Friday's race at Fryeburg

We will be leaving by 12:00 for the race in Fryeburg, so skiers need to be dressed and ready to go by that time.  You can either change at break time or you are welcome to wear your ski gear to school.

Remember that Fryeburg doesn't have any indoor facilities, so dress and supply yourself accordingly.  It is expected to be a chilly day.

What to Bring:

• CLASSIC skis, boots and poles
• Race suit
• Warm clothes for before and after your race - think layers!
• Warm hat/mittens/etc.
• Food for before and after your race
• Water bottle

Our best guess at return time is 6:30, however that is not necessarily accurate.  Skiers can call their rides once we are on the road back with a more accurate return time.

Thursday practice plans

To prepare for Friday's race, at Thursday's practice EVERYONE will be doing race ski prep.  Practice will be a combination of skiing and waxing, so everyone should do the following:

• Make sure your classic race skis are CLEAN and ready for kick wax
• If you need to glide wax (those that raced last weekend are probably ok), use blue wax in the glide zone only

The vans will return to Desert Rd around 5:30.

This week's WMC race has been moved to Friday

Due to incoming weather, there will NOT be a race this week on Wednesday, January 30.  Instead it will happen on Friday, February 1.  It will be a classic race at Fryeburg.  Skiers will leave school by 12:00 on Friday and return to campus after both races, probably by 6:30.

Sassi Race Info

Tomorrow's race is the Sassi Classic Race at Black Mountain in Rumford.  Here's a link with race info, which includes a course map - Link to race info

Other things to know are ...

Transportation:

• Vans will be leaving Desert Rd at 7:15 AM, so skiers should arrive by 7:05.  
• The vans will return to Desert Rd after the race, best guess is arriving back to Desert Rd around 4:30-5:00ish.  Skiers are encouraged to call their rides from the van once they leave the race site.  They can borrow the coach's phone if they don't have their own.
• Van riders should bring just the skis they will use today, as space for skis may be tight.

Races:

This is CLASSIC race.
Course is 5K.
Boys start - 11:00 AM

Girls start - 1:00 PM

Individual starts, 15 second intervals.

Location:
Black Mountain in Rumford
39 Glover Rd
Rumford, ME

Arrival at Black Mountain:
Skiers getting themself to this race should plan to arrive by:
Boys - 9:00 AM
Girls - 11:00 AM

Facilities:
There is a heated lodge at Black Mountain.
There is water available.
There are indoor bathrooms.
There is a small cafeteria with food available for purchase, so bring money if you plan on buying food.  You are also welcome to bring your own food.

What to Bring:

• CLASSIC skis, boots and poles
• Race suit
• Warm clothes for before and after your race
• Hat/gloves/etc.
• Lunch/snacks for the day (or money to purchase food)
• Water bottle

Today's race info

Today's race is on the Campus Loop (near the YMCA).  Click HERE to see an area map.  Parking is noted on the map but could also be anywhere you find.

Only skis and snowshoes are allowed on the trails.  Anyone with just boots needs to stay in the start/finish area or in the woods on the side of the trail.

Also note, Pineland does not allow dogs anywhere on campus, so leave the pups at home.

MLK Day race rescheduled for Wednesday and other news of the week

~ Update Sunday, January 20 ~

Parents - We need YOU on Wednesday!  We can't pull off a race with just three volunteers, which is what we have thus far.  None of the jobs are hard, you just have to be there.  You will need to arrive and be out at the start area by 3:15, when you should check in with Susan.  However right now you should send Susan an email, letting her know you will be there Wednesday, ready to pitch in.  If we get lots of helpers, then perhaps you can just watch and cheer, which is a great thing too.  Thanks in advance for stepping up to help your skier's team.

Skiers - Please twist your parents' arms to help at Wednesday's race.  We need them.

Skiers - We also need to know by Tuesday at 12:00 if you plan on racing in next Saturday's (January 26) classic race at Black Mt in Rumford.  Be prepared to tell Susan when you come to school on Tuesday whether or not you will be skiing in this race.

-------------------------------------------

Due to the expected Sunday snow storm, transportation and travel could prove challenging for many of the visiting schools.  After consulting with Pineland, athletic directors and checking the weather, the decision has been made to NOT hold the race on Monday, January 21 (MLK Day) and reschedule it for Wednesday, January 23 at 3:30.

We are still hosting this race and will need at least 12 parents to help as start lane wranglers, bib collectors, course marshalls, etc.  This is our one hosting responsibility of the year, so we need you!  Please contact Susan at highschool@mainecoastwaldorf.org to let her know you can be at this race and will help out.

Thanks for your flexibility in scheduling and your help at the race.

Saturday race info

Tomorrow's race, the Maranacook Waves, have been relocated to Quarry Rd trails in Waterville.  Here's a link with course info, which includes a link to a course map - Link to course info

Other things to know are ...

Race times:

     Boys start - 11:00

     Girls start - 12:15

How to get to Quarry Rd:

     Take I-95 Exit 130 (Waterville - Main Street)
     Turn south onto Main Street, toward downtown Waterville, for 0.6 mi
     Turn right onto Eustis Parkway for 0.6 mi
     Turn right onto North Street for 0.1 mi
     Turn right onto Quarry Road for 1.3 mi
     Arrive at the Quarry Road Welcome Center Yurt

Weather and Facilities:

     There is a small yurt at Quarry Rd, but it is not large enough to hang out in and keep warm.  It is expected to be a chilly day with max temp of 8° and a moderate breeze, so dress warmly.

     There will be cookies after the race, but skiers should bring ample food for the day (snack, lunch, water, etc.).

Who's racing:

     Wilson Haims
     Ava Teegarden
     Eliza Skillings
     Aniela Holtrop
     Isla Barmby
     Emma Haims
     Nora Goldberg-Courtney
     Nash Holley
     Calvin Soule
     Adams Staples
     Baxter Van West
     Conrad Anderson
     Bodhi Lloyd
     John Miles Muentener
     Wes Teegarden
     Michael VandeVusse

Who's riding in the van:

     Wilson Haims
     Ava Teegarden
     Eliza Skillings
     Aniela Holtrop
     Isla Barmby
     Emma Haims
     Nora Goldberg-Courtney
     Nash Holley
     Baxter Van West
     Conrad Anderson
     Bodhi Lloyd
     John Miles Muentener
     Wes Teegarden
     Michael VandeVusse

Van info:

     Two vans will be leaving Desert Rd at 8:45.  Skiers should plan on getting to school in time to load their skis on the van and be ready for an 8:45 departure.

     Vans will return to Desert Rd after the races, though return time is hard to predict (probably by 3:00?).  Skiers are encouraged to call their rides from the van once they leave the race site.  They can borrow the coach's phone if they don't have their own.

Wednesday race at Riverside

Wednesday's race at Riverside is a go!  The particulars are:

Interval start skate race. The course isn't perfect, but OK enough considering the conditions.

Departure: Skiers should be changed, gear collected and ready to go by 2:00. Plan on changing at lunchtime.

Transportation: Two school vans will depart Desert Rd at 2:00pm and return to Desert Rd following the girls race, we're thinking between 5:00 and 5:30.  Skiers can call from the road once they're underway to let parents know when they will be back at school.

The Course: Two lap course +/- 5k in length, set wide enough in most areas to allow for passing. The loop is mostly flat, winding back and forth along the fairways. There is one decent climb and downhill with a good run out that will be skied twice. There are two short two-way sections that will be marked and marshaled. The course will be skied counter-clockwise so the hill is in the first 1K of the loop, which provides for a safer decent.

The Conditions: Be aware that there are patches of ice here and there, and a few tufts of turf, but overall pretty good. You can double pole over the icy patches and should be fine.

The Plan: 3:30 interval start for boys, girls to follow.

Location and Parking: The race loop is on the "north" (18-hole) golf course with the start/finish area close to the location that has been used for Middle School races. There is a ample parking for cars and buses in the club-house/Riverside Grill parking lot. 1158 Riverside St, Portland, ME 04103

Make sure not to go to the "south" (9-hole) practice course down the road. Be aware that some navigation apps have been sending people there erroneously.

Other: Skiers may use the bathrooms in the lower floor of the Riverside Grill. There is a water fountain in the foyer as well.

Tell Susan by Tuesday (tomorrow) morning about this Saturday's race at Maranacook

By 12:00 on Tuesday (tomorrow!), be sure to let Susan know your intentions for the Maranacook Wave race this coming Saturday.

Important dates and response required

We have a few weekend races coming up quite soon:

Next Saturday, January 19 - Maranacook Waves (skate) - This is a really fun race and great to ski on a different course.  Skiers set out in waves based on grade and it's always a good time.

Monday, January 21 (MLK Day) - We host all WMC teams for a fun, different format race.  We're not sure yet what that will be, but could be skiathlon, relay, obstacle course, etc.  This is a mandatory race and all our skiers are expected in attendance, along with a number of parent helpers.  More info will follow this week.  Again, note that ALL our skiers should be at this race.

Saturday, January 26 - Sassi at Black Mountain (classic) - One of the biggest races in the state with skiers from Kort Kent, York, and everywhere in between, and is one of the most well run races as well.  You haven't truly made your mark in high school skiing if you haven't yet skied in the Sassi race!

Maranacook Waves and the Sassi are optional races for our skiers.  Susan needs to hear from everyone what their plans are for these races.  Let her know by THIS TUESDAY, January 15 about the Maranacook Waves and by the following Tuesday, January 22, about the Sassi.  If you are going to either of these races, also let Susan know if you want a ride on the school van or if you will be providing your own transportation.

A couple things

We don't yet have info re: tomorrow's race - whether or not it will happen and, if so, where it will be.  As soon as we hear anything, we will post that info here.

Looking ahead, we have a few weekend races coming up:
Saturday, January 19 - Maranacook Waves (skate) - This is a really fun race and great to ski on a different course.  Skiers set out in waves based on grade and it's always a good time.

Monday, January 21 (MLK Day) - We host all WMC teams for a fun, different format race.  We're not sure yet what that will be, but could be skiathlon, relay, obstacle course, etc.  This is a mandatory race and all our skiers are expected in attendance, along with a number of parent helpers.  More info will follow in the next week or so.

Saturday, January 26 - Sassi at Black Mountain (classic) - One of the biggest races in the state with skiers from Kort Kent, York, and everywhere in between, and is one of the most well run races as well.  You haven't truly made your mark in high school skiing if you haven't yet skied in the Sassi race!

Maranacook Waves and the Sassi are optional races for our skiers.  Susan needs to hear from everyone what their plans are for these races.  Let her know by next Tuesday, January 15 about the Maranacook Waves and by the following Tuesday, January 22, about the Sassi.  If you are going to either of these races, also let Susan know if you want a ride on the school van or if you will be providing your own transportation.

Wax clinic on Tuesday after practice

John will be holding a wax clinic on Tuesday, 5:00-6:00pm at the high school.  This is intended to help with the basics for any skiers unfamiliar with how to wax their skis and a refresher for those that already know how to wax.  New waxers should definitely attend and the help of some experienced waxers would be much appreciated.

Anyone planning to attend should let Susan know by 9:00 on Tuesday, so we can let John know who/how many to expect.

Telstar transportation - updated Friday, January 4

First, remember to read all the posts on this page, until you get down to things you are certain you have already seen.  There may have been multiple posts since you last checked.

On to the business end of things ...
We are providing rides TO Telstar for Wilson, Quinn, Ava, Eliza, Emma, Nash, Baxter, Conrad, Bodhi, John Miles, Wes and Michael.
We are providing rides HOME from Telstar to Wilson, Quinn, Emma, Nash, Baxter, Conrad, Bodhi, John Miles and Michael.

Those skiers riding the van should arrive at Desert Rd by 8:20, load the vans (loading their own gear), and be ready for a prompt 8:30 departure.  The exact return time will remain unknown until tomorrow, when skiers can call home from the road when a more precise departure time is known.

UPDATED - Practice plans for today

Late breaking news - Pineland has opened, so the team will be heading to Pineland today.  Vans will return to Desert Rd around 5:00.

Info for this week (January 2 - 5)

Be sure to check the Practice Schedule and Wax Info tabs, as well as the post two below this one, titled "Upcoming Races."  Susan needs to hear from everyone by tomorrow (Wednesday) morning as to whether they will be racing in the Telstar race on Saturday.