U16/EHS Qualifier Race Info

Race times tomorrow are:

5K Classical, individual start   10:00am Men 11:30am Women

5K Freestyle, pursuit start 2:00pm Men 3:00pm Women

***Bring a check in case you qualify for and intend on going to a championship weekend***

Some kids may qualify for both the U16 and EHS championships.  Those skiers will need to decide whether to attend one of both of these championship weekends.  Attending both means paying fees for both ($275 and $300).

Season notes from John

It was a memorable trip to Presque Isle for the 2015 State Class C Nordic Ski Championships. Thank you to the school and parents who have stepped up to support the team.  Due to the extreme weather, we ended up spending more time in PI than expected and likely stressed the budget.  I know the team is grateful and realize their efforts and successes have a solid foundation.

Ski Team Party

~ Updated Monday, February 23 ~

We have much to celebrate, so a reminder that we have a party coming up!

When:  Thursday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Community Hall.
Why:    It's been a great ski season!
Food:
      We originally asked for folks to bring a dessert to share, but the new plan is that cake will be provided for all.  For the sake of diversity, if anyone wants to bring another dessert to share (maybe something gluten-free?), please do.
       Lemonade and tea will also be provided.

All you really need to bring is yourself!

See everyone on Thursday!

U16/EHS Qualifier Info

First, remember we are having a team party this coming Thursday, February 26 (see post below).

This coming Saturday, February 28, the race at Black Mt in Rumford counts as the U16 and Eastern High School qualifying event.  Kids can also ski this as just another race, without intending on qualifying for the U16/EHS events.

First, a little info about what these qualifier races mean, followed by some specific details about these races.

U16 means kids born in 1999 or 2000.  The races this Saturday will determine who will be on the U16 Maine team, and will then attend the U16 Championships March 13-15 in Fort Kent.  The 21 fastest U16 boy skiers and 21 fastest U16 girl skiers (based on afternoon pursuit finish) will be eligible to make this team (and then 22, 23, etc. if any of the original 21 decline).  Skiers that make this team (and want to attend the championship weekend) will need to have a check THIS SATURDAY for $275 to pay for the cost of the championship weekend.  There is also the option to purchase a Maine team jacket for an additional $100 (payable this Saturday).  Know that the $275 includes everything (food, lodging, transportation) while in Fort Kent, but does not include transportation TO Fort Kent.  Click on this link to see more info about the U16 Maine team: U16 Maine Team Info

Eastern High Schools is a similar event to U16s and is for any high school skier regardless of age.  The races this Saturday will determine who will be on the EHS Maine team, and will then attend the EHS Championships March 20-22 at Black Mt in Rumford.  The 24 fastest boy skiers and 24 fastest girl skiers (based on afternoon pursuit finish) will be eligible to make this team (and then 25, 26, etc. if any of the original 24 decline).  Skiers that make this team (and want to attend the championship weekend) will need to have a check THIS SATURDAY for $300 to pay for the cost of the championship weekend.  There is also the option to purchase a Maine team jacket for an additional $100 (payable this Saturday as well).

Both these championship weekends (U16 and EHS) involve teams from all over New England, with each state having their own teams of 21 or 24 girl and boy skiers, with each team trying to secure the overall championship.  Though not cheap, they are very fun for the kids attending.

Saturday Race Info:
On Saturday there will be two races, and everybody skis in both.

5K Classical, individual start 10:00am Men 11:30am Women

5K Freestyle, pursuit start 2:00pm Men 3:00pm Women

Registration:
This year there is an online registration for skiers (see link below).  Everyone (even kids skiing these as just another race, not as a qualifier) intending in skiing in these races must do two things:

• Complete the online registration (Click here for skier registration) - be sure to put Merriconeag in School/Club when registering.
• Tell Susan (email or in person) by Friday morning that you will be racing.  We will then send in one Merriconeag list of racers.

When you are filling out the online registration, you are asked to specify what you are qualifying for (U16, EHS, both, none), so that's how they know what to consider each skier for.  Online registration is live until 10:00 pm on Friday, February 27.

Transportation:

We will be taking a van to this race.  Anyone wanting a ride on the van must tell Susan by Friday at 5:00 pm.  Do not count on a ride unless you have connected and confirmed with Susan.

The van will leave early, exact time TBD, but probably around 6:30.  Skiers finding their own transportation should plan on arriving at Black Mt.:

8:00 - boys

9:30 - girls

Cost:

There is a fee of $16 for these Saturday races, which will be covered by the school.  We will bring a check on race day to cover cost for all our racers.

Race Day:

It will be very crowded at Black Mt., so be considerate of others with your gear in the lodge.  When you are not in the lodge, stash ALL your gear in the cubbies or corners of the floor.  Do not leave your things taking up space on tables or chairs, as tables/chairs should be available for others to use when you are not there.  You may also use use the first floor of the wax building.

A last note:
While not mandatory, everyone is welcome and encouraged to ski in these races on Saturday, whether or not you have interest in the qualifiers.  Most of the team was planning on skiing in the Sassi race, and since this is the Sassi replacement, come on out for a last race together!

Some kids may qualify for both the U16 and EHS championships.  Those skiers will need to decide whether to attend one of both of these championship weekends.  Attending both means paying fees for both ($275 and $300).

Final Results from States in Presque Isle

Just returned home (9:00 pm!) from a full day (and evening) of skiing, racing and awards.  Merriconeag boys and girls BOTH took first place team awards for Class C and, in a real bonus, the Merriconeag boys and girls were both awarded the Good Sportsmanship Award for Class C.

More info later, dinner first!

Congrats to all the skiers, coaches, parents and support crew, at home and on the road!

Results from Presque Isle!

Check the Race Results tab to see what happened in Presque Isle today.  It was very cold and VERY windy, but everyone was a good sport and survived the elements!  Looking forward to tomorrow :-)

ALSO NOTE: Tuesday's race times have been to 4:30 - BOYS and 5:30 - GIRLS.  Everyone will be skiing under the lights!

We're here!

Mission accomplished - we all made it safe and sound to Presque Isle and beat the snow.  We had dry roads the entire trip and it is just now beginning to snow.  Everyone is happily hunkered down in our new home :-)

Saturday update

We are still on for leaving at 1:30 today.  The post below titled "States-Presque Isle Info" was updated today with a couple things added, so be sure to read that entire post prior to leaving (especially What to Bring and Electronics info).

Nordic team leaving on Saturday

It looks like the weather gods have decided that Presque Isle needs us on Saturday instead of Sunday.  Saturday night and Sunday are expecting heavy snow and blizzard conditions, with over a foot of snow on our travel route.  We will now be leaving on Saturday, February 14 at 1:30 from Desert Rd.  This should put us in Presque Isle by dinnertime, keeping us ahead of the snow as we travel.

We are expecting that all skiers will be riding on the vans with the team, unless they or their parents tell me otherwise.  Skiers are welcome to ride up with their family if they prefer, but they must arrive by Monday morning and also must let Susan know their plans.  We will also need to arrange a way to connect in Presque Isle.  As of now, we are expecting all 19 skiers to ride the van.

Obviously, there is no longer a need to come dressed for skiing or to keep your classic gear handy.  The blog post (below) with packing info has been updated, so be sure to check that again.

See you all Saturday at 1:30 and thanks for your flexibility.

States-Presque Isle Info

Updated Saturday, 2/14.  Prior to leaving on today, please reread the What to Bring and the Electronics note.

Be sure to read posts below this one, as there has been much information posted lately.

Now, on to business - Here’s everything to know about the upcoming trip to Presque Isle for States.  If you still have questions after reading this, contact Susan.

Races:

Monday, February 16 - Classic Race
Boys Start - 2:30 PM
Girls Start - 4:00 PM

Tuesday, February 17 - Skate Race
Boys Start - 2:30 PM
Girls Start - 4:00 PM
Awards to follow

Transportation:
We are taking two vans and one car to Presque Isle and are expecting that all skiers will ride with the team.  If anyone is getting their own ride, you must let Susan know by Friday.

Leaving – Arrive at Desert Rd by 1:30 on Saturday, February 14.

Season notes from John

From John …

This ski season has been very memorable on many levels -- our team of twenty is the largest group I can recall, and the conditions have ranged from very limited snow to as much snow as we have seen locally in decades. Although we have lost a few practice days due to snow days, we were able to contest the scheduled WMC races (except the relay race at Starks Hill). As noted, we will still get to do the Sassi race on 2-28-15 (two races now – classic followed by a skate pursuit), and this race will now serve as a qualifier for both the NE U16 Championships and the Eastern High School Championships.

I am feeling good about all the hard work put in by the whole team through the year. Despite a number of injury and illness issues that have affected many, everyone has stayed focused on getting healthy and ready to compete.

A number of individual and team performances have highlighted our season as the team gets ready for the Class C Championships next week in Presque Isle. For the Girls’ team the results have been very strong and noteworthy - Samantha and Fiona A have been among the leaders in the WMC all year. Sam won the first WMC CL race and, despite working through a nagging injury, managed to finish the season with a strong performance at the WMC championship pursuit, leading the girls team to a very impressive tie for first with an exceptionally deep and strong Yarmouth team. Fiona A skied a very strong FS race in the WMC final with a season best 2nd place finish. Olivia and Louise had very solid freshman year results. Olivia started the year with a very impressive third place in the opening WMC race and was solid all year - she saved one of her best results for the WMC FS Pursuit finishing six. Louise was consistently the girls fourth skier earning valuable points, she also managed to edge a Falmouth skier in the WMC FS Pursuit by less then a second to secure the tie for first. Our other two Fionas also had solid years, FL and FCD both were dealing with injury all year but managed to make the start line in most races and added needed depth for the girls. Ava joined the team after the break and managed a very solid top 30+ race in her only start before cutting the season short, hopefully she will be recovered next season. Emma and Calla also were struggling with injury or illness much of the year but did manage to get in a number of starts, Calla actually only missed one start but did ski while not being 100% for much of the year. Like Ava, lets hope these two are back next year healthy and ready.

The boys also have had strong results thus far, ending the WMC Championships in a tie with Freeport for first. This team is the strongest and deepest team I have been around at Merriconeag. Despite missing two of our top skiers they still managed to tie for first at the WMC pursuit FS- this speaks to the depth and quality on the boys team. Our Captain Graham has been unable to compete most of the year due to a back issue, however he has stepped up and provided needed wax help and organizing at the races he was not racing. Forrest, Tucker and Zach have lead the team all year - Forrest has managed no less than a second in the races contested,Tucker did not miss a race and managed to finish first in the WMC pursuit FS to help the boys tie for first. Zach has made great strides in his high school career and may have had his best finish when it counted, passing a group of Freeport skiers at the line to help secure the result at the WMC final. Nick and Eli were very important contributors as freshman, scoring valuable points. Lars is finishing a solid high school experience by skiing at his best at the end, his 13th place CL race at WMC championships was one of his best races, and by holding back a skier in the pursuit by less than a second secured the tie for first. Dylan started the year with a top 13 place and was consistent all year, Davis and Thomas also provided the added depth that made the boys team so strong, on most teams they would be lead skiers but I am sure their time will come. Our exchange student from Germany has been a great addition to the team as well, working hard all year. Jannis is clearly a good athlete and alpine skier, still, jumping into a nordic race while learning to ski is very impressive. It was great seeing him get comfortable skiing nordic,I hope he gets to continue when he returns home.

Presque Isle – here we come!!!

Save the date!

The end-of-season nordic team party will be Thursday, February 26 at 7:00 PM in the Community Hall.  See everyone there!

U16/EHS/Extending the seaosn

Usually the ski season ends once the States races are complete.  Each year a few skiers extend their season by participating in the U16 or Eastern High School qualifiers and subsequent weekend festivals, but they do so as individuals.  Because the original U16 qualifier (Sassi) was cancelled this year, John Tarling will continue to work with the team (thank you John!!!) up through Saturday, February 28, the day of the combined U16 and Eastern High School qualifying race at Black Mt in Rumford.  For skiers intending on skiing in the February 28 race, there will be afterschool practice the week after February vacation (along with a late van) and John will be available to wax for Merriconeag skiers on race day.  As the date gets closer, we will need to know which skiers intend on extending their season for this race.

Here's a little more info about this qualifier race.  Nothing unexpected for the older kids, but news for the U16s ...

The U16 kids will ski in the same races as the older Eastern High School kids, so they'll do the 5k classic in the morning and the 5k freestyle pursuit in the afternoon.  They will pull the results apart by age-class after the race.  This will allow the U16 skiers the opportunity to qualify for both the U16 Championship Team and Eastern High School Team simultaneously and will also allow the organizers to pick a more balanced team by testing both their skate and classic ability.

Rides on Saturday

If you need a ride to Fryeburg on Saturday, you must let Susan know by 5:00 PM on Friday.  If you are driving yourself or with your family, boys should arrive by 9:00, girls by 9:30.  The van leaves at 7:30.

New U16 and EHSQ race dates

Just posted ...
The U16 qualifier race AND the Eastern High School qualifier race will be combined and will take place on Saturday, February 28 at Black Mt.  More info as it comes out ...

Looking ahead to Saturday at Stark's Hill in Fryeburg

The second leg of the WMC Championship will take place this Saturday, February 7 at Stark's Hill in Fryeburg.  The boys race is at 10:00 and the girls race at 11:00.

Transportation:
We will take a van to Fryeburg, departing Desert Rd at 7:30, returning around 2:30.  Anyone wanting a ride on the van must tell Susan by Friday at 5:00 PM.

As everyone hopefully knows by now, Stark's has porta-potties but no indoor facilities.  Skiers and spectators should come well prepared for spending 4 hours outside, bringing warm clothes, water and food.  Folks that want to sit may want to bring a foldable chair.