Far West's Annual NORDIC NEWS 2014
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE… “Fast, Female, & Pretty In Pink” “The Awkward 80’s: A Skating History” “Far West Nordic’s Elite Team” “Pushing the Walls” The Walt Raineri Story “Be...Here...Now” A Junior’s Perspective “The Kangaroo Hoppet” Skiing Down Under and much more, including the Far West Nordic Race Schedule For 2013-2014! Far West Nordic ski educatioN associatioN • P.o. Box 10046 • truckee, CA • 96162 • www.FarWestNordic.org 2013/2014 Far West MeMbership ForM PRIMARY or INDIVIDUAL MEMBER: BIRTHDATE FIRST NAME _____________________ LAST NAME _________________________________________________ BIRTH DATE MONTH DATE YEAR MAILING ADDRESS _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY _________________________________STATE _____ ZIP ____________ PHONE ( ) ______________________________________________ E-MAIL ADDRESS: ______________________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBERS (For Family Memberships Only): BIRTHDATE FIRST NAME __________________ LAST NAME ________________________ EMAIL _________________________________ FIRST NAME __________________ LAST NAME ________________________ EMAIL _________________________________ FIRST NAME __________________ LAST NAME ________________________ EMAIL _________________________________ FIRST NAME __________________ LAST NAME ________________________ EMAIL _________________________________ FIRST NAME __________________ LAST NAME ________________________ EMAIL ________________________________ MONTH DATE YEAR MEMBERSHIP TYPE (Check One): SUPPORTING INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP .....$100 ....................................... MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS SUPPORTING MEMBERSHIP: These memberships are offered SUPPORTING FAMILY .................................. $150................................... as a structured way for individuals and families to donate a major level of financial RACING INDIVIDUAL ................................... $55 ................................... support to Far West Nordic. Supporting members receive all the benefits of Basic and Racing Membership. RACING FAMILY .......................................... $85 ................................... RACING MEMBERSHIP: Offers all the benefits of Basic Member- BASIC INDIVIDUAL ..................................... $30 ................................... ship, PLUS eligibility to be scored in any Far West Race series: the Sierra Ski Chase competition, the Fischer Cup, and the Masters Challenge competition. BASIC FAMILY ............................................ $45 ................................... BASIC MEMBERSHIP: Benefits include ski area discounts, eligibility JUNIOR “INTRODUCTORY” MEMBERSHIP .... $10 (For First-time members only) to enroll in Far West programs and clinics at discounted member rates, eligibility to participate in the Sierra Ski Chase periodic e-mails newsletters, and access to all of our archived race results, photos, & articles. Far West Nordic members also will ADDITIONAL DONATION ................... receive a $5 discount on registration for each of the Far West Nordic races: the Tahoe Rim Tour and the 2013 Billy Dutton Uphill. FAR WEST “ELITE TEAM” DONATION ..................................... JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP: Introductory (first-time only) membership gives eligibility for Far West’s junior programs and scholarships. TOTAL ENCLOSED ................................................................ FAMILY MEMBERSHIP: Includes Supporting, Racing, or Basic Mem- bership for up to TWO adults, and Junior Memberships for individuals under the Please Check Here for Electronic Info Only: age of 20. All individuals applying for a family membership must reside at the same (No Paper Mail. Be Green!) address. 2014 Benefits: In addition to the Trail Pass Discounts listed below, Far Far West Membership: May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014 West’s Business Partners have also offered the following benefits for 2013/2014: Alpenglow Sports, Tahoe City: 2 Free Waxes (per Family) PLEASE MAIL COMPLETED FORM TO: Dragonfly Cuisine, Truckee: Buy 1 Entree, get 2nd Free FWNSEA, P.O. BOX 10046, TRUCKEE, CA 96162 Cottonwood Restaurant, Truckee: Buy 1 Entree, get 2nd at 1/2 Off (Sun-Thurs) Voicemail & Fax: (530) 852-0879 Silver Sage Sports Performance, Reno: 10% Discount on services. [email protected] For more specific information, check our Benefits Page at www.farwestnordic.org Please make checks payable to FWNSEA. If you would like to pay Far West Nordic dues may be tax deductible given the nature of benefits by credit card, please pay online at www.farwestnordic.org associated with membership and as we are a 501(c)(3) California Non-Profit Corporation. Please check IRS Publication 526 for more information or with Check our Website for Sponsorship Opportunities! your accountant regarding your tax deductibility. FAR WEST NORDIC SKI AREA DISCOUNTS Auburn Ski Club Far West Members Eligible for 1 Free Day Pass at ASC Training Center, Valid Anytime Bear Valley XC $5 off Full Day Trail Pass Valid Daily, Non-Holiday Periods Mt. Shasta Ski Park Donation Only Method Valid Anytime Rim Nordic (Arizona) 25% Discount off Trail Pass or Rental Valid Anytime Royal Gorge XC Full Day Pass for Afternoon Rate Valid Midweek, Non-Holiday Period Squaw Creek Nordic $5 Off Full Day Pass Valid Anytime Full Day Pass for Afternoon Rate Valid Anytime Tahoe XC “Far West Fridays” Sandwich and Trail Pass $23 Valid any Friday 2 for 1 Pass for NEW Far West Nordic Members Valid Anytime, Once only Tahoe Donner XC $4 Off Full Day Rate Valid Anytime Tamarack Lodge Full Day Pass for Afternoon Rate Valid Anytime 2 • Far West Nordic News • Winter, 2014 WELCOME TO “NORDIC NEWS” 2014 “We’ll never be royals. It don’t run in our blood.” This latest trending song by Lorde can also be applied to our status in the Nordic ski world, on a variety of levels. First of all, cross country skiing doesn’t quite hold the highest status in the pantheon of sports activity here in the United States. Interviewed for a recent article in a local magazine, a veteran of the cross country ski scene (this writer) stated, “We’re still a tiny, tiny niche in the big scheme of things.” And in our little neck of the woods—the Far West—we face an even greater handicap, where our local population bases are far enough away that our “niche” sport can easily be forgotten, especially in these recent years of lower snow packs and warmer temperatures. Out of sight, out of mind truly applies to skiing in California. But here in the mountains, and even with all the “distractions” of other sports such as soccer, baseball, and even alpine ski- ing, our little Nordic world is thriving. The first hint comes from all the incredibly successful and growing Youth Programs we have going on here in the Truckee-Tahoe area. For instance, in basically its first season, the Tahoe City Nordic Development Team this past summer sported well over 20 kids having a great time running, hiking, biking, and even rollerskiing throughout the local trails. And the stalwart mainstays of youth development—the Auburn Ski Club and Sugar Bowl Academy pro- grams—also maintain thriving programs. Far West Nordic’s Summer Camps were extremely popular this year as well. And the Alder Creek and North Tahoe Middle School Ski Teams, among others, again have huge numbers of enthusiastic athletes. Another sign of great strength for our little division is one of our newest: The Far West ELITE TEAM. This will be our stron- gest ever, and you can read all about it on page 12 of this Nordic News. Other great articles in this annual newsletter include an awesome History of Skating by none other than 14-time National Champion, Nancy Fiddler, plus an inspiring story by John Gerbino about vision-impaired skier Walt Raineri, describing his training and race day exploits at the Great Ski Race with an- other local Olympian, Beth Reid. And rounding out our current issue is some insight into the life of one of our most talented Junior racers, Skyler Mullings of the Sugar Bowl Academy, and a hilarious look at skiing and racing in the Southern Hemisphere by former Far West Nordic Head Coach, Ben Grasseschi. And finally, our feature article from Brad Rassler describes two of the most successful cross country ski programs in the country, both featuring women in Nordic. The U.S. Women’s Cross Country Ski Team is making international head- lines, both on and off the snow, and there is nothing more inspiring than a description of the “Fast and Female” program we had the chance to experience first hand here in Tahoe last April. So let the rest of the world have their football, baseball, and NASCAR, watching TV on their couch. We crave a different kind of buzz. Mark Nadell, Nordic News Editor TABLE OF CONTENTS Fast, Female, & Pretty iN PiNk the u.s. ski team’s rise . Pg. 4 Andy Pasternak, MD by Brad Rassler the aWkWard 80’s, Julie Young a history oF skatiNg . .Pg. 8 by Nancy Fiddler Jeff Angermann, PhD Far West’s elite team . Pg. 12 by Mark Nadell Looking to elevate your race performance and improve your fitness? Walt raiNeri: PushiNg the Walls . Pg. 16 by John Gerbino We can help everyone from weekend warriors Be.....here.....NoW! to serious athletes reach their goals. a JuNior racer’s PersPective . Pg. 18 by Skyler Mullings the kaNgaroo hoPPet . Pg. 20 --VO2 Max Testing by Ben Grasseschi with an Olympic caliber testing system! masters challeNge/ SIERRA SKI CHASE . Pg. 22 --Lactate Threshold Testing by Andy Pasternak and Peter Hanson --Video assisted bike fitting 2013-2014