SUNDAY 2/26
Please try and make this practice! We are doing a team picture and then a buddy ski day where older skiers will ski with younger ones. The van will leave the Bogus offices at 1:30 and will be back around 5:30. The team picture will be at the Nordic Lodge at around 2:15 if you are meeting us up there. Please wear your blue team hats and jacket if you have them.

This week we are divided into two groups, those going to Western States and those training around here this week.  On the attached schedule I called the western states crew “comp-devo” and those staying here “comp” but comp-devo members not going to Western States are welcome to join the comp crew as well Thursday-Sunday.  For those staying around, Eric Reynolds will be driving a van up to Bogus on Thursday-Saturday-Sunday at the usual times but there will be some variations on the actual workouts that you do once up there.

Those going to Western States, please check the list at the bottom of this email to make sure that I register everyone by tomorrow (Monday).  If I forgot someone please contact me ASAP.  I will have waxing set up in my garage (3322 Crane Creek Rd) from 3-5PM on Thursday if you want to add some glide wax on your skate or classic skis but you are also welcome to do so at home but please have the kick zones free of any kick wax.  We will then depart from the Bogus Offices at 7:30PM after dinner at home.  Be sure to bring a sleeping bag and pad for the first night.

A quick update about the McCall JNQ this past weekend:  Saturday was a great day for BBNT with a total of 21 athletes racing and contesting every race from J4-J1.  We had some exceptional results with multiple podiums and personal bests this year.  Today’s race was somewhat less fortunate for the team with challenging wax conditions and a challenging course that resulted in a number of falls.  All involved did an excellent job making the best of challenging conditions.  Results can be found here http://www.jugmountainranch.com/nordic_event.html Special congratulations go to Cole and Bridger for qualifying to represent the inter-mountain region at Junior National races in early march and Jackson who was extremely close to qualifying as well.  Big thanks to Eric Jensen, Mikey, Eric Reynolds, Luke and all the parents who helped us out at the races.

Also thanks for all your help with the Banff fundraiser last week.  I haven’t heard final totals but the counts along the way suggested that it was a very successful year for us.  Special thanks to Jill and Greg Weigel for organizing the raffle!

Attached you will find next weeks schedule.  The Banff Film Festival is this Sunday-Monday-Tuesday nights and please show up between 5:30 and 5:45 to sell tickets.  Also please wear BBNT gear if possible.  Since the Banff is going on, both comp and comp-devo practice will be at Fort Boise on Tuesday.  Comp will then go up to the hill on Wednesday and both teams will be up on Thursday.  Those racing in McCall next weekend should take good care of their health this week and only come to practice if you are well rested and feeling good.

I have attached more information for the races in McCall next weekend:

• Please check, my notes of who is going (at the bottom of this email).  If anything is wrong, missing or has a question mark please get back to me.
• I have attached an info sheet that parents who are going up there might want to check out with info like directions to the venue, approximate start times ect. This is about all I know for information until the coaches meeting on Friday evening
• I have also attached a waiver that each athlete racing will need to print out and get back to me by Thursday so I can hand in on Friday.
• If you are not going up in the van on Friday and want to get your skate skis waxed we decided the easiest thing to do would be to have you drop them off on Thursday, the coaches will wax them and we will bring them to the race for you.
• The van leaving on Friday departs the Bogus Offices at 8:30 AM and the van on Saturday leaves at 6AM sharp.

One last quick note, payment is due for the Western States trip next Saturday (please see earlier email).

Hi Comp-Devo Families

Attached you will find next week’s schedule. It’s a pretty normal week with four trips up to Bogus but we have a good variety of workouts that I’m looking forward to.

The weekend of February 11^th and 12^th is a little more complicated and I need to know your plans and payment by this Saturday February 4^th in order to submit race registration the following Monday. In summary it’s the JNQ race series in McCall with a skate race on Saturday the 11^th and a classic race on Sunday the 12^th. These races are open to all junior skiers from age J6-OJ but are also the final set of regional qualifying races for Junior Nationals and so all the top J2-OJ skiers will for sure be competing. There are kind of 3 options for comp-devo skiers that weekend.

1. 1. A day trip for Saturday’s Race. The vans will depart (very) early Saturday morning and returning Saturday evening. The cost is $40 for J2 and older athletes and $35 for J3/J4 athletes and includes vans, coaching and race registration

2. 2. Travel/stay with your parents for one or both races. The cost is $20/race for J2s and $12/race for J3s/J4s and banquet tickets for $15. Please let me know what to sign up for and submit payment by Saturday the 4^th if you would like to be on the registration

3. 3. A few of the 9^th grade athletes that I have been in contact with previously can do the overnight trip with the comp team. The overnight option will cost $225 and will include lodging, race entries, a trail pass for Friday, coaching and waxing, vans, Saturday’s Banquet and Friday dinner courtesy of the Greenberg’s.

Stay tuned for another email with details and a revised schedule for the Western States Youth Ski Festival February 16-19^th.

On a side note, we had an excellent weekend at the Soldier Hollow JNQ. After heavy rain for Thursday’s drive down and ski on the courses we had bright sun for the two race days. Friday’s classic sprint was probably the best results the team has had at a JNQ this year or last with a lot of our skiers high up on the Intermountain results lists. Saturday was kind of a mixed day with Jackson and Cole probably having the best races yet this year. Results can be found at www.summittiming.com

Hi Comp Families,

Attached you will find the weeks schedule. At this point in the season we find ourselves with somewhat different goals. For some, our most important races of the year occur in the next two weeks and the best thing to do is to rest and save our energy for the final JNQ weekend. For others, the high level racing season has already been extended through the second week of March so we can do some more serious training now to avoid peaking too soon and to continue to build on fitness. For those of you in the first group, I would recommend taking Thursday off or going for a short easy ski. Also on Sunday you may choose to ski a little less than those skiers going to JN’S.

Final payment for the McCall JNQ trip is due on Saturday 2/4 so I can submit race entries on Monday 2/6. I’m expecting most of you will want to do the “overnight trip” option but there is also the option to ride up in the van for the day trip on Saturday. The day trip option will cost $40 and will cover the vans, waxing and race entry fees. The overnight option will cost $225 and will include lodging, race entries, a trail pass for Friday, coaching and waxing, vans, Saturday’s Banquet and Friday dinner courtesy of the Greenberg’s.

On a side note, we had an excellent weekend at the Soldier Hollow JNQ. After heavy rain for Thursday’s drive down and ski on the courses we had bright sun for the two race days. Friday’s classic sprint was probably the best results the team has had at a JNQ this year or last with a lot of skiers high up on the Intermountain results lists. Saturday was kind of a mixed day with Jackson and Cole probably having the best races yet this year. Results can be found at www.summittiming.com Big thanks to Eric Jensen, Mikey and the other parents that helped us out.

Hello Comp and Comp-Devo Families
Four things to discuss in addition to the weekly schedule:

1. Soldier Hollow trip next weekend- I actually was supposed to collect final payment today but I was slow sending out a reminder so please get that to me ASAP.  Unless I hear otherwise I’m going to register the following people for both races and the banquet: Eli, Eve, Sumner, Tristian, Bridger, Cole, Liam, Peter, Danny, Dessie, Jackson, Brooke.  Please let me know by Monday at the latest if I have this incorrect.
As always any comp team members not going to the qualifier are welcome to attend comp-devo practices on Thursday and Saturday.

2. Thursday comp-devo workouts- I’ve gotten quite a bit of feedback that due to the late start to winter at Bogus, comp-devo would prefer to be at Bogus for on Thursdays instead of in town as originally planned.  We’ll give this a try for at least a couple of weeks and see how it goes.  The schedule for Thursday will be pretty much the same as Tuesday’s.

3. The Clinic Next Sunday January 29th:  We really need your help getting people singed up.  This could be a great way to get your friends and colleagues interested in the same sport that you love or it could be a great way to brush up on your own skills.  I think it would make a great gift and couples, Valentines day is coming up soon!  Registration is available here: www.bluecirclesports.com
Athletes, you guys will be assisting adult instructors and coaches by giving some pointers and showing some examples.  The van leaves the offices at 8:30AM and will head back down the hill after the first clinic session ends around 11:30.  We could also use your help for the afternoon clinic and you could catch a ride back down with the Youth Rec athletes after the second clinic if you can stay for both.  If you’re staying up for both sessions please bring a lunch, spare skiing layers and a dry change of clothes.

4. Upcoming Events for the next month:

• Banff Fundraiser/Raffle: February 5th, 6th and 7th- Be sure to keep collecting raffle and silent auction items
• McCall JNQ February 11th and 12th- I’ve been in touch with a number of you about the trip for the weekend.  We will also try and offer a day trip to the Saturday February 11th race since the race that was scheduled for today was canceled.
• Western States Youth Ski Festival February 17th-19th- Open to all J3/J4s and novice J2s in comp devo
• February 25th- Potential race at Bogus

The big unknown is the weather but right now its calling for significant accumulation at Bogus on Wednesday-Thursday.  Its likely that the nordic lodge will open by the end of the week but until it opens be sure to bring a headlamp and everything you need in the vans as the lodge will be locked up. I’ve decided to hold a “normal” schedule during finals week and I recognize that a number of you may miss a practice or two for studying. Don’t worry about missing some but do try and stay active as best you can. Sometimes the best thing you can do to prepare for a test is to clear your head with some outdoor exercise!

On Saturday both Comp and comp-devo are meeting at the Bogus offices at 8:30.  Those athletes getting a lot of travel in with the JNQs are encouraged to go up to Bogus and do an intensity workout while those who have not had many opportunities to race this winter are encouraged to travel to McCall for a low key 3km skate race with the Payette Lakes ski club.  If going to McCall please bring $20 to cover trail passes and vans, a change of clothes and lunch/snacks.  The trip to McCall is somewhat weather dependent and we will probably just go to Bogus if its raining in McCall or the roads look especially treacherous.

I also wanted to give you a heads up about two upcoming fundraisers that we could use your help on:
1. The public ski clinic on January 29th: We host a clinic with a morning and/or afternoon session for new skiers to learn how to nordic ski or more advanced skiers to improve their skills.  The event flier and more information are available on our website: http://www.bogusbasinnordicteam.com/ Please spread the word about this clinic or consider signing up for it yourself.  Register at www.bluecirclesports.com
2. The Banff Mountain Film Festival is coming to Boise on February 5th, 6th and 7th.  Tickets can be purchased here www.egyptiantheatre.net and more information can be found here http://nordicgroup.squarespace.com/.   We want to get a lot of people to the event but BBNT is also holding a raffle and silent auction.  Each family is expected to come up with a raffle or silent auction item and to help sell raffle tickets.

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