NORDIC SKI CLUB of FAIRBANKS Anchorage Biathlon Club Coach Marine Dusser-Bjornsen Interprets Shot Results to Nora Hulse
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O CT O BER 2 019, VO L . 21, N O .1 ANCHORAGE: New season offers new opportunities and favorite established events 2 STATEWIDE: Alaska’s biathletes shine on state and national stages 6-7 EAGLE RIVER: Building a bridge to better skiing 8 FAIRBANKS: Meet the fun folks who fuel our super ski club 14-16 Anchorage ........... 2 Eagle River ........... 8 Fairbanks ........... 12 Kachemak ........... 9 Mat-Su. .11 PHOTO BY WEYMULLER PHOTOGRAPHY Statewide ......... 6-7 Mallory Conger of Nome Nordic hits the trails during this summer’s U.S. Biathlon Rollerski Nationals. 2 OCTOBER 2019 203 W. 15th Ave., #204 Anchorage, Alaska, 99501 Phone — 276-7609 Fax — 258-7609 Anchorage Nordic Skier Hotline — 248-6667 [email protected] Newsletter Of The Nordic Skiing Association Of Anchorage, Inc. BOARD MEMBERS PRESIDENT A successful season starts Joey Caterinichio VICE PRESIDENT Sara Miller SECRETARY Josh Niva long before the snow falls TREASURER Claire LeClair MEMBERS Alex Grumman Message from the NSAA Board and Staff Elizabeth Arnold Mike Miller What a superlative summer we have had – record Our Hillside advisory committee continues to look at Tim Miller temperatures, seemingly unending wildfires, dense smoke ways to enhance skiing in that area. Trail improvements Will Earnhart and perpetual sunshine! Through it all, NSAA members, and maintenance at Hillside are ongoing and this summer OFFICE STAFF staff and volunteers have continued to get outside and benefited from several days of volunteer trail work from Haley Johnston, Business Manager Sara Kamahele, Program Manager enjoy all that makes summer in Alaska so splendid. the Alaska Winter Stars. Several of the Beach Lake ski Gail Skurla, Office Manager Weather and climate will continue to be a significant trails received much needed drainage and surfacing work challenge for NSAA. Staying focused on our winter snow- this summer, as well. We feel incredibly lucky to have the OPERATIONS STAFF Craig Norman making mission and summer trail maintenance is more opportunity to maintain these amazing trail systems! Bill Brion important than ever, so members of the community can The NSAA office staff – comprised of Haley Johnston, Peter Zug Annette Brion continue doing what they love! Business Specialist; Sara Kamahele, Programs Manager; Matthew Pauli Jack Cumins Despite these climate challenges, many great things and our newest member Gail Skurla, Office Administra- Ricky Prince are happening with NSAA. tor – are busy preparing for an awesome 2019-2020 season, Throughout the summer we focused on preparations including the always popular unofficial start to the season: TRAILS Mike Miller for the upcoming season with an emphasis on working our the annual Ski Swap event on October 27. Don’t miss it! beloved trails, maintaining our snowmaking equipment, Together, our staff, board and amazing volunteers also COMMITTEE CHAIRS updating our biathlon range safety, and developing pro- invite you to join our mission of sustaining trails year- ALASKA SKI FOR WOMEN grams for our members and community. round and providing Nordic skiing programs that encour- Jenny Di Grappa At Kincaid Park, our hardworking Operations crew, led age healthy activities and lifestyles for all Alaskans. We AMH ANCHORAGE CUP by Craig Norman and Bill Brion, and many amazing volun- hope to see you at our Annual Meeting on November 3, at a Branden Fontana teers handcrafted and installed 67 municipal wayfinding race, community ski event, Junior Nordic practice session BACKCOUNTRY TOURS posts. The wayfinding posts will help our community feel or out on the trails having fun! Mary Vavrik safe and confident as they venture out into Kincaid. BESH CUPS RACE DIRECTOR Anson Moxness and program leads, NSAA would not feet wet with the flood of membership AROUND be capable of managing the volume renewals and Junior Nordic registra- BIATHLON THE BOWL of activities it currently offers to tions. Gail joined us from New Hori- Joey Caterinichio, interim the community. The 2019-20 season zons Preschool and is no stranger to HIGH SCHOOL RACING Support your trails and calendar is packed with fun events multitasking and organization. And Buzz Scher become a member today! and skill building programs for all to Program Director Sara Kamahele JUNIOR NORDIC Leaves are falling and the tem- enjoy. Thank you to the generous and continues in her position, and will Shannon Donley dedicated group of individuals who build on the great momentum she has peratures are dropping, which means MIDDLE SCHOOL RACING it’s time to renew your membership coordinate our favorite ski activities infused into the organization’s events Diane Moxness with the Nordic Skiing Association and a thank you in advance to all the and supporters. Please come meet RACE CHAIRMAN of Anchorage! The membership volunteers and others who will help the NSAA office team at the NSAA Tim Stone season runs from Oct. 1, 2019-Sept. this season be successful! Season Kickoff Party on November 3 at Kincaid Park. SCHOLARSHIPS 30, 2020 and the basic Trail Member- New NSAA staff members Dan Rosenberg ship starts at only $35. NSAA is not glide into new season Save the dates, learn more, supported by tax dollars; we rely on SKAN 24 NSAA has some new staff this sea- for these special NSAA led Geoff and Cathy Wright generous support from trail users like son and we can’t wait to introduce the and supported events you for year-round trail maintenance! SKI 4 KIDS new team to the ski community this October 27 — NSAA Ski Swap Erin Whitney Witmer Do you and your family use the fall! Haley Johnston joined our team November 3 — NSAA Annual Meeting trails year-round and also want to November 14 — Junior Nordic gear pick up SKI JUMPING as Business Specialist in April, com- Karen Compton and Vivienne Murray contribute year-round? NSAA offers ing from Alaska Alpine Adventures. December 2 — Junior Nordic starts the option for monthly auto payments; December 15 — Solstice Tree Tour SKI TRAIN Haley is an outdoor enthusiast and a a Trail Blazer Family membership December 21-22 — Besh Cup in Anchorage Travis Taylor meticulous bookkeeper – we are lucky of $350 could be split into just $29 per February 2 — Alaska Ski for Women to have her onboard! Gail Skurla SOLSTICE TREE TOUR month! Regardless of the level you — Register, volunteer or sponsor at Sara Miller joined our team as Office Administra- alaskaskiforwomen.org renew at, we appreciate your support tor in September and is getting her See AROUND THE BOWL, Page 3 TOUR OF ANCHORAGE and dedication to Anchorage’s trails! Matias Saari Renew your membership or join NSAA OFFICE HOURS for the first time today at the NSAA 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday offices or by visiting anchoragenordic- BOARD MEETINGS ski.com. Fourth Thursday of the month, 6:15 P.M. at BP Energy Center NSAA’s 2019-20 or NSAA office. Open to all. Season Program and Event Directors NSAA is a volunteer built organiza- tion that offers a multitude of pro- grams, events and races throughout the year. Without the efforts of the dedicated operations volunteers, race directors, event coordinators the ALASKA nordic skier OCTOBER 2019 ANCHORAGE 3 AROUND THE BOWL the ALASKA Continued from Page 2 nordic skier February 22 — Ski 4 Kids: Orienteering, sit- skis, biathlon laser rifles, and the storybook ski EDITOR course are just a few of the fun activities offered Josh Niva at the annual Ski 4 Kids! The day is co-hosted by Anchorage Parks & Rec and Healthy Futures [email protected] and aims to introduce kids and their families to a plethora of outdoor winter activities. LAYOUT anchoragenordicski.com/events/ski-4-kids/ Kevin Powell February 27-29 — ASAA State Championships [email protected] March 7 — Last day of Junior Nordic March 8 — Tour of Anchorage: It’ll be hard to beat the skiing, fat biking and festivities AD REPRESENTATIVE from last year’s race, but 2020 is looking to Michele Hansen be another epic year! Whether you’re classic ins are open for rental year-round; along with fellow skiers and com- [email protected] skiing the 25k or fat biking the 50k, this race is one of Anchorage’s most beloved trail events! make your reservations at anchor- munity members, for the annual anchoragenordicski.com/tour-of-anchorage/ agenordicski.com/cabin-rental/. party to ring in the new season! The LOCAL EDITORS March 14 — Ski Train: Chugga-chugga NSAA Season Kickoff arrives Sun- choo-choo! Spring skiing in Curry should be The season of Junior Nordic day, November 3, at the Kincaid Park ANCHORAGE at the top of your list for March – get your Josh Niva skiing is coming soon; Chalet. The expo runs from 2:30-4 tickets today! Watch the website and Ski Train register now! [email protected] Facebook page for costume announcements! p.m., followed by the potluck and 4 and The NSAA Junior Nordic program anchoragenordicski.com/events/ski-train/ the kickoff at 5. Grab an adult bever- EAGLE RIVER offers a unique opportunity to get kids age as you check out local businesses Ros Singleton 2019-20 AMH Anchorage outside and active on the trails in a and ski programs at the expo, peruse [email protected] Cup series fun environment. The first session items at the silent auction, and enjoy An exciting new season of the AMH runs December 2, 2019-January 11, FAIRBANKS the always delicious smorgasbord Eric Troyer Anchorage Cup citizen races, brought 2020, with a focus on outdoor fun, re- potluck. Thank you to Moose’s Tooth [email protected] to you by NSAA & AMH, is coming gardless of how much snow is on the for donating beer! Learn more about soon! The event committee is piec- ground.