This means that CCAK needs a new USSA Alaska Representative and Regional Coordinator.  Joey filled both of these roles in recent years, but these roles could be assumed by two people.

The summer middle school program provides the coaching and technical support necessary to excel in cross country skiing.  Athletes will set training goals and improve ski technique through dry-land training such as roller skiing, hiking, and an abundance of outdoor games.

SUMMER ADVENTURE PROGRAM: May 21 to August 16

Monday, Tuesday & Thursday (3:30 – 5:30pm) + 1 Saturday each month (time TBD)

Location: We will meet at various Anchorage locations

Cost = $300, Scholarships are available

Questions?  Email Kati at kathleen.rehm@gmail.com

Click here for program flyer with additional details (PDF 550KB)

Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks’ – Fairbanks Cross Country (NSCF-FXC) racing program is searching for an assistant coach to work with its Prep and Comp Teams, serving primarily middle school and high school age racers as well as a few college age athletes.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an established but growing program and to help athletes prepare for championship racing on their home trails as the NSCF will be the host of the 2013 US Junior National Championships, and in charge of the XC ski events for the 2014 Arctic Winter Games.

Preparations are already well underway for these championships as Birch Hill, our home training area, is halfway through a two-year project of updating its racing trails for homologation to international FIS standards, as well as undergoing improvements to facilities this summer.  The NSCF has also recently purchased a new Pisten Bully PB100 groomer.

Year-in and year-out Fairbanks offers 5.5-6.5+ months of on-snow training on two well-developed ski trail systems (today marks 6 months at Birch Hill), a full race calendar put on by a nationally recognized competition crew, great dryland training opportunities particularly for activities on trails, ready access to some of the most incredible wilderness in North America, and an exceptionally strong and supportive local ski community.

The primary role of the assistant coach is to help at regular training sessions held throughout the year for both the Prep and Comp Teams.  The assistant is also expected to coach at summer and winter training camps, travel to races in Alaska and throughout the country, and help with fundraisers, various other aspects of program administration, and other duties as needed throughout the year.  Opportunities also exist for travel abroad with the team, as we are looking to continue the success of our first team trip to Sweden and Finland this spring where 6 athletes competed in the FIS races at the 4-day Tornio Valley Cup in Finland.  The total hourly commitment varies during the year, with lulls in April thru mid-May and mid-August thru September but is often around 20-30 hours per week split between about 15 to 25 hours of coaching and 5-10 hours for additional tasks.

The ideal candidate would have a college degree, ski racing experience at the collegiate level or higher, as well as time spent coaching or working with youth.  The job is part-time, year-round and salary is $15-20,000 annually.  The schedule allows for potential additional employment within the local ski community (coaching, lessons, grooming, etc.) and the Fairbanks community at large.  The University of Alaska offers a wide variety of college and graduate level courses at its Fairbanks campus for those wishing to further their education.

For a broader sense of the program and the NSCF as a whole, please consult our website: www.nscfairbanks.org, or our blog nscffxc.blogspot.com.  For questions or to submit an application, contact NSCF-FXC Head Coach and Director of Skier Development Pete Leonard at pete@peterleonard.net or (907) 978-6325.  Applications should be submitted to the email address above and should include a cover letter, resume and three references.  The initial review date is May 1 and the position will remain open until filled.  Anticipated starting date is July 1.

Help advance the future of Nordic ski racing in Alaska by attending the Cross Country Alaska Spring Summit – Sunday April 29 from 9am to 4pm at the ConocoPhillips Alaska headquarters in downtown Anchorage.  The meeting will be held in conference room ATO-1 on the ground floor, but you need to RSVP by April 26th to info@crosscountryalaska.org so security will let you in.  Hope to see you there!

We will debrief this past season and make plans for next season.  We will discuss the Besh Cup Race Series, Junior Nationals Trip, Arctic Winter Games Trip, Team selection criteria, USSA business, summer development camps and more.  You can even run for our Board of Directors!

Want to get more involved in helping to advance the sport of Nordic ski racing in Alaska?  Cross Country Alaska has three board of director seats up for election this spring.  Members on our statewide nine member board serve three year terms.  Nominations can be emailed to us at info@crosscountryalaska.org or made in person during the CCAK Spring Summit on April 29th.

Besh Cups 1 & 2 – Southcentral Alaska – December 22 & 23, 2012

Besh Cups 3 & 4 – Kenai Peninsula – January 19 & 20, 2013

Besh Cups 5 & 6 – Interior Alaska – February 2 & 3, 2013

Click here for more information about the 2012 Pia-Margrethe Denkewalter Junior Award

Click Here to down load the Arctic Winter Games XC Ski Information packet and forms

AWG Trip payment:

Total Trip Cost is $835.  From the total amount, $400 is payable by Check ONLY to “Team Alaska” (Arctic Winter Games) for transportation, lodging, and meals.  $435 is the XC Skiing Sport Fee and covers uniform, jacket, wax, and coaches fee.  The sport fee is payable to “Cross Country Alaska”.  You may pay $435 by check/cash or $452 online with a credit card.  Click here for online credit card payment.

Please mail checks to the Arctic Winter Games Head coach:

Davya Flaharty

711 Sheep Creek Rd.

Fairbanks, AK 99709

Athletes are selected off of the Junior Olympic and Arctic Winter Games Points List

Team Selection procedures are described here

Here is your excited coaching staff!

HEAD COACH:

Davya Flaharty – davyaflaharty@gmail.com – 907-388-8133

ASSISTANT COACHES:

Charlie Renfro – charlesrenfro@hotmail.com – 907- 227-0364

Kati Rehm – Kathleen.rehm@gmail.com – 907-252-8871

Travel to Arctic Winter Games:

All Team Alaska Athletes – all sports, not just skiers – will be traveling together by motor coach to Whitehorse.  There will be 5 buses departing from Anchorage and 4 buses departing from Fairbanks.

Departure is the evening of Friday, March 2^nd. We will drive through the night to get to the border between 8-10AM to check credentials/passports.  Make sure to have your Passport!  Travel across the boarder also requires a notarized Border crossing authorization form signed by your parent (this will be posted soon).

Saturday, March 10, after the awards banquet, all Team Alaska busses depart Whitehorse for home, either ANC or FAI

Uniforms:

Athletes must turn in their uniform order form during the AWG Team Alaska meeting following Besh Cup 6 in Fairbanks.

Race schedule and Technical Package for Cross Country skiing at the 2012 Arctic Winter Games

2012 Arctic Winter Games – Whitehorse web site

Team Alaska Web site

Additional details and required forms will be added as they become available.

Online payment for the Junior National Championships Trip (note there is a 4% additional fee to cover credit card processing commissions and bank fees – check payment info below).

Click here to download the pdf of the Junior National Championship Trip information packet and forms