Happy July NENSA Community ~
We are thrilled to announce that Salomon has just joined on as a 3-year Associate Sponsor/Partner with NENSA. This level of support - both as an Associate Sponsor and with signing a 3-year agreement, means so much to us. It enables us, as a non-profit, to plan and know we have that financial stability. Not to mention the amazing company Salomon is and the great cross country ski gear they make! See full PR below.
We are also super psyched to be starting our NENSA Rollerski Race Series at Craftsbury Outdoor Center with The Lost Nation Roll on Sunday 7/11. We have added an "intermediate" race (7.5k) that does not include Dennis's downhill to this schedule at 11am, and the Learn-to-Rollerski Clinic and Drop-in Biathlon Clinics have been moved to 1pm. See box below for more info.
Our full summer into fall NENSA Rollerski Race Series will be announced shortly, in the meantime, we are busy creating opportunities though more intimate events for a broader regional reach, such as the third annual Roy-llerski that begins today July 1st!
Here's what we have in store for you in this week's KickZone
- Salomon joins NENSA as our newest Associate Sponsor for the next 3-years
- The Lost Nation Rollerski Races and Learn-to-Rollerski Clinic on Sunday 7/11
- Eastern REG Camp being held this week in Waitsfield VT and Lake Placid NY
- Third Annual Roy-llerski begins today!
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From our Partners:
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From U.S. Ski & Snowboard: Diggins Honored With Overall Athlete Of the Year Award, and Sadie Maubet Bjornsen awarded the BUDDY WERNER AWARD (for sportsmanship)
- From L.L. Bean: Summer Across Maine ~ free summer programing!
Thank you to all of our NENSA Sponsors ~ they are such a HUGE part of our NENSA programing continued success, and we so appreciate all 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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NENSA is thrilled to announce our new 3-year partnership with Salomon
as an Associate Level Sponsor
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA)
49 Pineland Drive, Suite 301A
New Gloucester, ME 04260
June 30, 2021
The New England Nordic Ski Association is thrilled to announce our new partnership with Salomon as an Associate Level Sponsor/Partner for the next three years ~ 2021-22 through the 2023-24 seasons.
Salomon is a long time champion of the Nordic community, supporting programs, athletes, venues, and retailers at all levels of the sport across the US and worldwide. “Salomon’s partnership helps support our programing along the entire pipeline, from youth and introductory skiing & rollerskiing, competitive programing, to masters and citizen racing, and beyond. I am thrilled Salomon has made this 3-year commitment to NENSA – their belief in our programing here in New England means a lot to us,” says Amie W. Smith, Executive Director of NENSA.
“NENSA does an outstanding job of getting more people across all ages and ability levels out on skis to enjoy outdoor winter recreation and competition. Salomon is excited to grow its partnership with NENSA to further support the clubs mission of strengthening the Nordic community throughout New England,” says Andre Watt, Salomon’s Nordic Marketing and Race Manager.
About Salomon:
Born in the French Alps in 1947, Salomon is committed to pushing the boundaries of mountain sports through the creation of innovative equipment that allows people to play, progress and challenge themselves in their chosen outdoor sports. The company produces and sells premium footwear, winter sports and mountaineering equipment, hiking equipment, and apparel specifically designed for all those disciplines. Products are developed in the company’s Annecy Design Center, where engineers, designers and athletes collaborate to create innovative solutions that continually improve the outdoor experiences of those who see nature as a vast playground.
About the New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA):
The New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) is the umbrella organization for cross country skiing in the region that promotes the culture and growth of cross country skiing and offers year-round programming to all levels of skiers to encourage a lifetime love of the sport. With a small paid staff and a huge grassroots component NENSA relies on membership, contributions to our Annual Fund and corporate sponsors to provide a framework for clubs and venues to host successful – and FUN – ski events for all ages and abilities.
NENSA Vision:
To be the pre-eminent organization that inspires and empowers lifelong learning, development, and community building through the sport of cross-country skiing.
NENSA Mission:
Share the joy of gliding on snow through educational, recreational, introductory, and competitive programs to nurture and sustain a vital and active cross-country skiing community for all ages and levels throughout New England.
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Lost Nation Rollerski Race &
Learn-to-Rollerski Clinic
on Sunday July 11th
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Our first event of the 2021 summer season is fast approaching and we’re excited to be partnering with the Craftsbury Outdoor Center to host a rollerski race, Learn-to-Rollerski Clinic, and Drop-in Biathlon Clinic! The Lost Nation Roll is the first in our NENSA Rollerski Race Series and will be a freestyle, paired interval start race of either 5.6km (U16s), 11.2km (open skiers), or 7.5k (open intermediate skiers – no Dennis’s downhill). Registration is capped at 100 racers total. Top 10 ranked open skiers of each gender will race on NENSA’s new fleet of Swenor Skate Long skis. Clinic details below.
Course Information
The race will be contested on the Outdoor Center’s paved rollerski loop. The loop has a figure 8 layout, meaning that the middle portion including Dino Hill will be skied twice per “lap.”
The U16 and open race course includes the challenging Dennis’s Nemesis downhill once per lap. If you are not comfortable on rollerskis, this may not be the right event for you. This downhill is high speed and includes an S-turn (or chicane) at the bottom. Please arrive early enough to preview the course. A course map is available for preview here.
The intermediate race course only uses the inner loop of our rollerski track, eliminating the challenging Dennis’s Downhill. If you are currently registered for the open race and want to switch to the intermediate race, email ollie.burruss@craftsbury.com and he will switch your registration free of charge.
Learn-to-Rollerski Clinic
Have you ever wanted to try rollerskiing?! Join NENSA’s Justin Beckwith and Kait Miller for an hourlong Learn-to-Rollerski clinic following the Lost Nation Roll race from 1:00-2:00pm. This instructional clinic is geared towards folks who have on-snow ski experience, but little to no rollerski experience and want to give classic roller skiing a try. All clinic participants will use NENSA’s brand new Swenor rollerskis, but remember to bring your own boots, poles, and helmet!! We can accommodate SNS and Prolink/NNN bindings. Register HERE ($25/person). Check out this informational video on rollerski equipment from the Craftsbury Outdoor Center.
Drop-in Biathlon Clinic
This Craftsbury Green Racing Project-led clinic also runs from 1:00-2:00pm and is geared towards experienced skiers and rollerskiers who want to try biathlon. No prior shooting experience necessary. This clinic is free and you’re welcome to just watch if you are not comfortable shooting.
Schedule:
8:30AM – Bib pick up and day-of-race registration opens (if numbers allow); course opens for warmup
9:25AM – Course closes to all racers.
9:30AM – U16 races start. 2 skiers every 30 seconds, mixed gender. Two 3.3km figure 8 laps for a total of 5.6km.
10:00AM – Open races start. 2 skiers every 30 seconds, mixed gender.
11:00AM – Intermediate race start. 2 skiers every 30 seconds, mixed gender. Only uses the inner loop of our rollerski track, eliminating the challenging Dennis’s Downhill.
11:30AM – Podium ceremony
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THANK YOU TO OUR ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
L.L.Bean and SWIX & Salomon!
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2021 Eastern REG Camp Kicked
Off June 28th
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The 2021 Eastern Regional Elite Group (REG) Camp is underway! We’re psyched to be back in person this year and are welcoming top junior skiers and their coaches from all across the East. Starting out at GMVS and before moving to Mount Van Hoevenberg later in the week, this camp will include an uphill run, 800m double, and sprint competition in addition to many educational opportunities and even a some camping! We’re also psyched to have US Ski Team coaches Kate Johnson and Matt Whitcomb joining us for the week. Stay tuned for updates and photos as camp gets rolling, and get pumped up with this 2019 REG Camp agility video!
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THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS: |
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Third Annual Roy-llerski Begins July 1st |
NENSA and The Maine Outdoor Wellness Center are thrilled to host the third annual Roy-llerski and Fundraiser this year during the month of July. The event, originally created by Jenny Wilbraham, was created in memory of Roy Varney to bring together the nordic community for support and to enjoy the sport they all shared.
This year, the event will be virtual again, but we encourage anyone that can participate with a group and make the most of it! Using the date of Roy’s passing (7/1/19), the challenge is to ski, run, or ride 71.19km OR for 71:19 (1h:11m:19s), spread over a couple of days, weeks, or the entire month if need be.
Have fun, stay safe, and take the spirit of the journey with you!! Sharing photos or GPS tracks is highly encouraged.
Registrant Categories:
Rockstar: For those aiming to ski 71.19 in one shot – for time or challenge.
Speedy Repeater: Combine multiple skis to reach 71.19km.
Bill Koch/Recreational/Time Trial: Ski 7.119km non-stop or use the event as a time trial.
Art for Roy: Design the coolest fitness tracker art file to honor Roy! #forRoy
1:11:19: Ski as far as you can in 71 minutes and 19 seconds.
Prizes:
The first 10 registrants, 8 raffled registrants, and 2 randomly selected social promoters will win an event bag with swag from The MOWC and LL Bean.
To qualify as a social promoter be sure to post your public photos of the event to Instagram or Facebook and tag @nensa_nordic and @theMOWC #Royllerski2021 #summernordic
Participation Data:
Enter your participant data HERE and check this page to see what other participants are up to. Event Facebook Page coming soon!!
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THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA SUPPORTING SPONSORS: |
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June 17th:
Davis U.S. Cross Country Ski Team athlete Jessie Diggins was honored by U.S. Ski & Snowboard with its Beck International Award as overall athlete of the year. Diggins was one of eight athletes recognized for their accomplishments in the 2020-21 season. It was her third time winning the overall athlete honor (2016, 2018, 2021).
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June 25th
BUDDY WERNER AWARD (sportsmanship) Sadie Maubet Bjornsen
Peers of retiring national team member Sadie Maubet Bjornsen presented her successful nomination for the Buddy Werner Award, honoring the true spirit of sportsmanship she exhibited throughout her career. The award is named in honor of the great Buddy Werner, a great downhill ski racer from the 1950s and ‘60s who was known for his great caring attitude towards his teammates.
Maubet Bjornsen was well known for her interaction with teammates, always putting them above herself. In particular, she served as a respected mentor for young athletes just making their way onto the national team, acclaimed by her teammates for giving more than she receives.
She recently retired after a career that took her to six World Championships and two Olympics. She was a mainstay of what was arguably the best U.S. women’s team in history, where she played a vital role as both an athlete herself and as a key teammate. In addition to a team sprint bronze medal from the 2017 World Championships, she earned 17 World Cup or stage World Cup podiums - including five with her colleagues in team events.
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Thank you r.k. Miles for the awesome lumber and supplies to make our new NENSA rollerski racks and ramps!
It's gonna be a fun summer!!
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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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Full NENSA.net Calendar Listing HERE
Link to our NENSA Equality & Diversity Policy HERE
Link to our NENSA BLM Resources Page 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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