End of Season Ski Team celebration

We will gather in the Downeast Room of the High School on Monday, February 26 at 6:15 to recap the season and thank the coaches. Skiers, parents and siblings are all welcome!

Thank you to skiers, coaches and parents for another great season, despite the lack of snow!

Monday, January 15, MLK Day race info

Tomorrow's race will be at Titcomb Mountain in Farmington, meaning you should arrive at school at 7:20 for a 7:30 departure. Be sure to bring the following:

• CLASSIC skis, boots and poles
• Race suit
• Warm clothes for before and after your race
• Hat/gloves/etc.
• Lunch/snacks for the day
• Water bottle

Titcomb has a (very) small lodge with indoor bathrooms and a small cafeteria. Bring money if you'd like to purchase food.

Return time is TBD, as it is based on the race schedule and duration. Skiers can call/text once we are underway home.

Welcome to Nordic 2024!

Welcome to the 2024 Nordic season. Check out the Race Schedule tab to see the full schedule for this season, which we already know is subject to change based on snow and weather so be sure to regularly check the blog for any changes. We will be sending a weekly email with practice plans (and updated race plans if anything changes) but will still use the blog for the overall race schedule and results.

So happy we squeezed in a race this week! Next up on the schedule is a race on Monday, January 15 at Riverside, though with all the recent rain we will have to see what transpires.

Finally, race suits were handed out to the skiers earlier this week. Please see below re: how to take good care of your race suit.

IMPORTANT information re: race suits:

• These suits cost over $150 each, so take good care of yours (see below for care instructions).
• The suits are to be worn for races only, not as an under layer to keep warm or as a practice suit at any time.
• Race suits must be returned at the end of race season.
• If you lose or damage your suit, you are responsible for the cost of replacing it.

Care Instructions:

• Don't pack in your bag up against any velcro
• Wash in cold water
• HANG dry - don't put in the dryer
• NEVER wash with anything velcro

End of season team gathering

We are springing into action and having a final end of season ski team gathering this Friday, March 3, at the high school, 3:15-4:15. We hope to see all skiers there, along with any parents and siblings that can make it!

If you haven't already turned in your CLEAN race suit, please bring it on Friday.

End of ski season

With States behind us, we have reached the end of the organized part of ski team. Pineland passes are valid as long as Pineland remains open, so skiers are encouraged to get out and ski - find a buddy or ski on your own :)

Please return your CLEAN ski race suit to Susan.

We are working on a date for a final team gathering and will notify everyone once that's nailed down.

Fort Kent - Here We Come!

~ Updated Monday, February 20 @ 9:15pm ~

We all need to covid test prior to departure Tuesday morning. If you have the ability to test at home, feel free to do so, testing either Monday night or Tuesday morning (please take a photo of your negative test and show Susan when you arrive at school). Those that haven't tested at home will need to test upon arrival at school Tuesday morning. Thank you!

Race times on Thursday have been updated.

While we really hope everyone makes this trip, if you are not feeling healthy and well, please stay home. With 5 hours together in the van and shared sleeping quarters, if one person is sick, the entire team will likely end up sick. Thank you for your understanding.

It will be COLD, probably the coldest we've seen all year, with Thursday predicted to be cloudy and only in the single digits. Skiers - make sure to bring warm clothes for before and after your races. If you have a puffy coat, bring it. Everyone should also have a warm hat, warm mittens and warm layers.

Departure:
Tuesday, February 21
Arrive at school 8:15
Drive away 8:30

Race Days and Times:
Wednesday, February 22
Boys Classic - 10:00
Girls Classic - 12:30

Thursday, February 23
Boys Skate - 10:30
GIrls Skate - 11:30
Awards - 1:00-1:30ish

Ski Things to Bring:
Warm things for before and after your races - puffy coat, warm mittens, warm hat, etc.
Classic and Skate Skis
Classic and Skate Poles
Classic and Skate Boots
Race Suit

Underlayers
Race gloves/mitts

Race hat

Non-ski things to bring:
Camp clothes
PJs

Personal items (toothbrush, contacts/glasses, medications, feminine supplies, etc.)
Optional items (cards, board games, etc.)

Food to bring:
Lunch/snacks for Tuesday (to be eaten in the van).
We will have bars, but if you have a favorite, please bring it to ensure you have what you want.

What to wear on Tuesday:
Ski clothes - We are heading directly to the Fort Kent Outdoor Center and will ski upon arrival.

How to pack:
Small bag w/Tuesday lunch, water bottle, ski boots and ski layers for in the van.
Camp gear in a different bag (which won't be with us in the van).

Return day/time:
Depending on timing and weather, we may or may not stay for awards. Skiers can call/text with more exact timing once we are underway.
Our earliest arrival back to Freeport is likely 6:00pm-ish, latest 9:00pm-ish.

Trip Contact Info:
Susan Sonntag - 207-440-3212
John Tarling - 207-807-1919
Melissa Watson (school emergency contact) - 785-691-6731

Race Info:

HERE is a link to the race info site. Once there, click on the many links in the posting to see the course map, start lists, schedules, etc.

Approximate Timetable:

Tuesday:

Drive to Fort Kent Outdoor Center ~2:00pm arrival

Unload skis, wax tables, etc.

Set up wax room

Ski

Wax as needed

Dinner at U Maine Fort Kent - 6:00pm

Head to rental house after dinner

Settle in, relax

Lights out - 9:30pm

Wednesday:

Wake up - 6:30am

Breakfast - 7:00am

Make lunches (everybody makes their own)

Depart for race venue - 7:50am

Races per the schedule above

Back to the house at some point in the afternoon

Dinner at U Maine Fort Kent - 6:00pm

Evening at home

Lights out - 9:30pm

Thursday:

Wake up - 6:30am

Breakfast - 7:00am

Make lunches (everybody makes their own)

Pack up all gear and load van

Tidy/clean house

Depart for race venue - 8:30am

Races per the schedule above

Drive home

Friday practice info

WAXING at school. Bring CLASSIC and SKATE race skis!!!

Skiers will be finished around 4:30-4:45.

States Info - Big Picture

We are heading to Fort Kent next week for the States races. More details will be shared later this week but for now, here are the broad strokes of what is happening:

Race on Wednesday, February 15

We have a fun skate race at Riverside this Wednesday, February 15. Skiers are encouraged to wear Valentines Day or Yeti themed attire/costumes, no race suits necessary (though you may wear yours if you like). There will be mixed (boys/girls and also mixed between schools) relay teams. There will be various awards for relay teams, best costumes, etc.

The race location is NOT where we usually ski when we are at Riverside. Instead, it is ...

At Riverside South Golf Course (1010 Riverside St, Portland, ME 04103). Buses should park down there by the (small) cabin. This is the course’s 9-hole golf course. This is NOT at the main golf course, which is the usual location for nordic races with the large clubhouse.

Things to know about this race:

• Race time is 3:30
• Valentines Day/Yeti attire strongly encouraged!
• Have fun! This is meant to be a totally fun event, no pressure, no stress.
• There will be awards and bib draws after the race 
• End time is unclear. Parents wanting to pick up their skier should come to the race - it will be fun!
• Skiers riding the van can call/text their ride once they are heading back to school

A WIDE range of costumes is expected. Previous years have seen lots of red, pink, rainbow, sequins, spandex, tutus, bodysuits, leopard print, (fake) fur, etc. There is very little that would be out of place.

Volunteers needed - Every team is asked to bring a couple batches of cookies (Valentines Day themed if possible, but not essential). These will be divided up and used for prizes. If you can provide a batch of cookies, please let Susan know asap - email to highschool@mainecoastwaldorf.org

Friday and Saturday, February 10 and 11

Friday, February 10:
Check the Practice Schedule tab for info about what's happening on Friday. This was updated Thursday at 4:45pm.

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

Saturday, February 11 :

Saturday is Part 2 of the WMC Championship races. It is a skate pursuit race at Stark's Hill in Fryeburg

Transportation:

• The van will be leaving Desert Rd at 8:30am.
• ANYONE WANTING A RIDE ON THE VAN NEEDS TO TELL SUSAN BY 5:00pm ON FRIDAY.  
• The van will return to Desert Rd after the race. Skiers can call/text their rides from the van once they leave the race site and a more precise ETA is known.  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.

Races:

This is SKATE PURSUIT race.
Course is 5Kish.
Boys start - 11:00am

Girls start - 11:45am

Awards will take place after all skiers are finished.

This race is individual starts, BASED ON THE FINISH TIME OF WEDNESDAY'S CLASSIC RACE.

Location:
Stark's Hill

Fryeburg, ME

Arrival at Stark's Hill:
Skiers getting themselves to this race should plan to arrive by 10:00am

Facilities:
There are no indoor facilities.
There are porta-potties.

There is no water provided.

Skiers should bring all their own food and water for the day.

What to Bring:

• SKATE race skis, boots and poles
• Race suit
• Warm clothes for before and after your race
• Hat/gloves/etc.
• Lunch/snacks for the day
• Water bottle

Info about the race on Wednesday, February 8 at Libby Hill in Gray

Race info:
Technique - CLASSIC race.
Individual starts at 15 second intervals

Start times:
Boys 2:00
Girls 3:00

Transportation:

The van will leave school at 11:45 and return after the race - likely around 4:30ish.

What to Bring:

• CLASSIC skis, boots and poles
• Race suit
• Warm clothes for before and after your race
• Hat/gloves/etc.
• Lunch to be eaten in the van or when we arrive at Libby Hill
• Snacks for after the race
• Water bottle

Race Location:

Libby Hill in Gray

Things to know about this venue:

There is no indoor space

There will be porta-potties

Parents should arrive either before 1:45 or after 2:30. The GNG schools have dismissal between 1:45 and 2:00 and traffic is bad during that time.

Park at the middle school. Both are right next to the race venue.

Plans this week

This week, we have a few changes to the usual plans ...

Tuesday - We will ski at Pineland and then return to campus to do wax prep for Wednesday's race. Skiers will be done around 5:45.

Wednesday - Part 1 of the Western Maine Conference Championship, a classic race at Libby Hill. Start times are earlier than usual, with the Boys start at 2:00, followed by the Girls start at 3:00.

Thursday - Practice as usual,

Friday - Practice as usual, possibly with some waxing after practice. More info as the week progresses.

Saturday - Part 2 of the Western Maine Conference Championship, a skate pursuit race at Stark's Hill in Fryeburg. Boys start at 11:00, Girls start at 12:00. Awards around 2:30.

Races this week

We want to make sure everyone has the following races on their radar screen for this week ...

The WMC Championship races take place this week. This is always a two-part event, with a classic race happening on Wednesday, followed by a skate pursuit on Saturday. Here's the schedule:

• Part 1 (classic) on Wednesday, February 8 at Libby Hill in Gray, boys start at 2:00pm
• Part 2 (skate pursuit) on Saturday, February 11 at Stark's Hill in Fryeburg, boys start at 11:00am

Please make sure both these races make it on your family calendar.

Info about the race on Wednesday, February 1 at Libby Hill

Race info:

Technique - CLASSIC race.

There will be two mass starts for boys, two mass starts for girls.

Start times:
Boys A 3:45
Boys B: 3:50
Girls A: 4:00
Girls B: 4:05

Transportation:

The van will leave school at 1:15 and return after the race - likely around 5:15.

What to Bring:

• CLASSIC skis, boots and poles
• Race suit
• Warm clothes for before and after your race
• Hat/gloves/etc.
• Snacks
• Water bottle

Race Location:

Libby Hill in Gray

Things to know about this venue:

There is no indoor space

There will be a porta-potty

Parents should NOT arrive before 2:30.

Parking at either the high school or middle school. Both are right next to the race venue.

Info about Saturday's Sassi Race in Rumford

Things to know about Saturday's Sassi Classic Race at Black Mountain in Rumford.

Transportation:

• The van will be leaving Desert Rd at 7:15 AM.
• ANYONE WANTING A RIDE ON THE VAN NEEDS TO TELL SUSAN BY 7:00pm ON FRIDAY.  
• The van 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.

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 themselves to this race should plan to arrive by:
Boys- 9:00 AM
Girls - 10:30 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

Info for today's race at Riverside

Race location:
Riverside Golf Course
Portland

Race times:

Boys - 3:30

Girls - 4:00

Things to remember:

No dogs allowed

Unless you're on skis, stay off the trails.

Transportation:

The van will leave school at 2:00pm and return after the race. Skiers should be back at school by 5:30, possibly a little earlier. Skiers can call/text from the van once they depart.

Parents - if you want to pick up your skier at the race, be at Riverside by 4:30 and also send Susan an email by 3:00, letting her know you will be picking up your skier. 

Spectators are highly encouraged to come to the race!

Race added for Saturday, January 28

Check the Race Schedule tab for info on the Sassi Classic Race on Saturday, January 28, at Black Mountain in Rumford. We hope everyone can participate!

Timing for race in Fryeburg today

Boys start at 3:40
Girls start at 4:00

The van should return to school around 6:30. Skiers can call/text from the van with more exact timing once they depart the race venue.

Race tomorrow in Fryeburg!!!

 We will have a race Wednesday, January 18, in Fryeburg. Check the Race Schedule tab for more info.

Channel 8 coverage from last week's race

 Click HERE for a news story from last Wednesday's race at Fryeburg!