Special to NSXC by S. Rees: The beauty of Gatineau Loppet (previously the Keskinada or the Gatineau 55) is that it provides so many racing options from which to choose. Do you want to classic? Well, you can race 5km, 16km, 29km, or 53km. Would you rather skate? There’s the 2km, 10km, 29km, or 53km. With so many options, it can be fun to mix ‘n match each year. However, I have regularly tried to attempt skiing both 29km (for more thoughts on this appealing option, check out my report on www.XCOttawa.ca). This year was only the second time I successfully completed both 29km and not without some potentially epic moments. Other members of the Ottawa-based chapter of NSXC.ca (aka Alicia and Steve) conquered the ever-competitive 53km skate on Sunday. But I won’t give away the punch line yet… EDITORS NOTE: I can't believe she's contributing to websites other than NSXC.ca. I guess we can't be too choosy, at least we're getting some content!  Read more...

Another year and another punishing Valentine Loppet on the Temiskaming Nordic Trails near Cobalt ON. This year was particularly tough as their PB groomer broke down a few days before the race. There is nothing like fresh snow on a cold day on an already tough, hilly course. This year team NSXC dominated the skate event for the second year in a row. Note: we dominated the classic event three years ago, it’s been skate or classic since. Team NSXC (notably those who traveled up in the purple corolla) took 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place in the 18k skate event. First was rejuvenated veteran skier Kevin Denston, followed very distantly by Andrew Rees and then by Ben Brzezynski of Nipissing University Ski Team fame. Wes Suitor, a Wednesday night Warrior, also stomped the 18 k course in an inspirational fashion given the (very) tough conditions. The real heroes were those who chose to race classic style with little to no track present on most of the course. Since that wasn’t us, we won’t speak of their accomplishments ever again. The REAL heroes were those who prepared the chili lunch for after the race. Chili, a bun, drink and great dessert item were enjoyed by all for the low low price of $4! In other news the TNSC juniors have great team jackets. We need to look into that for next year! Team NSXC jackets - bout time! Full results at http://www.temiskamingnordic.ca/ Read more for pics.

On a windy Sunday at the rolling course of PAXC, the Ottawa-based chapter of NSXC.ca took to the trails again for another day of rigorous racing. On the previous day, Steve and Alicia acquitted themselves well at the 2008 edition of the Silver Spoon (for more details, contact them! All I know is that the course was mostly double-poling and that Alicia won and Steve did well), while Steph generally spent the day doing nothing until dusk when she decided to get in a little extra training. The PAXC race consisted of a small but happy group of racers and one trumpet player who provided good tunes at the start line. The course, as mentioned above, was rolling with little rest and lots of wind and blowing snow. However, NSXC.ca performed brilliantly with Steve gaining the overall win and Alicia and Steph following not too far behind for second and third overall respectively (Yes… the season total now sits at: Alicia = 3; Steph = big fat zero). READ MORE...

Another Wednesday night and another bout of crazy weather. Luckily the strongest winds had abated by the evening and things were looking up! The groomer was out making the icy hardpan into perfect corduroy. Again the PB proved it is still worth every penny. The skating on the Yellow trail was as good as it’s ever been. The trails were fast and you could still get an edge. Unfortunately, due to global warming propaganda most people didn’t make it out. There were only two die hard skier that braved the “elements”. Luckily one was authorized to groom the trails. However, I can’t gloat too much, about halfway into the ski the power went out on Northshore road and the trails went dark. Shaken but not stirred, the two resourceful skiers went to headlamp backup and salvaged the workout. It would have been a good night for a TT, record times would have been set!! Let’s hope next week brings some reasonable weather so that people won’t be frightened. See you on the trails! Read more for a few pics of the trails (before the lights went out).

Over the past couple of weekends, the Ottawa-based chapter (S. Rees, A. Berthiaume, and S. Bursey) of the NSXC.ca took part in the Coupe Skinouk and XCOttawa Duathlon races. Here is a quick synopsis of each based on the observations and experiences of S. Rees.

The 2008 Muskoka Loppet was visited on the weekend by many ski enthusiasts. Good times were had by all skiers at this perennially well attended event. The course was a little different this year. They somehow managed to make it flatter with more double poling than thought possible. Over the first 7 km there were only a handful of classic strides to be had. The latter half of the course, however, did provide some decent climbs interspersed with more flat terrain. The course was toted as 15 km but in reality was likely closer to 18 km. In the 15 km Andrew Rees place 2^nd overall and 1^st in the 20-29 category despite struggling with his lackluster double poling ability and little to no grip from his apathetic kick wax job. Aaron Dunnette overcame slow gliding skis and stormed into 3^rd place in the 30-39 category and 9^th overall of 40 male competitors. Dave Minden skied very well placing third in the extremely tough, well attended, 60-69 category. Jane Minden also skied well taking the overall lead in the 7 km event. Post race refuelling (at least for some) was happily accomplished at A&W. Read more for pics. Full results available at www.zone4.ca

The snow was fast, the skiers were working hard. The times were record breaking! Almost everyone set a PB for our usual TT course. We skiied 1 lap then set up for the mystical reverse pursuit. Dave W won the sandbagger award (going purposely slower on lap 1), while Stoppa won the "blown tire" award, narrowly from Aaron, for the most amount of time dropped on Lap 2. The course record has be re-set to 7:06, down from 7:12 set under slightly slower conditions in 2005. Nice work everyone!! Click read more for the times...

On December 19th we had our first TT of the 07/08 Season. It was one lap of our figure 8 2.6 km course. Conditions were good, packed powder -8 C. Click Read more for the times and a summary of all of our Wed night TT results. Compare your times to previous years. We've always used exactly the same course. Good work out there!!

Team NSXC hosted a Boxing Day time trial at the NBNSC on Boxing Day (makes sense). The "old" wednesday night crowd was supposed to show up and challenge the Junior Racing Team. Unfortunately all of the old dogs were either away or ill. Anyway, Kevin D held down the "old" fort and took the Juniors to task for one lap of the Red trail (5km). Good work to everyone, click read more for the times.

Another summer has come and gone. Some of us kept up with the training and racing, some of us not so much. It seems though as if fall is finally here. Cool weather and rain. I guess it is time to start thinking about ski racing again. Some clubs already have their race dates in order and we’re looking forward to getting the skis ready. The event calendar will be updated soon (I promise!!). Have a good fall.
 

Last night marked the conclusion of the Wednesday night workout series (a.k.a Wild Wednesdays). To some it was a damp, dark, and rainy night. To the Wed night crowd, obviously undeterred by any natural phenomenon, it was just another chance to get out and hone their skills. Sure there was a light drizzle, and the trails were a bit soft, but the skiing was surprisingly good. The brave group of six skied a couple laps of the purple to "warm up" to the occasion. For the main event a complex sprint loop was set up in the stadium to accommodate the group's need for a worthy challenge. The course had banked turns along with man-made rollers and large bumps. It was an ideal test of the skills we've been perfecting all season (balance, technical proficiency and of course stamina). The group took to the course multiple times and ended the evening with head to head sprint showdowns. To say that good times were had by all would be a gross understatement. The organizers of the Wednesday Night activities would like to thank everyone who came out during the year. This was our second very successful season. Look for us again Wednesday nights when winter returns. CLICK READ MORE FOR SOME PICS

As advertised last Wednesday night was the first annual farewell to Dave Weiskopf Time Trial. Dave has now departed to spend almost a year in Australia on an exchange program (we still haven't heard who we get in return). The time trial action was everything we could have hoped for. Eleven hearty souls started the time trial. Unfortunately, only 10 finished. Despite the honor, Dave W was unable to complete the first segment of the event. Apparently he was still suffering from a lingering viral attack. Local insiders, however, had a different opinion. One source was quoted as saying Dave W was simply too overcome by tears. He will miss the Wednesday night workouts that much! Touching as that may seem, we need to hear about those who actually completed the event. The format was a reverse pursuit. This meant everyone started together to complete one lap of the course (~2.6km). Their start order for lap two was based on their finish  time behind from lap 1. Faster skiers were handicapped by their advantage on lap one. Using this format everyone should have finished together (in theory). Click Read More to see the times...

Join us for more excitement on Wednesday night (the 31st of January). This week is Dave W's last before he heads off to far away exotic lands. Come out and participate in the First Annual Farewell to David Weiskopf Time Trial. We'll be using the same TT course we used last season. Click read more to see the summary times from last year. Let's see if Dave W can beat his times from last year!! The forecast is for warmer temperatures so there is no excuse!

The Wednesday night workouts officially began last week on the 17^th. We had a great turnout of 10 skiers. We did our best to shake out the cobwebs and pick up where we left off last year. There were mostly skate ski drills and a brief sprint relay to get the heart pumping! The coaches are happy to report that everyone is skiing much better than when we began last year. I guess some of the valuable information was retained over the summer! Last night was our second session. Despite the bitter cold we had 14 skiers out! We split the group between classic and skating. We worked more on using our arms and powerful core muscles. After a brief warming break we had exciting sprint double pole races. Who won wasn’t as important as the good times we had (Karl won and Andrew was second – proving that despite their lack of cardiovascular fitness they can still move quickly over short distances. Dave W. was a distant third). Thanks to everyone who has been coming out. The unbridled enthusiasm shown by every skier makes it worthwhile! Remember any club member is welcome at any session. See you out there! CLICK READ MORE FOR PICTURES

Well we'd all hoped for an earlier start to the ski season and to our Wednesday night series of events. Last year a group of 20 skiers, (around 8 to 10 that didn’t miss more than one workout all year) braved all kinds of weather and ski conditions to take part in the inaugural Wild Wednesday Workouts (or simply “Wednesday Nights”). The goal was to help promote skier development at the club. Our hopes were to encourage and promote skier improvement in order to prepare them for higher performance. This year we’re hoping to build on last year’s success. Hence, we’ll be doing it again Wednesday nights at 7:00 pm. Activities at these sessions will include 1) technique work, 2) training and waxing tips 3) intervals 4) technique and fitness drills and 5) time trials. These sessions are open to anyone who is a club member interested in higher performance skiing. The only commitment is effort, the aspiration to improve, and the desire to eventually enter some local races. The sessions will be organized again this year by experienced racers and board members Andrew Rees and Karl Giesbrecht. Hope to see you out there!