The official blog of the New York Ski Educational Foundation Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Programs. Check back often for updates on our training, travel and competition.
Team Grasshop piled in the Sprinter during the wee hours Sunday, bound for Storrs Hill. Blessed with plastic from a former life on the Lake Placid K90, the K25 in Lebanon NH shows true signs of character. These include, but are certainly not limited to:
No snazzy porcelain track
Bumpy landing hill due to a 2x4" retaining system
Some (read: lots) of organic matter poking up through the plastic
Convinced that good training and competition on this hill would make 'em all a whole lot tougher, Team Grasshop put up a heck of a fight against some of the top Master's jumpers on the East coast. Following a trial and two-to-count event on the hill, the Hoppers then swarmed the streets of Lebanon, negotiating a hilyl 1.4 mile run course to determine who would don the olive wreath as 2011 NE Nordic Combined champion.
All athletes did an excellent job on a spankin' new hill for 'em--kudos. New skills in the bag. And just wait for winter!
Riggens showing his power on the take-off
Ladies' Class NE Summer SJ/NC Champ Gabby Armstrong
Don't forget, the deadline for the Early Season Discount is Wednesday September 15th, the same day as our NYSEF SJ/NC Parents' Information Session, 5-6:30 at the Base Lodge of the Jumps. We'll be on hand to provide information about programs, training schedules, travel and competition, and equipment. Shannon Bruce, our Administrative Queen, will also be on hand to field all queries about program cost and payment schedules.
NYSEF has a limited scholarship fund available to help defray the cost of training and competition. Applications must be in the NYSEF office by October 15, 2010. Contact Shannon Bruce at NYSEF for more information: Email: admin@nysef.org, NYSEF office: (518)946-7001.
Curious how jumping and combined programs are run across the country? Lake Placid is one of three world-class facilities in the US with a full range of large and small hills, equipped with plastic summer surface, along with Steamboat Springs, CO and Park City, UT. Consider these program prices:
Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club:
Development Team (Age 7-9, 2 days/week) $790 early season price
Development Plus Team (Age 9-11, 3 days/week) $1010 early season price
Park City Nordic Ski Club:
Junior Flyers (Age 7-9) 2 days/week $790 early season price
Junior Flyers (Age 7-9) 3 days/week $1265 early season price
*Team jackets are required.
NYSEF Lake Placid:
Grasshopper Program (Age 6 and up) 3 days/week: $605 early season price
Two great reads on fasterskier.com, the premier national XC racing website, on the NYSEF Grasshopper Program, and reporter Nat Herz' own foray into jumping! Great articles, awesome photos of our crew. Links below:
As AJ King was so eloquently quoted by Nat, “Everybody’s cheering you on, [you] get in the newspaper, on the news, go really far, and stuff. Win money, and have fun!" Those could be the new Grasshopper Program bylaws!
Do you ever feel like you're stuck in this dead end town? Jumping the K18 getting a tad bit stale? Feel like you need to throw caution to the wind, cut your ties, and hit the road with Coach Bliss? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then you'll love coming with us to the
Dion Cup Competition 2010
Where? Lebanon NH, Storrs Hill. K25 (very similar in size to our K18, even though it's a "K25")
When? Sunday, September 12th. Depart Lake Placid 6am, return to Lake Placid 6pm
Nordic Combined? You bet. A short (1 mile) running race will follow the jumping competition
Cost? If you're a NYSEF athlete, costs will only include minimal gas money and entry fee. Bring snacks and a lunch!
Life on the road? Awesome. Completely awesome.
For more information on the Sunday, September 12th, contact Coach Bliss at evanb@nysef.org
