The Sisu Juniors Morning Program was working out at the Battle Creek Ravine on Thursday morning. The session concentrated on classic technique on rollerskis using the gentle incline of the quiet entrance road leading into the park. Skiers were divided into four groups with coaches to work on their skill sets.
Baker Park Nordic is a new summer juniors program held at Baker Park in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities. We caught up with the group on Wednesday morning as group leader Kati Campbell along with coach David Gardiner led the juniors in skating technique review. The session started with strength exercises before watching a short video presentation. After working on specific technique drills, the group moved out onto the rolling loop trail of Baker Park.
The Minnesota Valley Program ran one of their infamous testing workouts Monday morning on the Big River trail system near Mendota. Skiers each made timed passes on a long, gradual uphill using double pole, freeskate, and skating with poles techniques. Results are tracked and help monitor progress through program, including year to year.
Deno Johnson, head coach for the highly successful Forest Lake ski team, runs the summer Nordicwerks program. The training sessions now attract skiers from as far away as Mora, as well as local schools like White Bear Lake and Stillwater. On Monday evenings, the group competes in a 7K time trial on the quiet backroads south of Scandia. The group avoided most of the rough weather over the Twin Cities and set a large number of personal records in the classical time trial this week.
Arne Roheim sents photos from a "local" rollerski race in Hamar, Norway, held Friday evening. Competitors included the two recent Olympic sprint champions, Tor Arne Hetland and Bjørn Lind along with other stars such as biathlon champ Ole Einar Bjørndalen and top female skier Marit Bjørgen. However, it was a local, Tommy AAsen, who won the mens race, while Guro Strøm Solli beat Marit Bjørgen in the womens final.
