Comments for Junior Nationals

Comment on Relay Photos by jimmymaclet

jimmymaclet — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:29:42 +0000

It sounds good, I love the simplicity. Your posts are easy as a pie and really attractive at the same time.

Comment on JO’s Classic Sprint by Ben Arians

Ben Arians — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:22:16 +0000

As a longtime (ouch) ski coach, I agree with what Gary writes, but I also have sympathy for the skiers that were disappointed not to be racing on the Lekisch 5km course. I believe that the organizers were correct in altering the course, and that the course change made the finish order more dependent on fitness and strength over a roll of the dice on whether there would be someone sprawled across the trail upon rounding the second set of chicanes. Don’t be too quick to criticize the organizers until you look at all sides of a situation. Regarding the “back in my day” comment, technique and racer field size has changed somewhat over the past 30-40 years, so let’s not make too many comparisons to what is was like back in the day. There are still races that take place on closer turnier trails (the Oosik Classic: it’s longer and harder!), the Junior Olympics doesn’t need to be one of them. Turns: yes; too narrow: no. After skiing the course on inspection day, I was quickly convinced that the change was not simply for the safety of the less skilled skiers but for the more skilled racers that would be affected by others, particularly on the second lap. With the top skiers on their 2nd lap coming through the later starters on their 1st lap, carnage would have been unavoidable.

Comment on JO Classic Sprint Photos by John Farra

John Farra — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:54:54 +0000

Great pics Mark! Would love a higher res version of the Nick Michaud pic (#12) if you still have it. Name your price. JF

Comment on JO Classic Sprint Photos by hilary

hilary — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:57:09 +0000

nice shots mark, and belated happy birthday!
H

Comment on JO’s Classic Sprint by Gary Snyder

Gary Snyder — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:29:59 +0000

Oops, the Oosik is Saturday. By the way, any Jr. National skiers should be able to find an Oosik in a downtown tourist shop if they are curious what that is.

Comment on JO’s Classic Sprint by Gary Snyder

Gary Snyder — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:27:57 +0000

As a skier I sympathize with your dissappointment in the course change. We all like a challenge or we wouldn’t be skiers, and I know if I was racing I would want the tough hills in. But with all due respect, keep in mind the perspective of the organizers (who are kicking as much butt as the skiers this week). Unfortunately for American skiers, we are skiing in America, the land of the lawsuit. Don’t blame the officials for our American culture of blaming others.

At the State meet a month ago (and no new real snow since then) there was a smorgasbord of broken equipment on that corner. I picked up broken poles from the middle of the trail (for safety’s sake) when others refused to even venture out there to pick it up. There were volunteers shoveling snow on the bad corner (a month ago), and NSAA could use more volunteers out there this week, especially since the snow has gotten much worse. They made a tough call, in part to protect themselves, as well as skier safety. The best skier will win on any course. Don’t criticize organizers too much until you have put on a few races or recruited some shoveling volunteers.

That being said I can’t wait until the Oosik race Sunday, where hopefully challenging conditions are the acceptable norm…

Happy Trails, Gary

Comment on JO’s Classic Sprint by Erick Romig

Erick Romig — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:22:14 +0000

Word. I do not have a whole lot to add, as most of it has already been said. Personally, the new course plays to my strengths as a ski racer, as I have more fitness than tactics and technique. However, skiing isn’t all about the fitness. After being around some great coaching this last season, I have realized that technique and the good tactics go a long way…perhaps longer than just fitness. I have also realized that falling makes you a better skier. This change has caused more harm than good on our skiing abilities. That is all for now.

erick

Comment on JO’s Classic Sprint by Jeff Meserve

Jeff Meserve — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:29:06 +0000

I sympathize with you kids. You would have loved skiing in the 60’s and 70’s when turning wasn’t an issue because it was expected!

Jeff

Comment on JO’s Classic Sprint by Kelsey Boyer

Kelsey Boyer — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:48:17 +0000

Hey Alaska. Nice Job Yesterday!! yeah i’d be super dissapointed about missing out on that part of lekish too, it was awesome at state, even after the girls took the course and set up some banked snowplow corners for us. is really too bad that the organisers arent taking advantage of the awsome finish to th likish loops.

either way tear it up out there and kick some lower 48 A**!!

Good Luck Guys (and girls =])

Comment on JO’s Classic Sprint by Don Haering

Don Haering — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 05:37:35 +0000

It is highly unfortunate that the decision was made not to utilize the best trails at Kincaid. The best Juniors in the country are missing a unique experience to push the envelope of their skills. Hundreds of skiers of all skill levels competed on these same trails under similar conditions two weeks ago during Highschool State Championships without incident. One would hope that the best Juniors in the country would be able to handle it. There has been much talk recently on the subject of how we can increase the level of competition in American skiing. I don’t have the answer, but it certainly doesn’t involve breaking under the pressure of a difficult course and opting for a tamer alternative.