Practices 12/31 - 1/2

Check with your captains for the specific times and locations.

Friday - 2 hours of skate skiing with bursts
Saturday - 2.5 hours classic with bursts
Sunday - 2 hours skate with 10 x 1 minute

If the weather stays warm for Saturday, then do the Sunday workout on Saturday and classic on Sunday.

Remember there is a meet on Tuesday. Sprints for varsity skiers and a 5 km skate for JV skiers.

How to foot throw

Just to clarify with some how to properly do a foot throw at the end of a ski race. This one is from 2002 after 20 kilometers of ski racing:

Volunteers Needed for 12/22 Meet

Andover is hosting the meet at Elm Creek on 12/22 (7.5K (or maybe 10K) skate) which means we need 5-6 parent volunteers to help run the meet. No training or prior experience required! Just show up early and ask if you can help.

Holiday Relays Directions

Click the link below for directions to Saturday's meet at Trollhaugen Ski Area:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Andover,+MN&daddr=45.26562,-93.15937+to:2232+100th+Avenue,+Dresser,+WI+54009+(Trollhaugen+Ski+Area+%26+Convention+Center:+Ski+Shop)&hl=en&geocode=FZI0sgIdtHxw-inxxY58KxazUjEgMcZaXzwTBw%3BFdSysgIdNoBy-infgu4akB-zUjHTqtqTuLCVfA%3BFXYBtAIdaMJ6-iGxGgZvXLp4Ag&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=12&via=1&sll=45.254347,-93.096428&sspn=0.136552,0.362892&ie=UTF8&ll=45.314012,-92.951202&spn=0.272817,0.725784&z=11

Holiday Relays Information

The schedule and race entries for Saturday are below.

6:45 AM Bus leaves Andover
8:00 AM Packet Pick-up
9:30 Girls Classic 4x3km
10:45 Boys Classic 4x3km
12:00 Noon Girls Skate 4x3km
1:00 PM Boys Skate 4x3km
2:15 Awards

Race Schedule for Thursday 12/16/10

Once again we will be at Elm Creek for our meet. This race will be an age group classic event. Each participating school will send out one skier every 20 seconds for each designated group. Freshman and beginning skiers race together. Since the race is classic it is important that each skier test their kick wax well before the start of their race. In most cases you will be expected to wax for kick on Wednesday after practice. This race will be a one loop 5km race, the Northern Lights loop.

Estimated start times.

3:30 - Sr. Girls
3:35 - Jr. Girls
3:40 – Soph Girls
3:45 - Freshmen Girls
3:55 – Sr. Boys
4:00 – Jr Boys
4:05 – Soph Boys
4:10 - Freshmen Boys
4:20 – Jr high/middle school/beginner Girls
4:25 - Jr high/middle school/beginner Boys

December 8th Race Schedule - Elm Creek

Approximate start times. There may be an attempt to compress start times but that is usually a difficult thing to do.

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 – Freshman/Jr high/middle school/beginner boys
4:40 - Freshman/Jr high/middle school/beginner girls

V-2 Alternate/Open Field Technique

Watch this video for what the World Cup skiers look like on their Open Field/V-2 Alternate technique. Remember that Open Field and V-2 Alternate are the same thing, just different names.

Practice Monday

Practice begins at 2:45. We will be going to Bunker once again. Beginners will skate ski while experienced skiers will classic. Experienced skiers will need to have applied kick wax to their skis prior to leaving, so plan your arrival accordingly. The bus leaves at 3:00 PM. After practice we will focus on setting up for glide waxing.

There is a skate race at Elm Creek on Wednesday.

Winter Trip Chaperones

The team is looking for chaperones for the trip to Ironwood. There would be a private room available and duties would include preparing meals and supervising clean up. Let Coach Clark know if you are interested.

Winter Trip to ABR

It's time to plan for the Andover Nordic Ski Team's winter trip. Once again we will be staying at the Hilltop and River houses on site at ABR.

Information regarding the trip to Michigan is here. Please print out the form and bring it in with the appropriate check total.

Monday Nov. 29th

Skate ski practice.

Elm Creek has assigned practice times for this week. Our time is Monday 4:15 to 5:45. The bus will be leaving Andover HS at 3:20 and Oak View at 3:30. First year high school skiers will need to pick up their skis at the ski room well in advance of the scheduled departure time. Skis will not be handed out after 3:15. Middle school skiers will pick up their skis at Elm Creek. This will be our only scheduled time at Elm Creek for the week, it will be important to take advantage of all ninety minutes. Experienced skiers assist with the check-out of equipment and loading.

Week of Thanksgiving Break

Hopefully you are enjoying your days off from school. This is a difficult week to keep focused on training. However that is what we will have to do. For those looking to compete for a varsity spot you will need to be out training each of the days. Currently the parks are closed for skiing. However you may find a golf course to cruise around on to break up your endurance training program. We will have practice Friday morning at the school, starting at 9:00 AM. The emphasis will be on strength and endurance. If you need to get on some snow Trollhaugen will have the downhill areas open to Nordic skiers this weekend from 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM for $5.

AHEF Fundraiser

Please look for and email with the AHEF fundraiser sheet that Karen spoke about at the parent meeting. Thanks!

Chipotle Fundraiser

Please print and copy the attached flyer and hand them out to as many people as possible. Tell them to bring an appetite and the flyer to Chipotle Dec 6th between 5pm and 8pm. The Andover Nordic team will benefit from 50% of the proceeds!!

Cub Bagging Sunday Nov 21st - Info and Schedule!

THANKS to all who are bagging groceries at CUB FOODS this Sunday, Nov. 21 as a fundraiser for the Nordic Ski Team. If more students can join us for any shift, please do so! We would appreciate more parent volunteers (see schedule below)

Students - Please wear Andover High School or Nordic Ski apparel

Per the rules at Cub Foods, please remember that these items are not allowed when we are bagging groceries: Cell phones, ipods, sandals, flip flops, hats.

Here's the schedule:
SUNDAY, Nov. 21 CUB FOODS RIVERDALE - Coon Rapids

10:30 am - 1:00 pm Halley Bell, Nicole Heiztman, Taylor Weiss Ashley & Rachel Challes, Sidney Barnette, Katie & Erik Larsen, Maddie McKeefrey, Laura
Parent: Kelly McKeefry & Deb Weiss

1:00 - 3:30 pm
Sarah Larson, Haley Kragt, Kristine Nielson, Holly Horazdovsky, Emilee Velander, Sammy Kallenbach
Parent: Jim Kallenbach and ______________

3:30 - 6:00 pm
Hayley Eveland, Elena Velarde, Olivia Head, Anna Cofrin, Maranda Priem, Kaeli Kraker, Kayla Anderson
Parent: Raul Velarde and ______________

SUNDAY, Nov. 21CUB FOODS - on Highway 65 in Blaine

1:00 - 3:30 pm
Chris Meados, Lucas Hieb, Harrison, Siddons, Grant Wood
Parent: Mary Mead and ___________

3:30 - 6:00 pm
Dillon Walker, Dan Nielsen, Ryan McKeefry, Mitch Fisher, Sam Schedler, Alex Stoffel, Lucas Kivimaki, Kyle & Kurt Hellmann
Parent: Carl Walker and ____________

Andover Night @ Pioneer Midwest

The Andover team will be going to Pioneer Midwest Thursday, November 18th. The ski shop is located in Osseo on County Road 81, just north of 85th. Take Hwy 169 south to 85th and turn right. At the next lights cross County Road 81 and turn right into the McDonald's parking lot and follow the frontage road north to the ski shop. The address is below. Our target time for arrival is between 6:00 and 6:30, if possible.

Store Address:
(we are located 2 buildings north of McDonald's on Co. Rd. 81)
PIONEER MIDWEST
415 County Rd 81
Osseo, MN 55369

Tentative Schedule

Most of the dates are firm, though early racing in December can be problematic. Click on the schedule to enlarge.

Pioneer Midwest Ski Swap

The swap will be November 13th, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. This is an opportunity to pick up a few items or sell some off in order to restock. Complete information is included in the attached flyer.

2010-2011 Season - A Few Dates

November 13th - Ski swap @ Pioneer Midwest
November 15th - Start of season
November 16th - Parents Meeting @ Andover HS
November 18th - Andover night @ Pioneer Midwest
Novemeber 21st - Cub Bagging

Activity Card Fundraiser

Skiers should have gotten 15 activity cards to sell for 10$ each. Please make a good effort to get out and sell them all. If a skier sells more than 15, $5 goes back to the skier for each card sold. We have had several compliments already on the fact that these cards are focused on outdoor activities and not food....so take advantage of that!

If there are any questions please let me know.

ckwalker64@q.com

Summer Training Meeting

There's an informational meeting on the Minneapolis Ski Club summer program coming up for all those interested in participating. The link below has the info. If you are interested there is also a Spring option as well.

http://minneapolisskiclub.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/roll-into-summer-west-and-east-sides-msc-informational-meetings/

JV Conference Meet

The high school skiers will be dismissed at 2:00 PM and will leave at 2:15. The next stop will be the middle school, approximate arrival is 2:25. We'll arrive at Elm Creek just after 3:00. The first race is the boys skate at 4:00 PM. The girls skate should start around 15 minutes later. Classic will begin around 4:30.

Practice Thursday, Feb. 4th

Practice will be at Bunker with a bus picking up from the high school and then the middle school. After practice the team will be voting for MVP, Most Improved, Rookie of the Year, and nominating for captains. Remember we also have a meet on Monday.

2010 Banquet Information

When: Tuesday, February 23^rd.

Time: 6pm social time, dinner will be served at 6:30pm

Where: Majestic Oaks Golf Club, 701 Bunker Lake Blvd, Ham Lake

Dinner will be a buffet style, and will include Beef, Chicken, Salad, vegetables, and potatoes. Coffee and Pop are included.

The cost is $18 per person.

Please fill out the bottom of the attached form and return to Adam Larson at school, or mail to Laurie Larson by Thursday, 2/11. Please include payment, with checks made out to the Andover Nordic Ski Team. This is nonrefundable. Thank you.

Section 5 Meet Information

Tuesday, February 2nd @ Camp Ripley

• 6:15 AM - Load Bus
• 6:30 AM - Leave Andover
• 10:30 AM - Boys Classic
• 11:15 AM - Girls Classic
• 1:30 PM - Boys Skate
• 2:30 PM - Girls Skate
• 4:00 PM - Awards

Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues

We are into the final couple weeks of the season. It's very important that everyone is getting 8-10hrs of sleep a night. Also be sure to be eating healthy and drinking plenty of water. Drinking more orange juice than usual will help as well.

Saturday - Make sure to get out and ski for about 1-1.25hrs on your own.

Sunday - Off day

Monday - Practice will be an easy ski with pickups. Waxing will happen at the school afterwards. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE WAXES AT THE SCHOOL. Coach Dubay has wax that you do not that is much faster.

Tuesday - Leaving for sections in the morning. Coach Clark will post details tonight.

Friday Practice - 1/29

Practice will be at French Lake Park. We will be leaving from the high school at 3:00 PM. We are moving into the final phase of our training and tapering. Sections are Tuesday and JV Conference is the following Monday.

Conference Meet Start Times

10:00 Boys Skate (15 sec intervals)
11:00 Girls Skate (15 sec intervals)
1:30 Pursuit Classic Boys
2:30 Pursuit Classic Girls
4:30 Awards

JV Conference Meet

Due to the lack of snow and icy conditions at Woodland Trails in Elk River the JV Conference meet has been rescheduled. Plan for Monday, February 8th to be the race day for the JV Conference meet.

Monday 1/25 we'll be heading to Bunker for some intervals. We'll return early to start the waxing process for the varsity race on Wednesday.

Conference Varsity Teams

Boys Team:
Larson, Adam
Handorff, Aaron
Nielsen, Dan
Fisher, Mitch
Fastner, Daniel
Wold, Brandon
Hellmann, Kyle
Walker, Dillon
Kivimaki, Lucas
Hieb, Lucas
Alternate - Larson, Eric

Girls Team:
Yovetich, Marissa
Jensen, Amanda
McKeefry, Madeline
Heitzman, Nicole
Mead, Laura
Bell, Haley
McQuillan, Maria
Head, Olivia
Nielsen, Kristine
Larson, Katie
Alternate - Clark, Paige

Weekend Racing - Supertour/JOQs

This weekend several Andover skiers are racing on Saturday/Sunday at the Theodore Wirth trails in the Supertour/JOQ race. Dan Fastner, Maddie McKeefry, Amanda Jenson, and Marissa Yovetich will all be racing. While some are racing both days, some only one day, get out and cheer on your teammates. Also, you'll be able to watch some of the fastest skier is North America.

Several skiers that just made the Olympic team will be there and many past Olympians will be. If you need to find me, I will be under a giant red Swix tent. I hope to see everyone there as this opportunity does not come by very often. The last time it did was back in 2001.

Woodland Trails in Elk River

Here is a Link to the location for Woodland Trails in Elk River.

Races & JOQs

Congratulations for the boys team on a great race at ABCs. The team put Adam Larson in the position for the win and he almost pulled it off. Good job Adam on going for it. The girls team also did well even though a few were feeling a bit under the weather. Also, a big congratulations to Marissa for winning the 10k classic JOQ at Mt. Itasca.

Next weekend is the JOQ race at Theodore Wirth. I would like as many experienced skiers to race this as possible. Anyone who is not racing, this is a great chance to see some of the nations top ski racers and to cheer on your teammates that are competing. Information can be found at www.midwestjoq.com. YOU HAVE TO SIGNUP BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY.

Nice job to everyone this weekend. The end of the season is coming and we'll start to ski really fast really soon.

Monday Practice 1/18/10

Meet at Elm Creek at 3:30 for practice. Since the race on Tuesday is classic we should be classic skiing on Monday.

Links to pictures from several meets

Here are the links to pictures from 12.17.09, 1.14.10 & 1.16.10. I'm still learning the new camera but they are getting better - enjoy!


http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=emfastner&target=ALBUM&id=5294576101531112177&authkey=Gv1sRgCNPlkriEu4XtEg&feat=email

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=emfastner&target=ALBUM&id=5427464198417047761&authkey=Gv1sRgCJv4qMqN9LmvlgE&feat=email

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=emfastner&target=PHOTO&id=5427535978282328642&aid=5427535966220719201&authkey=Gv1sRgCIqDu9Df8YiUbA&feat=email

Viking Jersey Fundraiser on Sunday

The team received a generous donation of several MN Viking Favre Jerseys. Beef O'Brady's in Andover has offered to partner with the team to raffle them off during the Sunday play off game. We are in need of several team members to be at the restaurant from the start of the game to sell raffle tickets until we draw the winners at half time. Call or email Ellen (612 385 5282) emfastner@comcast.net if you can help out. Bring your family to Beef O'Brady's for a great way to watch the game and support the team. Wear your Anodver Nordic ski apparel.

Mesabi Start Times

The Classic races have been pushed back by one hour. The first racer out will be at 11:00 AM. The Freestyle races will only be moved back 20 minutes. This means the bus will be pulling out of the lot Saturday morning at 5:30, loading will be at 5:15. Get to bed early!

Tuesday Sprint Race - Elm Creek

There are some changes to the meet on Tuesday. For the varsity skiers there will be a preliminary heat to determine the top 24 and then seeded brackets for getting to the finals. There will also be a consolation bracket for the sprints. Beginning skiers and those that do not make the top 24 will have a 5 km race. Check out the 5 km course below. If any parents are available to help time please let me know, there is going to be a lot going on during this meet.

Race Times: The races will begin at 3:30 for both boys and girls sprints and boys 5 km. The girls 5 km will begin at 4:00. Those not qualifying for the top 24 will start a 5km race at 4:30.

Note: The race location has changed from the one listed on the schedule. We will be at Elm Creek, not at Eagle Lake.

Note: We will be leaving the high school at 2:00 and then stop at Oak View. Dismissal will be at 1:45.

Saturday Practice 1/2/10

The thermometer is registering -19 F this morning so it might be a good thing to avoid skiing until later today. Practice this morning will be canceled. Temps are suppose to improve by afternoon so go out for a ski later today. Since tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday are going to be classic it would be good to skate today. Try to find another skier to go with, it'll be more enjoyable. Also, if you have a mask, you should wear it. Tomorrow should still be 10 to 12 pick-ups while classic skiing.