Today I raced the Billy Dutton Uphill, and what a great way it was to end the season! But more importantly, it was #summitsunday!
Today I raced the Billy Dutton Uphill, and what a great way it was to end the season! But more importantly, it was #summitsunday!
I’d like to preface this post by saying how much I’ve enjoyed being a part of the supertour finals as an athlete these past few days. I’ve just finished racing the first three races in the mini-tour, and will now be switching over to the volunteer aspect of the competitions. The pressure of racing is off, and weather permitting, it’s time for me to have some fun in the California sun.
| Can you see the lake? |
Today was the course inspection day for the 2013 Supertour Finals pursuit style hill climb event being hosted at Royal Gorge and Sugarbowl tomorrow morning. The race course starts with three kilometers of flat skiing in the meadow at Royal Gorge and then climbs up the alpine area at Sugarbowl to the top of the Disney lift. It’s going to be brutal, especially in soft conditions. But Sugarbowl graciously offered lift tickets to the athletes as a part of their inspection of the course, and I -of course- seized the opportunity to show my xc athlete credentials in order to strap on some fatter skis (relatively speaking) for the day, and rip around at a place I’ve never skied before. I did a quick inspection of the cat-track leading up to the top, and then proceeded to “inspect” the other terrain and chairlifts Sugarbowl had to offer.
In all seriousness the prologue today was a lot of fun and it was great to see so many local racers jumping against some of the fastest in the world.
There are several of the nation’s fastest skiers rolling into town and checking out the trails at Royal Gorge and Auburn Ski Club for the Super Tour Finals. It’s really exciting to see and be a part of, so get out there and enjoy it- and make a new friend or two (turns out, nordic skiers are pretty fun people to be around.)
After skiing at ASC this morning I tried to teach myself a little bit about long-boarding in the parking lot. I’m just learning, but I’ve found the more I play the part of the laid-back California skater dude, the easier the balance is. I was beginning to think myself pretty “steezy“, but then I saw the first 40 seconds of this video.
Music: I’m joining the Alt-J team. I like his delivery (strange, but unique and refreshing).
Peace out guys,
#G-unit
Really fun skiing and racing in Bend last weekend at the Cascade Crest 25k skate. Beautiful place to ski, tons of snow, and a great mix old and young, fast and slow skiers. The course was one of the most exciting and unpredictable I’ve ever raced – tons of crazy turns, drops, steep climbs, and transitions. Can’t wait to get back up there for some spring skiing. I just wish the Cascades would send some of their snow down south a bit to the central Sierra!
Also had some great skiing/coaching with the old junior team in Boise. The Bogus Basin Nordic Team sure knows how to class it up!
I made a quick trip to Utah on the train on Thursday in order to pick up a new truck, and also to do an archery biathlon the next day at Alta Ski Resort. This was my second ever archery biathlon and I ended up winning the thing!
Here are some photos from the adventures.

Here’s an awesome photo from Alta’s Community Enrichment program which captures the spirit of this race. Great lycra and lots of fun
![IMG_1530[1]](http://farwestnordic.org/seniorblog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_15301-300x300.jpg)
Here’s the new truck, and proof that winter exists in Utah. Snow in SLC!

I brought home Wasatch Brewery’s commemoration ale of Alta’s 75th Birthday. Utah breweries do it right.

I’ll call it “cloud seeding”, not polluting. Picture from the drive home across the west desert (east of California though)
Music: This is my Jam today
-guscle
Far West Senior Team updates and thoughts on racing and training throughout the year as well as technique ideas (and videos!) and equipment and race-preparation info they hope you’ll find helpful.
Spencer is a born and raised Mainer and a recent graduate from Bowdoin College. After experiencing summer skiing and real mexican food during the first year of the Far West College Summer Residency Program in 2011, he had little choice but to come back and race for Far West!
Hi. I’m 24, live in Reno, NV and am studying for a masters degree in hydrology at the UNR graduate school. I competed in three NCAA skiing championships for Colby College from 2008 to 2011, where I majored in geology. Originally from Boise, Idaho, I’m pumped to be skiing and racing in the Sierras. I like mountain biking, running, eating salmon, walking on my hands, dumpster-diving, and playing guitar.
My full name is Gustavo, though I go by Gus. I was a member of the UNR NCAA Ski Team from 2008-2010 and a founder of the UNR Winter Sports Club. I have been a Far West Farm Team member for 2 seasons so far and am looking forward to my third year. I’m working my way toward being a ski coach and english teacher, while still trying to be as fast as I can be. I love mountains and canyons and rivers. My favorite place to be outside of skiing is in the Grand Canyon, though I don’t get to go there as much as I’d like. I’ve started a collaborative project called #summitsunday this year. Check it out and join the movement at summitsunday.blogspot.com
hey everybody! I am a recent Bates College graduate originally from the lovely state of Vermont. I enjoy snow, sunshine, and lounging….all great reasons to move to Tahoe. I’m stoked to be out here and ready to rip up some powder this winter!
2004 Graduate of Sugar Bowl Academy. Raced in 6 Junior National Championships (7 X All-American). 2003 represented the US Ski Team in the J1 Scandinavian Cup race series in Sweden. Spent the 2000 & 2004 summer’s training and racing at the Snow Farm in New Zealand. 2009 Graduate of Northern Michigan University. 2010 season competed as Senior member of Team Far West switching my focus from cross-country skiing racing to biathlon! During the 2011 season I focused only on biathlon, competing in 18 races with some respectable results. Currently, I’m racing for Auburn Ski Club and Far West Farm Team, focusing on the NorAm Biathlon race series attempting to qualify for the USBA team.
Hi Everyone! I hail from midcoast Maine and recently graduated from Williams College with a degree in Sociology…and skiing. I first came to Truckee during the first Far West Summer College Training program and now I can’t seem to stay away. I have been working for the Chewonki Foundation, a nonprofit outdoor education center, since June but I’m moving out to Truckee in November to be the Truckee High School Assistant Nordic Coach and join the farm team, since 22 is far too young to retire. My biggest passion in life is working with kids in the outdoors, whether skiing, canoeing, backpacking, or teaching them how to chop wood (my newest obsession) so I’m excited to start my career as a coach…and so excited for a real winter!
Head Coach Far West Nordic Senior “Farm Team”. UNR Winter Sports Club director. August Teague was head coach of University of Nevada XC ski team for six seasons. Teague helped UNR to top 10 finishes in three of his first four years in Reno, including ninth-place showings in 2005 and 2008 and a 10th-place effort in 2007. In May of 2007, Teague was named to the Cross Country Coaches Committee at the United States Ski Association (USSA) Congress in Park City, Utah. Prior to coming to Nevada in 2004, Teague spent one season as the head Nordic coach at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. Teague lettered four years as a member of the University of Denver cross country skiing team. He helped the Pioneers to three NCAA championships from 2000-2002.
Co-Head Coach Far West Nordic Senior “Farm Team”. Ben is currently the Head XC Skiing Coach for Far West Nordic as well as Head Coach for Auburn Ski Club. Ben grew up skiing in Montana and Idaho and was a member of the College of Idaho XC Ski Team. Ben’s strengths as a coach are his ability to keep athletes motivated and excited about training and competing. Coaching/Athletic Highlights Head Coach Far West Nordic Junior, Seniors, and Master Programs Head Coach Auburn Ski Club Juniors and Masters Programs Member of College of Idaho Ski Team US Ski Team Junior Scandinavian Trip Coach
Martin has been a Nordic coach for a range of programs from NCAA champion Dartmouth College to working with 1-2-3 Ski! at Auburn Ski Club. Martin grew up racing in the Far West division in high school, competing on three junior national teams. This is his 6th season as a Nordic coach, having coached for Auburn Ski Club, Dartmouth College, Bates College, Far West, and, currently, Sugar Bowl Academy. As a coach he has worked with Far West junior programs the past 5 summers as well as coached for Far West at 3 junior nationals, 3 nationals, and various other camps and competitions. He is also the founder/creator and head coach of the Collegiate Summer Residency Program. He has been Nordic skiing his whole life and raced competitively from 8th grade through senior year of college, serving as captain of his college team for his senior season.
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