Welcome to Fairport Nordic Skiing!
2007-2008
Welcome to Nordic skiing! There is no better way to enjoy the snowy winters of Upstate New York than to watch and/or participate in cross country skiing. It’s a great family sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Once you watch the huge smiles on the skiers faces at a race, you may decide to get some updated equipment for yourself!
Nordic skiing is dependent on snow conditions. The motto is “When it snows, we go”. You and your skier need to be ready. Remaining flexible and communicating with your skier is a key to enjoying this season. Schedules may change, locations may vary, and last minute trips may happen.
Fairport High School is a part of Section V and Mid-Atlantic Nordic Skiing. For the latest updates on races, conditions, and links to just about everything ski-related, check out the Pittsford Nordic Web Site: www.pittsford.monroe.edu/staffweb/gorbold/. If you go to the site and then click on “Pittsford Nordic, it will link you to www.pittsford.monroe.edu/staffweb/gorbold/pittnordhome.htm which gives additional useful information.
Fairport Nordic also has a website: http://xcski.newcs-wondorama.com. Photos are posted after races, meal and drink procedures and schedules are posted and other Fairport specific information is available. A team roster will also be circulated so that you have phone numbers of all team members for reference, carpools, last minute questions etc.
Feel free to call me anytime with questions.
Diana Wright - mom ofAnna (12th gr.) (and former team member, Emily and non-team member Paul)
388-8608 dswright@frontiernet.net
Suggested Equipment and clothing:
Ø Skis, boots, bindings, poles and ski bag. Please refer to Coach Metzler’s “FHS New Skier Equipment Recommendations”. Specific questions should be referred to Coach.
Ø Water bottle and waist carrier: staying hydrated is essential. A waist carrier allows your skier to have water throughout workouts. It’s also recommended to carry a water bottle throughout the day at school and drink as much as possible. Yes, the teachers at the high school allow this.
Ø Long underwear that wicks away moisture. Craft, Smartwool and Under Armour cold gear are three names of popular products. Target has some Under Armour type clothing in the Champion brand at lower prices. Walmart has some also in the Athletic Works brand.
Ø FHS supplies warm up jackets and pants to wear over uniforms for warm up.
Ø Hats, gloves, lobster gloves or mittens, neck warmers, socks (Smartwool or Hot Chilly’s are two brands). Some skiers have specific ski gloves and liners that they prefer. Ask around.
Ø Boots or warm footwear for after practice/bus rides. Socks get wet and feet can be cold; a change of socks and hiking boots or warm boots work well.
Ø Very important: LABEL EVERYTHING! When you get 25 skiers together, everything looks the same. The only way to get things back to the right person is to have it labeled. The equipment and clothing for this sport can be pricey; no reason to have to replace it because the owner can’t be found. At races, there can be over 120 skiers and it is dark at the end…You get the picture.
Ø Optional clothing: Nordic hoodie, team t-shirt, Nordic Anorak- order forms will be forthcoming from the “Booster Clothing Coordinator”
Ø Keeping your pantry stocked with healthy snacks and hearty foods is important. Nordic skiing is a very demanding sport. Your skier will be burning calories working out and keeping warm.
The Booster Club sends a recovery meal (soups, chili, stew and bread) along with warm Gatorade for the team to have after races.
Ø Snacks before practice are important too. Remember, some students are eating lunch at 10:00 a.m. They cannot be expected to make it until 5:30 without some fuel. Be sure they bring a snack and water or a sports drink for after school. The snack machines at the school don’t provide a lot of healthy choices.
Your skier may love this sport so much that they want to enter races other than the high school races in Section V. Many races are sponsored by the New York State Ski Racing Association (NYSSRA).
You must be a NYSSRA member to race in these races. You can join online at www.nyssranordic.com for $20 for your student, or $40 per family (you may want to start racing too!). The forms are available to print from the above website if you would rather send in a check. Rates may increase by $5 if you join after 12/1 (check the website)
Empire State Games (ESG’s) – February 22-24, 2008. Lake Placid, NY
Register online by 2/21/08 at www.nyssranordic.com
Several FHS skiers participate in this fun event each year. You must race in 2 qualifying races before the ESG’s, some of these qualifying races are in Rochester. The races in Lake Placid are held on the Olympic Biathalon Course. You can get more information on this from past participants and from the website www.empirestategames.org. It’s a fun weekend for the whole family. If interested in participating, it’s a good idea to make hotel reservations as early as possible.
NYSSRA Championships-Super Sprints and 25 km classic race: March 8-9, 2008, Lake Placid, NY
See www.nyssranordic.com for details
This is a step up for experienced scholastic skiers. The JO’s are being held in Anchorage, Alaska from March 7-15, 2008. Three years ago, Dylan Pudiak participated in JO’s in Lake Tahoe and the previous year, 4 Fairport skiers went to JO’s in Lake Placid.
Two years ago, Robert Gardner from HFL earned a silver medal at JO’s in Houghton, MI.
Eastern High School Championships – March 14-16, 2008, Stowe, Vt.
Last year, 2 Fairport skiers participated and the year before, 4 Fairport skiers competed in Easterns. They had a great time competing with some of the best skiers in the east.
Races this year will be held at the Trapp Family Lodge.
Communication: The coach and Booster Club rely heavily on the FHS Nordic Group for emails and updates. Please be sure that both the parents and the skier supply current email addresses so that you can be invited to join this group. It will be important to check your email at least daily during the ski season since last minute changes in venue and races can take place.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Diana Wright
388-8608