Autumn 2011

FAR WEST NEWS

President’s Letter Chauncey Parker’s Greetings

Welcome to the 2011-12 Nordic ski season! The Far West Board and many volunteers have been winding up to get us going for another year of fun and friendly competition. Although the Board lost long serving members in the last year, we have gained new members who are providing great energy and ideas. We thank departing members John Gerbino, Don Heapes, Dan Hill, Joan Jones, and Mike McElravey for their service and we welcome new board members Michael Collins, Stacy Herhusky, Mike Shaw, Michelle Syben, and Fred Zabell.

The training camps for juniors were a highlight of the summer and thanks to Martin Benes, we had about a dozen East Coast collegiate skiers training with our juniors and senior skiers. That was a fantastic injection of motivation and energy.

We wrapped up summer with our 2nd Annual Far West Nordic Festival & BBQ. If you didn’t attend, you missed out on great food, fun games, prizes, and socializing with your Nordic friends. Don’t miss it next year, tentatively scheduled for September 15th at Tahoe XC!The race schedule is ready to go, how about you? Plans are in place for the Masters’ clinics; take advantage of the expert coaching available with our exceptionally experienced coaches – yes, you really can go skiing with the likes of Glenn Jobe, Nancy Fiddler, and Ben Grasseschi.

Our organization is what it is today thanks to the support of our membership, our committees, our board, AND the hard work of our members who volunteer. Far West Nordic has evolved considerably since its inception and we’ll continue to evolve based on your involvement. So give us a holler if you want to get more involved. Volunteer for an event and help make the difference. As we say at the races “all ages/abilities welcome.”

It’s Auction Time!November 5, 2011

Olympic Village Lodge Squaw Valley

The 26th annual Far West Nordic Auction will be held at the Olympic Village Lodge at Squaw Valley, a beautiful Old World Tahoe Style Lodge at the base of the mountain. There has been an addition to The Grand Prize Dream Ski Package. This fabulous prize will now include a 90 minute lesson with a “Pick Your Pro” option of learning from your choice of Glenn Jobe, Nancy Fiddler, Sally Jones, or Ben Grasseschi. New to the Auction this year the Child’s $5 admission ticket will be an entry to a special raffle for kids 11 years and younger.

So what exactly is the Auction/Raffle Party? • It’s a fun party! Men Wielding Fire will be cooking up

a storm complemented by Cottonwood Restaurant’s famous Caesar Salad, wine by Truckee River Winery and Coppola Winery, and beer by Black Diamond Brewery. Reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

• Last year we had over 200 items up for auction, and we are planning to top that this year. Auction items are generously donated by individual donors and business sponsors. If you’d like to donate an item, please email us at info@farwestnordic.org.

• Juniors benefit in two ways: (1) 75% of each junior’s ticket sales are awarded in the form of “Far West Bucks” that the junior can use to pay for Far West programs throughout the year, (2) all proceeds from this event go to subsidize Far West Nordic Junior Programs for the season.

Please remember that bids in excess of market value are considered charitable contributions and are tax deductible, so bid early and often, knowing your money is going to a great cause!

Tickets are available from local Junior racers, online, or at the door. Auction prize updates are available on our website!

NewsJuniors Summer Recap: Far West Nordic was busy this summer, as we always are, training athletes at the numerous summer camps that we host/co-host.The annual Western REG camp is put together for all the best Juniors in the western region to show their stuff, motivate themselves for the hot, long summer ahead and to make new friends/rivals. This year the camp was in Park City, Utah. Attending from Far West were coach Kara LaPoint and athletes Austin Meng, Jordan McElroy, and Katrin Larusson. They all did well and came away fired up for the summer ahead.June Lake Camp: A beautiful setting hosted 19 athletes of all abilities and 3 coaches. A tradition for Far West Nordic for over 17 years, the June Lake Camp consists of hiking, camping- duh, ski walking, rollerskiing, running, and an enjoyable auto tour up and down the Hwy 395 corridor.The wildflowers were amazing and the mosquitoes were busy, but not quite as loud as the baby in the campsite next to us... This year’s June Lake Camp got many first-timers hooked on the Far West Nordic camp scene.

FW/PNSA Camp: 13 Far West Junior National qualified ath-letes and 2 coaches met the Pacific Northwest Team (17 ath-letes, 1 coach, 1 cook) for a late summer camp on the Oregon Coast. It was 5 days of high calibre training and high intensity surfing/beach playing. Anyone who came away not tired and not better on their rollerskis was not pushing themselves hard enough... And, anyone that lasted more than 5 seconds in the Cold! Pacific Ocean was wearing a wetsuit...The camp ended with a hike through the amazing Califor-nia Redwoods and a long, hot, drive home. But it was very motivating to meet up with our friends and foes from the North and see that we all have things we are good at and we also have much to learn. As an example, PNSA needs to work on their soccer skills as FW beat them for the first time in the past 3 World Cups...Lake Tahoe Camp was held at Camp Richardson this year. Led by coach Kara LaPoint, 5 athletes from Tahoe and 1 from Mammoth converged on the scene to make xc ski training a priority for the fall. Running, rollerskiing, and beach play culminated with a super and scenic hike to the top of Mt Tallac. Everyone made it.

Junior Program - The Season Ahead: Our season starts with our trip to West Yellowstone, Montana and the lo-cal Thanksgiving Camp here in Tahoe - hopefully on snow!We expect to gather at least three Far West Nordic junior athletes and one Farm Team athlete for the big venture over to Rumford, Maine for US Nationals in early January. This is the biggest event on the USSA calendar- the best competition and athletes from all around the US and Canada will be attending with hopes of making USST, USST World Juniors, and USST Scandi Cup Teams.In late January we take our annual commute to Soldier Hol-low, Utah for the Super JNQ- the biggest pre-Junior Nation-als event in the West -of particular importance this year as Soldier Hollow is the site of the Junior Nationals in March.We expect to bring approximately 32 athletes to compete in the 2012 Junior Nationals and feel it will be a stronger, more experienced team than last year. Go Far West!Our last trip of the year will be the annual Mammoth Marathon in early April.On the burner is a first annual trip to take some younger skiers to the Bjornloppet Ski Festival in Bear Valley on March 9-11, 2012- stay tuned for more details.

Far West Nordic Farm Team News: The Far West Nordic Fundraising Committee is dedicated to securing funding, much more funding, to sustain this vital link to our skier pipeline. We hope to have up to 6 athletes, ages 20-35, for this team again this year and Far West Nordic has agreed to fund a larger amount to each athlete because we see the importance of such a group- especially motivating to our junior skiers. There will be an application process, a criteria, and a contract for the Farm Team this year. Go FWFT!

College Residency Athletes: I want to acknowledge Martin Benes and all the local host families for having the College Residency Athletes here in Tahoe this summer. Thank You.I personally believe that having these 10-14 college aged athletes here this summer was the best thing to happen to our skiing pipeline since sliced bread. Because of the particular group of athletes and the motivation it provided our juniors, and even masters, we hope to do it again next year. And, by doing so, it is our hope that we will garner some future Farm Team athletes from this group of, mostly, East Coast college athletes, soon- like maybe even next year...

Ben GrasseschiFar West Nordic Development Director

Masters News: We have another great line-up of Masters Clinics this year beginning on November 6th with “Training Principles” presented by Jeff Schloss and Andy Pasternak. Our non-manufacturer wax clinic by Far West wax wizards Glenn Jobe and Ralph Johnson will be December 10th. Don’t miss classic mavens Glenn Jobe and Nancy Fiddler when they team up for a classic clinic on January 14th. We will also be offering a women’s only clinic, a skating technique clinic, and a downhill clinic this season.

Tahoe Rim TourJANUARY 22, 2012

FAR WEST NORDIC SKI EDUCATION ASSOCIATION presents the 5th annual Tahoe Rim Tour & Race, a point to point 26 kilometer race from North Tahoe High School in Tahoe City to the Cross Country Center at Northstar at Tahoe featuring classic, skate, and snowshoe divisions.

We hope you can join us for this very special event that interconnects some of the most scenic parts of Tahoe XC’s and Northstar’s trails. We’ll have on-going festivities at Northstar as racers finish. Enjoy an end of race lunch followed by awards. This is a fundraiser for the Far West Nordic Ski Education Association’s Junior Ski Programs.

Giving BackPlease support the organization by volunteering at one of Far West Nordic’s fundraising events. • AnnualAuctionandRaffle November 5th• Tahoe Rim Tour & Race January 22nd• Billy Dutton Uphill April 15th

Email info@farwestnordic.org for how you can help.Become a MEMBER, participate or volunteer in our races, donate (FWNSEA is a Charitable 501(c)(3) in good standing) or join the Far West Board or one of our Committees. The Association is only as strong as its leaders. Come on out and get involved! Qualifications: a willingness to donate your energy and ideas to promote the sport that your love.

Join Far West Nordic for 2011-2012!

By joining Far West Nordic, you support our mission to promote the sport of XC skiing, XC racing, and funding junior XC programs. Membership in Far West Nordic is an outstanding value, with individual adult memberships starting at only $20, and junior memberships (age 19 and younger) for only $10. In addition to offering trail pass discounts at over ten XC ski areas, membership includes the Sierra Ski Chase -- all Ski Chase finishers receive a commemorative participation prize, celebrating their achievement in this Far West Nordic race series. Members also get access to special members-only sections of the Far West website and are eligible for junior camps/trips and adult programs at member prices. Now’s the time to sign-up, either through the online store at www.farwestnordic.org or by mailing in the membership form in this newsletter. Note that membership prices go up $10 after December 31st, so sign up now for the best deal! NEW for 2011-2012: Beginning in the 2011-2012 race season, Far West Nordic adult members will receive a $5 discount on registration for each of the Far West Nordic races - the 2012 Tahoe Rim Tour and the 2012 Billy Dutton Uphill.

We’re a small organization and we really need your help to grow -- for us, growth is key to broaden our base of financial support. As our membership grows, we’ll be able to offer even more services, expand our junior and senior programs, and better support our highly skilled coaches that represent the true backbone of our programs. So please do what you can to get the word out about Far West Nordic, and encourage your friends and others you know to join Far West Nordic and support our mission.

Stay connected www.farwestnordic.org Far West Nordic Ski Education Association

PO Box 10046Truckee, CA 96162

530 852 0879www.farwestnordic.orginfo@farwestnordic.org

PO Box 10046Truckee, CA 96162

Upcoming Events

Mark Your Calendars for these Important Dates...

December RacesDecember 4 Kirkwood 10K Kirkwood XC 10 km Freestyle

December 11 Tannenbaum 10K Tamarack XC 10 km Classic

December 11 Royal Gorge Early Season Opener Royal Gorge XC 10 km Freestyle

December 18 Paco’s Fun Race Auburn Ski Club 10 km Freestyle

December 28 ASC JOQ Sprints Auburn Ski Club 1 km sprint classic

Junior Olympics QualifiersDecember 28 ASC JOQ Sprints Auburn Ski Club 1 km sprint classic

January 16 Sierra Skogsloppet Tahoe Donner XC 15km/10km/5km skate

February 5 Allan Bard Memorial Classic Tamarack Lodge 15km/10km/5km classic

February 20 President’s Cup Auburn Ski Club 10km/5km skate

Masters ClinicsNovember 6 Training Principles Jeff Schloss and Andy Pasternak Truckee Rec Center

December 10 Far West Waxing Clinic Glenn Jobe, Ralph Johnson Auburn Ski Club

January 14 Classic Technique Video Clinic Glenn Jobe and Nancy Fiddler Tahoe XC

Junior Camps & TripsNovember 19-27 WEST YELLOWSTONE SUPERTOUR: Montana Any Far West Nordic Junior J1 and older (J2s need

coaches’ permission)

November 25-27 Local Thanksgiving Camp All Far West Nordic Junior athletes (ages 12-19)

January 1-8 SENIOR NATIONALS: Rumford, ME Far West Junior National Qualified J1 and older, and all Far West Senior Team

As always, check the Far West Nordic website often for updates and the complete list of upcoming events, races, results, clin-ics, trips and more, plus this Fall’s NORDIC NEWS magazine for the full Competition Schedule of Events.

FAR WEST NORDIC SKI EDUCATION ASSOCIATION 2011/2012 MEMBERSHIP ENROLLMENT

SUPPORTING: All Racing benefits. Those wishing to donate a major level of support. Thank you!RACING: All Basic benefits PLUS eligible to compete and be scored in Far West 2011-2012 race series: Fischer Cup, Sierra Ski Chase, Masters ChallengeBASIC: Ski area discounts*FW clinics & programs* Sierra Ski Chase participation*FW website access to archived race results, photos, articles. Beginning in the 2011-2012 race season, Far West Nordic members will receive a $5 discount on registration for each of the Far West Nordic races - 2012 Tahoe Rim Tour and the 2012 Billy Dutton Uphill.JUNIOR: Far West junior programs and trips*FW scholarships*Sierra Ski Chase participation

For detailed descriptions of all Far West benefits visit www.farwestnordic.org

JOIN NOW for 2011/2012! Or join on-line at www.farwestnordic.org

Far West membership year runs from May 1, 2011 -April 30, 2012.

Make checks payable to FWNSEA MAIL TO: FWNSEA, P.O. BOX 10046,

TRUCKEE, CA 96162

MEMBERSHIP TYPE CHECK ONE

Supporting Individual ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $100Supporting Family �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $150Racing Individual ���������������������������������������������������������������$45 ($55 after 12/31)Racing Family ���������������������������������������������������������������������$75 ($85 after 12/31) Basic Individual �������������������������������������������������������������������$20 ($30 after 12/31)Basic Family ������������������������������������������������������������������������$35 ($45 after 12/31) Junior (single member under 20) �������������������������������������������������������������������� $10

FIRST NAME LAST NAME EMAIL ADDRESS

FIRST NAME LAST NAME EMAIL ADDRESS

FIRST NAME LAST NAME EMAIL ADDRESS

FIRST NAME LAST NAME EMAIL ADDRESS

ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBERS (for family memberships only - all members must reside at the same address)

BIRTH DATE

MONTH DAY YEAR

PRIMARY OR INDIVIDUAL MEMBER

FIRST NAME LAST NAME EMAIL ADDRESS

MAILING ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP PHONE ( )

BIRTH DATE

MONTH DAY YEAR

If you would like to pay by credit card please pay online at www.farwestnordic.org

Far West membership dues may be fully tax deductible given the nature of benefits associated with membership and as we are a 501(c)(3) California non-profit corporation. Check IRS publication 526 for more information or with your accountant regarding your tax deductibility.

ADDITIONAL DONATION ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������

FARM TEAM DONATION �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������

TOTAL ENCLOSED ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Make checks payable to FWNSEA

MAIL TO: FWNSEA, P.O. BOX 10046, TRUCKEE, CA 96162

ELECTRONIC INFO ONLY No Paper Mail Please

Help us be green� Say no to snail mail�