Peter Graves is the current
Head
Coach of the Harvard Nordic Ski Team, a forner ski racer from
Bennington, VT- a former USST Development coach from 1981-1984, he has
spent more than 30 years in the sport, coaching, administrating and
promoting. He has covered 8 Olympic Games and his work appears
frequently on wcsn.com
Lines in the
Snow [scroll down for older
articles]
by Peter Graves, Harvard Nordic Coach
NCAA Edition, #2 March 9, 2008
BOZEMAN, MT----Mix in Sunshine, lovely mountains and a hip, fresh college town, and you've got the right mixture for the 55th running of the NCAA Skiing Championships, here in this town of 70,000 on the way to Montana's famed Big Sky Resort.
Yesterday the EISA alpine skiers were on fire, with a great showing all the way round the horn by Bill Reichelt's Catamounts. UVM took 2 and 3 with Greg Gardy and Erik Gilbert in the swirling winds at Bridger Bowl, while the Lady Cats found 3 skiers in the top q0 with Janowiak third, Crow fifth and McDonald in 6th...this really moved UVM up in the points. The Bridger Bowl Ski Area is lovely with huge cornices that round the top of the mountain like cotton candy; every once and a while you'll hear thunderous booms of cannons blast away at the top (far from the race course) to orevent avalanches. They call the amazing snow "cold smoke" out here in these parts...dry, fluffy and just fine to cut a turn or five into.
NORDIC NOTES
The men's 20 km and the women's 15 km CL were held today, under a bluebird sky. I even like the drive up to Bohart Ranch.....slap in some Toby Keith or a little Bocelli (yes, my tastes are eclectic) and absorb the majestic ramparts of the area. The speed limit is 70 mph most of the way, and that's just about right for me.
With great course prep the crew at Bohart impressed. The first race of the day was the mens. Everyone was scrambling for the right wax; what would the sunshine do...would the temps soar, would the clouds roll in and cool things off.....geez, where's Scottie, what would he do ? Would this be a klister day, binder, or hard wax.
The first race proved that UAF's Scott Jerome had hit the wax with Germany star Marius Korthauer winning big in the 10 km, followed by Colorado's Kit Richmond in second and UVM's Germany star Juergen Uhl.
The women's race featured a wire to wire lead by Norwegian snow queen Maria Moe Grevsgaard of Gielo, skiing for CU grabbing the win; the second victory of these championships. That made coach and old friend Bruce Cranmer happy. The silver medal went to UNM's Russian student Polina Ermoshina of Moscow while Denver's Antje Maempel grabbed the bronze position.
The Dartmouth women had an especially impressive day in the 15 km, with Senior, Elsa Sargent (Orleans, VT) posting her best NCAA result ever with a shining fourth place, getting great support from fellow Greenie's Senior Susan Dunklee (Barton, VT) in 6th and Rosie Brennan (Park City, UT) in 7th place. Dartmouth Women's mentor Cami Thompson said it was an amazing performance. " I am so proud of our girls today, they were a really tough bunch and managed to ski well despite tricky conditions, but this was a good day for us."
Colorado now leads after faltering to DU, but is back on top followed by DU in second, Utah Third and Dartmouth now in fourth. Dartmouth is the defending NCAA Skiing Champions.
JOTTINGS
Faces in the crowd: legendary coach for the USST and CU and long time ABC broadcaster, Bob Beattie along with son Zeino, along with 1964 Olympic Gold medalist for Austria Pepi Steigler down from Jackson Hole to watch his son compete in alpine tomorrow. He reports Resi will come back even stronger for the US Team next year, following her tough fall in a World Cup in Jan. in Lienz, AUT. She is rehabbing now.
The 1972 US Olympic Team at Sapporo was well represented by nordic skier and old bud Teyck Weed, who know lives out here and Old Forge, NY's alpine star Hank Kashiwa, who was on the alpine team.
These have been fine championships as we go into the final day, Next year, we will move back to Maine, where Bates College will host at Sunday River and Rumford.
Peter Q. Graves
NCAA Edition, #1 March 6, 2008
BOZEMAN, MT-----John Bozeman road into this valley in 1864 seeking fame and fortune, well, ok, mostly
fortune....in the Gold mining business, in this lovely
mountain town of Bozeman. I made my first trip here in 1970 for a
training camp with the USEASA Team on the way to the 1970 Jr.
Nationals, which were to be held in Jackson Hole, WY. And it's nice to
be back.
Along the way this town has grown, the population hovers around 70,000, with a huge University, our fine hosts; Montana State University.
Annually Outside Magazine calls Bozeman one of the nation's most live able outdoor towns, and word has spread. As massive (and lovely) timber and glass homes dot the valley with a lovely elegance. Two venues are our hosts: Alpine at Bridger Bowl and Bohart Ranch for the Nordic events. The town is super, yesterday Cami and I went out to have lunch and I had the best ever, killer bison burger. It's just a great spot.
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie, Alexa Turzian Pictured at Dartmouth Carnival
TODAY
It was Day number
one and it belonged to the nordic skiers . . . light, fluffy snow fell
most of the day at Bohart with only peaks of sun peeping
thru...nonetheless, it was a Currier and Ives day, and a nice course to
kick things off. Bohart is about 18 miles from downtown Boaeman.
The women kicked things off with the 5 KM skate race. . . winning was Norwegian import at CU Maria Grevsgaard with teammate at CU and Russian star Lenka Palanova in second while the West hung on for third with Annelise Bailly, whose sister is one of the world's top biathletes on the IBU tour.
The East came next with Alexa Turzian who skis for Middlebury in an outstanding 4, followed by Morgan Smyth, who hails from Vernon, VT and skis for NMU in 5th. The Big Green's Rosie Brennan just back from the Jr. World Nordic in Italia (along with Turzian) grabbed Dartmouth's number two spot in 6th place.
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie, Glenn Randal pictured at Dartmouth Carnival
When the men came to the start at 10:30 this morning, it was still snowing, so grooming was done again between men's and women's races. Dartmouth junior Glenn Randall of Collburn, CO became the first Dartmouth skier in 41 years to claim an NCAA cross-country title according to my friend Rick Adams the PR great for Dartmouth skiing. Dartmouth's last title came in 1967, when the late great Ned Gillette, a 1968 Olympian from Barre, VT won. Randall’s previous best was 5th in 2006. Randall held the lead thru 5 Km to the rapt attention of the small crowd of fans who gathered to watch and inspiring race. Glenn, was 11 seconds faster than UAF's Marius Korthauer. CU's new Norge recruit stepped it up to grab the bronze medal in third, 24 seconds of Glenn's pace.
Bates had an amazing performance with Vail's Sylvan Ellefson finishing fourth. Simi Hamilton from Middlebury College was the EISA's next finisher in 13th.
This is short and I have a tight deadline with much to do, but I trust it will give you some idea of happenings of the day.
IN THE CROWD
There are lots of parents and ski friends watching the races. Nice to see former CU and USST Coach Bob Beattie, legendary broadcaster for ABC Sports watching the happenings, along with former USST skier and pro star Hank Kashiwa.
Tomorrow is alpine and we will be there. Thanks for reading. It was a great day.
Pete
Peter Q. Graves
February 25, 2008
The 85th Middlebury Carnival went off without a hitch, great weather, good, solid racing, all in the final tune up for the NCAA Skiing Championships coming up in two weeks in Bozeman, MT. While host Midd opened up an opening day lead of 10 points, it was not to be enough to unset Dartmouth who came from behind in an awesome display of skiing power to grab the EISA Crown for 2008. So Dartmouth wins, Middlebury was second and UVM was third.
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
ALPINE RACING
It was a great day for Andrew Wagner winning the men's GS at the fabled Snow Bowl, besting Greg Hardy and Charlie
Christianson of Williams, who has been just about
unbeatable this season.
Still great skiing for the Cat's Jilyne McDonald, with Archambault-Leger of UNH and Courtney Hammond of the Big Green third.
UVM's Lyndee Janowiak swept to the win in the two-run women's SL, while Christianson of the Ephs won the Men's SL, besting Vincent Lebrun-Fortin of Colby. Wagner of Midd was third.
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
NORDIC NOTES
Two days o
f
exciting racing at the wonderful Rikert Ski Touring Center on the
lovely Breadloaf Campus of Middlebury. The women's 5 km
produced power results for Dartmouth with them running 1 and 2, Susan
Dunklee and Elsa Sargent gave the Green the Gold.
Vail's Sylvan Ellefson, who skis for Bates placed a clutch first in the Men's 10 KM Freestyle race besting Colby's Wyatt Fereday by 20 seconds. Dartmouth's Glenn Randall hung on to third place.
The final day of racing was the, ever eye-pleasing Mass start, again sometimes it "is easy being Green" as Dartmouth dominated the women's mass start with Susan Dunklee, Barton, VT grabbing the Gold and Elsa Sargent in second UVM's Jennie Bender was a strong third. UVM's German import Juergen Uhl won the Men's 15 KM race besting Bates' Ellefson and Nils Koons. Big, enthusiastic crowds where on hand for both alpine and nordic events.
GOOD BYE DEAR FRIEND
On the way back from the race, I had almost reached Boston when I received a cell phone call from my old friend Tom Kelly of the USST, informing me of the passing of a giant in the sport. One of America's leading and legendary journalists, Paul Robbins. Robbins died Saturday afternoon at his desk, writing ski stories for the USST, and the day before had conducted a nationwide teleconference with Lindsay Vonn and legendary Picabo Street about Vonn's World Cup DH title win. His cause of death was heart attack.
Paul and I had been friends for over 30 years, first meeting at Tony Wise's Gitch Gami Games at Telemark Resort in Cable, WI. We announced races together, traveled around the world together and he was one of my best friends. Paul, 68, who was the former UPI Bureau Chief in Boston and a long-time writer for the US Ski Team, was a regular site typing away at World Cup and Olympic Press rooms around the globe. And was certainly America's most well know Nordic journalist. And old-school journalist with both wit and kindness PR was simply a walking lexicon. It just won't be the same without him. He also covered 8 Olympics for both CBS and NBC Sports, and his well know choice of hats--his Scottish tam--became his signature. There will be other journalists to come that will report skiing....there will be only one Paul Robbins.
Paul was fun and kind and great to kids, a little league coach in his hometown of Weathersfield, VT. A Service is planned in the Spring. Losing Paul, as we all have is reflected to me so well in the words of Edna St. Vincent Mi
llay..."I only know that summer sang in me, a little while, that in me sings no more."
Peter Q. Graves
February 18, 2008
PROLOGUE
It's always so nice to revisit a place you once called your own home ski area. In summer, a paradise of green, in Winter a symphony of snow, babbling brooks, and a slower pace. Prospect is perched about 1200 feet higher than the town of Bennington...right next to the ski area is a lovely old white church, my father always claimed to be the highest church in elevation in the state of Vermont. Locals talk over coffee at the Top Notch Diner about how it’s always 10 degrees colder in Woodford, then town.
Woodford, has for many years been sort of a haven for us. Dad, before practicing law used to pick ferns there and send them by train to the floral shops of New York. Later beer and bath tub gin were made during prohibition. Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
A hunter's paradise, and many, many camps; not the fancy kind that we call camps today. But real, honest to goodness---shacks with deer cleaned and drying, and the early days of skiing emerged.
Alec Drysdale of Bennington started the first ski area in Woodford, not far from today's Prospect. It was know as Hedge Hog Hovel. My parents, clad in knickers, used to go up and down the rope towed powered by a Model T.
Now my friend Steve runs the place and is doing a fine job providing nordic skiing to locals and out of towners alike. It's almost like a public trust providing such fine skiing for so many. At the snack bar, Kent, with his Harvard Ski Team Cap on---serves up one great burger. I learned to ski at Prospect and it always feels like going home.
THE RACES
The 89th running of one of the nation's oldest Winter Carnivals happens at Jiminy Peak in the Berkshires for alpine, and at Prospect....it's the Williams Winter Carnival. Their traditions are long and also evoke back to an earlier time. Years ago ski jumps dotted the landscape near the college up on the Mohawk Trail, Florida, Mass....the famous run down Mount Greylock, was the Berkshires version of the Inferno at Tucks. Legendary coach Ralpie Townsend, a former 10th Mountain Division man race a great program at Williams, now Bud and Ed continue that fine tradition. Also I remember the days of legendary filmmaker Photo Credit: Kris Dobie John Jay, and the writer John Hitchcock, who just loved to write about these fabled mountains of Western Mass and Southern Vermont.
Alpine at Jiminy kicked of with Giant SL with a strong outing for UVM with Lyndee Janowiak winning Gold in GS with her teammate Julianne McDonald in second, proved a great day for the UMP Cats. Dartmouth Captain, Michelanne Shields, scored her first podium of the year with a 3rd place in GS. Charlie Christianson, Williams powerhouse alpine skier won the Men's GS followed by UNH skier Sean McNamara and UVM's consistent star Greg Hardy in third.
Men's SL featured Colby's Vincent Lebrun-Fortin with a win in 1:30.78, followed by Christianson of Williams and 3 and 4th going to UVM skier Greg Hardy and UNH's Bill Ford. Women's SL was won by Big Greens' Courtney Hammond, coming off a win at last week's Dartmouth Carnival.
UP AT PROSPECT
The weather forecast called for strong winds and frigid temps but we tripped the forecasters up and had two very good days for skiing.
Drenched in new snow the Big Green put on a strong showing with Barton, VT's Susan Dunklee winning the Women's 5 KM freestyle event, with Captain and Senior Elsa Sargent in second for Cami Thompson's squad with UNH's Sarah Wright scoring. It was the second career college win for Dunklee.
Bates skier and Vail, CO native, Sylvan Ellefson won the Men's 10 Km with Colby's impressive Nick Kline in second and Middlebury's Tim Reynolds.
The next day was followed by team Sprints that held all in rapt attention; what an exciting college event! Dartmouth scored another first place with the men as it continued to build up strong EISA points, with the team of Pat O'Brien, Nils Koons and Dakota Blackhorse-Von Jess grabbing the gold by 32 seconds over Middlebury while UNH skiers were also having a fine day being just 6 seconds behind the Midd-kids, Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
it was some race to watch. The women also put on a fine show with a strong showing by Dartmouth with the power squad of Dunklee, Dreissigacker and Sargent (Elsa) grabbed the gold medal over UNH and Middlebury.
In total points Dartmouth is back to their impressive winning ways, with only the Middlebury Carnival to go, which doubles as the EISA Championships. The Green machine enters the final carnival with five wins and a third place finish. Middlebury Ski Team finished second with UNH third. The EISA Championships will be held on Feb. 22 and 23rd.
LETS LOOK AT MY SHORTS
Big Green's alpine
star Dave Chodounsky is in Europe presently skiing Europa Cups with the
USST. Other's over seas include Ida Sargent and Rosie Brennan at the
World Juniors, while Simi Hamilton and Alexa Turzian, both from Mid,
are attending the FIS U-23 world Championships, both events are held
together and they have been moved to the Mountains of Italy.
Saw one of my High School coaches, Birger Vigsnes up at Prospect. Great guy. He was a topnotch skier for SLU in the early 1960's. I also had nice chats with Olympian Stan Dunklee, a Brattleboro native and former Olympian, Brenda White, who skied for UVM.
I am hopeful to provide you, dear reader, with daily copy from the NCAA's, if all goes according to plan.
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
As always, thanks for reading.
Have a great week.
Peter Q. Graves
February 10, 2008 [link here for pdf of this week's article]
It was so nice to see all of you this weekend at the 98th Dartmouth Winter Carnival, equally nice that after three years away from the superb skiing venue of Oak Hill, we were able to return as Mother Nature outdid herself this week, covering the Upper Valley with lovely snow.
My father, who is a remarkable 101 years old, told me tales that etched into my memory about the by-gone days of the 1920's when he and his mates would charge out of Brown and come up for the many activities of the day. Noted F.Scott Fitzgerald, who penned the book "Winter Carnival", later to be a movie was a pro eminent figure around town and especially in and out of the then tap room at the Hanover Inn. Thousands came to the events and gravitated to the concluding event, the ski jump. Where wild flapper-types from the era would party like it 1999. Raccoon coats and the hole nine years....how I wish I could have seen that !
The DOC was founded by the legendary Fred Harris in 1909. Fred would also distinguish himself by building the famed Harris Hill in Brattleboro, VT. The first Dartmouth Carnival was founded in 1915. The tradition carries on today and it is just wonderful, you can still feel or imagine the late greats like Charlie "Al" Merrill my dear friend, who help out with trail design and Race Chief on that first chilly World Cup at Giants Ridge in Minnesota, you can imagine legendary Dartmouth Coaches like Otto Scniebs, Walter Prager, Sel Hannah, David Bradley, whom recently passed away, Sel Hannah, Dick Durrance. The history and lore is palpable.
CARNIVAL JOTTINGS
Once again, after a
weeks absence, the Big Green was back on top to grab the win at home,
over rivals Middlebury while UVM went for third overall. Once again,
that pint-sized powerhouse with the Pink locks...they're not RED! Ida Sargent was
brilliant, and the rest of the women's power team of Green got great
finishes from Park City's Rosie Brennan, Elsa Sargent, Susan Dunklee.
Middlebury's Alexa Turzian skied well for coaches Andy Gardner and '84
Olympian Patty Ross. Alexa came out of my bud's Rick Kapala outstanding program in Sun Valley. This was also a
fine carnival for, NENSA quota skier Liz Stephens, from Montpelier, who
is a member of the
USST.
Ida Sargent
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
Paul Stone, not only has fine new help with my bro Pat Weaver, a two time Olympian in Nagano and SLC, as an assistant coach (that's a great catch Stoner), but the Catamounts are getting great points from Germany ski
er Jurgen Uhl, who won the grueling men's 20km Classic. The
native of Muehlenbach, Germany, who is 22 years old, was a top skier for the German team at a number of
FIS Continental Cups. Aspen native Simi Hamilton won the skate race
and was second in the CL 20 KM. He's super strong. Lest,
we sing only the praises
of Dartmouth women, the Men's
Team under Ruff
Patterson (he and I worked on the USST staff in the 1980s and we even
skied together in college, yea...that's how far we go
back) the men of Green got some great skiing
from Putney native Pat O'Brien, Glenn Randall, Dakota Blackhorse Von
Jess, and from Freshman Nils Koons.
Men's Finish, 20km Classic
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
At the Dartmouth Ski Way some great performances were logged by Dartmouth freshman Courtney Hammond with Friday's GS win with another clutch win the Women's Slalom. Dartmouth's Hailey Jones got her first podium, with a third place. Also UVM's great skier Jilyne McDonald continues to show why week in and out she's one of the best.
In Men's alpine
Charlie Christianson from Ed Grees, Ephs won the men's SL, and the next
day shared a continental breakfast with me at the Chieftain Motor Inn
in Lyme, NH. Speaking of Williams, it was a joy for me to see my old
friend Chip Knight helping out with the Purple Gang's alpine program.
Chip, always a class guy and a great SL skier enjoyed a long stint with
the National Team.
Charles Christianson
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
Speaking of Williams ...we will journey to my home town of Bennington, VT next week for the Williams Carnival with the alpine at Jiminy Peak and the Nordic at Prospect Mountain, which is always snow drenched and the place I learned to ski. Yes, you can go home again.
JOTTINGS: Thanks to my friend Will O'Brien for pulling us out of the huge hole I dug in the parking lot at Oak Hill. You are the best. Great seeing Pat Blodgett, Donny Cutter. Next weekend’s Wiliams Carnival will be it's 88th (I believe) and also has a storied tradition. The DOC gang worked really hard to make this Carnival happened and we should all give them a pat on the back.
Until next time friends, remember the words of Dartmouth and SLU coach Otto Schniebs, who said, “skiing is more than a sport, it's a way of life"...how profound those words ring to me.
Later
Peter Q. Graves
February 5, 2008 [link to pdf of this week's article]
Fresh coffee, fresh bread, fresh donuts, mmmm. Time to make the donuts.
Hey it's been two weeks since we've updated this column, and it's about time, right. So let's jump right in with cogent factoids.
A SPECIAL EVENING
Before we get to this weekend's dramatic UVM Carnival let's look back a moment to a special happening, for a special man at the SLU Carnival in Lake Placid. My long time friend Bob Axtell was honored for his work with the SLU Ski Team over the years---Bob was Head Coach of the SLU Ski Team from 1962 to 1972 and then was around for years helping new generations of St. Lawrence Coaches. For years Bob presided over Axtell Sports in Canton and was as decent, kind, classy and understated guy, who loved the sport and the students that took part. The native of Old Forge, NY was nothing short of a legendary persona on the circuit...back in 1969 he even recruited me and I'll never forget that kindness! You are the best Bob and congratulations on that evening of honor in the Olympic Village. Come see us often on the EISA circuit, we could all use your input on Wax!
UVM CARNIVAL
Weather has often played a role in the UVM Cat's Carnival at Stowe and we had more of the same this past weekend, although it didn't deter an intrepid fan base from coming out and watch some great racing. Snow, sleet, rain, such is the nature of weather this time of year in NE. The big story was about the BIG GREEN dropping their first overall carnival win in over a year. The MIDD machine grabbed the overall win with 628 points while second went to host UVM, in a close battle with 624.5 and Dartmouth in third with 604 points.
My two cents: Dartmouth in third might not be a bad thing for them...yes, they didn't win, but they also do not now carry the burden of a winning streak, Like the NE Pats, those can be both distracting and a burden. They are free of the 800 pound gorilla and can just got back to what they do so well...ski racing, and the defense of their NCAA Crown.
THE WINNERS
What a great weekend did Williams' star Charlie Christianson had, winning both the SL and GS title. Second in GS went to UVM's Korpi, and third to the Cats Hardy. The women's win went to UVM's Jilyne McDonald in the GS, followed by Lindsay Kraft of Midd, and Kara Crow of UVM. Then onto SL where UVM's Jilyne McDonald grabbed her second win of the weekend at Mount Mansfield while UNH's Veronique Archambault-Leger edged out Middlebury's Tucker Vest-Burton.
The Men's SL at Stowe Mountain was won by Christianson with Colby's Vincent Lebrun-Fortin in second and UVM's Bobby Paulus grabbing third position. Billy R should be pleased with the Cats Alpine squad showing both excellent speed and depth!
THE NORDIES
They had plenty of winners and action over at the world famous Trapp Family Lodge, venue for Nordic events. That's where I was. Competitions opened with the Men's 10 K CL, which UVMs star German skier Jurgen Uhl won in a tight battle over Dartmouth's Glenn Randall, with third going to Midd-kid Simi Hamilton from Aspen. Mark down another great one for the ever improving CBC Squad with Silas Gill of Tracey Cote's team fishing a superb 4th.
The Women's 10k was yet another story of Cami Thompson's Dartmouth's Teams power punch. Frosh sensation of the nation Ida Sargent was the winner (with her gleaming new, glam, red locks) followed by Rosie Brennnen of Park City and Susan Dunklee of Barton, VT who skied beautifully. Coach Andy's top skiing Alexa Turzian grabbed a solid 4th position.
As weather rolled in coaches rolled up their sleeves, and debated whether binder or klister should be used, it was right on the edge and was indeed tricky.... most passed the test with flying colors!
In a chilly sprint event in the Trapps meadow Midd- Kid Tim Reynolds won the gold weaving thru the qualifying brackets in a brisk wind, with Ruff Patterson's Dartmouth skier Patty O'Brien and Dakota Blackhorse-Von Jess finished second and third. The Colby men won the overall point totals at the sprints with rusing performances by Nick Kline, Wyatt Fereday and Silas Gill. On the women's side, Ida Sargent remained undefeated on the weekend by winning the sprints, followed by sis Elsa Sargent finishing second.
LET'S LOOK AT MY SHORTS
Congrats to the MT crew at Stowe Mountain and Trapps for a superlative job by staying of top of ever changing weather conditions. Over at Nordic, my pal's Al Serrano, former UVM coach, was a perfect TD, and 1998 USA Olympian Marc Gilbertson put on a thumping good show. Also great seeing Bill Henchey and Charlie. Well done. How cool was it to have one of the nation's top young women skiers with us this weekend, Winthrop, Washington's Sadie Bjornsen. Soon she'll be off to World Juniors delayed for two weeks due to lack of snow in Zakopane, POL. Pete Davis did a great job announcing at Trapps, calling the action with enthusiasm, flair and great sport knowledge .... I worry I'll be loosing gigs to him, he's so good...and the music was great. Nice job.
Over at UNH Cory Schwartz is starting his 25th year as ski team coach, while Meghan Burns, who skied for SLU, is back again this season, and they welcome new alpine coach Brian Blank a UNH grad, whose been working at SMS, with new assistant to him Joe Dunn. Had a nice visit with dear friend Sverre Caldwell the SMS Head Nordic Coach at Trapps. In a day or two we will all get the word about Dartmouth and it's Carnival Nordic location, should it have to be moved, I hope to see you all wherever we land.
And to one dear reader, remember the word "impact" is not a verb. But enough for now, I am exceeding the bounds of good taste, being (word of the week) "fulsome". Keep skiing, keep reading, keep on having fun...goes for you parents, too!
See you on the trails my friends.
Peter Q. Graves
January 22, 2008 Lines in the Snow will take a week off as the Harvard Ski Team is in exams. Peter will return with a new article next week.
January 15, 2008 [link to pdf of this week's article]
Hey welcome back gang. Thanks for the nice comments on column one and all that good stuff.
AT RUMFORD & SUNDAY RIVER
We all took a journey to Maine this past weekend for the Bates Carnival, with alpine at Sunday River and Nordic at Black Mountain of Maine, under the direction of the legendary Chummy Broomhall, and despite a one-day hold down in Newry they also pulled off fine events Saturday and Sunday.
In alpine Men's GS was won by Midd's Alec Tarberry, and Men's SL captured by Big Green's Dave Chodounsky, who was second in last year's NCAA Slalom, with Christianson of Williams grabbing a silver medal both days.
Women's alpine proved equally exciting, with Dartmouth's Courtney Hammond skiing to the win in Women's GS, followed by UVM's Mcdonald and Vermont's Crow. Women's slalom was won by UNH's Oarchambault, while Midd's Ovest-Burton and Crow, went 2-3 on the podium.
It's always special for me to come back to Rumford..so many memories....my early mentors in the sport were the Broomhall brothers, as Chummy's son Scotty was a contemporary of mine (now my wax coach). It's history of hosting world-class events, including the 1950 FIS World Nordic Skiing Championships, which was actually awarded to Lake Placid and they had jumping there but there wasn't enough snow so they moved the xc races to Rumford, is so amazing, and so was the racing.
BATES CARNIVAL NORDIC STUFF
It was a weekend for surprises and also no surprises. Dartmouth--which won the overall Carnival continues to be very strong on the women's side...and picked up on Ruff Patterson's squad with some younger skiers really stepping up to the plate, following the graduation of Mikey and Ben.
One other thought, kudo's to Coach Cote's team from Colby where they placed four men in the top seven. That program is on the raise, and how 'bout Bowden strutting their stuff. Good job.
In the women's 10 km CL, Midd's Alexa Turzian won gold followed by first-year Ida Sargent at Big Green followed by a host of her teamates; Roise Brennan for 3rd, Elsa Sarget (Captain) 4th, 5th to Susan Dunklee and 6th to Hannah Driesissigacker.
The women's 5 km free saw Ida Sargent grab her first collegiate win for Cami Thompson's defending NCAA Champions squad, followed by Middlebury's Alexa Turzian, 3rd to Hannah Dreissigacker, Elsa Sarget and a great race for William's raising star Alice Nelson, who comes from Hanover.
On the men's side, UVM's top self performer Juergen Uhl grabbed victory in the Men's 10 Km Cl followed by Midd-kid Patrick Johnson, and Dakota Blackhorse-Von from Dartmouth along with another Midd Panther Tim Reynold. Coach Gardner's stable looks really promising. Back to Colby for a sec...there Silas Gall was 5th just ahead of Glenn Randall.
At the Men's 10 Km fee, Dakota hit it out of the park for Big Green for first, followed by Midd's Tim Reynolds and 3rd going to Wyatt Fereday (CBC) and his teamate Miatt Brigg Coldy going for fourth. Maine native Walt Shepard was a strong 5th place for Bowden. Also Kudo's to Andy Shepard, Walt's Dad, for all the good work as Prez of the Maine Winter Sports Center, where so many great things are a happening, as Dylan sang.
NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT MY SHORTS
Hope about USST Nordic Combined skier Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY) for his continued great finishes, he is now ranked second in the NC World Cup standings. Bode Miller tied Phil Mahre's 27 World Cup wins, in dramatic style with this past weekend's win at the fabled Lauberhorn in Wengen, SUI considered to be one of the toughest courses on the circuit. Phil and Steve are truly great and humble men, and good friends...but as the pundits say records are made to be broken. Resi (RAY-zee) Steigler is out for at least six weeks following a fall last week in Lienz, Austria. Big bummer.
Out west, Park City to be exact, Eli's squad of Utes won their first carnival in five years, at its home invitational.
Finally, sightings...not exactly Vanity Fair's version, but my own.....Olympians Dick Taylor looking fit and relaxed following retirement from Gould, the always friendly native of Brattleboro, Stan (and wife Judy) Dunklee down to watch Susan ski for Dartmouth, Tom Upham, always good to see him, and the dinner I had with Chummy, 85 and going strong, the embodiment of class, love of sport, teller of great tales, who worked 4 Olympic games. He never fails to inspire and make me laugh. There may have been more, BUT that's who I saw.
How about Liz Stephen's skiing...the Vermont shows why in the open women's class, she was the class of the field. Thanks Marty for your imput on my column, I love hearing from you, and this week's "Good Guy" of the week award ( sorry, I get to pick me, myself and I) UVM's Fred Fayette, who gave more splits out to more people than I have ever witness--and I was among the takers---Fred, from many of us thanks. You have long been there for all of us, and your love of sport is effecting.
Next week, we turn the flame over to Ethan for the SLU Carnival in Lake Placid.
Peace and be well, friends.
Peter Q. Graves
________________________________________________________
December 22, 2007
Welcome Ski Friends to a new season of EISA online. A new idea of my Middlebury Friend, Andrew Gardner, was born this fall, when Andy came to me at the Fall meeting of EISA Coaches and kindly asked if I would be interested in penning an online column for our readership. It only took a moment for me to decide...the answer was yes. Fresh copy will be available weekly during the season on both alpine and nordic. I am honored to do it, for most of all I love skiing, in all its many forms.
How 'bout a round of applause for US Ski Team's latest World Cup winner....Kikkan Randall of Anchorage. The last time an American woman won a World Cup was back in 1978, and that's when the World Cup was still in its unofficial days--Allison Owen won at Telemark Lodge in Cable, Wisconsin. I was the PA guy for the races, which marked the first time of now longtime skiing friends meeting each other; I speak of gents that I have great respect for their work, and their love of the skisport; Paul Robbins and Tom Kelly. Of course, the big USA nordic ski star of that era was the amazing Bill Koch; having skied to a strong Silver medal in the 1976 Games at Seefeld, AUT. Not only is Kikkan skiing well but so is Bennington, VT native Andy Newell. Former CU Buffs Head Coach Bill Marolt, now the CEO of the USST told me recently that after Torino the budget for XC skiing has been more the doubled.
While announcing the FIS Alpine World Cup with my old pal, Doug Lewis, at Beaver Creek, I bumped into an old friend, former UVM Director of Skiing, Chip LaCasse...he still has amazing energy, now directed as the USST East Coast fund raiser, and he is making things happen.
I have been recently been asked by Dan Brelsford at MSU, Bozeman to announce this years, NCAA Championships. That's so cool, as I am reminded now how many years I have been behind the mike at the NCAA's and I feel very proud to present our sport in an exciting and entertaining way. Working last years UNH hosted NCAAs was very special for me.
That is when Dartmouth won their first NCAA title in years...it was a 31-year team title drought. The last time the Big Green stood atop the winner’s podium was 1976. Dartmouth also won the EISA Championships and had an historic sweep of the EISA Carnivals. Recently, I spoke with Dartmouth's Director of Skiing Cami Thompson, also known to one and all as my girlfriend, about last season. "It was an amazing season.... a coaches dream...just seeing everyone coming together as we did," said Cami, upon her return from a Big Green training camp at Mt. Ste. Anne. And on traveling down to DC and the White House....."It was a great experience being at the White House with some 20 plus other NCAA Winter Team winners...I would say it was an honor for all of us to be down there," commented Cami who graduated from SLU and is now starting her 19th year in Hanover.
NOW LET"S TAKE A LOOK AT MY SHORTS---
The USST Alpine Team is off to a great start, with Vonn, Ligety, Mancouso. Turning in some great performances, also Bode Miller, skiing for his own team, Team America is off to a solid start.... Last week the highy regarded Olympic Champion in 1952 in Oslo Stein Erickson celebrated his 80th Birthday at the Stein Erickson Lodge...and hats of to star Austrian jumper Thomas Morgentern with 5 wins this year on the world cup, with the 4 Hills getting ready to start.
Here's wishing you all a Happy Holiday.
Peter Q. Graves
by Peter Graves, Harvard Nordic Coach
NCAA Edition, #2 March 9, 2008
BOZEMAN, MT----Mix in Sunshine, lovely mountains and a hip, fresh college town, and you've got the right mixture for the 55th running of the NCAA Skiing Championships, here in this town of 70,000 on the way to Montana's famed Big Sky Resort.
Yesterday the EISA alpine skiers were on fire, with a great showing all the way round the horn by Bill Reichelt's Catamounts. UVM took 2 and 3 with Greg Gardy and Erik Gilbert in the swirling winds at Bridger Bowl, while the Lady Cats found 3 skiers in the top q0 with Janowiak third, Crow fifth and McDonald in 6th...this really moved UVM up in the points. The Bridger Bowl Ski Area is lovely with huge cornices that round the top of the mountain like cotton candy; every once and a while you'll hear thunderous booms of cannons blast away at the top (far from the race course) to orevent avalanches. They call the amazing snow "cold smoke" out here in these parts...dry, fluffy and just fine to cut a turn or five into.
NORDIC NOTES
The men's 20 km and the women's 15 km CL were held today, under a bluebird sky. I even like the drive up to Bohart Ranch.....slap in some Toby Keith or a little Bocelli (yes, my tastes are eclectic) and absorb the majestic ramparts of the area. The speed limit is 70 mph most of the way, and that's just about right for me.
With great course prep the crew at Bohart impressed. The first race of the day was the mens. Everyone was scrambling for the right wax; what would the sunshine do...would the temps soar, would the clouds roll in and cool things off.....geez, where's Scottie, what would he do ? Would this be a klister day, binder, or hard wax.
The first race proved that UAF's Scott Jerome had hit the wax with Germany star Marius Korthauer winning big in the 10 km, followed by Colorado's Kit Richmond in second and UVM's Germany star Juergen Uhl.
The women's race featured a wire to wire lead by Norwegian snow queen Maria Moe Grevsgaard of Gielo, skiing for CU grabbing the win; the second victory of these championships. That made coach and old friend Bruce Cranmer happy. The silver medal went to UNM's Russian student Polina Ermoshina of Moscow while Denver's Antje Maempel grabbed the bronze position.
The Dartmouth women had an especially impressive day in the 15 km, with Senior, Elsa Sargent (Orleans, VT) posting her best NCAA result ever with a shining fourth place, getting great support from fellow Greenie's Senior Susan Dunklee (Barton, VT) in 6th and Rosie Brennan (Park City, UT) in 7th place. Dartmouth Women's mentor Cami Thompson said it was an amazing performance. " I am so proud of our girls today, they were a really tough bunch and managed to ski well despite tricky conditions, but this was a good day for us."
Colorado now leads after faltering to DU, but is back on top followed by DU in second, Utah Third and Dartmouth now in fourth. Dartmouth is the defending NCAA Skiing Champions.
JOTTINGS
Faces in the crowd: legendary coach for the USST and CU and long time ABC broadcaster, Bob Beattie along with son Zeino, along with 1964 Olympic Gold medalist for Austria Pepi Steigler down from Jackson Hole to watch his son compete in alpine tomorrow. He reports Resi will come back even stronger for the US Team next year, following her tough fall in a World Cup in Jan. in Lienz, AUT. She is rehabbing now.
The 1972 US Olympic Team at Sapporo was well represented by nordic skier and old bud Teyck Weed, who know lives out here and Old Forge, NY's alpine star Hank Kashiwa, who was on the alpine team.
These have been fine championships as we go into the final day, Next year, we will move back to Maine, where Bates College will host at Sunday River and Rumford.
Peter Q. Graves
NCAA Edition, #1 March 6, 2008
BOZEMAN, MT-----John Bozeman road into this valley in 1864 seeking fame and fortune, well, ok, mostly
fortune....in the Gold mining business, in this lovely
mountain town of Bozeman. I made my first trip here in 1970 for a
training camp with the USEASA Team on the way to the 1970 Jr.
Nationals, which were to be held in Jackson Hole, WY. And it's nice to
be back.Along the way this town has grown, the population hovers around 70,000, with a huge University, our fine hosts; Montana State University.
Annually Outside Magazine calls Bozeman one of the nation's most live able outdoor towns, and word has spread. As massive (and lovely) timber and glass homes dot the valley with a lovely elegance. Two venues are our hosts: Alpine at Bridger Bowl and Bohart Ranch for the Nordic events. The town is super, yesterday Cami and I went out to have lunch and I had the best ever, killer bison burger. It's just a great spot.
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie, Alexa Turzian Pictured at Dartmouth Carnival
TODAY
It was Day number
one and it belonged to the nordic skiers . . . light, fluffy snow fell
most of the day at Bohart with only peaks of sun peeping
thru...nonetheless, it was a Currier and Ives day, and a nice course to
kick things off. Bohart is about 18 miles from downtown Boaeman.The women kicked things off with the 5 KM skate race. . . winning was Norwegian import at CU Maria Grevsgaard with teammate at CU and Russian star Lenka Palanova in second while the West hung on for third with Annelise Bailly, whose sister is one of the world's top biathletes on the IBU tour.
The East came next with Alexa Turzian who skis for Middlebury in an outstanding 4, followed by Morgan Smyth, who hails from Vernon, VT and skis for NMU in 5th. The Big Green's Rosie Brennan just back from the Jr. World Nordic in Italia (along with Turzian) grabbed Dartmouth's number two spot in 6th place.
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie, Glenn Randal pictured at Dartmouth Carnival
When the men came to the start at 10:30 this morning, it was still snowing, so grooming was done again between men's and women's races. Dartmouth junior Glenn Randall of Collburn, CO became the first Dartmouth skier in 41 years to claim an NCAA cross-country title according to my friend Rick Adams the PR great for Dartmouth skiing. Dartmouth's last title came in 1967, when the late great Ned Gillette, a 1968 Olympian from Barre, VT won. Randall’s previous best was 5th in 2006. Randall held the lead thru 5 Km to the rapt attention of the small crowd of fans who gathered to watch and inspiring race. Glenn, was 11 seconds faster than UAF's Marius Korthauer. CU's new Norge recruit stepped it up to grab the bronze medal in third, 24 seconds of Glenn's pace.
Bates had an amazing performance with Vail's Sylvan Ellefson finishing fourth. Simi Hamilton from Middlebury College was the EISA's next finisher in 13th.
This is short and I have a tight deadline with much to do, but I trust it will give you some idea of happenings of the day.
IN THE CROWD
There are lots of parents and ski friends watching the races. Nice to see former CU and USST Coach Bob Beattie, legendary broadcaster for ABC Sports watching the happenings, along with former USST skier and pro star Hank Kashiwa.
Tomorrow is alpine and we will be there. Thanks for reading. It was a great day.
Pete
Peter Q. Graves
February 25, 2008
The 85th Middlebury Carnival went off without a hitch, great weather, good, solid racing, all in the final tune up for the NCAA Skiing Championships coming up in two weeks in Bozeman, MT. While host Midd opened up an opening day lead of 10 points, it was not to be enough to unset Dartmouth who came from behind in an awesome display of skiing power to grab the EISA Crown for 2008. So Dartmouth wins, Middlebury was second and UVM was third.
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
ALPINE RACING
It was a great day for Andrew Wagner winning the men's GS at the fabled Snow Bowl, besting Greg Hardy and Charlie
Christianson of Williams, who has been just about
unbeatable this season.Still great skiing for the Cat's Jilyne McDonald, with Archambault-Leger of UNH and Courtney Hammond of the Big Green third.
UVM's Lyndee Janowiak swept to the win in the two-run women's SL, while Christianson of the Ephs won the Men's SL, besting Vincent Lebrun-Fortin of Colby. Wagner of Midd was third.
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
NORDIC NOTES
Two days o
f
exciting racing at the wonderful Rikert Ski Touring Center on the
lovely Breadloaf Campus of Middlebury. The women's 5 km
produced power results for Dartmouth with them running 1 and 2, Susan
Dunklee and Elsa Sargent gave the Green the Gold.Vail's Sylvan Ellefson, who skis for Bates placed a clutch first in the Men's 10 KM Freestyle race besting Colby's Wyatt Fereday by 20 seconds. Dartmouth's Glenn Randall hung on to third place.
The final day of racing was the, ever eye-pleasing Mass start, again sometimes it "is easy being Green" as Dartmouth dominated the women's mass start with Susan Dunklee, Barton, VT grabbing the Gold and Elsa Sargent in second UVM's Jennie Bender was a strong third. UVM's German import Juergen Uhl won the Men's 15 KM race besting Bates' Ellefson and Nils Koons. Big, enthusiastic crowds where on hand for both alpine and nordic events.
GOOD BYE DEAR FRIEND
On the way back from the race, I had almost reached Boston when I received a cell phone call from my old friend Tom Kelly of the USST, informing me of the passing of a giant in the sport. One of America's leading and legendary journalists, Paul Robbins. Robbins died Saturday afternoon at his desk, writing ski stories for the USST, and the day before had conducted a nationwide teleconference with Lindsay Vonn and legendary Picabo Street about Vonn's World Cup DH title win. His cause of death was heart attack.
Paul and I had been friends for over 30 years, first meeting at Tony Wise's Gitch Gami Games at Telemark Resort in Cable, WI. We announced races together, traveled around the world together and he was one of my best friends. Paul, 68, who was the former UPI Bureau Chief in Boston and a long-time writer for the US Ski Team, was a regular site typing away at World Cup and Olympic Press rooms around the globe. And was certainly America's most well know Nordic journalist. And old-school journalist with both wit and kindness PR was simply a walking lexicon. It just won't be the same without him. He also covered 8 Olympics for both CBS and NBC Sports, and his well know choice of hats--his Scottish tam--became his signature. There will be other journalists to come that will report skiing....there will be only one Paul Robbins.
Paul was fun and kind and great to kids, a little league coach in his hometown of Weathersfield, VT. A Service is planned in the Spring. Losing Paul, as we all have is reflected to me so well in the words of Edna St. Vincent Mi
llay..."I only know that summer sang in me, a little while, that in me sings no more."
Peter Q. Graves
February 18, 2008
PROLOGUE
It's always so nice to revisit a place you once called your own home ski area. In summer, a paradise of green, in Winter a symphony of snow, babbling brooks, and a slower pace. Prospect is perched about 1200 feet higher than the town of Bennington...right next to the ski area is a lovely old white church, my father always claimed to be the highest church in elevation in the state of Vermont. Locals talk over coffee at the Top Notch Diner about how it’s always 10 degrees colder in Woodford, then town.
Woodford, has for many years been sort of a haven for us. Dad, before practicing law used to pick ferns there and send them by train to the floral shops of New York. Later beer and bath tub gin were made during prohibition. Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
A hunter's paradise, and many, many camps; not the fancy kind that we call camps today. But real, honest to goodness---shacks with deer cleaned and drying, and the early days of skiing emerged.
Alec Drysdale of Bennington started the first ski area in Woodford, not far from today's Prospect. It was know as Hedge Hog Hovel. My parents, clad in knickers, used to go up and down the rope towed powered by a Model T.
Now my friend Steve runs the place and is doing a fine job providing nordic skiing to locals and out of towners alike. It's almost like a public trust providing such fine skiing for so many. At the snack bar, Kent, with his Harvard Ski Team Cap on---serves up one great burger. I learned to ski at Prospect and it always feels like going home.
THE RACES
The 89th running of one of the nation's oldest Winter Carnivals happens at Jiminy Peak in the Berkshires for alpine, and at Prospect....it's the Williams Winter Carnival. Their traditions are long and also evoke back to an earlier time. Years ago ski jumps dotted the landscape near the college up on the Mohawk Trail, Florida, Mass....the famous run down Mount Greylock, was the Berkshires version of the Inferno at Tucks. Legendary coach Ralpie Townsend, a former 10th Mountain Division man race a great program at Williams, now Bud and Ed continue that fine tradition. Also I remember the days of legendary filmmaker Photo Credit: Kris Dobie John Jay, and the writer John Hitchcock, who just loved to write about these fabled mountains of Western Mass and Southern Vermont.
Alpine at Jiminy kicked of with Giant SL with a strong outing for UVM with Lyndee Janowiak winning Gold in GS with her teammate Julianne McDonald in second, proved a great day for the UMP Cats. Dartmouth Captain, Michelanne Shields, scored her first podium of the year with a 3rd place in GS. Charlie Christianson, Williams powerhouse alpine skier won the Men's GS followed by UNH skier Sean McNamara and UVM's consistent star Greg Hardy in third.
Men's SL featured Colby's Vincent Lebrun-Fortin with a win in 1:30.78, followed by Christianson of Williams and 3 and 4th going to UVM skier Greg Hardy and UNH's Bill Ford. Women's SL was won by Big Greens' Courtney Hammond, coming off a win at last week's Dartmouth Carnival.
UP AT PROSPECT
The weather forecast called for strong winds and frigid temps but we tripped the forecasters up and had two very good days for skiing.
Drenched in new snow the Big Green put on a strong showing with Barton, VT's Susan Dunklee winning the Women's 5 KM freestyle event, with Captain and Senior Elsa Sargent in second for Cami Thompson's squad with UNH's Sarah Wright scoring. It was the second career college win for Dunklee.
Bates skier and Vail, CO native, Sylvan Ellefson won the Men's 10 Km with Colby's impressive Nick Kline in second and Middlebury's Tim Reynolds.
The next day was followed by team Sprints that held all in rapt attention; what an exciting college event! Dartmouth scored another first place with the men as it continued to build up strong EISA points, with the team of Pat O'Brien, Nils Koons and Dakota Blackhorse-Von Jess grabbing the gold by 32 seconds over Middlebury while UNH skiers were also having a fine day being just 6 seconds behind the Midd-kids, Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
it was some race to watch. The women also put on a fine show with a strong showing by Dartmouth with the power squad of Dunklee, Dreissigacker and Sargent (Elsa) grabbed the gold medal over UNH and Middlebury.
In total points Dartmouth is back to their impressive winning ways, with only the Middlebury Carnival to go, which doubles as the EISA Championships. The Green machine enters the final carnival with five wins and a third place finish. Middlebury Ski Team finished second with UNH third. The EISA Championships will be held on Feb. 22 and 23rd.
LETS LOOK AT MY SHORTS
Big Green's alpine
star Dave Chodounsky is in Europe presently skiing Europa Cups with the
USST. Other's over seas include Ida Sargent and Rosie Brennan at the
World Juniors, while Simi Hamilton and Alexa Turzian, both from Mid,
are attending the FIS U-23 world Championships, both events are held
together and they have been moved to the Mountains of Italy.Saw one of my High School coaches, Birger Vigsnes up at Prospect. Great guy. He was a topnotch skier for SLU in the early 1960's. I also had nice chats with Olympian Stan Dunklee, a Brattleboro native and former Olympian, Brenda White, who skied for UVM.
I am hopeful to provide you, dear reader, with daily copy from the NCAA's, if all goes according to plan.
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
As always, thanks for reading.
Have a great week.
Peter Q. Graves
February 10, 2008 [link here for pdf of this week's article]
It was so nice to see all of you this weekend at the 98th Dartmouth Winter Carnival, equally nice that after three years away from the superb skiing venue of Oak Hill, we were able to return as Mother Nature outdid herself this week, covering the Upper Valley with lovely snow.
My father, who is a remarkable 101 years old, told me tales that etched into my memory about the by-gone days of the 1920's when he and his mates would charge out of Brown and come up for the many activities of the day. Noted F.Scott Fitzgerald, who penned the book "Winter Carnival", later to be a movie was a pro eminent figure around town and especially in and out of the then tap room at the Hanover Inn. Thousands came to the events and gravitated to the concluding event, the ski jump. Where wild flapper-types from the era would party like it 1999. Raccoon coats and the hole nine years....how I wish I could have seen that !
The DOC was founded by the legendary Fred Harris in 1909. Fred would also distinguish himself by building the famed Harris Hill in Brattleboro, VT. The first Dartmouth Carnival was founded in 1915. The tradition carries on today and it is just wonderful, you can still feel or imagine the late greats like Charlie "Al" Merrill my dear friend, who help out with trail design and Race Chief on that first chilly World Cup at Giants Ridge in Minnesota, you can imagine legendary Dartmouth Coaches like Otto Scniebs, Walter Prager, Sel Hannah, David Bradley, whom recently passed away, Sel Hannah, Dick Durrance. The history and lore is palpable.
CARNIVAL JOTTINGS
Once again, after a
weeks absence, the Big Green was back on top to grab the win at home,
over rivals Middlebury while UVM went for third overall. Once again,
that pint-sized powerhouse with the Pink locks...they're not RED! Ida Sargent was
brilliant, and the rest of the women's power team of Green got great
finishes from Park City's Rosie Brennan, Elsa Sargent, Susan Dunklee.
Middlebury's Alexa Turzian skied well for coaches Andy Gardner and '84
Olympian Patty Ross. Alexa came out of my bud's Rick Kapala outstanding program in Sun Valley. This was also a
fine carnival for, NENSA quota skier Liz Stephens, from Montpelier, who
is a member of the
USST.Ida Sargent
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
Paul Stone, not only has fine new help with my bro Pat Weaver, a two time Olympian in Nagano and SLC, as an assistant coach (that's a great catch Stoner), but the Catamounts are getting great points from Germany ski
er Jurgen Uhl, who won the grueling men's 20km Classic. The
native of Muehlenbach, Germany, who is 22 years old, was a top skier for the German team at a number of
FIS Continental Cups. Aspen native Simi Hamilton won the skate race
and was second in the CL 20 KM. He's super strong. Lest,
we sing only the praises
of Dartmouth women, the Men's
Team under Ruff
Patterson (he and I worked on the USST staff in the 1980s and we even
skied together in college, yea...that's how far we go
back) the men of Green got some great skiing
from Putney native Pat O'Brien, Glenn Randall, Dakota Blackhorse Von
Jess, and from Freshman Nils Koons.
Men's Finish, 20km ClassicPhoto Credit: Kris Dobie
At the Dartmouth Ski Way some great performances were logged by Dartmouth freshman Courtney Hammond with Friday's GS win with another clutch win the Women's Slalom. Dartmouth's Hailey Jones got her first podium, with a third place. Also UVM's great skier Jilyne McDonald continues to show why week in and out she's one of the best.
In Men's alpine
Charlie Christianson from Ed Grees, Ephs won the men's SL, and the next
day shared a continental breakfast with me at the Chieftain Motor Inn
in Lyme, NH. Speaking of Williams, it was a joy for me to see my old
friend Chip Knight helping out with the Purple Gang's alpine program.
Chip, always a class guy and a great SL skier enjoyed a long stint with
the National Team.Charles Christianson
Photo Credit: Kris Dobie
Speaking of Williams ...we will journey to my home town of Bennington, VT next week for the Williams Carnival with the alpine at Jiminy Peak and the Nordic at Prospect Mountain, which is always snow drenched and the place I learned to ski. Yes, you can go home again.
JOTTINGS: Thanks to my friend Will O'Brien for pulling us out of the huge hole I dug in the parking lot at Oak Hill. You are the best. Great seeing Pat Blodgett, Donny Cutter. Next weekend’s Wiliams Carnival will be it's 88th (I believe) and also has a storied tradition. The DOC gang worked really hard to make this Carnival happened and we should all give them a pat on the back.
Until next time friends, remember the words of Dartmouth and SLU coach Otto Schniebs, who said, “skiing is more than a sport, it's a way of life"...how profound those words ring to me.
Later
Peter Q. Graves
February 5, 2008 [link to pdf of this week's article]
Fresh coffee, fresh bread, fresh donuts, mmmm. Time to make the donuts.
Hey it's been two weeks since we've updated this column, and it's about time, right. So let's jump right in with cogent factoids.
A SPECIAL EVENING
Before we get to this weekend's dramatic UVM Carnival let's look back a moment to a special happening, for a special man at the SLU Carnival in Lake Placid. My long time friend Bob Axtell was honored for his work with the SLU Ski Team over the years---Bob was Head Coach of the SLU Ski Team from 1962 to 1972 and then was around for years helping new generations of St. Lawrence Coaches. For years Bob presided over Axtell Sports in Canton and was as decent, kind, classy and understated guy, who loved the sport and the students that took part. The native of Old Forge, NY was nothing short of a legendary persona on the circuit...back in 1969 he even recruited me and I'll never forget that kindness! You are the best Bob and congratulations on that evening of honor in the Olympic Village. Come see us often on the EISA circuit, we could all use your input on Wax!
UVM CARNIVAL
Weather has often played a role in the UVM Cat's Carnival at Stowe and we had more of the same this past weekend, although it didn't deter an intrepid fan base from coming out and watch some great racing. Snow, sleet, rain, such is the nature of weather this time of year in NE. The big story was about the BIG GREEN dropping their first overall carnival win in over a year. The MIDD machine grabbed the overall win with 628 points while second went to host UVM, in a close battle with 624.5 and Dartmouth in third with 604 points.
My two cents: Dartmouth in third might not be a bad thing for them...yes, they didn't win, but they also do not now carry the burden of a winning streak, Like the NE Pats, those can be both distracting and a burden. They are free of the 800 pound gorilla and can just got back to what they do so well...ski racing, and the defense of their NCAA Crown.
THE WINNERS
What a great weekend did Williams' star Charlie Christianson had, winning both the SL and GS title. Second in GS went to UVM's Korpi, and third to the Cats Hardy. The women's win went to UVM's Jilyne McDonald in the GS, followed by Lindsay Kraft of Midd, and Kara Crow of UVM. Then onto SL where UVM's Jilyne McDonald grabbed her second win of the weekend at Mount Mansfield while UNH's Veronique Archambault-Leger edged out Middlebury's Tucker Vest-Burton.
The Men's SL at Stowe Mountain was won by Christianson with Colby's Vincent Lebrun-Fortin in second and UVM's Bobby Paulus grabbing third position. Billy R should be pleased with the Cats Alpine squad showing both excellent speed and depth!
THE NORDIES
They had plenty of winners and action over at the world famous Trapp Family Lodge, venue for Nordic events. That's where I was. Competitions opened with the Men's 10 K CL, which UVMs star German skier Jurgen Uhl won in a tight battle over Dartmouth's Glenn Randall, with third going to Midd-kid Simi Hamilton from Aspen. Mark down another great one for the ever improving CBC Squad with Silas Gill of Tracey Cote's team fishing a superb 4th.
The Women's 10k was yet another story of Cami Thompson's Dartmouth's Teams power punch. Frosh sensation of the nation Ida Sargent was the winner (with her gleaming new, glam, red locks) followed by Rosie Brennnen of Park City and Susan Dunklee of Barton, VT who skied beautifully. Coach Andy's top skiing Alexa Turzian grabbed a solid 4th position.
As weather rolled in coaches rolled up their sleeves, and debated whether binder or klister should be used, it was right on the edge and was indeed tricky.... most passed the test with flying colors!
In a chilly sprint event in the Trapps meadow Midd- Kid Tim Reynolds won the gold weaving thru the qualifying brackets in a brisk wind, with Ruff Patterson's Dartmouth skier Patty O'Brien and Dakota Blackhorse-Von Jess finished second and third. The Colby men won the overall point totals at the sprints with rusing performances by Nick Kline, Wyatt Fereday and Silas Gill. On the women's side, Ida Sargent remained undefeated on the weekend by winning the sprints, followed by sis Elsa Sargent finishing second.
LET'S LOOK AT MY SHORTS
Congrats to the MT crew at Stowe Mountain and Trapps for a superlative job by staying of top of ever changing weather conditions. Over at Nordic, my pal's Al Serrano, former UVM coach, was a perfect TD, and 1998 USA Olympian Marc Gilbertson put on a thumping good show. Also great seeing Bill Henchey and Charlie. Well done. How cool was it to have one of the nation's top young women skiers with us this weekend, Winthrop, Washington's Sadie Bjornsen. Soon she'll be off to World Juniors delayed for two weeks due to lack of snow in Zakopane, POL. Pete Davis did a great job announcing at Trapps, calling the action with enthusiasm, flair and great sport knowledge .... I worry I'll be loosing gigs to him, he's so good...and the music was great. Nice job.
Over at UNH Cory Schwartz is starting his 25th year as ski team coach, while Meghan Burns, who skied for SLU, is back again this season, and they welcome new alpine coach Brian Blank a UNH grad, whose been working at SMS, with new assistant to him Joe Dunn. Had a nice visit with dear friend Sverre Caldwell the SMS Head Nordic Coach at Trapps. In a day or two we will all get the word about Dartmouth and it's Carnival Nordic location, should it have to be moved, I hope to see you all wherever we land.
And to one dear reader, remember the word "impact" is not a verb. But enough for now, I am exceeding the bounds of good taste, being (word of the week) "fulsome". Keep skiing, keep reading, keep on having fun...goes for you parents, too!
See you on the trails my friends.
Peter Q. Graves
January 22, 2008 Lines in the Snow will take a week off as the Harvard Ski Team is in exams. Peter will return with a new article next week.
January 15, 2008 [link to pdf of this week's article]
Hey welcome back gang. Thanks for the nice comments on column one and all that good stuff.
AT RUMFORD & SUNDAY RIVER
We all took a journey to Maine this past weekend for the Bates Carnival, with alpine at Sunday River and Nordic at Black Mountain of Maine, under the direction of the legendary Chummy Broomhall, and despite a one-day hold down in Newry they also pulled off fine events Saturday and Sunday.
In alpine Men's GS was won by Midd's Alec Tarberry, and Men's SL captured by Big Green's Dave Chodounsky, who was second in last year's NCAA Slalom, with Christianson of Williams grabbing a silver medal both days.
Women's alpine proved equally exciting, with Dartmouth's Courtney Hammond skiing to the win in Women's GS, followed by UVM's Mcdonald and Vermont's Crow. Women's slalom was won by UNH's Oarchambault, while Midd's Ovest-Burton and Crow, went 2-3 on the podium.
It's always special for me to come back to Rumford..so many memories....my early mentors in the sport were the Broomhall brothers, as Chummy's son Scotty was a contemporary of mine (now my wax coach). It's history of hosting world-class events, including the 1950 FIS World Nordic Skiing Championships, which was actually awarded to Lake Placid and they had jumping there but there wasn't enough snow so they moved the xc races to Rumford, is so amazing, and so was the racing.
BATES CARNIVAL NORDIC STUFF
It was a weekend for surprises and also no surprises. Dartmouth--which won the overall Carnival continues to be very strong on the women's side...and picked up on Ruff Patterson's squad with some younger skiers really stepping up to the plate, following the graduation of Mikey and Ben.
One other thought, kudo's to Coach Cote's team from Colby where they placed four men in the top seven. That program is on the raise, and how 'bout Bowden strutting their stuff. Good job.
In the women's 10 km CL, Midd's Alexa Turzian won gold followed by first-year Ida Sargent at Big Green followed by a host of her teamates; Roise Brennan for 3rd, Elsa Sarget (Captain) 4th, 5th to Susan Dunklee and 6th to Hannah Driesissigacker.
The women's 5 km free saw Ida Sargent grab her first collegiate win for Cami Thompson's defending NCAA Champions squad, followed by Middlebury's Alexa Turzian, 3rd to Hannah Dreissigacker, Elsa Sarget and a great race for William's raising star Alice Nelson, who comes from Hanover.
On the men's side, UVM's top self performer Juergen Uhl grabbed victory in the Men's 10 Km Cl followed by Midd-kid Patrick Johnson, and Dakota Blackhorse-Von from Dartmouth along with another Midd Panther Tim Reynold. Coach Gardner's stable looks really promising. Back to Colby for a sec...there Silas Gall was 5th just ahead of Glenn Randall.
At the Men's 10 Km fee, Dakota hit it out of the park for Big Green for first, followed by Midd's Tim Reynolds and 3rd going to Wyatt Fereday (CBC) and his teamate Miatt Brigg Coldy going for fourth. Maine native Walt Shepard was a strong 5th place for Bowden. Also Kudo's to Andy Shepard, Walt's Dad, for all the good work as Prez of the Maine Winter Sports Center, where so many great things are a happening, as Dylan sang.
NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT MY SHORTS
Hope about USST Nordic Combined skier Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY) for his continued great finishes, he is now ranked second in the NC World Cup standings. Bode Miller tied Phil Mahre's 27 World Cup wins, in dramatic style with this past weekend's win at the fabled Lauberhorn in Wengen, SUI considered to be one of the toughest courses on the circuit. Phil and Steve are truly great and humble men, and good friends...but as the pundits say records are made to be broken. Resi (RAY-zee) Steigler is out for at least six weeks following a fall last week in Lienz, Austria. Big bummer.
Out west, Park City to be exact, Eli's squad of Utes won their first carnival in five years, at its home invitational.
Finally, sightings...not exactly Vanity Fair's version, but my own.....Olympians Dick Taylor looking fit and relaxed following retirement from Gould, the always friendly native of Brattleboro, Stan (and wife Judy) Dunklee down to watch Susan ski for Dartmouth, Tom Upham, always good to see him, and the dinner I had with Chummy, 85 and going strong, the embodiment of class, love of sport, teller of great tales, who worked 4 Olympic games. He never fails to inspire and make me laugh. There may have been more, BUT that's who I saw.
How about Liz Stephen's skiing...the Vermont shows why in the open women's class, she was the class of the field. Thanks Marty for your imput on my column, I love hearing from you, and this week's "Good Guy" of the week award ( sorry, I get to pick me, myself and I) UVM's Fred Fayette, who gave more splits out to more people than I have ever witness--and I was among the takers---Fred, from many of us thanks. You have long been there for all of us, and your love of sport is effecting.
Next week, we turn the flame over to Ethan for the SLU Carnival in Lake Placid.
Peace and be well, friends.
Peter Q. Graves
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December 22, 2007
Welcome Ski Friends to a new season of EISA online. A new idea of my Middlebury Friend, Andrew Gardner, was born this fall, when Andy came to me at the Fall meeting of EISA Coaches and kindly asked if I would be interested in penning an online column for our readership. It only took a moment for me to decide...the answer was yes. Fresh copy will be available weekly during the season on both alpine and nordic. I am honored to do it, for most of all I love skiing, in all its many forms.
How 'bout a round of applause for US Ski Team's latest World Cup winner....Kikkan Randall of Anchorage. The last time an American woman won a World Cup was back in 1978, and that's when the World Cup was still in its unofficial days--Allison Owen won at Telemark Lodge in Cable, Wisconsin. I was the PA guy for the races, which marked the first time of now longtime skiing friends meeting each other; I speak of gents that I have great respect for their work, and their love of the skisport; Paul Robbins and Tom Kelly. Of course, the big USA nordic ski star of that era was the amazing Bill Koch; having skied to a strong Silver medal in the 1976 Games at Seefeld, AUT. Not only is Kikkan skiing well but so is Bennington, VT native Andy Newell. Former CU Buffs Head Coach Bill Marolt, now the CEO of the USST told me recently that after Torino the budget for XC skiing has been more the doubled.
While announcing the FIS Alpine World Cup with my old pal, Doug Lewis, at Beaver Creek, I bumped into an old friend, former UVM Director of Skiing, Chip LaCasse...he still has amazing energy, now directed as the USST East Coast fund raiser, and he is making things happen.
I have been recently been asked by Dan Brelsford at MSU, Bozeman to announce this years, NCAA Championships. That's so cool, as I am reminded now how many years I have been behind the mike at the NCAA's and I feel very proud to present our sport in an exciting and entertaining way. Working last years UNH hosted NCAAs was very special for me.
That is when Dartmouth won their first NCAA title in years...it was a 31-year team title drought. The last time the Big Green stood atop the winner’s podium was 1976. Dartmouth also won the EISA Championships and had an historic sweep of the EISA Carnivals. Recently, I spoke with Dartmouth's Director of Skiing Cami Thompson, also known to one and all as my girlfriend, about last season. "It was an amazing season.... a coaches dream...just seeing everyone coming together as we did," said Cami, upon her return from a Big Green training camp at Mt. Ste. Anne. And on traveling down to DC and the White House....."It was a great experience being at the White House with some 20 plus other NCAA Winter Team winners...I would say it was an honor for all of us to be down there," commented Cami who graduated from SLU and is now starting her 19th year in Hanover.
NOW LET"S TAKE A LOOK AT MY SHORTS---
The USST Alpine Team is off to a great start, with Vonn, Ligety, Mancouso. Turning in some great performances, also Bode Miller, skiing for his own team, Team America is off to a solid start.... Last week the highy regarded Olympic Champion in 1952 in Oslo Stein Erickson celebrated his 80th Birthday at the Stein Erickson Lodge...and hats of to star Austrian jumper Thomas Morgentern with 5 wins this year on the world cup, with the 4 Hills getting ready to start.
Here's wishing you all a Happy Holiday.
Peter Q. Graves