Greetings NENSA community,

The outpouring of grief and love from our community with the loss of John Ogden can simply be described as staggering. Through this, I feel his presence and see his enduring legacy. Considering how to share that opportunity more broadly, we have created a place to collect and share - somewhere for us to grieve and celebrate together. You are invited to visit and to post your stories, memories, tributes, and photos to be shared with our community and with John’s family:

Our thoughts are especially with Andrea, Katharine, Charlotte, and Ben and also with innumerable others who had the great privilege of knowing John as we process this loss.

I think John would find it fitting that we also have some wonderful news to celebrate and some special individuals to recognize for their community contributions and involvement. We kick off our annual NENSA Award announcements this week and are thrilled to recognize Audrey Mangan of Craftsbury Ski Club at NENSA’s 2023 Coach of the Year! Please see the full story below and join us in congratulating someone who would never expect, but so deserves, to be celebrated!

I am also thrilled to welcome Mackenzie Rizio to our team at NENSA as Youth & Introductory Program Director. Hailing from Southern VT and with literally a lifetime of involvement in our New England ski community, she brings fresh perspectives and experience as she takes the reins from Kait Miller. Please see the story below to learn more about Mackenzie and join me in welcoming her to NENSA!

Our summer season is suddenly in full swing with the conclusion of REG camp, the start of RDG camp, and our first rollerski event of the year, the Lost Nation Roll, all taking place this week! Continue reading below for lots of news about an exciting summer season.

In this week’s edition of KickZone

• Remembering John Ogden
• Announcing Audrey Mangan as the 2023 NENSA Coach of the Year
• Welcoming Mackenzie Rizio as NENSA's Youth & Introductory Program Director
• Lost Nation Roll
• July Rollerski Offerings
• NENSA Membership
• 2023-24 NENSA Recreational Events
• Scenes from the Community
• LL Bean 4th of July 10K and 1 mile family Fun Run/Walk
• Best Cycling Great Escapes - Special offer for NENSA members
• Summer Camps

In the News

• Salomon: Salomon Trail Athlete Sophia Laukli Joins Salomon Nordic Ski Team
• Cross Country Skier Magazine: Jessie Diggins’s “Big Stupid” Workout and Other Epic Challenges

With as much gratitude as ever for this community, for all connects us, and for the very special people whom we have the privilege of knowing,

Heidi

Heidi Lange

Executive Director

New England Nordic Ski Association

heidi@nensa.net

www.nensa.net

Thank you!

Memberships directly support all of our year-round programming,

backing us in our mission to nurture and sustain an active cross country ski

community for all ages and levels throughout the East. 

Thank you for taking a minute to join or renew your NENSA membership,

and for the important support that it provides!

Please join me in thanking and supporting our wonderful NENSA Sponsors 

for their generous contributions and the ongoing impact that they have on NENSA programming and cross country skiing in New England!

This week cross country skiing lost a legend. John Ogden had warned us that this was coming, but there is no preparation for the loss of such a warm, spirited, and generous soul.

Costumed and exuberant, John set the stage for skiing in New England, his voice bellowing passion and enthusiasm at the start of countless BKL festivals. At all levels of sport, recreational to elite, local to international, John’s vibrant smile and positive attitude impacted all who surrounded him. The connections he forged and encouragement he shared reached and inspired the hearts of so many.

Through 16 years of service on the NENSA board, he was the player who could alternate between leading and supporting to achieve the best group outcomes, often in a way that would make one wonder, “how did he get us there?” Never a dull moment with John in the room! His commitment to xc skiing spans a continuum all its own, a “racer Dad” who got to experience the gamut from BKL to Olympics (with a lot of family “backyard/backwoods” in between), as well as volunteer, official, contributor and entrepreneur; and so much more beyond the ski trail.

For so many of us, it is impossible to imagine a NENSA without John Ogden. It is one that will always be better because of the many hats he wore and the lasting contributions he made, forever raising the bar for our ski community.

In true Ogden style, the family invites all to a potluck celebration, aka “big ass party”, aka “potluck of the century” at their home on July 21 at 4 PM.

Our deepest condolences are with John’s family and all who have been touched by him, near and far. He will be deeply missed.

The NENSA Coach of the Year award is given annually to honor a NENSA coach for their achievements and contributions in working with athletes in support of NENSA’s mission to sustain a vibrant and active cross country skiing community in New England. We are thrilled to share that Audrey Mangan of the Craftsbury Ski Club is the 2023 NENSA Coach of the Year!

Audrey coaches at all levels of the Craftsbury Ski Club from skiers trying the sport for the first time in the Bill Koch League to junior athletes competing for podiums at Junior Nationals. Audrey can do it all and she does it all well including supporting Craftsbury’s professional ski team (the Craftsbury Green Racing Project) in coaching and wax tech capacities. NENSA reached out to Audrey’s colleagues at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center and they had the following to share.

“Audrey is a gem of a human and an exceptional coach. In any given week, Audrey might teach toddlers how to ski, manage a pile of computer systems to organize a couple hundred people, execute an interval session for nationally competitive juniors, test and wax skis for a SuperTour, rally several dozen BKLers for a treasure hunt or round of dodgeball, meet with an athlete to tackle race day anxiety, and solicit sponsorships for a huge regional event. Somehow she does all these things quietly and modestly, never needing to be in the spotlight. Audrey’s positivity, competence, care for her athletes, and love of skiing all combine to make her a wonderful asset for our whole ski community.” - Anna Schulz...

NENSA is thrilled to welcome and introduce our new Youth & Introductory Program Director, Mackenzie Rizio.

Mackenzie comes to NENSA with a strong connection to the New England ski community, a passion for the sport, a depth of experience as a skier and a coach, and relevant professional experience.

Mackenzie grew up in Wilmington, VT and began skiing at Prospect Mountain BKL when she was 6 years old. She loved attending the BKL Festival annually and found magic and long lasting friendships there. She went on to attend Stratton Mountain School and excelled regionally and nationally as a junior skier. At UVM, Mackenzie studied Business with a concentration in Finance and minors in Economics and Sports Management. She was a member of the Varsity Nordic Ski Team and an officer of the Student Mental Health Awareness Committee...

Rollerski racing is back! Join us on July 1, 2023 for the 3rd running of the Lost Nation Roll, presented in conjunction with our friends at NENSA. Come test yourself against the region’s fastest racers on the Outdoor Center’s paved rollerski loop. Athletes can choose to race either 2 laps (just over 5km) or 4 laps (just over 10km). We are expecting a stacked field, with squads from the region’s top clubs.

Online registration closes Friday at 6:30 PM

Rollerski season is about to kick into a higher gear here in New England.

Starting on July 1st we return to @craftsburyoutdoorcenter for the 4th Lost Nation Roll. Skiers choose a 5km or 10km. Or just come try the bicycle bumps and cheer on some incredibly talented skiers.

To the East our friends @nonstopnordic are hosting their 3rd Good Times Roll, Rollerski Race on July 23rd in Brunswick, Maine. The gentle terrain (and proximity to the ocean) make this a fun option for all.

Throughout the month we are excited to support the legacy of Roy Varney with the 5th annual Roy-llerski. There are many virtual Rollerski options based around time and distance — and this year a 5km trail run @themowc on July 15th.

NENSA membership is about so much more than licensing and individual benefits. As a NENSA member, you are part of a broader community helping to grow and support cross country skiing in the Northeast, ensuring that the sport we love continues to grow and thrive.

Our membership year began May 1 and now is an excellent time for sign ups and renewals. Membership revenue sustains our organization and directly supports our year-round offerings and subsidizes low and no-cost programs that make our New England ski community vibrant and inclusive.

NENSA is excited to share that in addition to our race support model, we are now also offering noncompetitive recreational event support for ski clinics and touring events. Whether you want to host a learn-to-ski day for people who’ve never skied before or you want to offer a recreational ski tour adventure with food stops along the way, NENSA is happy to help. Interest in cross country skiing is growing and there are many people who want to try our awesome sport and/or grow their skills. In addition to bolstering your own ski community, recreational events such as ski clinics and tours also bring in new people who will return to your venue for years to come. 

NENSA is looking for venues/clubs interested in growing recreational offerings in our region. Our goal for 2023-24 will be to incentivize participation through shared experiences and adventures all across our region. Venues interested in having their event supported by NENSA should complete the bid form HERE by July 15th. Early submissions are encouraged so we can help shape a calendar that minimizes event overlap.

THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS

U.S. Ski & Snowboard works to provide a safe environment in which athletes can train and compete, free from abuse and inappropriate behavior. Please review U.S. Ski & Snowboard's Athlete Safety policies, the SafeSport Code, and the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies and join us in sustaining a culture of safety.

If you are an athlete who has experienced inappropriate behavior or know of an athlete who has experienced inappropriate behavior, report a concern:

The U.S. Center for SafeSport

Hotline:  833-587-7233

Report:  CLICK HERE

U.S. Ski & Snowboard

Report: CLICK HERE

We all are part of promoting a culture of safety through education, listening, and speaking up.

THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA SUPPORTING SPONSORS

Welcome to Best Cycling Great Escapes, a new quality travel guide launching soon for cycling lovers the world over who are eager for travel, adventure, romance, and to explore nature.

Featuring many top spots across North America, Cuba and Europe, this new travel resort guide offers a great selection of routes, trails, lodging, dining, events, attractions etc. for road, MTB and gravel, along with superb photos.

Take advantage of our 30% NENSA Member discount and SAVE - click link below.

Pay only $6.95 (reg. $9.95) and start planning your summer cycling vacation today.

A must for all passionate and committed cyclists across the USA, Canada and Europe. This one-of-a-kind guide is a great partner to help you find your perfect cycling vacation spot.

July 9-14, 2023

We’re not waiting for winter, and neither should you!

Skiers are built in the summer and Gould’s Nordic Camp is a fun way to kick off summer training right. Our experienced staff will take you on adventures while honing your endurance, strength, and skills. We’ll have a variety of activities from rollersking to running, biking to bounding, agility courses to multisport adventures, and a whole lot more.

We’ll also play lots of games and hit as many crystal-clear water holes as we can. You’ll get some nutrition tips and our coaches will provide you with a summer training plan if you don’t have one. But best of all, you’ll meet other skiers from around the state and country while enjoying the best that Western Maine has to offer.

July 25-30, 2023

Build training volume on foot and on rollerskis while exploring our local roads, mountains, trails, and rivers. Increase your strength in our world-class Racing Performance Center, and enjoy rejuvenating recovery sessions led by our experienced coaching staff. This year's camp will conclude with a race effort!

BKL Camp: Aug 7-10

Junior Camp: Aug 10-13

The SMS Nordic Program has combined sports science, a variety of proven training methods, a culture of athlete-driven excellence, and of course, FUN(!) to boast one of the most successful Nordic programs in the world. The program's unprecedented national and international success has produced 16 Olympians in the past seven Winter Olympics. Over 35 SMS Nordic athletes have made the U.S. World Junior Team, and 25 have made the U.S. National Team. Each Summer, SMS Nordic hosts two summer camps for young skiers filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

BKL Camp: Aug 9-11

High School Camp: Aug 9-12

Join us for a training camp that covers all aspects of dryland training for nordic skiing and will prepare you to be the best skier you can be next winter. Our camp has developed a reputation for its perfect balance of hard work and fun!

Dublin is the optimal setting for our nordic ski camp. Our quiet, paved roads provide great opportunities for rollerskiing, the Nordic Center has miles of single track for running and mountain biking, and the pristine Dublin Lake offers a great way to cool off after every workout. We’ll reside on the Dublin School campus where we will take advantage of the dining hall’s tasty meals, a fully equipped weight room, and an alpine ski slope that’s for the camp’s famous hill bounding workouts. Mount Monadnock is a quick jog from campus and provides an optimal venue for our distance hike at the conclusion of camp.

Salomon Trail Athlete Sophia Laukli Joins Salomon Nordic Ski Team

June 20, 2023 | by Salomon

ANNECY, FRANCE—Salomon is proud to announce that professional trail runner, US Nordic Ski Team athlete and 2022 Olympian Sophia Laukli is now an “all-season” Salomon athlete. Already a rising star for Salomon’s global trail running team, the 23-year-old from Yarmouth, Maine, has decided to use Salomon ski equipment when she puts her running shoes away in autumn and turns her attention to advancing her career on the Cross-Country Skiing World Cup circuit this winter. (Watch the YouTube short.)

“I think having this one common support between both of my sports can make me that much more successful,” Laukli says. “As a multi-sport athlete, I am trying to navigate a way where I can fully commit to the highest level of competition in each sport and have both running and skiing work together to help me improve in both. This is certainly a work in progress, but having Salomon behind me in running and skiing, I believe will make success in both much more achievable. From a non-performance standpoint, building up the relationship with Salomon across two sports felt like an important opportunity for my own career and makes it more meaningful. To me, Salomon is a one-of-a-kind brand, both in their products but also for providing this holistic relationship that I wouldn’t be able to find with another brand.” 

Jessie Diggins’s “Big Stupid” Workout and Other Epic Challenges

June 14, 2023 | by Peggy Shinn

Cross country skiers are arguably the fittest endurance athletes on the planet. OK, not arguably—we are the fittest athletes. Many of us spend our weekends finding the next goal, the next boundary to push, and off we go, our friends looking at us as if we’re nuts. A 10km becomes 20km, 20 becomes 50. We enter the Craftsbury Marathon, then the American Birkie. In the summer, we pedal a century for charity or run the Mt. Washington Road Race. We understand George Mallory’s answer when asked why he wanted to climb Mt. Everest: “Because it’s there.”

Just ask members of the U.S. Ski Team. Every summer, Jessie Diggins does what she calls a “Big Stupid”—an adventure that’s way outside of her normal training routine. One year, she ran the equivalent of a marathon on the Appalachian Trail, then ran a few more miles, nearing 30 total. Another summer, she rollerskied 100 kilometers in a day. On her 29th birthday, in 2020, she ran the Pemigewasset Wilderness Loop in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. She had heard the 30-plus-mile route, which includes more than 9,000 feet of elevation gain, was the second hardest hike in the U.S.

THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

New England Nordic Ski Association

P.O. Box 97

Lyme, NH 03768

Phone: 207-688-6503