Due to forecasted highwinds, snow & rain we are cancelling evening Masters today. We all need to be on our way home by 6 pm today. Evening people welcome to come and ski this afternoon.
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Remembering Jarlath
Remembering Jarlath
The MNC community lost a great friend and passionate skier on January 6 with the passing of Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne. Jarlath had driven up to Craftsbury in the morning with his buddy Steve Crafts, meeting up with Owen Lenz to ski together. On one of their trips around the loops, Jarlath collapsed, likely due to a cardiac event, at the Coaches Corner intersection. Several of his MNC teammates and others were soon on the scene, doing all they could to help. Despite the valiant efforts of his fellow skiers, Craftsbury Outdoor Center staff, Hardwick Rescue, and the doctors and nurses of Copley Hospital, Jarlath did not survive.
The sudden loss of our friend was all-the-more difficult to fathom because of his remarkable vitality. Jarlath stood out for his intellect, humor, and physical vigor. He was one of those people in whom the flame of life burned very bright. Jarlath and Julie shared many years together and devotion to raising their three children, Ailsa, Gus, and Maeve. He will also be greatly missed by his beloved family: mother Mairi, sister Iona Munjal, and brothers Aengus and St. John.
In his professional life, Jarlath directed the University of Vermont’s Spatial Analysis Laboratory in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. Among many other projects, the innovative unit has played a key role in recent years assessing Vermont flood damage to aid in recovery efforts. A veteran of the United States Marines who served in Iraq, Jarlath was also an advocate, role model, and wise older brother as faculty advisor to the university’s student veterans’ organization.
Jarlath’s ever-enthusiastic Facebook posts offer a glimpse into the things he cared about, the places he found joy. There he is before sunrise at the UVM track, ready for another round of feats of strength and endurance with his “Boy Band” circle of workout pals; there he is with Maeve, both pretty in pink, as they head to the movies for “Barbie”; there he is “sharing my love of lycra with Gus on a 51-mile gravel ride”; there he is with Ailsa for a father-daughter Craftsbury Marathon last year; there he is goofing around at an annual reunion with his family and friends from the University of New Hampshire crew team; there he is playing “lead cowbell,” wearing a heavy-metal wig, and displaying impressive hip flexibility as a member of “Sciatica,” the band he and Steve Crafts convened each May to amuse runners in the Vermont City Marathon as they passed through the New North End.
And there he is in a 14-second video clip on January 22, 2023, powering the V1 up and away on a freshly groomed trail, thickly frosted firs in the woods, nothing but the sound of skis on snow. His caption: “Thank you, Vermont.” That image of him and his gratitude in that moment feels like an apt way to remember our teammate and friend Jarlath.
Submitted by: Thomas Weaver
Eastern Cup 1: Sara’s notes
Turns out in addition to my blog post on Monday this week, Sara also wrote a recap of the first Eastern Cup in Waterville. Check it out below:
It’s race season! Last weekend the Juniors packed up a trailer, rented our first ever U-haul Chevy truck, and traveled to Waterville, Maine for our first Eastern Cup. Although the snow on the sides of the road slowly dwindled as we traveled south, our spirits were high when we reached Quarry Road.
The night before the first Eastern Cup I found myself running through the memories of training year 2023. I remember doing classic intervals on Road 101 last summer, where the juniors demonstrated classic striding so dialed I bragged about them to anyone who would listen. Then in September we entered the Keys to the Castle race in Lake Placid, where the juniors kept pace with the SMS T2 athletes on one of the most technical rollerski tracks in the country. Then just last weekend, I watched the athletes successfully plan and execute sprint tactics against college skiers in the Rodriguez Sprints.
So despite the tactical course, the tricky conditions, and the fast snow (or maybe because of these factors) we were “soups excited” as the juniors would put it. We’d been training for tough conditions, and we were ready for it.
The weekend did not disappoint. There was exciting head to head competition and tactical strategy. There were several spectacular crashes involving some broken equipment and a tattered race suit (although thankfully no serious injuries). We also faced setbacks in the form of cramped muscles, illness, and anxiety. Interestingly, many of the racers that experienced these challenges persevered to all-time best finishes, which just goes to show how results can be rewarded for perseverance in the face of adversity.
And results were had! There were definitely some turned heads and some raised eyebrows out there. We had podium finishes across the board, in U16, U18, and U20 divisions, in mens and women’s races, and in both classic sprint and skate distance events. Equally impressive were the improvements by athletes that had just completed their first season of summer and fall roller skiing, and took their ski racing to an entirely new level. But the ultimate victory was that MNC won the overall club competition for the first Eastern Cup!
I cannot imagine a more dedicated group of Junior athletes. Through setbacks in performance, injury, college applications, and hundreds of hours of training, they have made a commitment to the sport and community of Nordic skiing for the past few years of their lives. Together, they elevate the caliber of Nordic racing in New England. I feel so privileged to follow their progress and celebrate their successes.
If all this sounds like a scene you’d like to witness, the season is just heating up! Come over to Lake Placid or Craftsbury for the next Eastern Cups. You won’t be disappointed!
Kate Carlson (photo by Steve Fuller @flyingpoint)
Henry Sterner (photo by Steve Fuller @flyingpoint)
BKL Info Dec 11-17
With this new snow we are planning to be skiing both Tues and Thurs this week! Please label all equipment (masking tape and sharpie work great) and show your child how to recognize their own equipment. This Saturday, December 16, we are hosting a little BKL race at Craftsbury and you can register to race through Saturday morning. We are also looking for some more volunteers. Race Info Flyer
If you are interested in volunteering at practice this is the signup sheet
Tuesday: Penguins, Jack Rabbits, Arctic Foxes, Racers
Location: The Range
Classic skiing for everyone
If you have waxable classic skis you can either wax at home or meet at the wax bench outside in front of the Walker Building a few minutes before practice. It looks like it will be new snow about 32 degrees. A warm hard wax or klister.
Devos: with the Juniors, check the Junior training plan
Thursday: Jack Rabbits, Arctic Foxes, Racers and Devos
Location: The Range
Skate skiing for everyone
Saturday: The race will be our weekend ski for Racers and Devos. Registration through the Race Info Flyer to let us know you are coming.
MNC BKL Season Opener Race
We’re hosting a BKL race at Craftsbury on Saturday, December 16th, for any BKL kids interested in racing. The race is not just for Racers. There are catgories for all ages. We are also looking for more parent volunteers. Race Info Flyer
Eastern Cup Primer
Looking to find out more info about the Eastern Cups this year?
Curious how things will look from the MNC side of things?
Trying to navigate which licenses and memberships to get?
Want to sign up for the food table and contribute tasty snacks on race day?
All of this and more can be found in the 2023/2024 MNC Eastern Cup Primer! It’s time to get excited for race season!
