2010 VASA NEWS # 1  


The North American VASA Newsletter

From Sunshine to Snowflakes 2010 VASA News #1

In This Issue

Vasa Ski Club Kick Off

New and existing members of the Vasa Ski Club, formerly known as the Traverse Nordic Ski Club, have come together to reestablish an active club in our region. The revitalized club will continue to work closely with the Vasa organization and play a more active role to promote ski racing, recreational skiing and junior skier development. To learn more about the new club and view the club gear, please join us for the kick off at Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City, 4050 Hammond Road East. For more information and to obtain a club application, go to www.vasa.org.

She Skis:
Dirt-to-Snow
There will be a She Skis kick off on Wednesday, October 4, at Timber Ridge at 6:00 p.m. Women and girls of all ages are encouraged to attend this casual-style gathering to learn about and participate in pre-season training. Women will continue to meet and ski throughout the winter. Please bring tennis shoes, weather appropriate outdoor exercise wear, ski poles and a water bottle.


2010 Vasa Economic Stimulus Plan
In light of the weak state of the Michigan economy, our Board of Directors has decided to hold our entry fees at 2009 levels! You can save a ton of money by registering now as our 27k races are only $34 and our 50k freestyle race only $50 before the first price bump. Register here.

Skier Workshops
Join us September 18 & 19 at Timber Ridge Resort for the annual WeSki Pre-Season Nordic Ski Clinic. Take part in the Vasa Ski Club Kick Off and meet and greet with two-time Olympian skier Lindsey Weier Dehlin. Two discussion panel sessions will also be offered on Saturday morning at Timber Ridge. During the Competitive Panel Discussion and the Recreational Panel Discussion, we will discuss technique, nutrition, equipment and what motivates different individuals to hit the trails. Another featured guest for the panel discussions is Cassidy Edwards who recently completed a star-studded career as a collegiate skier for Middlebury College.  

In order for any ski wax product to perform
at its potential, it simply must be applied properly. Come learn about good waxing habits from Wax Wizard Roger Putnam during the Waxing Clinic.

Dry land training will wrap up our workshop series. Dress for outdoor activity and bring your ski poles and a water bottle for a trek around the trails at Timber Ridge.

Roller Ski Training: On Saturday at 9:00 a.m., Mike Tarnow will be hosting a video reviewed roller ski clinic at the TC Civic Center that was very popular last year. Have your technique evaluated by a professional and elite skiers.
Visit this website for dates, times and more details. (Print the poster and display it wherever you can!)
WeSki
WeSki is a community action-filled series of activities following the initial WeSki clinic in September. These special evenings will be scheduled at Timber Ridge when the snow is on the ground and the trails are groomed. The events will include:
• Lessons for classic and freestyle skiing
• Rental equipment
• Waxing clinic
• Clothing tips
• Lots of fun for families and skiers of all ages and abilities
Cross-Training Opportunities
For those of you who like to bike as part of your ski race preparation, two of our board members have formed a new organization called Twin Bays Race Promotions. Twin Bays will stage three cyclocross races in the Traverse City area starting on September 19 at the Grand Traverse Commons. The second race is slotted for October 17 at Timber Ridge Resort as part of a Father Fred fundraising event. The third and premier event, the Ice Cross, will be held at Timber Ridge the day after the Iceman Cometh mountain bike race. It will offer Iceman riders the opportunity to compete in a second event that weekend.

If you have not tried cyclocross, it is a great way to develop your speed, balance, agility and strength. You can use a road bike or mountain bike if you don't have a cyclocross bike. It is also very spectator-friendly as you will be able to follow the riders every few minutes on a short course. For more details, check out either twinbaysracing.com or tccyclocross.blogspot.com. Use this link to view the Twin Bays poster--print and post it wherever you can.

We hope to see you at these diverse Vasa events! Training for the Big Race can never start too soon...
Pete LaPlaca                                      
VASA Board President                          

Sara Klebba
Editor

To download a copy of the newsletter click on the following link.

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