Nordic Racers Ski Club:
The Leading Edge,
January 2002

The Holly Burn - Saturday, February 9th, 2002

The Nordic Racers Ski Club is organizing and running The Holly Burn Cross Country Ski Loppet on Saturday, February 9th, 2002. This free technique race, from 4 - 16 km in length, has been organized to give local racers and wannabe racers, of all ages and ability, an informal opportunity to participate in friendly competition. Post-race food is planned.

The course will follow a 4 kilometre loop around the upper Hollyburn trail system. The route will use the Powerline, Unknown Lake, Triangle Lake, and Pacific trails. There will be a mass start, one for Adults/Juniors and one for Jackrabbits, starting by the Upper Warming Hut. This area is some 3 kilometres from the parking lot and the registration and waiver/bib pickup location at the Food Court near the Hollyburn Ticket Booth. Please allow plenty of time to ski from the registration area to the race start.

Early Registration

On Wednesday nights at Hollyburn Lodge (January 30th or February 6th) from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. a Nordic Racers club member will be available to receive your completed entry form and cash or cheque payment.

Or

Mail the completed enclosed registration form, with a cheque (payable to Nordic Racers Ski Club), to us.

Deadline: Mail before Tuesday, February 5th.

Race Day Registration

Race day registration will be held at the Hollyburn Food Court on Saturday, February 9th from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. All racers, including those who are pre-registered, must sign a waiver of liability on race morning.

Note: For those with Internet access, race information and entry forms can be obtained from our website at www.nordicracers.bc.ca/events/hb/.

Race Start - Upper Warming Hut

Adults and Juniors - 9:30 a.m.
Jackrabbits - 9:35 a.m.

Format

The course will follow a 4 kilometre loop around the upper Hollyburn trail system.

Jackrabbits (under 13 years)	4 km (1 loop)
Junior (13 to 17 years)	8 km (2 loops)
Adult Recreational	8 km (2 loops)
Adult Racer	16 km (4 loops)

Registration Fee

The fee for Jackrabbits is $10.00 and for all other categories $20.00. At approximately 11:30 a.m., at the Upper Warming Hut, there will be awards for Men's and Women's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for Junior, Adult Recreation, and Adult Racer. All Jackrabbit entrants will receive a certificate of participation. Those who register before February 8th will be eligible for luxurious draw prizes.

Volunteers

Not ready to ski in front of the hometown crowd? How about volunteering? If interested in volunteering or if you need further race information contact Tony Chin. All the race information and registration forms can be found from the club website at www.nordicracers.bc.ca/events/hb/.

Sponsors

Many thanks to our race sponsors, including

• Artistat Vancouver
• Cypress Mountain
• DesignR
• Leading Edge Promotions

Club & Other Events

Hollyburn Hot Chocolate

Wednesday nights, throughout the ski season, drop by Hollyburn Lodge between ~7:45 and 9:00 p.m. and there will be a prominently identified Nordic Racers Club host in attendance to dispense a ticket that is good for one free hot chocolate. Note: this is a club benefit that is for current (read paid-up) members only.

On January 30th or February 6th sign up for the Nordic Racers' 16 km free-technique Holly Burn race while enjoying your free hot chocolate. A Nordic Racers club member will be available to receive your completed entry form and cash or cheque payment.

Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet

On Saturday, January 19th, some 34 members of the Nordic Racers Ski Club participated in the Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet at the Larch Hills ski area. This classic race, which is part of The Western Edge Okanagan Loppet Series, has various racing and recreational categories to suit all level of participants.

In the 36 km racing category, Per Gaarder was the first club member across the finish line at 2:22.35 and won his 60-69 age class. Less than two minutes behind, Andrew Pape-Salmon followed Per across the finish. Chris Bowlby, the third club member to finish, was the overall female winner and obviously first in her class to finish. Congratulations to all Nordic Racer participants.

Cariboo Marathon

On Saturday, February 2nd, 2002 the longest Loppet within B.C. will be held at 100 Mile House. Trevor Wilkinson has reserved three chalets at The Hills Health Ranch near 108 Mile House for club members. Although all club spots have been spoken for, accommodation may still be available at the motels in 100 Mile House or at The Hills Health Ranch.

Nickel Plate

The best cross-country ski area in Southern B.C.
-- Tony Chin

The Nickel Plate Loppet will be held on the Nickel Plate trail system (about 6 km west of the Apex Ski Resort near Penticton) on Saturday, February 23rd. This 30 kilometre (also has a 15 km recreation category) classic ski race is a smaller (usually about 100 people), less crowded loppet, which offers Learn to Loppet participants the chance to put their newly polished classic technique to the test.

Tony Chin has reserved a luxurious chalet at Apex for 15 lucky club members to stay in for the weekend of Friday, February 22nd through Sunday, February 24th. The cost is $86.00 per person (including all taxes) for two nights' accommodation. The chalet has all the standard amenities plus a pool table, a foosball and ping pong table, and a hot tub. If required a second chalet (sleeping 12) can be booked at a cost of $90.00 per person for two nights.

Tony will be taking Nickel Plate reservations and cheques at the Hollyburn Lodge on Wednesday nights.

Cascade Cup

The 17th annual Cascade Cup Spring Classic Nordic Race will be held at Manning Park on Saturday, March 2nd. This is a classic race that is held on the North and South Gibson trail system and starts near the Lightning Lake parking lot at 10:00 am.

Note: It is possible to register, in person, at Sigge's Sport Villa, 2077 West 4th Ave. to noon on March 1st, 2002. The entry fee (for those 18 and above), which includes the trail fee ($14.00), is $25.00 until February 15th and $30.00 up to March 1st.

For more race information contact Donna Hayes at 250-840-8822 or by fax at 250-840-8848.

Vancouver Island Loppet

Join us on the Friday, March 15th - Sunday, March 17th weekend for the Vancouver Island Loppet at Mount Washington on Saturday, March 16th. This is a late season 30 km free-technique race with a half-distance recreation category. Tony Chin has located two condos for the last club race of the season. The condos, which have access to a sauna but no hot tub, sleep a total of 15 people. The first 15 people delivering $70.00 cheques to Tony get the beds. The $70.00 covers the two nights, Friday, March 15th and Saturday, March 16th, and includes all taxes.

The Mount Washington ski area, a 1.3 hour drive northwest of Nanaimo, has a new multi-million dollar Nordic Lodge, new trails, and a new loppet course layout.

Tony will be taking Mount Washington reservations at the Hollyburn Lodge on Wednesday nights.

A New Way of Meeting People on a Nordic Trip

I joined the Nordic Racers to meet new people, ski more, and hopefully better. The Silver Star weekend sounded like a good start. Even though I signed up late, Tony was resourceful in finding me a ride to Silver Star, an empty bunk, and connecting me with David McKee for the skills workshop.

I began meeting new people even before leaving Vancouver when the Gumplingers picked me up outside my apartment. Five hours in a car with two strangers is a great way to get acquainted. Silke and I talked of preparing German traditional foods. Before long she disclosed her Grandmother's secret recipe for Turingen Kartofelklosse. All this talk of food soon made our growling stomachs overpower our voices. Soon after Silke drifted asleep (don't worry, Peter was driving), the conversation took a turn. I mostly listened and asked questions while Peter explained his work to me in simple terms. Matter, anti-matter, accelerators, the theory of everything (I proposed the theory of nothing) ... Later during the weekend I could use some of these theories: ski and anti-ski, sleep and anti-sleep etc.

We were tired by the time we reached Vernon; after all, it was already past 11 p.m. Peter and Silke readily found their bedroom in their assigned house. I had trouble finding mine, number 375. There must be some mistake, I could only find 385, could this be the place? I decided to check it out. The house was dark but the door wasn't locked, so entering was a breeze. Nordic skis, poles and boots greeted me in the hallway. "This must be the right place," I thought. Sheepishly I tiptoed upstairs. Every door I opened exposed snoozing skiers but no empty bunks. Eureka ... finally, a room with an empty bunk. The moment I turned to go downstairs to collect my things a man's voice said:

"Can I help you?"

"Are you with the Nordic Racers?"

"No"

(I had just invaded someone's house. I shouldn't really be here. Maybe some humour would help.)

"Oh, I almost helped myself to the empty bunk."

"Too bad you didn't."

(I was now feeling rather uncomfortable. Maybe more humor would help).

"Boy, I'm lucky that we are not in the U.S., or you guys would have guns."

"I am American!"

(I was feeling extremely uncomfortable now. This must be a new yoga pose: left foot in the door, right foot in my mouth. )

In the morning and for the rest of the weekend, everyone had a good laugh about my neighbourly talents, or lack thereof. Even the Americans were laughing. I must say, they were pretty good sports.

The rest of the weekend never seemed to get my adrenaline going as much as Friday night, but I did learn some new ski drills and techniques.

On Saturday morning we liaised at Silver Star village and split into groups. My group followed Mark (Chop-chop) Simpson for skating lessons near the artificial lagoon. The conditions were pretty good considering it was still November. Mark filled our morning with theory, instruction, and practice. Emphasizing the importance of one-skate technique in racing, he broke it down to the very basics, just what I needed. Then we put the theory and drills into practice.

For those who wanted, more instruction followed lunch. In our classic gear now, we were lifted to top of the mountain by chair. Brrrrrr, couldn't they make heated seats for those with spandex. I had serious regrets about leaving my long underwear in Vancouver. Mark reviewed various classic skills as we skied down the mountain: double poling, diagonal stride, quick turns, head-on collisions and face plants. Mark didn't teach us much about the latter two, but we decided to practise anyway. "How is this for balancing, Mark?" "Toe-knee-nose!"

Saturday night was the great feast where everyone shared his or her culinary skills. More dishes than you could try and you'd be very lucky if you found your pot at the end of the evening, hence "pot-luck." It was a time of mingling, meeting new people, and seeing old friends.

Instruction continued on Sunday morning. To limber up, Mark and Dave orchestrated some stretching exercises. Judging by the groans, we really needed it. We separated into different groups. Peggy's session was jam packed with one-skate, two skate, offset and herringbone. Then we put it all together. "To make greater progress up the hills, reach further with each step." I found this tip particularly useful.

Lyle took the afternoon classic session focusing on the double-pole-kick technique, which to my knowledge has taken over the diagonal stride for racing. He broke it down to the very basics. Of course we were all familiar with the scooter drill, but Lyle helped us with the timing.

If felt sad to leave Silver Star, especially since it had started to snow on Sunday afternoon. Big, fluffy, good quality snow. My only regrets as we were heading home were that we were heading home.

-- Dorothy Zahn

Spot the Sporran

The photo below, of Bruno Bagneres, Jeff Teachman and Dave McKee (left to right) at last year's Cascade Cup, shows a man with a stick and a dubious person with a kilt. The stick replaces a pole broken in the Cascade Cup race and the kilt... Dave's sporran is an ad hoc creation. What is its provenance?

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Photo courtesy of a friend

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Skier Types

Type A: The Hammerhead
Type B: The Social Shmoozer
Type C: The Techie Freak and/or Gearhead
Type D: The Weekend Shuffler

Question 1

When you see an attractive skier of the opposite sex do you?

1. Whiz by as fast as you can to impress him/her with your amazing ability.
2. Stop and chat with the hopes of meeting at the next Nordic Racer Event.
3. Discuss the components of the diagonal stride.
4. Stare at their butt.

Question 2

When training for a loppet, do you?

1. Do sprints 2×/week, long slow distance 2×/week, run 5-10 km 2×/week.
2. Go up to Cypress Bowl with friends, talk with all the ski instructors, patrollers, Nordic Racers, and any other acquaintances you happen to bump into, and hopefully put in some ski time between conversations.
3. Spend an hour at the training grid trying to improve your weight shift and pre-load, after applying 10 layers of wax.
4. Ski to the lodge for hot chocolate.

Question 3

When purchasing new equipment, you:

1. Look for state-of-the-art racing equipment; cost is a non-issue.
2. Schmooze with all the sales staff (especially the good-looking ones), check out all the hot new styles, and buy whatever looks good.
3. Spend an hour or so comparing equipment, the materials and workmanship that goes into it, performance capability, and then check out the selection with the competitors.
4. Look at used equipment at Sports Junkies.

Question 4

One hour before you loppet, you:

1. Review your "Sports Psychology Handbook" and visualize yourself winning the race.
2. Make arrangements to meet everyone afterwards at the nearby pub for après-ski social.
3. Meticulously study the course, terrain, and check that there are no nicks in your hour-long waxing job.
4. Make sure you have everything in your Canadian Tire day pack: lunch, granola bars, a bear bell, an extra fleece and a flashlight, just in case you don't finish until dusk.

Question 5

When driving up to Cypress Bowl, you:

1. Always drive 20 km faster than the speed limit and have a difficult time controlling your road rage.
2. Check all your phone messages with your cell phone, as your radio is blaring "I believe in miracles, where ya from, you sexy thing" (Sonia?)
3. Check your speed limit, temperature gauge, oil level, tire pressure, and anti-freeze after listening to the latest road conditions and weather forecast.
4. Thumb a ride.

Question 6

When completing the final stretch of a 30 km loppet, the predominant thought in your mind is:

1. Oh good! My time is 5 minutes faster than the last race.
2. Oh wow! Look at the cute course marshal.
3. Oh crap! My heart rate monitor is beeping like crazy.
4. Oh f___! When is this going to be over?

-- Andrea Heal

Nordic Racers Biathlon

Martin Utley: 2 Gold;
Claire Corbett: 2 Silver;
Mioi Sawada: 2 Bronze;
Jen Martin: Gold;
Aletha Utley, Britta Tilgner, Karen Douglas: Bronze

Competition was a little stiffer at these races because the Caledonia Nordics were on home territory. As well, the rigours of travel affected our results on the second day. However, we did see progress on many fronts as we continue to expand our numbers, make constructive errors and integrate our new recruits into the program.

BC Cup 3, Prince George, Jan 19, 2002

Jr. Girls:	2	Claire Corbett, West Vancouver
	3	Aletha Utley, West Vancouver
Jr. Boys:	4	Tyler Ronaghan, North Vancouver
Sr. Boys:	1	Martin Utley, West Vancouver
	3	Mioi Sawada, Vancouver
	8	Sean Eno, Abbotsford
	11	Micha Smirnov, Burnaby
	12	Alex Butskiy, Burnaby
Sr. Girls:	1	Jennifer Martin, Abbotsford
	3	Karen Douglas, Coquitlam
	4	Britta Tilgner, Maple Ridge

BC Cup 4, Prince George, Jan 20, 2002

Jr. Girls:	2	Claire Corbett, West Vancouver
	4	Aletha Utley, West Vancouver
Jr. Boys:	4	Tyler Ronaghan, North Vancouver
Sr. Boys:	1	Martin Utley, West Vancouver (Career total: 17 gold from 18 BC Cup races)
	3	Mioi Sawada, Vancouver
	9	Sean Eno, Abbotsford
	10	Alex Butskiy, Burnaby
	11	Micha Smirnov, Burnaby
Sr. Girls:	3	Britta Tilgner, Maple Ridge
	4	Jennifer Martin, Abbotsford
	5	Karen Douglas, Coquitlam

Buy and Sell

[See our separate buy and sell web page. Ad space in our newsletter and on our website is free for club members; contact Feng at 604-738-5695 or fengski@yahoo.ca for details.]