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** M i n i S k i n n y **
** newsletter from www.skinnyski.com **
** Issue #4 -- November 16, 2000 **
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* SNOW!
Last weekend's storm was a bust for most of us -- unless
you live in Duluth. Snowflake Nordic Ski Center, located
just west of town, picked up 6-8" of snow over Sunday through
Monday morning. George Hovland, owner, had the trails packed
on Sunday, groomed and tracked on Monday. On Tuesday thru
Thursday, ABR in Ironwood, MI (just across the Wisconsin
border) has been picking up snow like crazy (and opened
on Wednesday).
http://www.skinnyski.com/trails/reports.html
* INTERNATIONAL
If you enjoy following the top international XC skiers,
there are a couple of new sites that have ramped up in the
last few months. They cover the European racing scene with
great detail.
http://www.xc-skiing.com/
http://www.wintersport.as/
And Odd Osland passed along this excellent article link
on Bjorn Daehlie's decision on Tuesday to not compete until
after the World Championships (March):
http://www.aftenposten.no/english/sports/d174329.htm
* HOGGIN'
Trollhaugen has been blowing snow in preparation for the
big Nordic Ski Fest this weekend, November 18th and 19th.
The weekend will feature clinics, open skiing time, and
a short race to finish the day off. There will also be equipment
demos from major manufacturers and stores. If you can't
attend the full day event (w/ clinics), there is an option
for open skiing and racing in the afternoon.
http://www.skinnyski.com/training/calendar.html#november
* 24 HOURS OF JUSTIN
Ski Racing has a nice profile of Justin Wadsworth, one of
the top US cross-country skiers. Some of the tidbits from
the profile reveal Justin's bike wattage output to be on
par with Australia's national team cyclists. No wonder he
is an eight-time winner of the grueling Bend, Oregon Pole
Pedal Paddle race.
http://www.skiracing.com/profiles/pr_102600_1.html
* QUICK TURKEY
Time is rapidly running out on the big Thanksgiving camps.
Giants Ridge will be ready with either man-made or maybe
even natural snow, as well as Telemark Resort. There are
junior/high school camps, as well as citizen camps available.
Don't miss one of the best opportunities to get a leg up
on the upcoming season and your competitors.
http://www.skinnyski.com/training/calendar.html
* MOM WAS RIGHT
Time and time again, you've heard the advice of Chicken
soup for a cold. Research now bears the advice out: Chicken
soup really does help fight a cold.
http://www.startribune.com/viewers/qview/cgi/qview.cgi?template=health&slug=soup04
* NOT SNOWED OUT YET
Lutsen Resort and Sea Villas is the latest addition to our
Featured Lodging members, and a sponsor of the Snowed Inn
lodging contest. Look over our Lodging section and select
the first Featured Lodging that will report grooming and
the date, and have a chance at winning a $100 gift certificate
from one of our contest sponsors, including Bearskin, Cascade
Lodge, Lutsen, Maplelag, and Telemark! Hurry! This could
be any day now!
http://www.skinnyski.com/lodging/
* WINTERSPORT SALE
REI's big Wintersport Sale starts this Friday and runs through
Saturday, November 26th. A lot of clothing is on sale, along
with ski bags, and some good beginner to intermediate XC
ski packages.
http://www.rei.com
* SILVER SKI BASE
Como Silver Skis will be base prepping skis (cleaning &
waxing) this Saturday, Nov 18th, from 10 to 4 at Finn Sisu.
Donations are accepted for this service. This is a fundraiser
for the Como Silver Skis Finland Trip.
* RECENT UPDATES
Reports on Snowflake Nordic early-season groomed trails
(w/ photos and videos), ABR's big dumps, and lots of other
areas; Birkie press release; and a new poll of ski performance.
http://www.skinnyski.com
* TRIVIA WINNER
Last week's question (and answers):
1. What is the full name of the person most commonly cited
for discovering cloud seeding?
Vincent J. Schaefer
2. And what was the exact date of the groundbreaking discovery?
July 13, 1946
Some more details, and photos:
http://www.usbr.gov/env_ed/snowstorm/history.htm
Eric Hedman was the first person to send us the correct
answer and will receive: a Toko headband, a pair of Toko
ski binders, and a packet of XL-1, all compliments of Pioneer
Sports.
* TRIVIA QUESTION
Tricky:
Within +/- 3 skiers, name the number of skiers listed on
the initial nordic XC ski team list for Duluth East High
School this season?
The first person sending us the correct answer this week
will receive: a pair of Patagonia Lightweight Capilene socks
(size medium), an REI classic: the Zip-o-gauge (thermometer),
and two Apricot Clif bars, all compliments of REI.
Have any idea, event or topic for a future newsletter?
Drop us some e-mail!
