[Source: AUDI MedCup] Bribn made their best start to an Audi MedCup Circuit regatta since the start of the season in Alicante, when they won the first race of the Region of Murcia Trophy Regatta and followed up with a strong third place to take an early two points advantage over the ever consistent Audi MedCup Circuit leaders Quantum Racing.

The waters off Cartagena, a new venue for the MedCup Circuit, have already dealt a new set of challenges for the crews and the regatta organisers. The deep waters shelve sharply to the shore and the adjacent steep mountainsides swirl the breezes. Combined together the choppy, big, disorganised seas and the shifty winds, which ranged from 14-21 knots today, were an invitation to the opportunists and smart, slick sailors. Certainly the opening day of this fifth regatta of the Audi MedCup Circuit did not simply bow down and respect the speeds of the newer boats in the fleet, and there were plenty of chances to use the wind shifts and big waves. Read the rest of this entry »

Published: Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:00 AM MDT

Updated: Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:13 AM MDT

At the height of the roller ski season, Webskis.com is offering a special discounted rollerski package, including the amazing Alpina rollerski specific boots, your choice of ski model, bindings and mounting.

The classic package includes Alpina classic rollerski boots, Pro-ski classic roller skis, NNN R3 classic bindings and free binding mounting. This $697 value is being offered for $550. The skate ski package includes Alpina skate rollerski boots, Pro-Ski skate skis, NNN R3 skate binding and free binding mount. This $772 retail value is offered at $600. Webskis.com is offering this
package until Labor Day Weekend.

Monday, September 8, 2008 will be the last day to order this special package. Skiers can check out the equipment at http://www.webskis.com. Orders for rollerski packages can be placed on-line. Simply select each item in your package and check out. We will discount the price of your package accordingly prior to charging your card. Or simply call and ask for Bert to get set up for some excellent rolling in late summer and fall.

For many years Pro-Ski rollerskis have been used by high-level cross-country athletes for ski-specific training in the summer and fall. The trusty C2 and C3 models have been the choice for classic skiing with the wide rubber wheels and the ratcheted rear wheel. The newer Roadline Tech is designed with a smaller ratcheted wheel in the front. This helps foster better technique as it requires the skier weight on the ball of the foot when initiating the kick phase.

For skate ski training the two Pro-Ski models most in use are the S2 and the S5E. The S2 rolls on small (wheel diameter: 70 mm; wheel width: 30 mm), fast wheels that are suitable for smooth pavement surfaces. The S5E has taller, narrower wheels (wheel diameter 100 mm; wheel width 23 mm). These roll more smoothly on rougher surfaces and chip seal pavement.

Skiers who have smooth surface loops to train on have been asking the people at Pro-Ski to develop an S2 style ski for classic skiing. That rollerski is now available. Called, logically, the S2 Classic, it sports the same fast urethane wheels at its skate ski cousin.

The S2 Classic would be an excellent choice for the skier desiring an easier rolling ski for those long double pole workouts, especially up hill where the C2 or C3 would have much more resistance.

Skiers often use their old boots for roller skiing in the summer. The problem with this is that older boots are usually pretty well worn out. The soles are soft and the support at the ankle for skate skiing is less than perfect. The very nature of roller skiing begs for boots with more control.

Alpina has developed a rollerski specific boot that is lighter and cooler than winter ski boots.The classic model is cut low like a tennis shoe and the skate version has an open upper with a sturdy, light titanium cuff. Read the rest of this entry »

There is a whole new bunch of pictures of BMW Oracle’s monster trimaran being trucked out of her shed in Anacortes. These pictures are provided by the team and are dated August 23rd.

Regardless of what opinion one might have on Larry Ellison, Russell Coutts, GGYC and the team as a whole, this is an impressive, mind-blowing yacht. Just look at the mast!!! Are we going to see it Valencia? I hope so.

BMW Oracle’s new trimaran taken out of the shed. Anacortes, 23 August 2008. Photo copyright Neil Rabinowitz / BMW ORACLE Racing Read the rest of this entry »

[Source: BMW Oracle] BMW ORACLE Racing said today it was very pleased to confirm that after nine months of intense activity its team in Anacortes is in the final stages of preparing its new 90-foot multihull yacht for sailing.

The carbon fiber trimaran emerged from under wraps at its purpose-built construction shed here for the first time today. The trimaran is the third yacht constructed for the team in this waterfront community 100 miles north of Seattle, and is an outstanding achievement by its designers and builders, the teams CEO and skipper, Russell Coutts said. Read the rest of this entry »

[Source: Quebramar GP42 Cup] The fifth and penultimate event of the international Quebramar GP42 Cup will take place in the spectacular settings of Cascais, Portugal. Starting Thursday, August 28th and for 3 days, the eight GP42 boats participating in the Trofeu Quebramar Chrysler will provide tight and close races.

Cascais, 22 August 2008: With a red-hot overall score table, the Quebramar GP42 Cup will visit the Portuguese coastal city for the penultimate event of the season. If the venue lives up to its fame of strong and constant winds, racing will not only be exciting but also thrilling as any of the participating boats could very well end up with the trophy. Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s an additional three pictures of the BMW Oracle trimaran that was publicly unveiled yesterday, August 22nd, in Anacortes, a small town in the American state of Washington. According to BMW Oracle’s official statement, “the team continues the final fit-out of the boat as it prepares for some preliminary sea trials here next month”.

The new BMW Oracle trimaran. Anacortes, 22 August 2008. Photo copyright BMW Oracle Read the rest of this entry »

By Janice Sibilia
Published: Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:00 AM MDT

Murray Banks is a master ski racer, motivational speaker and Nordic ski coach. He has competed for many years in cross country skiing and most recently competed in the World Masters Championships last year in McCall, ID. Murray can also be seen racing in New England as well as coaching skiers from the Mt. Mansfield Club in Vermont.

1. Murray, you are on the road a lot with your career, motivating others. I know how challenging it can be to stay focused on training when you travel so much…how do you find the time and what gives you your own motivation to do it?

While I travel extensively and it is time consuming, my time is very flexible; when I'm not traveling, I can work or train any time. I often work several hours at my desk, then train, then back to the desk. If the weather is super nice, I can work at night. So, the key for me is to look at the week ahead, block out when I can't train, then pack in as much as I can the other days! I think my primary motivation is that I enjoy being active outdoors and rarely find training arduous.

2. Do you practice any time management techniques that you find particularly helpful?

Not as well as I should… I'm a little too spontaneous to do time management well. I try to look at my week, determine the times most advantageous to get good training in, then do the best I can to make it happen.

3. You have been coaching juniors and masters for the Mt Mansfield Nordic Club. Your enthusiasm is contagious and ha a very positive effect on these skiers. What do you personally take away from coaching that you feel helps you in your own racing and training?

When you teach something, you learn it. Coaching has forced me to understand training & racing at a much higher level than I would otherwise. Also, I really enjoy teaching and coaching injects energy into my training that might otherwise become monotonous.

4. Do you train differently now than say, 15 or 20 years ago? How has your focus changed over the years?

As every master's athlete has realized, we don't recover as well. Where I used to be able to do the old “hard-easy” schedule, now I have to pay more attention to integrating easier training with harder speed, strength & power training. It takes more work, but my training is more balanced than before. I do more specific strength & power and more technique work than in the old days. While it takes more planning & coordination, it makes training more interesting and diverse. I have really enjoyed an increased emphasis strength training and I utilize easier days to focus on technique, which I didn't do much of 10 years ago.

5. Will your training differ this summer and fall from last year?

Slightly… because the McCall course at MWC was flatter, rolling terrain, last year I emphasized upper body strength for a good start, speed for the stadium sprint finishes and v2 for drafting and cruising in the pack; while that all worked out well, I did not feel as strong in the hills late in the race. so, this year I will incorporate more leg strength and long hill work and spenst.

6. How many hours do you train per year?

Not sure, I don't keep an accurate log. A big week would be approximately 12 hours, an average week would be 8-9 hours. But it varies significantly with my work… I might get 4-5 hours in a busy work week, but 13-14 hours in a week I don't have to travel. I've tried to keep a log, but I'm not consistent about it.

7. What percent of that is specific ski training, compared to bike riding, running, etc..?

Summer: mostly biking, trail running, hiking, swmming, with 1-2 days ski specific while coaching; Fall: 2-3 ski specific, with roller skiing, spenst & specific strength; Winter: 4-6 ski specific including tele skiing and backcountry touring.

8. Do you do a lot of strength training? How much of it is core/ functional strength vs work in the weight room? What does your typical strength session look like?

My strength training is varied because of my travel schedule. When traveling on business, I often use free weights & machines at the hotel fitness center. At home I try to do at least one uphill dp fartlek/interval session a week and one core strength session. At home I have a vasa trainer and leg press machine (vintage yard sale special!) and try to include spenst with that. A typical session might have a 30-60 minute trail run with natural spenst in the last 20-30 minutes; 5 sets on the vasa & leg press; 15 minutes of core with medicine balls & fitness ball. The second session that week might be a 90 minute out & back dp in rolling terrain, easy on the way out, natural hill intervals on the way back.

9. What still keeps you motivated for racing after all these years? Are there any special techniques you use before an important event, that get you psyched up and ready to race hard?

I think some people have a natural desire or inclination for competition and that seems to be a driver for me… I love competing. I truly enjoy being around healthy, fit, positive people like you find in a ski race environment. I also love being really fit and the years I decide to race seriously I enjoy the month-to-month improvements. i've always been very goal oriented, so in the racing years, I enjoy setting a long range goal and the process of getting there. That said, I don't enjoy gearing up for serious racing every year… maybe a couple years in a row followed by a couple years of doing only 1-2 favorite races like the Stowe Derby, no log, no goals, and lot's of tele skiing. '07-'09 is a good example… I turned 60 last year & MWC was in the U.S.; this coming winter, MWC is in France near where our son lives, so this is a perfect alignment of circumstances to gear up and get in top shape over a two year period. Half way into it now, I love it, but look forward to a change of pace in '10.

Getting psyched up prior to a race is easy when you have planned for more than a year… I think of how fit I am, how much fun it will be to ski with the lead pack during MWC and clarify in my mind my goals for that day. I also listen to the Moody Blues & Rolling Stones while I warm up… music can be a good mood enhancer. I also do a very thorough warmup with several 1-2 minute pickups & fast downhill corners which seems to be invigorating.

10. You taught some on snow sessions for our NENSA group last year out in West Yellowstone. I will mention your enthusiasm once more, because it had a profound effect on the masters in our group. Too often we get stuck in “training mode” and forget to have fun. Tell us some of the ways you add the element of fun during your training sessions.

My first career as an elementary teacher and high school track coach helped me realize the importance and knack for enthusiasm and creativity. I never really think about being enthusiastic, it's just there and it's easier when you are doing something you love. Specifically for skiing, coaching our local BKSL group brings great pleasure & youthful joy. We have some top racers in our group as well as fast skiers who don't race, so we are always trying to create fun & fast activities to make them better skiers and to love “training,” although you would be hard pressed to call it training. We do downhill intervals with challenging turns and skiing side by side with them in tight, fast turns is exhilerating.

Secondly, I love going fast and enjoy workouts with tough hills, fun turns and invigorating terrain.

Thirdly, I don't focus on racing every year, so when I do train hard it isn't boring or tedious. Other activities that make my training stimulating include: training with friends and enjoying conversation as we ski/bike/run; tele skiing can be a great OD session and great fun; skiing (or biking/hiking) point to point makes a long session enjoyable: I also acknowledge that somes days are just arduous, but once you get out the door, you always feel better.

Finally, Janie & I share the passion for fitness & being outdoors, so it compliments my personal life, not detracts from it.

11. What do you think is the most important aspect of your training as a master ski racer?

Focusing on technique & strength… it is not as enjoyable as just going out for a relaxing workout, but it has made a big difference in my racing. as my son jeff said, “you've got 50 years of aerobic fitness, you need strength & style.”

12. You obviously spend many hours on skiing, racing and coaching. For some it's it difficult to balance all of this with family life. What is your secret to managing all of it?

Being married to a wonderfully patient, forgiving and participating woman! (Do I get points for that?) Because Janie is athletic and is a skier, biker, hiker, paddler, we can often share time outdoors. She appreciates the enjoyment I get from it because she lives it as well. I pursue it more aggressively than her and she gives me plenty of space to do it. Also, with a little planning, we can always make time for what's important and it is as important for us to be outdoors, be fit, volunteer to coach local kids and share time with friends who value the same. Now, people with children at home have a more complex challenge… when Janie & I were both doing triathlons, our boys were in grade school and we became the masters of creative training time. I remember sharing biking or running time to & from little league games and training early on weekend mornings so I could spend the rest of the day with them. When they went to ball practice, we squeezed in as much training as possible in those two hours.

13. What is on your agenda for this upcoming winter? You mentioned you will be going to France for the masters world championships - anything else?

We are going to France… our son is a mountain guide in Chamonix so we decided to do MWC again, after the races we will extend the trip for backcountry skiing in the Alps. also, Bob Gray said it was a beautiful place with wonderful trails (past Olympic experience) so we decided to gear it up and go for it. Also, I truly enjoyed a rivalry with a Frenchman and a Russian at McCall last March and look forward to going at it again with them.

14. Anything else you would like to add for any masters who want to either give racing a try, or improve their race performance?

Reason to give it a try… being in the company of so many positive, fit, healthy people. And, skiing is easy to improve in because technique & strength are such key components. In sports like running & cycling, improvement mostly comes from more miles & quality miles, but in skiing masters can make significant improvements by spending time on strength & technique. And finally, living in a Northern climate is easier when you have an appreciative relationship with the outdoors.

Source: NENSA

Murray attacks during the 2008 Master's World Championships in McCall, ID

Published: Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:00 AM MDT

The Bogus Basin Nordic Team (BBNT) is looking for a multi-talented assistant coach to join its staff as the Comp Devo Coach. Boise, Idahos Bogus Basin Nordic Team began in 1987 and now is a year-round, competitive junior cross-country ski program focused on helping its members achieve their athletic goals. The Team serves skiers ages 9-19, currently has 32 members and 4 coaches. Visit us at:

The Assistant Coach duties include but are not limited to:
Implementing training plan for dry-land and on-snow training for the Comp Devo Team from September to mid March.
Assist in management of the race and camp trips, either as an assistant on trips or as acting Head Coach remaining in Boise.
Support at other team functions as necessary.
In charge of trip reservations/accommodations at Western State Championships, date and location TBA.
Assist in training of volunteer coaches.
Community outreach efforts.
Keep records of: daily attendance, what was done during practice, and any injuries that occurred, to be given to Program Director weekly.
Conduct a mid season and year-end review of all Comp-Devo skiers, pertaining to technique, both classic and freestyle, fitness, attitude, and the athletes personal goals.
Handle communication with Comp-Devo families at the direction of the Program Director/Head Coach concerning: Races/Trips/Activities/Camps, when/where, cost and transport details; changes in schedule.
Will be involved in the implementation of other duties that advance BBNT towards its mission of being a professional ski club.

Must be flexible and able to work at various times 5 days/week (6-7days week during high race season). Successful candidate must have valid Drivers License and good driving record; experience with 15 passenger vans a plus. Coach must understand and sign the Coaches Code of Conduct.

Position begins Sept. 4 and ends on March 14. Employment may begin as soon as candidate is available, but no later than September 25. Salary: is competitive - DOE in nordic sport and education.

To apply: e-mail letter of application & rsum with at 2 professional references by August 30, 2008. Please also request the Complete Job Description with Key Dates.
Attn: BBNT Program Director/Head Coach, Scott Johnstone freeheel_scott@hotmail.com
208-409-0181

Boise, Idaho is a great place to live and work! Bogus Basin Nordic Team has excellent dryland practice venues, including 32 miles of paved greenbelt for roller skiing and other sites. A foothills trail network behind Camels Back Park in Boises idyllic North End provides an optimal dryland meeting site and is close to team members, ski area road, shopping and Boises lively downtown. Transit time to Bogus Basin is 40 minutes over a paved 16-mile road. Bogus Basin Nordic Center has a 6,000 square foot modern lodge with secure Team Room, 37 kilometers of varied ski trails, including 6.2 km lighted by solar power. Explore the benefits of living here at wikipedia.org and www.boise.org. Read the rest of this entry »

[Source: Team Russia] Navigator Wouter Verbraak reports from Team Russia on Day 6 of its qualifier.

Irish Sea, 25-30 knots of wind. Perfect conditions to blast us home on the final stretch of our 2000nm qualifier. It was five and a half days ago that we left Portland under stormy skies and 35-40 knot winds. Needless to say the first 24 hours were challenging in the English Channel and the Straits of Dover. Read the rest of this entry »

[Source: ISAF] Windsurfer Jian YIN won China’s first ever Olympic gold medal in sailing after a nail-biting finish to today’s Women’s RS:X Medal Race.
Heading into the slalom finish Jian YIN was lying in fifth place but staged a magnificent comeback to finish third and secure the gold medal. Alessandra SENSINI of Italy won the Medal Race to take the silver medal, becoming the first female sailor to ever win fourth Olympic medals, whilst Great Britains Bryony SHAW won bronze.

YIN won by the narrowest of margins, finishing just one point ahead of SENSINI to add the Olympic gold medal the silver she won in Athens four years ago. SENSINI knew she had to put two boats between her and YIN to take the title and put in a true champions performance by winning the Medal Race, but with YIN in third place it was not quite enough for gold. SENSINI, gold medallist in Sydney 2000 and winner of Olympic bronze medals in 1996 and 2004, completed her set of Olympic medals by winning silver, in so doing becoming the first female sailor to ever win four Olympic medals. SHAW sailed a great Medal Race and was never out of the leading positions. She crossed the line in second place, securing the Olympic bronze medal, Great Britains fifth medal of the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition. Read the rest of this entry »