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MNC and Out-of-State Racing

Race season is fast approaching, and events have begun to appear on the calendar across our region.

Every state has different guidelines and requirements related to COVID-19. In Vermont, our restrictions are quite hefty, and MNC is committed to abiding by these guidelines.

To that end, our club does not condone or support attending ski races outside of Vermont at this time (12/14/2020). While we’re hopeful that conditions with COVID-19 may improve with time and our ability to travel and compete will improve too, we need to remain diligent.

Leaving Vermont is reserved for “essential travel” and also requires quarantine upon re-entry, not to mention suggested quarantining prior to leaving Vermont as a precaution against bringing the virus to other places.

Furthermore, with the still-standing postponement of organized recreational activity we feel that we cannot effectively commit to the common race-day team support such as van transport, group wax support, and general gathering as a team.

Any racing done outside of Vermont is undertaken at the risk and decision of individuals.

We hope that we can return to more group training, competition, and interaction soon! Thank you for staying safe and healthy.

 

Rollerskiing into December (safely!)

Even in 2020, it’s rare to be rollerskiing through mid-December. But that’s what we’ve got right now! It has been impressive to see all the kilometers logged by MNC folks for the NENSA December Club KM Challenge.

During the challenge, and as we’ve spent more time separated from one another, the daylight factor has become REAL. The other day I went for a solo rollerski and started at 3pm. By the time I ended my ski just one hour later, it was getting dark. Too dark for me to feel safe even though I had a bright yellow shirt and blinking light on my waterbelt.

Through Strava and various user submissions I’ve kept a light glancing tab on what time of day folks are out skiing. Please make sure to always wear bright clothing! If you have one, a blinking or even just static small light is advised. You can get these at a lot of local hardware stores.

Keep in  mind the interview with Sun Valley’s Rick Kappala that was referenced in an earlier blog post…the most visible our sport is to the “real world” is not where we are skiing at isolated cross country ski centers in the winter…it’s when we’re rollerskiing in public. Be visible to cars, choose your routes carefully, and take a look at the time of day. At this point, it’s not recommended to be rollerskiing later than 4pm.

For another reference, please see this Fasterskier/USST article on Rollerski Safety Best Practices.

Thanks!

Introducing the MNC Pugcast World Cup Review

You may be familiar with some of our old Pugcast videos. These were some informative-but-mostly-humorous interviews with some of our Juniors.

Well, the Pugcast has a new look going forward. We’re bringing back the concept as a panel discussion reviewing the weekend’s World Cup races throughout the season.

Are we reaching new levels of boredom and virtual nonsense in quarantine? Probably. 

Is this podcast/video series ideal for a wide audience? Probably not. 

Is this podcast just a poor-man’s-version of the Devon Kershaw Show? Pretty much.

Are the hosts just so starved for ski racing content that they will talk about things like 2006 racer Bjorn Lind’s sunglasses for multiple minutes? Yes. 

So without further ado, please be enthralled for over an hour by Mike, Silas, and Adam as they discuss World Cup Weekend #1 in Ruka, Finland. Below the video you will find links to topics referenced in the video such as Rosie Brennan’s story, World Cup viewing resources, and yes, Bjorn Lind’s epic racing from 2006.

Thanks to Mike and Silas for making this happen…and stay tuned for some additional guests!

https://youtu.be/C9G7ksH6Bto

Topics referenced:

 

Giving Tuesday!

Today is Giving Tuesday! If you feel that MNC programming, experiences, camps, gatherings (when they can happen!) and races are important parts of your life or the lives of others, consider a donation to our club.

As always, a donation link can be found under the ‘About’ tab on our homepage.

You can also find a direct link below. Remember, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit all donations to Mansfield Nordic Club are tax-deductible.

Thanks! Think snow!

MNC Donations

 

 

Dee PT Great Diaper Drive for Charity

A nice community event we are passing on from our friends at Dee PT!

The Dee PT Great Diaper Drive

Dee Physical Therapy is very excited to announce our 13th annual diaper drive to benefit the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS).  

Did you know that more than half the kids that stay in COTS shelters each year are under the age of 5 and COTS programs assisted more than 546 children last year?  

Did you also know 1 in 3 families struggle with diaper needs?  Over the past 12 years the Dee PT diaper drive, through generous community donations, has collected over 900,000 diapers. 

 We know that 2020 has been a difficult year, that’s why especially now all donations no matter how large or small continue to make a great impact.  

Our diaper drive will look a little different this year but the sentiment is still the same, a community-based event to help our neighbors.  

Due to the ongoing health pandemic we regret we can’t do in-person donations this year, however, together with COTS we have a virtual event. 

 To participate please visit https://cotsonline.org/give/diaper-drive/ 

 

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