Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Here is what should be happening on these days.

Friday: On your own classic for 2 hours
Saturday: 10:00 @ the Bunker Skijoring parking lot, which is next to the compost site enterance off of Hanson Blvd
Sunday: On your own 90 minutes of classic with pick ups

Monday: Elm Creek after school pick up Middle School skiers at Oak View

Reuslts From 12-17-09

Yes, they are finally available. The race was a 7.5 km skate race with most first year skiers racing 5 km. Unfortunately the results show only the 7.5 km racers. Sorry but that is all that has been sent out.

Meet Tuesday

We have a meet on Tuesday next week. For experienced skiers the meet is a sprint race, classic format, and for beginners the race will be classic too but closer to a normal distance of 5 km. Make sure you are getting on your skis everyday.

Practice Thursday, Dec. 31

We'll be at Bunker for practice. Meet at the campground parking lot at 10:00. We'll have a two hour skate practice. look for some uptempo skiing.

Note: All of Bunker is open, including the golf course and skijoring course.

Practice Wednesday 12/30/09

Meet at Elm Creek at 10:15 AM for practice. Classic skiing until 11:45.

Those that skied at ABR can have the day off, or ski easy at Bunker for an hour.

Winter Break Practices & Racing

Here's a quick update with what the coaches would like you to do over winter break.

Wed: 8:45am practice. There are also races at Elm Creek on Wed. nights. 5k skate or classic, starts at 7pm. I think they are $5.

Thurs: Skate ladder intervals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Equal recovery as the interval you just completed.

Fri: Off, Merry Christmas

Sat: Leave for winter camp. If you are not going to winter camp, get out and ski as much as you can. Try to shoot for 1.5-2hrs each day. At camp we will be doing about 3-4hrs of skiing a day. Try to do both techniques.

Tue 29th: Return from winter camp

Wed: TBD, most likely will have practice at Elm Creek if possible

Thurs: TBD, most likely will have practice at Elm Creek if possible.

Fri: TBD, some other location than Elm Creek.

The rest has yet to be determined. If we get some good snow in the next couple days, it will give us many more options for where to ski.

Wednesday Practice 12/23

Yes there is a practice Wednesday morning. Unfortunately there will not be a bus to the practice site. We will be meeting at Elm Creek at 8:45 AM and be done at 11:00 AM.

Tuesday Practice

For those that are actually checking the blog the practice will be at French. Be prepared to classic. There won't be any real classic tracks so it will be a good opportunity to work on ski control.

Monday 12/21

It appears that we will be skating at Bunker on Monday. After practice think about waxing. We will also be distributing some equipment when we return.

Results/Weekend Racing

I haven't seen any results yet, but it appears that our teams need to get in some more racing. The fastest way to get fast is to race more. Plain and simple.

So, this weekend there is a race at the Elk River trails. 10k skate. Perfect for HS racers. I'd like to encourage all of you to make it out there. Here's the link: http://www.elkrivernordic.org/noname.html

Also, I would like to get more people racing at the Junior Olympic Qualifiers. I got a bunch of posters that have all the race dates on them, so anyone who wants one can have one. The next qualifier is Jan 15-16 up at Mt. Itasca. Freestyle sprint and a 10k classic. Please let me know a week and a half ahead of time if you are planning on attending so I can get hotel rooms.

Start Times Dec 17th

These are approximate start times.

3:30 - Sr. boys
3:40 - Jr. boys
3:50 – Soph boys
4:00 – Sr. girls
4:10 – Jr girls
4:20 – Soph girls
4:30 – Jr high/middle school/beginner boys
4:40 - Jr high/middle school/beginner girls

Noodles Tonight 16-Dec 4-9PM

Just a reminder to eat at Noodles tonight and help support the team.

Also, in case anyone needs the flyer here it is. You may also just mention the fundraiser when you order.

Thanks!

ABR Update

Remember to turn in your $175 for the trip by Friday!

Also note the changes to this weeks schedule.

Cub Grocery Bagging Fundraiser Sat 12/19/09

We will be bagging groceries at the Cub Riverdale Store on Saturday 12/19/09, from 10:00 am to 7:00pm. If you haven't signed up for your 3 hour shift, please contact Ellen at 763 767 0767. We will need everyone to participate in order to have a successful day. If you have a t-shirt from past bagging days -wear it. I have a few extras that will be available on Saturday or wear some type of Andover t-shirt or sweatshirt. Thanks

Week of 12/14/09 Changes!

Changes in Bold.

We are still under the no snow schedule for Elm Creek. Hopefully the snow from Monday morning will help the groomers open additional parks. Bunker is still not skiable so we will be at the high school to begin with. If the schedule changes I will update the posted schedule.

Mon - @ Andover HS
Tues - Leave from Andover HS at 3:20 for French Lake
Wed - Leave from Andover HS at 3:20 for Elm Creek
Thurs - Meet @ Elm Creek, dismiss from classes at 2:00
Fri - @ Elm Creek, bus leaves Andover at 3:15

Note: Payment for the trip to Ironwood is due this Friday!

Results for December 9th

Below are the results for the Trollhaugen classic races (click on the image to view full size text). Congratulations to all the racers. Nearly everyone was on skis for the first time this year, as well as many for the first time ever. If you were able to survive the experience there is no doubt you will have a great time this season.

Winter Trip - ABR

Here is some information on our trip to Michigan for Saturday, December 26th through Tuesday, December 29th.

Cost: $175 + Saturday lunch and one evening meal
Load Bus: 9:00 AM
Leave Andover: 9:30 AM
Arrive at ABR: 2:00 PM
Return: 6:00 PM Tuesday, December 29th

Limit luggage. There will be laundry facilities. This trip will be an electronic free trip. Do not bring music devices, cell phones, or other electronic items.

Trollhaugen Ski Location

Sorry for the late notice folks but here is the loaction for Trollhaugen if you wish to go:

Take Cty18 (aka Crosstown) into Forrest Lake. Turn south on US61 to MN 97 East (turn right) and take for 13 miles. Turn Left onto MN 95 North and take for 6 miles. Turn Right on 243 East (will bring you across the bridge into WI). Take WI-35 North (left turn) for 4 miles. You will come into the small town of Dresser. In Dresser turn right on Cty Rd. F. Take F for 1 mile and Trollhaugen is on the right hand side

Or try this link to google maps.

Also check out www.trollhaugen.com

December 16 Pasta Night and Fundraiser at Noodles

Dinner at Noodles & Company in Riverdale, December 16. Pasta night for the team and a great fundraiser for the community. All team members should plan on attending after practice in prep for the meet on Thursday December 17. Check your emails for the flier/coupons - which are a must have in order for us to get the $$$$$. Print them off or email them around. Share them with family, friends, neighbors, classmates. The ski team will receive 25% of the proceeds when customers present the flier or coupon.

Noodle & Company Riverdale location
December 16 Wed. 4:00pm to 8:00pm
dine in or take orders
must present coupon or flier for the team to get credit

Use the AHEF order form and get your Noodles gift cards - one way for us to get double profits!http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=178063&fileitem=66448&catfilter=10756

Questions call Ellen 763 767 0767

Week of 12/07/09

There are some changes for this week. Below are some of the highlights and possible changes. We are entering the portion of the season that changes suddenly due to snow availability. The Thursday meet at Elm Creek has been canceled.

Monday - @ Andover hand out uniforms
Tuesday - @ Andover
Wednesday - Meet at Trollhaugen, leave at 2:00 PM
Thursday - Practice with location to be determined
Friday - Practice with location to be determined

Blog Changes

Just a few notes on this blog; I will be updating the blog as I can. The new schedule you can find off to the right. If you click on them, they link to skinnyski.com. Once the race has happened and results are on the internet, I will have the schedule link to the results.

I will also post a new roster once it has been finalized. Last year we had about 25 skiers and this year we are excited to say that the team has grown to over 40 skiers. Both coach Clark and I are enthusiastic about the growth and continuing the success that this team has enjoyed.

There are a couple ski links off the right as well. Skinnyski.com is a good website that is based out of Minnesota. Most of our results will be posted on there. You can also find trail conditions, trail locations, classifieds, citizen races, and much more. Fasterskier.com is a national website that deals more with the upper end of ski racing and you can learn a lot what is happening nationally and what's going on in the industry. Teamtoday.org is run by the US Ski Team. It is updated a bit infrequently, but when they do update it, there are excellent pictures and you can learn what the US Ski Team is up to.

If anyone has any suggestions for this blog, please let me know. We would like to get as much information to parents and skiers as possible and your suggestions are appreciated.

Practices for the week of Nov 30th

Wed - 5 x 5min intervals with 5min recovery in between - Skate

Thurs - Classic rollerski with 15min of singlestick, strength afterwards

Friday - Run or rollerski - Coach Clark's decision

Saturday - For those who can, try to get out to Trollhaugen to ski on snow. The cost is $5 and they are open from 7am-9am. If you were varsity last year or are thinking about going to the junior national qualifier (JNQ) races up in Ironwood. There will be a 30min time trial at Elm Creek in the afternoon. You can go to Trollhaugen in the morning, but take it a bit easier.

Also, if you are planning or thinking about going to Ironwood for the JNQ races, please send me an e-mail and if you have any questions, please address them. Information on JNQs can be found at http://cxcskiing.org/site_pages/midwest_division/about.htm. To do these races you will need a CXC ski license. Again, if you have any questions, please send me an e-mail.