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The (not so) New Guy
By David Chamberlain
Even though my smiling mug is not up on the site yet, I figured I would write a post to introduce myself. I first must say that I am honored to be the new addition to this team and am about as excited as one can get to be back on Fischer to finish out my career.
I have been around the circuit for awhile, racing here, there and everywhere for the last ten years. I grew up in Maine, started skiing in Maine, went to college in Maine, got married to my wife BethAnn in Maine, and currently live in Maine. Even though technically I was born in Rhode Island, the story goes that out of the womb I was practically thrown into the backseat of a car and driven to western Maine. That might explain why Black Mountain is mypreferred ski venue. I am about as Maine as a boy can get.
At the moment BethAnn and I are living in Caribou taking part in the ski program that the Maine Winter Sports Center offers in Aroostook County. The County, as it is affectionately know by most, is a nice place to be a skier. The communities here are into skiing, there are two high quality venues, and the snow is generally reliable. BethAnn is a biathlete, which works out great for us as we are both living our sports at the moment. She is also a massage therapist at the local PT clinic.
In a few days we are headed west to catch the first snow in Yellowstone. From there it will be a whirlwind tour of the west, including Soldier Hollow and Vancouver. I am looking forward to getting back on snow and to some good racing.
On the Shores of Gitchee Gumee
By Adam Swank
The long awaited snows ae finally upon us, and with it the excitement of skiing. Unfortunatley we must give up some things to receive the blessing of snow, such as long daylight hours, and beach volleyball. Living in the midwest - on the shore of the largest freshwater lake in the world - has made me acutely aware of how much of life depends on water. Obviously we need it to survive, since over half our body weight is water, but we also require it for recreation and sport.
The strong fall storms of lake superior have blown the sultry summer training days to only a memory, however it was these same waters that rejuvenated my body in the middle of summer. An over the handlebars trick on my mountain bike went poorly in early summer, and I separated my shoulder. By the 4th of July my upper body was so atrophied I couldn't even hold up a bottle rocket to shoot at the neighbor's kids. The only arm exercise I could do was kayak, so I took advantage of this and kayaked aound Isle Royale and the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior. This was remarkable rehab, and I am hoping my double pole has improved as a result. At an average annual temp of 40 F, the lake also provides an ice bath after every workout.
Not only did the waters provide me with my main form of rehab and training over the past season, they are now blanketing the hills in the area with some white powder. Transformed water has fallen in the form of lake effect snow giving the local skiers a superior start to fall training. Protect our waters, and they will reward you.
Fischer/Craft Racing Team 2009
Looking Forward to Liberec
The Fischer/Craft team enters 2008-09 excited and ready for the winter and the competition season. All the racers have spent countless hours during the spring and summer running, roller skiing, biking and strength training with the goal of earning one of the coveted spots on the US 2009 World Championship team that will travel to Liberec, Czech to represent the USA at the 2009 Nordic World Championships.
The team returns many familiar faces, and with the addition of a veteran skier, looks to be a strong and hungry group of athletes looking for top results on the US SuperTour series and at the 2009 US National Championships in Anchorage, Alaska.
Returning to the team is Zach Violett, Adam Swank, Nicole Deyong, Kate Whitcomb, Colin Rodgers, Brayton Osgood and Andrew Johnson. New to the team is David Chamberlain.
Zach Violett: Growing up in California and racing as a junior for the Auburn Ski Club in Truckee, CA, Zach was a top ranked junior racer and a member of the US World Junior team in 2001. After graduating from the Univ. of Alaska, Anchorage, earning All-American honors in his Junior and Senior years at the NCAA championships, Zach joined the Fischer/Craft Team and qualified for the World Cup races in Canmore, ALB last January. Training with the XC Oregon team in Bend, Oregon, Zach is excited to be racing in Anchorage this January, returning to his favorite racecourses.
Adam Swank: Hailing from Rhinelander, WI, Adam had a breakthrough result at the 2008 American Birkebeiner, finishing 3rd in his best finish at the event. Adam also won 3 races at the 2008 World Master Championship held in McCall, ID this past March, beating many former World Cup racers. Excited for the upcoming season, Adam will be looking to improve upon his impressive results from the previous year.
Nicole Deyong: An Anchorage native, Nicole grew up racing in Anchorage and graduated as a teammate of Zach’s at UAA, earning All-American status in her Junior year, and qualifying to represent the USA at the 2004 U23 World Championships. Training with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Olympic Development Program in Sun Valley, ID, Nicole had her best year as a post-graduate racer, finishing in the top-10 at US Nationals this past January and posting several podium finishes in the 2008 SuperTour series. Nicole is looking forward to returning to Anchorage for the US Nationals in January.
Kate Whitcomb: Coming off of a tough year with injuries and sickness, Kate looks to rebound to the form of 2007, where she won the 2007 American Birkebeiner and finished 3rd overall in the 2007 SuperTour standings. Kate is also a member of the SVSEF ODP in Sun Valley. Racing the National Championships at sea level should be an advantage to Kate, a Western Massachutes native and graduate of Middlebury College.
Colin Rodgers: A sprint specialist, Colin looks to make the jump into the top level of US sprinters. Earning start rights at the 2008 World Cup in Canmore, this experience will help Colin as he gives his best shot at qualifying for the 2009 World Championship team in sprinting. A teammate of Kate’s at Middlebury College, and a member of the SVSEF ODP, Colin will also benefit from the sea level venue in Anchorage.
Brayton Osgood: Brayton had a best ever-7th place at the 2007 US National Championships last January. Training out of Bend, Oregon with XC Oregon, this Vermont native is a graduate of Dartmouth College. A distance specialist, Brayton looks to improve upon his best US National finishes in 2009.
Andrew Johnson: AJ, a former USST member and 2 time Olympian, will be racing a reduced schedule this winter as he completes his degree at the University of Utah and serves as an assistant coach with the Utah ski team. After a tough 2008 season, AJ looks to rebuild his training base to make a run at the 2010 Olympic team.
Dave Chamberlain: Dave, a 3-time World Championship team member, is the team’s new addition for the coming season. Training with the Maine Winter Sports Club in Caribou, Maine, Dave will be a valuable veteran skier to the team as he looks to earning a spot on a 4th consecutive World Championship team.
Follow the team all year at www.fischercraft.com, as each team member travels the US and Canada, racing, representing the leaders in the Nordic industry, Fischer and Craft, and looking to achieve their goals for the 2009 racing season.
A Return to the East
By Brayton Osgood
There are plenty of recent posts here about the joys of seeing the first snows of the year, and since I'm in Bend I could add to them. But I'll hold off in the hope that we get even more and get to start skiing on groomed trails. There's something about the first day in good classic tracks that's pretty tough to beat, and I'm waiting anxiously for that one.
About a month ago I went back to VT for what's becoming an annual fall visit. The foliage was extraordinary, certainly the best I've seen in recent memory, but it was also great to get back and train on the roads and trails of days gone by. I had the chance to put in some intervals on terrain I only see once a year, but have been familiar with for as long as I can remember. It actually gives me a pretty chance to test myself without having to go all out.
Aside from seeing old trails, one of my favorite things about getting back to New England is the chance to do some toughness training. I had three really wet and rainy (read cold and potentially miserable) days this trip, and they happened to be on two interval days and a roller ski OD. Nothing like adding some weather to the hard workouts to make them count. I finished off training with a hike over Wildcat (the steepest trail in the Whites apparently) on a day that started with spitting mixed-precip and ended with blue skies over the northern Presis. Tough to beat that.
Lots of Snow
By Zach Violett
Sun Valley is not the only place of snow. We got about 35 inches up at Mt. Bachelor in the past three days. Making use of the large amounts of snow, I did what all skiers do, I went skiing. What a great way to celebrate the election.
I guess in a way it was Nordic skiing. At least my heels were free.... Some of you will understand.
Life has been a bit hectic here. If you haven't heard before I was selected to race in the Polar Challenge representing the USA. Our team of three will be racing 360 miles to the magnetic North Pole in April/May. It will be an amazing once in a lifetime event.
Summer went well. Had some great training, including a trip to Australia to do some racing. If I was Australian I would be National Champion. In a SKATE race!
That is it for now. See you all in West!
Are You Ready?
By Nicole De Yong
It’s that time of year again…several people around the country have witnessed their first snow fall of the season and others have strapped their skis on for the first time…that was me yesterday morning. Snow was in the forecast but I dismissed the possibility of there actually being snow on the ground until I stumbled out of bed and glanced out the window. Sure enough, there was 2 inches of snow blanketing the ground! I was immediately wide awake and excited with the possibility of going for my first ski of the season! Since yesterday, I have enjoyed a two great 2 ½ hour skis up near Galena.
The first snow fall is always a sure sign, and a good reminder, that racing is just around the corner…West Yellowstone races are less than 4 weeks away! Every day I ask myself “what can I do today to better prepare myself for racing in 4 weeks?” I think back to previous years and contemplate what I have done before to prepare for some of my best performances…and this is what I come up with:
1) Train smart- what exactly does this mean? For me, it means to complete each workout as it is meant to be completed…train level 1 when I am supposed to and train level 3 or 4 when I am supposed to. It is also important to go into each workout mentally prepared. Be ready to give your best effort in a hard interval workout, be ready to challenge yourself in a spenst/plyo workout, try your hardest to lift that 50 pound dumbbell during your strength routine.
2) Stay healthy- As the season changes and the air temperature gets colder and colder, wear the appropriate clothing during training. Also remember to bring an extra change of clothes for after the workout. Along with staying warm, it is important to be cautious of how your body is feeling and doing what it takes to escape from getting any kind of bug going around. Remember to wash your hands after going to the gym, take that extra emergen-C, and get that extra hour of sleep.
3) Get appropriate nutrients- this is a big one for me. I don’t know about you, but I always feel much better when I watch what I eat and make a conscious effort to eat a well balanced diet. As an athlete with asthma and a past history of low iron, I limit my intake of dairy, eat more red meat and green leafy vegetables and watch my consumption of teas and coffee during the racing season.
You may or may not be able to relate to these few points, but I have learned from past experience, that these simple tasks make a big difference. Take the extra effort to hone in on one, two or all three aspects as you prepare for this next season. I guarantee you, you’ll notice a difference!
Tour of the Tread
By Kate Whitcomb
I had a 2-hour run scheduled this morning and a 2-hour roller ski this afternoon...The workouts were swapped so I could ski in the am, MINUS THE ROLLERS!!!
That is right folks, there is snow in Ketchum and over 8-inches up at Galena! The Boulder Mountain Tour trail was groomed this morning and the skiing was crazy good. After a wonderful 2-hour skate, I can only look forward to a classic ski in the morning.
I am still getting a grip on the new time-change, however. My afternoon run ended up an evening run and fyi, it is already pitch black here by 6pm in the mountains of Mountain time. I made up a new running course to accommodate the snowy trails, icy roads and darkness everywhere - I did a tour of town treadmills.
I don’t know about you, but I hate running on a treadmill. I get bored before I even get the speed up to 6. I knew the chance of getting my hour and a half run in on a treadmill was slim to none and that running outside was treacherous, so… I ran the 10-minutes from my house to the YMCA and ran on their mill until I was bored. I then ran to High Altitude Fitness and ran on their treadmill for 20-minutes before running to Zenergy, another gym here in Ketchum and jumped on one of their TV equipped treadmills… and then I ran home.
I receive a few strange looks, especially when I didn’t stop to talk to folks, but I got in my run without falling, freezing, getting lost in the woods or bored to death. A good day and just over 3-weeks to the first race!
