Week Ahead

Our Individual and the Overall Results from yesterday's Winona Invite are now posted.  It was a good day for us to get out on some challenging trails and even if not everyone had the day they were hoping for.  It was good for the first years to get and ski on some real snow (mostly) and be challenged by the terrain so now when they race at Elm Creek again they will feel much more confident and comfortable.  The Varsity battled it out with two teams that have been able to get on more hills to this point in the season and an opportunity to get two races in one day in and get ready for later in the season. 

A big congratulations to Abby Ellenbecker for taking the win in the Girls Varsity Pursuit.  Olivia Ellenbecker also had a great day as she was edged out to finish in 3rd to help lead the Girls to a 2nd place finish.  Jared Heida had the fastest skate race on the day and came back to finish in 3rd overall, while Ricky Petroff had a solid all-around day to finish in 5th, 4 seconds behind Jared as the Boys took 3rd.  Great job to all skiers and thanks to the parents that did make the long trip down to Winona yesterday!

This upcoming week will be a little different than what we have had in the past few weeks, partly because of the race schedule but also due to the warmer weather and the loss of snow we are dealing with.  We are scheduled to ski at Elm Creek on Monday from 4:30-6:00, so we will be leaving at 4:00 and skating.  We will also do our weight training after school.  Tuesday and Thursday we will be at school, with right now being on foot.  Wednesday we are racing at Elm Creek at 3:30 (more info will be posted when we get it).  On Friday and Saturday is the Mora Invite.  We as coaches discussed how we wanted to approach this race due to the races and work schedule we have had in the past few weeks and have decided to divide the team in two based on who can make one day or when they would like to race.  We are just not wanting to stretch the skiers too far physically, so feeling this will be our best option.  We will notify everyone on Monday what they will be racing, but we will also post it here tomorrow so you are able to know when they are racing.

If there are any questions, let me know,
Thanks,
Denny

Winona Invite

Here is the information for the Winona Race that is tomorrow, Saturday at Saint Mary's University.  They went with a longer race this year since they have had the snow and were able to get their trails set up.  We are also leaving earlier because they wanted to have more races and with us having the Holiday concerts, they wanted to make sure we were done so we had enough time to get those back.

So, the bus is leaving at 6:00am with the first race starting at 9:30.  Here is the schedule:

9:30 AM Boys Classic Race (2 skiers every 15 seconds) followed by

9:45 AM Girls Classic Race (2 skiers every 15 seconds). 

11:00 AM Boys Freestyle Race for those boys that are only skiing freestyle (30 second waves with one skier from each school)  Followed by 

11:15 AM Girls Freestyle Race for those girls that are only skiing freestyle (30 second waves with one skier from each school)

12:30 PM Boys Freestyle Pursuit Race (Skiers go out as they finished in the morning race)

12:45 PM Girls Freestyle Pursuit Race (Skiers go out as they finished in the morning race)

We suggest that the skiers bring a lunch or money to buy food at the University Book Store or restaurant on campus.  The hope is to leave around 2:00-2:30 so we are back by 5:00ish for those that are in the Holiday Concerts that evening.

Here are the start lists for the races tomorrow so you are also able to plan according to when your skier(s) start: Pursuit  Skate Only  The skiers are aware of which race they are in and will see the start lists at practice today.

Directions:  Saint Mary's University - 700 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN 55987
Take Hwy 10 East to 35W south to 694 east.  Follow 694 east to 35E south and follow into St Paul to Hwy 52 South.  Take Hwy 52 south to Hampton then exit at CR 50, take a left and go east.  CR 50 will turn into Hwy 61 and you will follow to Winona.  As you enter Winona, you will take a right at Hwy 14 and head west.  as you approach the bluffs and Saint Mary's, you will be able to take a left below campus at St. John's road.  Follow this road back to the left to St. Yon's Valley, where the parking lot will be.  This lot is limited, and since buses might be parked there, it might be better to park on campus.  With this option, you will need to drive up the hill and enter at the main entrance to the school.  Here is a map that also has the course on it.  The Orange line is the course, the pink is the trail from the parking lot to the start area.  SMU Map.  For anyone that comes out, I will be able to help you with where to watch.  But, do note, especially for those parking up on campus, this is a hilly area.

If there are any questions, please let me know,
Thanks
Denny

Overall Results

Overall results for last nights meet are now posted on the blog.  Both the Boys and the Girls finished 3rd out of 6 teams with the Girls 5 points out of 2nd and the Boys 2 points out of 2nd and 13 out of 1st. 

As for our individuals, Abby Ellenbecker finished in 2nd place, 7 seconds away from the win, with Oliva Ellenbecker in 4th to lead the Girls.  On the Boys side Josh Thoen took 2nd and Jared Heida was 3rd for the second race in a row.

Great work to all of the skiers!!
Denny

Age Group Classic Results

Our Individual Results are now posted on the right side of the blog.  Once the overall meet results are finished I'll get those out to you as well.

More positives tonight, and they were on a course that we don't ski on much and it was the first time for a lot of our skiers.  Plus, first classic race and in conditions that were not the most conducive to having "bomb proof" kick, but the skiers worked through the line and there were many advances in their progress, especially with our First Years.

Great Job tonight to all of our skiers and thanks to those that were able to come out to watch!
Thanks
Denny

Wednesday Race

Wednesday's race is at Hyland Park in Bloomington, so please give yourself plenty of time to get there.  Directions are below.  Girls will race at 4:00, the Boys will be at 4:30.  This is a classic race, so it will be different than last weeks race.

If there are any questions, please let me know,
Thanks
Denny

 Hyland Lake Park Reserve: Take highway #169 south, just past #494, to Highwood Drive. Turn east (left), then turn south (right) onto East Bush Lake Road. OR take Highway #100 south, just past #494, turn west (right) onto West 84th Street, which becomes East Bush Lake Road. You will pass the downhill ski area and the Richardson Nature Center. Take a left into the Recreation Area (just before the road takes a sharp right curve at the south end of Bush Lake). There is parking at the visitor center or a little further down the road near the start/finish line.

Weekly Basics

Here are the basics for the week ahead.  Also, if there is anyone that still needs to pay for poles or their final payment for Winter Camp, please bring those to me at the beginning of the week.  Checks written out to CRNSBC.

Monday: Weight Training after school, skiing at Elm Creek, Bus leaves at 4:00, should be home around 6:30
Tuesday: Normal practice
Wednesday: Age Group Classic at Hyland Park (Bloomington).  Girls at 4:00, Boys at 4:30
Thursday: Normal practice time, skiing at Theo Wirth, Bus Leaves at 3:15
Friday: Normal practice
Saturday: Winona Race, Bus leaves at 6:00am (more detail to come).  With this race, we know that there are Holiday Concerts for some of our skiers and that we are starting to get Holiday gatherings for families.  The last race will start at 12:45, so should be home before 5:00. If there is anyone that is not able to make this race, please let me know.

Any questions, let me know,
Thanks,
Denny

Overall Meet Results

Overall Meet Results are now posted.  The Boys finished 1st with 5 in the top 10 and the Girls finished 3rd, 2 points out of 1st!
Great start to the season!
Denny