NYSSRA Nordic XC

Spring Meeting Minutes posted… Fall Meeting September 26

nyssrapoints — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 12:04:52 +0000

Sorry, I don’t know why these were not posted earlier, but here are the minutes from the April meeting:

New York State Ski Racing Association – Nordic, Inc. SPRING MEETING MINUTES SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica Sunday, April 25, 2010

I. Remarks: President Jim Kobak called the meeting to order at 12:35 PM. He welcomed everyone in attendance and asked for a recognition of officers, clubs represented and the individuals (noted by asterisk *) who will vote on business matters today.

II. Attendance: Officers: President — Jim Kobak; First Vice President/ Secretary for a Day – *Darwin Roosa; Second Vice President – *David Kvam

Clubs: HURT – *Tim Huneck, David Kvam; Lake Placid Biathlon – *Rick Costanza, Patrick Gallagher; NYSEF – *Margaret Maher, Polar Bear – *Carl Klossner; Peru Nordic – *Jim Kobak; Saratoga Biathlon – *Tom Moffett, Sean Halligan; WFRA – *Jamie Wilson, Russ Myer; NY Biathlon – *Russ Myer

III. Minutes of September 27, 2009: Approved as e-distributed and posted on the website on a motion by Carl Klossner, seconded by Russ Myer, carried unanimously.

IV. Treasurer’s Report: Lee Mahood, unable to attend the meeting, sent his report to Jim Kobak as follows: $8,500 (General Fund) and $4,500 (Youth Development). Five $200 grants were awarded to clubs in 2009-2010.

V. Committee Reports

a. Empire State Games – No representative was present from the ESG office. No report was presented other than Jim Kobak pointing out that the 2011 ESG Winter Games are scheduled for February 25-26-27.

b. Competition Committees:

Biathlon – Carl Klossner reported items addressed by the committee during the morning meeting included discussion on appropriate ways to update draft committee operating procedures (previously draft by-laws), the purchase of biathlon relay bibs, and work on a preliminary biathlon race schedule for 2010-2011. This draft schedule is posted on the www.NYbiathlon.org

Cross Country – Dave Kvam convened the morning’s committee meeting for Larry Wilkinson. Dave reported that for Empire State Winter Games action was taken to add M8 and M9 age divisions and break out the J3 and J4 divisions. They discussed issues raised by email criticism about the NYSSRA Nordic Championships. The role of TD and host clubs was reaffirmed for adhering to race procedure guidelines. The committee will work with SkiReg.com for a “0 $ paid” option for race registrations and adding NENSA age group drop-down menus. Sean Halligan suggested that a drop-down of masters age groups would be helpful. Roles were stated for the Mid-Atlantic Junior Committee to become a committee of NYSSRA Nordic. WFRA’s preliminary bid to host the 2011 NYSSRA Nordic Championships will be on hold from further consideration until pending litigation is resolved.

Ski-O – Eric Hamilton’s report was read by Jim Kobak and summarized as follows: Of the dozen E S G qualifiers scheduled last season only seven were held due to marginal snow conditions. There were several (too many) disqualifications at the E S G Finals all to do with the old ‘one way’ trail issue at Mt VanHoevenburg. In the future the course setter’s notes and the pre-race briefing when using the Mt VanHoevenburg map will include the points in the attached by Ellie George. The NYSSRA Championship Ski O on Friday of the NYSSRA Champ weekend didn’t work out. With much improved weather and snow conditions on March 6 the Championship was held with a small field participating. The committee recommends that NYSSRA - Nordic accept the request by the Empire Orienteering Club

for a $500 grant to help with the map of Moreau State Park in northern Saratoga County. This map will provide two areas that will be used for E S G Ski O qualifiers.

A new Ski Orienteering Chairman is being pursued.

BKYSL – Eric Hamilton’s report was read and summarized. There were 136 NYSSRA - Nordic members under the age of 14, down from previous years. Waiving the fee for a first year BKYSL “hooks” youth and their families into membership, yet adds minimal “exposure” to our organization. I recommend that this continue. The Southern Adirondack BKYSL clubs lead by Shenendehowa Nordic Club enjoyed hosting the 2010 Mid Atlantic Bill Koch Festival. The weekend came off flawlessly, despite the rainy, miserable weather. Some 67 youth and their families participated. Financially , we came out about even leaving a start up balance for the next Festival that wants to use this corporate structure. The guideline for hosting the Festival which we established a year ago served the organization well.

Next year’s Festival will be hosted by the Sunnycrest BKYSL club at Highland Forest the weekend of February 19 and 20, 2011, the weekend before Empire State Games. The new web site has been helpful for retrieving information and keeping a schedule. The supply of BKYSL award ribbons that NYSSRA provides to local clubs is well stocked and should last us into next year’s ski season.

Mid-A Junior – Margaret Maher reported that Mid-Atlantic that the by-laws would be dissolved and become Competition Rules if NYSSRA Nordic accepted Mid-Atlantic as a part of the organization.

c. Racer Camps – junior, senior, masters – no report [?]

VI. Other Committees:

a.Fundraising – Will put a notice on the website calling for a person to volunteer for fundraising.

b.Public Relations & Publications – Jim Kobak announced that a page can be added to the website for Face Book signups. NYSSRA had a presence at the Adirondack Sports & Fitness Winter Expo and also participated in the recent Cystic Fibrosis Stair Climb event. Will plan to participate in the Fall Winter Sports Fitness Expo and Team HURT will do a rollerski demo and race.

c. Membership – Jim Kobak reported 625 total NYSSRA members. There were 1700 racer starts/finishers for XC. Although the overall membership number appears low, XC racing is up. He expects online membership to continue for 2010-2011. Email renewal reminders will be sent to members and member clubs by October 1, 2010.

d. Liability Insurance – Sean Halligan reported on his review of NYSSRA Nordic’s current liability policy. He stated that it is necessary to make some changes in the current policy to become more workable. It is especially critical to close up additional insured provisions in future policies. Additional insured paper work is done by clubs for their events. The litigation process is still ongoing.

e. A.W.A.R.D.s – Jim Kobak announced recipients of the 2009-2010 season All Winter Accumulated Distance awards as follows:

GOLD: Jim Kobak 285 k and

Tim Huneck 272 k

BRONZE: David Burt 216 k

Darwin Roosa 197 k

Austin Huneck 197 k

Eric Hamilton 193 k

Rene Clarke 191 k

The Bill Thayer Memorial Secretary’s Cup is awarded to Connor Judd. Jim also noted that 12 - $100 racer support grants were awarded during the season.

f. Officials & Coaches – Russ Myer reported that several individuals are interested in being credentialed as Technical Delegates. Level 1 Biathlon Officials were trained last fall.

Old Business

a. Competition Manual – Consensus was that a printed manual was no longer needed. No real demand for a printed publication given the relative convenience of a web-based schedule with readily available updates. There is an estimated cost savings of $1,200 to $1,600 by not printing and postal mailing a printed manual.

b. 501 (c) (3) Status – no progress to report.

c. Ski Joring – Jason Sperry did not attend the meeting.

New Business

a.Race Schedule – the draft cross country ski and biathlon schedules will be posted on the website.

b. EMPO Map Funding Request – A request was submitted by Eric Hamilton for $500 from NYSSRA toward the purchase of a new map. There were several questions about how much the total cost of mapping, who would provide the mapping service, and what place is being mapped. Russ Myer moved to table the request, seconded by Tim Huneck, pending more information about the total package request. Motion to table passed 5 to 0.

c. Official designation for the Mid-A Junior Committee – Motion was made by Margaret Maher and seconded by Rick Costanza to designate the Mid-Atlantic Junior Committee as a subcommittee of the NYSSRA Nordic Cross Country Committee. Passed unanimously. Margaret will follow-up with John Farra at USSA in regards to the wording of the “USSA Mid-Atlantic Division” as part of NYSSRA Nordic. This would be finalized at the fall meeting.

d. CCSA membership exchange for ad space – Motion submitted in advance by Eric Hamilton for NYSSRA Nordic to be a member of Cross Country Ski Areas Association in exchange for their icon/add space on the NYSSRA website. Seconded by David Kvam. Passed unanimously.

e. Nominating Committee – Jim Kobak appointed a nominating committee to include Chris Rose and Sean Halligan. Jim will chair the committee. They will work over the summer for nominations to be submitted at the fall meeting.

f. Future Meeting – Fall meeting scheduled for Sunday, September 26, 2010 at SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica.

Respectfully submitted,

Darwin Roosa for Eric Hamilton, Secretary

NYSSRA Nordic Fall Meeting… Sunday Sept. 26

nyssrapoints — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:59:37 +0000

The Annual NYSSRA Fall Meeting will take place at Kunsella Hall at SUNY IT Campus in Utica, NY on Sunday September 26. All NYSSRA Nordic clubs should have at least one representative in attendance to participate in the meeting. Each club’s vote on important matters is needed. Club leaders please contact President, Jim Kobak to let him know who will be representing your club at the Fall meeting

New York State Ski Racing Association - Nordic, Inc.

FALL MEETING AGENDA

SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica

Sunday, September 26, 2010

9:30 a.m. Committee Meetings

Biathlon (Nick Gretzinger)
Cross Country (Larry Wilkinson)
Cross Country Masters (Jim Kobak)
Ski Orienteering (Eric Hamilton)
BKYSL committee (Eric Hamilton)
Mid-A Junior Committee (?Bill Brooker?)

Each committee should have their winter schedule finalized and be thinking ahead to what they would like to see improved, expanded, developed etc for the next year - or further out. It’s a great opportunity while everyone is in one location, to discuss these things.

11:30 a.m. Lunch (BRING YOUR OWN) and your rollerskis!

12:30 NYSSRA Nordic, Inc. Meeting

President’s Remarks
Attendance – roll call of club representatives w/ eligible vote designation
Minutes
Treasurer’s Report
Committee Reports (keep brief - just the highlights)

1. Empire State Games
2. Competition committees (see above)
3. Bill Koch Youth League (Eric Hamilton)
4. Nominating Committee (Jim Kobak)

Other Committees

website (D. Kvam)
Membership (Kobak/Forney)
Liability Insurance (Sean Halligan)

Old Business

EMPO request for mapping grant (Moreau S P)
Finalize Winter Schedule
Planning Group for NYSSRA Nordic Championships
Presidential Citation and club issues
CCS subscription package (Chris Rose)
Race Officials & Coaches – report on training opportunities (Russ Myer)

New Business

Adirondack Sports & Fitness Winter Expo (Jim Kobak)
Election of Officers
tri-states biathlon championships (R.Myer)
Fundraising Opportunities Plan
Benefits of NYSSRA-NENSA Relationship
Open Forum (additional ideas to Jim Kobak)
Proposed Next Meeting Sunday, April 24, 2011 – hosted by a local club (?)

New Paltz Nordic Training Camp

Larry Wilkinson — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:31:48 +0000

The New Paltz Summer Camp Is Back

Jul 22 - 25 2010 New Paltz NY

Cost: $160

Contact: Nick Mancuso at mancusonicholasp@yahoo.com

Description: Come to the Hudson Valley and train in the Gunks at New Paltz. Where you will log miles of Roller Skiing, plus Trail running, Mt Biking, Rock Scrambling with water falls and swimming. Great training opportunity for Nordic athletes doing XC this Fall too. Roller Ski a 10K Time Trial at West Point Military Academy. Improve your technique through our daily video review with our experienced coaching staff.

To keep cost down athletes will camp out, all food, transportation and park fees are included. Interested skiers must have roller Skiing Experience !!Coaches:

Head Coach Jason Hettenbaugh Mid - Atlantic Junior National Coach

Nick Mancuso Mid - Atlantic Assistant Coach

Art Stegan former Olympic Biathlon Coach, National Guard Biathlon Team Coach and author of the Vermont National Guard Biathlon Training Program

Nicholas Mancuso NY State High School Champion 2008, plus three time All American at Junior Nationals and current UNH Nordic Ski team member.

Train Hard Ski Fast
Nick Mancuso

NYSSRA Spring Meeting, Sunday April 25

nyssrapoints — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:26:43 +0000

Below is a draft agenda for the Sunday, April 25 NYSSRA Nordic, Inc. Spring Meeting. The meeting is open to all NYSSRA members, and NYSSRA Member Clubs are asked to send one delegate to the meeting. Club Leaders, please contact Jim Kobak, President to let him know who will be representing your club

The spring meeting of the NYSSRA - Nordic, Inc. will be Sunday, April 25, 2010 at

SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica. Take the Thruway exit for Utica and look for

Route 12 north of Utica and follow signs to the campus. We will be meeting in Konsella

Hall.

Please remember that the season schedule is made up in the spring, now. So

race organizers should send your bids in to your committee chairs early and bring the

details to the meeting. Remember, also that your club’s documentation for the Presidential

Citation is also due at this time.

The key to the power in the organization is in

the “power lunch on rollerskis” session at 11:15 AM. Don’t forget your equipment!

N Y S S R A - Nordic, Inc./USSA Mid-Atlantic Committee
SPRING MEETING AGENDA - DRAFT
SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica
Sunday, April 25, 2010

9:30 a.m. Committee Meetings
Biathlon                    (Carl Klossner)
Cross Country (Larry Wilkinson)
Cross Country Masters                (Jim Kobak)
Ski Orienteering                (Eric Hamilton)
BKYSL committee                    (Eric Hamilton)
Mid-A Junior Committee                (Bill Brooker)
Each committee will name NYSSRA team members for their discipline, draft recommended qualifying rules changes; and draft the qualifying race schedule for next season for presentation to the general meeting in the afternoon. Also, please be prepared to report on any racer camps and National Governing Body activities that will impact our season.

11:15 a.m. Power Lunch on rollerskis (BRING YOUR OWN of both)

12:30 NYSSRA Nordic, Inc. Meeting
President’s Remarks
Attendance
Minutes
Treasurer’s Report
Committee Reports (keep brief - just the highlights)
a.    Empire State Games
b.    Competition committees (see above)
c.    Racer Camps - junior, senior, masters
d.    Bill Koch Youth League (Hamilton)
e.     Mid A Junior Committee                (Wilkinson)

Other Committees
a.    Fund Raising
b. n ewsletter                    (Tom Chappell)
c.    Membership                    (Kobak)
d.    Liability Insurance                (Halligan)
e.    A. W. A. R. D.s                    (Hamilton)
f.     Officials and Coaches                (Myer)

Old Business
a.    Competition Manual - Did season work w/o a printed Manual?
b.     501(c)(3) Status - no progress to report
c.     Ski Jouriing

New Business
a.     Quality of NYSSRA championship events-personnel, rules, venue
(Myer)
b.     Race Schedule for the upcoming season    (Committee Chairs)
c.     CCSAA membership exchange for ad space    (Hamilton)
d.    Appoint Nominating Committee        (Kobak)
d.    Future meeting(s)
e.    Other Items

State Budget Crisis… ORDA and Nordic Ski Venues likely effected

nyssrapoints — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:10:41 +0000

By now, everyone is painfully aware of the current fiscal crisis in New York State. ORDA (Olympic Regional Development Authority) is potentially on the State budget chopping block. NYSSRA Nordic, Inc. maintains that the ORDA Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Venue at Mount Van Hoevenberg, in Lake Placid, is essential to the life of Nordic Ski Sports in our State. Mt. Van Hoevenberg hosts many of our events each year, including signature events like NYSEF’s Harry Eldridge Weekend, the Lake Placid Loppet and the Empire State Games. Mount Van Hoevenberg is a world-class facility that we are fortunate enough to have in our home State.

NYSSRA Ski and Biathlon Clubs as well as individual Members who are concerned about the future of the ORDA Nordic Ski Sport venues please access this link http://www.lakeplacid.com/orda/ and send a letter(s) to your representatives, asking them to keep ORDA in the budget for the sake of our sport.

Thank you,

Jim Kobak, President

NYSSRA Nordic, Inc.

NYSSRA Spring Meeting: April 25

nyssrapoints — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:19:07 +0000

Thanks to all NYSSRA Nordic members for a successful 2009-2010 NYSSRA Nordic Ski Season. NYSSRA Nordic is able to serve nordic ski racers in NY State because of the enthusiasm and dedication of our ski racers and their ski clubs.

The annual NYSSRA Nordic Spring Meeting will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the SUNY IT campus in beautiful Utica, NY.

There will be a morning session where committees will meet to discuss the past season and propose any changes to the upcoming season. Our committees include XC, Biathlon, Bill Koch and Ski orienteering.

In the afternoon there is the general meeting. Here the committees will report and will begin to plan the upcoming 2010-11 season. There may be a need to vote on agenda items. NYSSRA by-laws state that active member clubs are allowed to send one delegate to vote on items at the general meeting. This gives member clubs a chance to direct NYSSRA Nordic, inc. ( Club Leaders: Please let the President, Jim Kobak , know, in advance of the meeting, who will be representing your club.)

There will be a rollerski session between meetings on the smooth pavement of the SUNY-IT campus. Attendees should feel free to bring their rollerskis for a good workout to go along with lunch!

The minutes from the fall meeting can be found online here http://www.nyssranordic.com/FallMinutes09.pdf

The agenda is still being put together for the Spring meeting, and will be posted here soon. Please email any agenda items you would like to see presented at the meeting. And, feel free to email any comments or feedback about this past season. NYSSRA Nordic, Inc.’s mission is to promote ski racing in NY State, and any feedback is helpful and appreciated.

Time to Apply for the A.W.A.R.D.

nyssrapoints — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 11:46:19 +0000

THE AWARD (All Winter Accumulated Race Distance) NYSSRA has an awards program for those members who compete in and complete many races. NYSSRA skiers who complete 250 kilometers of race distance over the course of the season are eligible for a gold A. W. A. R. D.; 225k or greater a silver; and 175 k or greater a bronze. To arrive at the accumulated distance members total the kilometers completed in any biathlon, cross country ski, and/or ski orienteering races. To receive your A. W. A. R. D. pin and certificate send a summary including dates raced, race names, locations, distances and overall total over your signature, address, and NYSSRA ID to NYSSRA-Nordic, Eric J. Hamilton, Secretary, 67 Pico Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065 by April 1, 2010.

Mid Atlantic Bill Koch Festival weekend photos

Larry Wilkinson — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:12:17 +0000

2010 Mid Atlantic Bill Koch Festival at Lapland Lake

A few photos from the weekend. Some a bit out of focus - must be they were just skiing too fast. feel free to down load or up load to the gallery

Link: Photo Gallery

Results: Mid-A festival results

NYSSRA Salutes 2010 Champions!

nyssrapoints — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:07:24 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 2010 NYSSRA CHAMPIONS! Thanks for a great season!!

State Champion Paul Allison receives the 2010 Champions Cup from NYSSRA President, Jim Kobak

NYSSRA Nordic wrapped up its season this past weekend with the 2010 NYSSRA Champions Cup Weekend, hosted by the Saratoga Biathlon Club. The feature race of the weekend was the 17.5 km freestyle championship race.

2010 Champions Cup Race Results

Paul Allison of North Creek, NY, won his second New York State Nordic Skiing Championship. Paul also won the title in 2007, and was runner-up in the past two seasons.

Kathy Schwenk won the women’s championship, also her second State title, she previously won in 2008.

After the race, NYSSRA members gathered for the annual awards banquet. Here, 2010 points series winners were announced and received their “championship vests” for the season.

Eric Seyse won the overall points series title, scoring points in 15 NYSSRA races over the course of the season.

2010 NYSSRA Points Series Champions: (Final standings)

Women:

J2F. Ashley Forshey (Glenville Hills)

OJF. Ann Jardin (Paul Smiths College)

M2F. Jill Koziol (Shenendehowa)

M4F. Kathy Schwenk (Team Knewhcs)

M5F. Audrey Balander (Cayuga Nordic)

M6F. Bernadette O’Brien (Shenendehowa)

Men:

J2M: Austin Huneck (Team HURT)

J1M: Adam Swayze (Rochester Nordic Racing)

SRM: Eric Seyse (Glenville Hills Nordic)

M1M: Chris Yarsevich (Team HURT)

M2M: Chris Rose (Peru Nordic Masters)

M3M: Jim Kobak (Peru Nordic Masters)

M4M: Steve French (Rochester Nordic Racing)

M5M: Tim Huneck (Team HURT)

M6M: Ed Luban (Team HURT)

M7M: Eric Hamilton (Shenendehowa)

M8M: Rene Clarke (Team HURT)

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FINAL STANDINGS

Team HURT: NYSSRA Nordic 2010 Club Champions

Team HURT captured the overall Club Championship Series title. Team HURT pounded the competition and finished well ahead of runner-up, Peru Nordic Masters

Rochester Nordic Racing won the Club Championship Relay, RNR was so dominant, they also had the Club Championship Relay runner-up. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RELAY RESULTS

Historical results at the NYSSRA PAGE OF CHAMPIONS

Quick NYSSRA Champs Update… day 2

nyssrapoints — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:10:10 +0000

Teams from Rochester Nordic Racing captured the top two spots in the NYSSRA Club Championship Relay. The team of Jason Hettenbaugh and Adam Swayze won the 3 x 3 km race today. Hettenbaugh led with a dominant classic leg, followed by Swayze putting in a mammoth classic effort in lap 2, and then, Hettenbaugh, despite racing in the morning’s biathlon as well, skied another leg, this time skating, to win the day for RNR. The other RNR team of Chad Day, Steve French and Marty Maynard finished with the silver medal. Team HURT captured the bronze with a great race from Martin Donnelly-Heg, Chris Yarsevich and David Kvam.

Team HURT captured the overall Club Championship Series and took home the coveted Club Championship Banner. David Kvam, suffering from illness most of the season but skiing an impressive anchor leg for their bronze medal relay team, won a NYSSRA record 3rd Club Championship Banner (David won as a member of Peru Nordic in 2007 and 2008 as well)

Team HURT... 2010 NYSSRA Club Champions