FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Greg Fangel
Minnesota Nordic Ski Association
(651) 770-9381
[email protected]

June 16, 2001

 

Historic Achievement for Nordic Skiing in Minnesota

On June 11, 2001, eleven people with a vision for Nordic skiing in Minnesota met in Brainerd, MN and formed the first Board of Directors of the MINNESOTA NORDIC SKI ASSOCIATION (MNSA). For many years, representatives of local ski clubs, trail organizations, resorts and the Minnesota Office of Tourism met with representatives from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to improve cross country skiing and the trails in Minnesota. Now there will be an official organization to represent all of the approximate 500,000 cross-country skiers in Minnesota.

MNSA be involved with and encourage representatives from youth skiing, recreational skiers, Junior and Senior Olympic skier development, Master skiers, Biathlon, retailers, resorts, Minnesota Office of Tourism, National Ski Patrol, trail managers, local governments, Minnesota High School League, NCAA and college teams, race organizations, cross country ski related manufacturers, and existing Nordic ski training programs.

Articles of incorporation were filed with the Secretary State on June 14, 2001 to register the Minnesota Nordic Ski Association (MNSA) as a Minnesota non-profit corporation. The organization will operate under the guidelines of Section 501-C6 as defined by the IRS. MNSA will work directly with the established 501-C3 and other Nordic ski organizations in Minnesota.

The purpose of the organization, as defined by the Board of Directors is to:

  1. Promote and advance the sport of cross country skiing in Minnesota
  2. Promote and encourage education regarding cross-country skiing in Minnesota.
  3. Support athletic advancement for all ages and abilities up to and including Olympic Nordic ski competition.
  4. Support the preservation, enhancement and expansion of quality, diverse ski trails.
  5. Support the legislative process and the Minnesota DNR to improve cross-country skiing in Minnesota.
  6. Advocate stable and increased trail maintenance and grooming funding from diverse sources.

Board members and officers for the next 2-3 years will be elected at the first annual meeting on September 17, 2001 in Brainerd, MN.

More information can be found on the official website for MNSA at www.mnnordicski.org

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