I am so grateful that I did. My experiences with New England racing and training have been amazing. This year, I went to all the Eastern Cups and met many wonderful people who made me feel like I was a part of a tight knit and welcoming community of hard working athletes, coaches, organizers, and parents. After traveling to Junior Nationals, I feel even more a part of this great group of people. 

 Out in Minnesota I definitely had my ups and downs. I had a few races that did not go as I had hoped, and yet, I was still able to enjoy my time. I believe that this is all due to the uplifting group of people around me. We all tried to communicate with each other on how our races went. If a race went well, we all congratulated and celebrated with that person. If a race did not go as planned, we worked together to lift that person up and help them get back to having fun. After a few tough races for me, I was revamped by the teamwork of the super fun relay races. One of my best races and most fun races ever was the relay and I heard from many other people that they share the same attitude towards that day of racing. The fact that the relay was so great for so many people on team New England shows that we are not only strong individuals but a strong and uplifting team. 
...click HERE to read Emma's full story
THANK YOU TO OUR ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
L.L.Bean and SWIX & Salomon!
Eastern U16 Championships Recap
Even in the face of challenging and changeable conditions, the athletes at Eastern U16 Championships this past weekend in Jackson, NH showed determination, strength, camaraderie, team spirit, and support. Eastern U16 Championship is the premier event for U16 cross country ski racers in New England and New York. The goal of the Eastern U16 Championships is to provide the highest quality competition for U16 athletes to learn and develop as skiers and people. Eastern U16 Champs (U16s) began modestly in 1992 and has grown into one of the highlights of the season for junior athletes. This past weekend one moment in particular stood out as a moment that exemplified what U16s is all about. As the last relay racer finisher in the final race of the weekend entered the stadium, the athletes who had already finished lined up along the finishing strait to cheer him in and a group of competitors from another state ran along the fence yelling encouragement all the way to line. 
This past weekend’s even hosted by JacksonXC was a slightly shortened version of the typical event and featured a 5k wave freestyle race Saturday followed by a 1.2k freestyle sprint and a mixed gender classic relay Saturday. Below are the top-10 results for the individual races and the top-5 for the relay as well as the top-3 overall individual standings. While we are highlighting these finishes, we want to take a moment to acknowledge every athlete who stepped onto the start line this weekend and tried their hardest out there on the race course.

We want to take a moment to thank JacksonXC for preparing amazing courses this weekend and for hosting a fun event. We also want to thank our NENSA sponsors for their ongoing support of our Championship events, Eastern Amateur Educational Foundation (EASEF) for supporting athletes all across the East in attending U16 Champs, and Bullitt Timing for stellar data management and event timing. And last but not least, thank you to all the athlete and coaches for bringing your energy, enthusiasm, and love of skiing to this event!

...click HERE for so many great photos and full results! But first, be sure to check out this great video below and enjoy!
Whether you are a coach, parent, volunteer, or athlete, we all play a role in providing a safe environment for the sports that we love. U.S. Ski & Snowboard  Athlete Safety policies, the SafeSport Code, and the U.S. Ski & Snowboard MAAPP help us support that culture of safety.  
  • If you witness or are aware of inappropriate behavior or misconduct - REPORT IT!
  • Reports may be made anonymously!
  • Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse – Report to law enforcement or child protective services in your jurisdiction immediately.
  • Reports to the Center - SafeSport hotline at 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233) or CLICK HERE to complete an online reporting form.
  • Reports to U.S. Ski & Snowboard - CLICK HERE

You may see QR codes posted at events this season. The QR codes open a page on www.usskiandsnowboard.org for quick links to reporting from your smartphone.
Learn more about reporting and try the QR Code:

Thank you for your diligence in maintaining sport safety and protecting our athletes. 
The Rikert Grand Prix starts tomorrow and run through this weekend ~ March 18-20
The Grand Prix offers something for every level of skier. The event is geared as much towards elite athletes hoping to take home cash prizes as junior and master skiers looking to test themselves on race courses that will challenge and entertain. The Grand Prix will be the final event of the NENSA Popular Race calendar, with season-end awards and celebration on Sunday, March 20th. Come for one or two days of racing, or take on the “Green Mountain Triple” and race Vermont’s first mini-tour!
 
This event will feature a $2400 cash purse as well as age group prizes and a large merchandise raffle prize table. 
 
Find out more at www.rikertgrandprix.com. 
FOR SALE!
NENSA's custom fabric SKIDA Hats & Neck Warmers will be for sale on www.NENSA.net
This custom fabric was designed by Kait Miller, NENSA's Youth & Introductory Program Director. Each snowflake contains one of 5 Northeastern states that NENSA had our programing ~ Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and New York! We are excited to offer these great new custom NENSA hats and neck warmer to our ski community!
Link to purchase HERE. Thanks for supporting NENSA this way ~ $40 for the fleece lined alpine hat and $30 for the fleece lined neck warmer ~ this includes shipping & handing.
Field tested and NENSA Staff approved!
UVM Graduate Student needs our NENSA membership's help with a XC ski &
Climate Change Survey
Invitation to participate in a research study about climate change and cross country skiing

Researchers at the University of Vermont are studying the ways that cross country skiers are thinking about and responding to climate change. We are inviting people to complete an online survey to answer questions about their participation in skiing and their thoughts about climate change. After completing the survey participants can choose to enter a raffle for one of three $25 gift cards as a small token of appreciation for their time.
 
Total time for participation is approximately 10 minutes, and includes completing an online survey.
 
To participate you must:
  • Be at least 18 years of age,
  • Have cross-country skied within the past five years
 
For more information and to participate, visit https://go.uvm.edu/5o4n9  
THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS:
THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA SUPPORTING SPONSORS:
From our NENSA Partners:
2022 Junior Nationals Recap: After Long Wait, Minneapolis Hosts Top US Juniors for Full Slate of Racing
Benjamin Theyer l March 16, 2022

To trace the thread of the past, present, and future of American cross-country skiing, all you have to do is look at a golf course in Minneapolis that touches 3 of those 10,000 lakes in Minnesota; Theodore Wirth Park. 
Over the past week, America’s most-skied loop played host to the US Ski and Snowboard Junior Championships (formerly Junior Nationals, or “JNs”), bringing the top under-20 year old skiers from across the nation together for the first time since 2020s JNs in Truckee, CA were forced to cancel mid-competition in the panicked early days of the COVID pandemic.
Two years later, the performances by the nation’s top junior skiers seemed to be nothing less than a brighter future put into motion. A week of skiing which saw athletes from Maine to Alaska, and anywhere in-between with enough snow, push each other, and the future of US skiing, forward...Read full article HERE

IN THE NEWS:
March 11:
Kern Fourth in Falun World Cup Classic Sprint
Julia Kern doesn’t want the FIS Cross Country World Cup season to end. Especially after nearly missing her second career podium, finishing fourth, in Friday’s classic sprint in Falun, Sweden. “I don’t want the season to end now!” Kern said. “We have been on the road for a long time, but I finally feel like I’m hitting my stride, and the pieces are coming together, so my overall feeling is a bit bittersweet right now. I am really happy with the way I skied today and all of the hard work from the whole staff!” ...READ MORE

March 12:
Diggins Third, Leads Five into Top 20 in Falun
Jessie Diggins wrapped up the FIS Cross Country World Cup season on the podium in third and led an outstanding day for the Davis U.S. Cross Country Team with five athletes finishing in the top 20 Saturday in Falun, Sweden...READ MORE

March 12:
OKSANA MASTERS Wins Silver in Middle Distance to Become Most Decorated U.S. Para Cross Country Skier...Read More

March 13:
USA Wins First-Ever World Cup Mixed Team Relay In Falun
Keep it close, then tag off to Jessie Diggins. That was the plan, and Team USA executed it perfectly to take the victory Sunday in the first-ever FIS Cross Country World Cup mixed team relay in Falun, Sweden. “It was fast and furious out there today, so our goal was to stay out of trouble and stay in the pack, then let Diggy do her thing, which she does best, and that worked out really well,” said Rosie Brennan, who skied the first of four 5k freestyle legs, tagging off to Zak Ketterson, then Scott Patterson and finally to Diggins, who skied away from Finland Krista Parmakoski and Norway’s Therese Johaug for the victory. ...READ MORE
March 17:
Waltham's Julia Kern recounts 'emotional' experience as cross-country skier at Olympics
Julia Kern loves to travel. But the domestic version sounds good about now. Away from home since mid-November, Kern has competed all over Europe on the World Cup circuit. The longest stay of her season on cross-country skis, however, was in Asia: 22 days representing Team USA at the Beijing Olympics. ...Read the Full Article at WickedLocal.com

Jessie Diggins And Other Team USA Olympians Have Stayed Strong Since The Winter Games
Jessie Diggins’ face said it all. The American cross-country skiing star, in one of the most memorable performances of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, raced in six events between Feb. 5 and Feb. 20. And so 15 days after opening the Games with a sixth-place finish in the grueling skiathlon, and 12 days after becoming Team USA’s first female medalist in the sport by taking bronze in the sprint, the 30-year-old Minnesotan closed out the Olympics with the sport’s longest race: the 30-kilometer mass start. ...Read the Full Article at TeamUSA.com
Listening To Your Feet: Ski Testing Methods and Commentary
Written by Akeo Maifeld-Carucci, a Salomon Nordic Athlete
While it is a luxury to have to worry about ski testing, it is a crucial skill and process for high-level racing and in my opinion, it can be pretty fun. It’s a mini science experiment: a logical comparison test based on metrics that are inherently hard to make quantitative. It is easy to get in your own head and second guess your judgements but it can also be freeing to turn off your mental analysis and ask your feet what they like today.

But first, let’s recap the process. Today I will speak about testing skate skis.

Set-up: Try to test at temperatures and snow conditions that are reflective of the coming race (whether testing the morning-of or day before). Make sure all skis to be tested are “zeroed” (have the same wax).

Test procedure: There are two main methods for ski testing: glide-outs, and feel testing. ...read full article HERE
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