FAR WEST NORDIC

College Athletes in Residency

Far West Nordic — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:19:51 +0000

This week marks the start of the Summer Program for collegiate student-athletes. Most athletes have arrived at this point, with a couple more on the way in the coming weeks.

It’s exciting to get rolling with the college group for the 3rd summer in a row. I started this program in the spring of 2011 for a lot of reasons, but with no idea how it would turn out. We had 11 athletes that first summer, and just 1 local collegiate skier. Now, we have a good mix of local athletes and those who have travelled from far and wide. For all of them, it is a great opportunity to train alongside like-minded people: student-athletes looking for a way to take the next step in their skiing. Read more…

-by Martin Benes, founder and head coach of the summer residency program.

Follow the summer athlete’s blog.

Canadian Strength Test

Far West Nordic — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 04:29:25 +0000

Saturday June 8th
Sugar Bowl Academy

The Canadian Strength Test

Pull-Ups (1 min), Recovery (1 min)
Site-Ups (1 min), Recovery (1 min)
Push-Ups (1 min), Recovery (1 min)
Box jumps (1 min), Recovery (1 min)
Bench Dips (1 min)

To get a strength score, multiply the number of pull-ups completed by 3, then add that score to the total repetitions completed in the other four exercises.

Meet in the Sugar Bowl Academy parking lot at 9 am. We will go for a warm up run and then get into testing.
NO outdoor running shoes are allowed in the SBA gym, so bring indoor workout shoes.
All Far West athletes are welcome to come,.

Looking for Classic and Skate Marwe Rollerskis

community news — Sun, 26 May 2013 14:33:15 +0000

Hi Far West Community!
I am searching to try and buy someone’s used classic and skate Marwe rollerskis.
If you are done with your pair and are considering selling them, please contact me at
truckeenordicchick@hotmail.com.
Thank you!
Annika Taylor
Contact Info:

truckeenordicchick@hotmail.com
Annika Taylor

Tahoe XC Junior Development Program

Far West Nordic — Sat, 25 May 2013 14:03:07 +0000

The Tahoe Cross Country Ski Education Association’s Development Program is a fun early development program for cross-country ski racing. The goal of the program is to introduce and develop cross-country ski skills, promote general fitness, and create a love of the sport to last a lifetime.

Summer program activities include skate and classic roller skiing, running, mountain biking, ski walking, bounding, games, and strength training. Training sessions are held two to three days a week to allow athletes to participate in multiple sports. Devo coaches design practices that are challenging and FUN!

Visit Tahoe XC to learn more and to register.

ASC Training Center Summer Programs

Far West Nordic — Sat, 25 May 2013 14:02:40 +0000

The summer Biathlon program and open range sessions begin June 2. New this summer the program is offering youth, junior and masters training on Sunday mornings. June 27-30 the Training Center hosts the USBA Western Region Championships. See the ASC website for more information.

ASC Training Center summer XC dry-land training for juniors kicks-off Monday, June 17. Taking over the reins from Ben Grasseschi ASC-TC is welcoming coaches Noah Brautigam and Gus Johnson. There will be two weekday training workouts and designated Saturday sessions that combine our ASC-TC athletes with Tahoe Cross Country Ski Education, Sugar Bowl Academy and the FW Farm team for joint workouts and adventures in the mountains. Read their email blast with a special message from coach Ben and go to the ASC website for more information and to register.

Summer Housing Still Needed

Far West Nordic — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:11:31 +0000

We are currently looking for several more housing spots for this summer’s college residency program. In its third year of existence, this program has become a great asset to our division. Last summer’s athletes went on to podium and win at several College races, including an NCAA Championship. This year’s participants are all highly motivated individuals, both athletically and academically, attending schools such as Middlebury, Williams, Bates, Bowdoin, and Colby. It is a great opportunity for our juniors and local community to “see what it takes” to be a NCAA Division I student-athlete.

The skiers will be arriving mid-June, just as local schools are getting out, and will stay for approximately 2 months. Some stays will be shorter than this. It is important to note that the student-athletes are responsible for their own transportation and food while in the area. In a marked change from previous years, some funds will be available for hosts in an effort to offset the costs of hosting these athletes.

Please contact Martin Benes at martin.v.benes@gmail.com or 510-326-2667 if you are interested in hosting or have any questions.

SUMMER TRAINING CAMPS

Far West Nordic — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:39:22 +0000

Western REG: June 22-June 29
Open to Far West athletes by invite only. This is the premiere summer training camp for the best Juniors in the Western Region. Super motivating for the year ahead this is a must do camp if you are serious about your summer training and winter goals.

Lake Tahoe/Bliss Camp: June 25-27
Open to all Far West juniors age 12-19. This is a great camp for those of you who have never been to a Far West Camp, but also for experienced racers who want a little extra push and motivation. Super fun and challenging right here in our own beautiful backyard, the west shore of Lake Tahoe. Camp consists of hiking, kayaking, general water mayhem, rollerskiing, technique, and fun.

June Lake Camp: July 18-21
Calling all Junior Far West skiers aged 13 and up! A super fun and motivating camp for the ‘old hands” to the ‘newbies’. June Lake Camp is the longest running Far West Nordic summer camp for a good reason. It’s all about camping in the beautiful Eastern Sierra near the Big Mountains, swimming in clear June Lake, roller skiing on the smooth, low traffic east side roads, and hiking up a big old mountain, the likes of which you won’t find in the Tahoe area. Add to this top notch coaching and great camaraderie with your skiing buddies and you’ve got one of the best Nordic ski camps in the West. Get your Nordic game on and sign up for the camp! Skiers of all abilities welcome.

Additional information on our Junior Camps Page.

ASC Seeking a Programs Manager

Far West Nordic — Thu, 16 May 2013 01:06:48 +0000

Auburn Ski Club Training Center on Donner Summit, CA is currently seeking to fill the year-round position of Training Center programs manager. ASC-TC is a nationally recognized club that offers a wide range of Cross-Country, Alpine, Snowboarding, Freeride and Biathlon programs with a competition schedule in all disciplines. ASC-TC operates its own facilities that include a 20K XC trail system, biathlon range and Alpine race arena at the adjacent Boreal Mt. Resort. The TC Programs Manager is a key member of the TC staff devoted to providing winter sports opportunities and athletic achievement to club members. Interested applicants should submit a resume, references and cover letter to Bill Clark at bclark@inc.auburnskiclub.org. Deadline is June 1, 2013. More information and the full job description can be found at http://auburnskiclub.com/training-center-seeking-a-programs-manager/

2013-2014 Far West Nordic Board Elected

Far West Nordic — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:31:59 +0000

Congratulations to the New Far West Nordic Board of Directors
Far West Nordic held its annual Board of Director elections and election of officers on Monday, May 13, 2013. Congratulations to the incoming board. Fred Zabell will continue to serve as board President, and Stacey Herhusky as Secretary. Kathrin Hudson will serve as Vice-President, and Mike Wells will serve as Treasurer. Welcome to new board members Marcus Nash and Mike Wells.

A huge thank you to outgoing board member Geoff Griffin.

Thank you Truckee River Winery for hosting our annual meeting!

Ben Grasseschi

Far West Nordic — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:20:35 +0000

Good luck Ben wherever you venture and thank you for everything!

Ben Grasseschi has been the heart and soul of Far West Nordic for the past 9 years. He has been the head Junior Coach, has guided countless masters racers, created and nurtured the FW Farm Team, has overseen the expansion of the Far West mission to include a much bigger base, and has been at nearly every fund-raiser, ski race, and social event that Far West has put on. When you think of Far West the picture that comes to mind for most of us is the smiling face of “Coach Ben.”

Ben came to Far West as a young ski racer out of the College of Idaho in 2002. He immediately made an impact on our juniors when he started coaching with the ASC Comp and Devo teams and coaching at Far West camps. Ben’s humor, obvious love of skiing, and his child-like joy in all things winter related, made him an instant favorite with juniors. Pretty much every day saw 15-30 junior racers following him around and usually everyone had a huge smile on their face!

Ben coached the Far West team at eight Junior National Championships and helped produce several National Champions including Matt Gelso and Joanne Reid.Throughout his career Far West skiers received incredibly well waxed skis, great technique fundamentals, and most importantly, a love of the value of sport, sportsmanship, and being a great all around person. Ben’s impact on hundreds of juniors will guide them in positive ways for many years.

Ben’s main focus has always been the Far West juniors but he deserves equal credit for his vision in seeing the need to build a strong program for post high school senior racers. He created the Far West Farm team and has built it into one of the premier senior race teams in the country. Who wouldn’t want to come to Tahoe after their college racing days are over and get to work with Ben as their coach?

Far West is home to many top tier masters racers and they too love to work with Ben. On most winter mornings Ben can be found skiing around with a gang of master racers all trying to bend their knees and get on as flat as a ski as Ben does. And just like with the juniors, they are all smiling! Ben Grasseschi has given his heart to far West Nordic and we are immeasurably richer for it.

Good luck Ben wherever you venture and thank you for everything!