We did an interesting time trial/relay today as a training tool.  Two-person relay teams raced on a 1.5 km hilly loop at Birch Hill (skate technique).  In order to keep the “time trial” feel, instead of a tactical, mass-start race, we started each team at 15 second intervals.   Men did four laps (eight laps per team) while women did three.  I kept track of individual times in order to rank skiers as we assess who will be named to the travel squad this winter.  Three members of the team were suffering from bad colds and therefore did not compete: Ray Sabo (2008 NCAA qualifier), Robert Pakk, and Ian Wilkinson.  A member of the cross country running team, Cody Priest, stepped in to help us since we had an odd number of men.

1.  Einar Often 15:17
2.  John Parry 15:36
3.  Oyvind Watterdal 16:10
4.  Erik Soderstrom 16:25
5.  Alex Morris 17:00
5.  Henri Soom 17:00* (2007 NCAA qualifier)
7.  Will Coleman 17:15
8.  Cody Priest 18:11
*one pole; still rehabing broken right arm

Teams:
1.  Erik and John, 32:01
2.  Einar and Alex, 32:17
3.  Oyvind and Will, 33:25
4.  Henri and Cody, 35:11

1.  Julia Pierson 13:19 (2007 NCAA All American)
2.  Anna Coulter 13:30 (2008 NCAA All American)
3.  Aurelia Korthauer 13:44 (2007 NCAA All American)
4.  Elisabeth Habermann 13:54 (2008 NCAA qualifier)
5.  Theresia Schnurr 14:17
6.  Rebecca Koniecnzy 17:04

Teams:
1.  Elisabeth and Julia, 27:13
2.  Aurelia and Anna, 27:14
3.  Theresia and Rebecca, 31:21

The University of Alaska Ski Team Booster Club hosted two exercise physiologists this past weekend for a regional coaches’ clinic here in Fairbanks.  Dr. H.C. Holmberg of Mid-Sweden University and Dr. Phillip B. Watts of Northern Michigan University were the key-note speakers.  Dr. Holmberg addressed year-round training plans as well as the biomechanics and exercise physiology of double poling while Dr. Watts presented a synopsis of research and ideas regarding interval training, energy systems used in ski training & racing, recovery from training, warm-up & warm-down, and training macro-cycles.

We also asked Dr. Holmberg and Dr. Watts about a wide varity of other topics related to cross country ski racing including strength training and strength standrads for skiers, the “double push” in skate sprinting, the clap-skate for sprinting, specific drills and exercises for skiers, and several other topics.

In addition to speaking to coaches, Dr. Holmberg and Dr. Watts also presented information to high school and university skiers.  This weekend was extremely beneficial for coaches and athletes alike.

What was particularly striking for me was the contrast between the amount of research on cross country skiing taking place in Europe (a great deal) and North America (relatively little).  It seems that if the US wants to compete consistently at the highest levels in international cross country skiing (i.e. medal contention in World Cup, World Championship, and Olympic races in sprinting and distance events year after year) then we need a firm commitment to sports science (physiology and biomechanics) for cross country skiing.  I can hear the chorus of people shouting, “All it takes is money”, but really what is needed is commitment.  The money will follow a sincere, long-term commitment.  Countries who commit to research in biomechanics and exercise physiology in a particular sport typically lead the world in success in that sport.  The Finns and Japanese in ski jumping, the Dutch in speed-skating, the Swedes and Norwegians in cross country skiing are just a few examples.  When will the US commit itself to research in cross country skiing?