(Miles Richards, MWC Coach, Arika Wieneke and Lindy Holts,
 MWC athletes) 

 (By Brad Jacobson, Alpine Jr. Development Head Coach) 

The 2000-2001 GI Joe’s Mini World Cup program has reached a new high in participation!  There are 113 athletes and 16 coaches. 

The MWC athletes have participated in 4 GI Joe’s MWC races and the Mt. Hood Three Way included 50 MBSEF competitors.  We brought home a slew of trophies and Laurenne Ross was named the overall winner for J-4 girls.

After 4 qualifying races, the 2001 Buddy Werner Team was announced on Sunday, February 18th. The Buddy Werner race will take place at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, March 9, 10 & 11, 2001.

 2001 BUDDY WERNER TEAM:

 BOYS:   Jeff Gomber, Tommy Ford, Raman Ellis, Kirk Skatvold, Anton Hilts, Alexander Westphal and Shyama Ellis.

 GIRLS:   Laurenne Ross, Kiri Craig, Mallory DeGray, Karli Coggin, Christina Schueler, Cassidy Kohlmoos and Ashley Miller.

 A big THANK YOU to the Sneva’s for providing the lunches for the GI Joe’s Mini World Cup Races!

 We’re also very proud of our sponsors who help to make this program a success!

GI Joe’s
Bank of the Cascades
Sun Country Tours
Stuft Pizza
Bend Awards & Engraving
Sunriver Woodworking
Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of CentralOregon
Papa’s Pizza Parlor
Coldwell Banker/ Morris Real Estate – Margo DeGray
Thomas Sales & Service
Stewart’s Root Beer
Chrome Pony Bike & Sport

(Arika Wieneke in the starting                       (Logan Olsen, 1/27 Slalom MWC race)  
gate 1/28 GS MWC race)   

GREETINGS from the director

The 38th Sun Cup was run in the sun and had one of the largest fields ever. There were 8 races and our team won 5 of them. Brittany Kimble, Kevin Francis, Gretchen Glaser and Eric Holmer all had wins. Our team was in 4th place coming in to the NW Cup team standings when the Sun Cup started and has jumped to 1st place overall.  Now the MBSEF team is leading with only the NW Cup finals left at Mt. Bachelor in April. 

         Brad Jacobson is taking a great Buddy Werner Team to the Championships at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl in March. The theme is having fun winning. 

         Muffy Roy took our Cross-country youth team to an annual Western States Junior Festival in Boise and had some excellent results. 

         Ben Husaby will be taking a team of four Cross-country athletes to the Junior Nationals in Marquette, Michigan in March. They are Isaiah Burkhart, Blake Fowles, Trent Lowe and Josh Smullin (now a freshman at the University of Colorado).        

The Alpine JO teams have not been announced yet; however, it looks like MBSEF will be well represented at the coming JO’s. 

         We have had great skiing results this year and our outstanding coaching staff has been an instrumental factor. Our athletes always appear positive, cheerful and are working hard to do their best. 

         The real unsung heroes of our Foundation are those staff members working as support that receive little recognition. They are Cindy Ferris, Julie Arnold, Linda Snyder, Tyffany DeGray, Toby Bayard and her race crew, Carol Nelson, Fred Shick and his race crew. There are also many volunteers who are the backbone of our successful event production. If you get a chance, please thank them personally for their contribution. 

See you skiing soon,

Russ Read
Chairman of the Board

SNOWBOARD ATHLETE PROFILE

Highlighting: Zach Gomber

(By Dave Reynolds, Head Snowboard Coach) 

            Judging by his nickname“goober” you would never know it, but Zach Gomber is quite the ladies man.  Zach’s not afraid to lead the charge down to the snowboard park chasing after the cute girls, coach Hans, has picked out from the chairlift.  After giving the girls a big smile and a “how you do’n”, Zach turns his focus to more important things like landing his next trick.  By the way ladies, Zach is single!

            Bend, Oregon born and raised, Zach joined this world on October 9, 1986.  Now 14, Zach is an 8th grader at Sunriver Prep.  Besides snowboarding, Zach is also an outstanding roller hockey goalie.  He also plays soccer and likes to ride his longboard. 

            At only 18 months Zach started skiing.  He has been on the snow tearing it up ever since.  After skiing for over 10 years Zach said he just started getting bored with it.  Two years ago he made the move of his life and started sliding down the hill sideways instead.  When asked about his favorite run, Zach’s answer is,“Probably the park, that’s where I spend most of my time.” 

            Zach competes in the youth men’s category for 14-15 year olds.  Zach loves hitting jumps and sliding rails.  Doing well on both obstacles is what it takes to place 5th in the first slopestyle of the year at Mt. Bachelor.  In fact, it was Zach’s first snowboard contest ever.  Not bad for someone whose goal is to place in the top three this year.  He placed 13th on Feb 17 in the 2nd slopestyle event at Mt. Bachelor.  Luckily, he will get one more chance in March.  If he does well, he just might get to go to Nationals.

            For now Zach is just going to keep working on getting better and going bigger.  His advice to beginning snowboarders is to learn to jump without crashing, because crashing hurts! 

Events Director News
(By Linda Snyder)

Banff Mountain Film Festival
at Pilot Butte Cinemas 

The World Tour hits Bend, one night only, April 23, 2001, at Pilot Butte Cinemas.  This year the Banff Film Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary and includes films from Canada, the US, England, Switzerland, Germany and Croatia.  Their powerful stories reflect a wide range of mountain experiences and portraits, from mountain sports to mountain culture and the environment.  Show times are 4:00, 6:30 and 9:00pm.  Tickets will be available, after March 25, at the MBSEF office and Mountain Supply for $10 per person and $12 at the door.  The event is locally presented by Sun Country Tours, Timberline Guides and Outward Bound and supported by Mountain Supply, KLRR 101.7 and The Source. Thank you for helping us bring this event to the community! 

Leg Captains & Volunteers Needed for 2001 U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle

 We need your support on May 19th!  Also needed are volunteers the week prior to the event during the day, to help with racer packets.  There are many different positions to fill ranging from on the mountain to the finish line at Drake Park.  We can find the perfect spot for anyone 12 years and older.  Just call the MBSEF Volunteer Hotline at (541) 385-1999, after April 15th to leave your name, phone number and desired position and, Kristy Wild, our PPP Volunteer Coordinator, will call you back.  We also have a few volunteer positions to fill for the Kids' Mini Pole Pedal Paddle on Sunday, May 20.  If you can help on Sunday, please call Linda Snyder at 388-0002. 

2001 U.S. Bank Kids’ Mini Pole Pedal Paddle T-Shirt Logo Contest

 The U.S. Bank Kids’ Mini Pole Pedal Paddle t-shirt contest entries must be submitted on white paper with colored designs. Up to four colors, including black may be used. The design may represent the activities of the race: rafting, running, obstacle course and biking. The only requirements of the design are to include the following information: 

1. U.S. Bank Kids’ Mini Pole Pedal Paddle
2. Bend, Oregon
3. 2001
4. 25th Anniversary 
5. The artist’s signature

Please include on the back of the design: name, age, grade level, teacher, school and home phone number.

Deliver entries to:
Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation, 
PO Box 388
1004 SW Emkay Drive, Ste 400
Bend, OR  97709

All entries MUST be received by 5:00pm, Wednesday, April 4, 2001. The top five places will be announced by Wednesday, April 18 and winners notified at his/her school. There are awards for the top five finishers from Saxon’s Fine Jewelers, Stuft Pizza, Albertson’s and Bend Metro Park and Recreation District.

             I am nearing the completion of my first season as Nordic Director of MBSEF, and I am very excited.  The future of Nordic skiing in Central Oregon looks very promising.  The Nordic community is growing by leaps and bounds, and we are starting to feel the benefits.  One of the most promising signs of continued growth for our community has been the tireless work of Chuck Kenlan of Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center and Toby Bayard of MBSEF and Tumalo Langlauf Nordic Club.  Their vision of a cohesive Nordic entity has gone a long way in improving our environment. 

             Thanks to Muffy Roy and her troupe of energetic coaches, our Youth Program (ages 7-12) has 41 participants.  A contingency of this group just returned from the Western States Junior Festival in Boise, Idaho.  This event showcases the up and coming talent from 7 western states.  With Zoe Roy and Colin Rymer leading the way, the MBSEF contingency posted a strong showing. 

             Our Masters program under the tutelage of Don Leet, and Mark and Suzanne King has an amazing 127 participants!  This is probably one of the most successful masters programs in the nation.  I look forward to meeting the changing demands of this group.  We envision helping this group make the transition from efficiency to fluidity on the trails. 

             With the success of the local high school programs, we are seeing an ever-increasing demand for knowledge and experience.  I had the privilege of leading a ten session training group for local high school skiers this season.  Their thirst for knowledge was inspiring.  Kids are so cool!  They are capable of so much.  We plan to foster this thirst by offering summer training groups.

             The heart and soul of the Nordic Program at MBSEF has been the winter-term and full-time kids.  Our so-called Q Team, made up of 12-13 year olds, has been diligently making the progression from playing on skis to becoming our next stars.  They have worked hard to understand the demands of ski racing while keeping the playful energy high.  Our older kids in the full-time program have had for the most part a very successful year.  Under the leadership of Isaiah Burkhart, the team has had many successes.  Trent Lowe and Blake Fowles have risen to the top of J2 racing in the Pacific Northwest.  They have very exciting futures in ski racing.  The full-time team has embraced the concept of year-round training and have enjoyed the changes they are experiencing in their bodies.

             Finally, thanks to our tireless volunteers, we have had a tremendous local race season.  According to our Race Director, Toby Bayard, race starts are up 37%!  As everybody knows, racing is more fun when you can share the experience with comrades.  I thank all of you for showing up and lending your support to the program.  I promise to keep costs low if you continue to participate.  Thanks once again to Chuck for letting us do pretty much what we want when it comes to course selection.  And whoever was in charge of the amazing race day weather we have had all season, thank you!     

            I look forward to meeting your needs in the upcoming year.

 Ben Husaby

By Jessica Olsen

Essay #2

01 February 2001                                                                                                 

It was early December.  The cool, fresh air of fall had faded, and the icy winds and heavy, snow-filled clouds filled the atmospheric circle surrounding Bend, Oregon.  My brother, Logan, was about to race in his first Giant Slalom (GS) ski race of the season.

In previous years I had been content to stand quietly at the side of the course, enthusiastically cheering as my brother flew down the mountain, but something was different this time as I watched racer after racer run the course.  I felt a sudden urge, a longing, and a wave of passion took over my senses.  I wanted to ski-race.  I wanted to feel my skis glide over the hard-packed snow.  I had been skiing for almost four years without the thought, the longing to race surge in my blood before.

The following weekend, my parents enrolled me in the Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation, a ski-racing program.  I began to train with the J-3 (kids two to three years my junior) and J-4’s (kids four to five years my junior).

I skied with J-4’s on Sundays.  The coach, Scott Foster, taught me how to ski powder and moguls and he helped me find joy in skiing.  Nils Eriksson, the coach of the J-3 group I skied with on Saturdays, taught me how to ski like a racer, to set a course, and eliminate my bad habit of ‘back seat driving’.  Nils would often take me out free skiing to work on improving my balance and technique.

In my first race, I was skiing against kids as young as seven; this was especially embarrassing because I was fifteen, never the less, I was psyched up and ready to roll that morning.  I helped my dad tune and wax my skis.  I had confidence in myself; I was sure I’d do all right.

As I went to pick up my bib, I noticed that all the other kids, including my younger brother, had race suits.  This was only the first embarrassment that day.  I slipped my bib on over my head as quickly as possible and put my jacket on.  I raced out of the lodge and skied to the chairlift so I could meet my coach at the top of the course.  We slipped the course at least three times, memorizing the rhythm, the positions of the gates, and the tricky spots.  I could feel all the excitement and nervousness well up inside my chest.

When my turn neared, I took off my jacket and prepared  to go.  At this point, because of my nervousness, I really had to use the restroom.  Tom, the race course starter, called my number and I skated to the end of the line.  I was the last person to go because I was the oldest.  The fog seemed to thicken and the wind seemed to howl more ferociously as I moved up to the starting gate.  I ran over the course in my mind; by this time, I was almost trembling.

Tom counted down and I tore out of the starting gate.  I felt my skis glide down the course and I lowered my body into a racing position.  Skiing gave me a rush like nothing else could.  I gently pressed on my ski and felt it arc through the snow.  All I thought about was what I was doing and what I was going to do.  My mind was clear.  I felt free. 

I finished the course feeling great.  When results were posted, I rushed over to see my times.  I took one look, turned bright red and walked away dejectedly.  I felt like a complete idiot.  My own brother had beaten me!  I was humiliated.

That week, I pondered what had happened.  At first I beat myself up about embarrassing myself, and I thought that I had disappointed my parents and my coaches.  Then I began to think about how much I had improved and how much I loved to race.  I had always been stubborn and determined when I really wanted something.  I wasn’t going to give up.  So what if I looked like an idiot?  So what if kids seven years my junior could beat me?  I decided that I didn’t care what anyone else thought, I was going to ski because I liked it. 

In the weeks that followed, I worked harder than I ever had before.  After finishing the training course, I would be breathing so hard, I thought that maybe I had held my breath for a portion of the course.  I fell and crashed so many times it was a wonder that I was still in one piece.  Over the course of the season, I had improved in GS from being ten seconds behind the last of the J-3s to three seconds behind them.  In slalom, I had decreased my time to that of the slower J-3s.

(By Brad Jacobson)

     Eric Huston and I attended the USSCA National Coaches Academy in May 2000. Both of us earned our National Coaches Certificate after completing an 11 day schedule of classroom and on-hill training with U.S. Ski Team staff. 

     The first five days were spent in the classroom covering topics such as:  Sports Psychology, nutrition, strength training, ethics, B.A.S.E. Test (Basic Alpine Skills Evaluation), and in the gym going through workouts specific for alpine athletes. 

     The next six days were spent on the hill and in the classroom and covered modern ski techniques, tactics, course setting, free skiing drills and finally a comprehensive exam.  The U.S. Ski Team coaches spent the on-hill days working on our own skiing, helping us master the New World Cup skiing technique and new ski technology.  They emphasized the “New Technique” as:

Stance

Feet should be shoulder width apart, skis matching both edge angles.  They are looking for consistent stance width, which means that the feet need to stay the same width from the top of the turn through the end without coming together at any point.  Knees working together and eliminating knee angulation or “A-Frame” technique.

Balance

Fore-Aft Balance:  Athletes need to fight to stay forward at all times, hips up over feet and actively flexing their ankles.  They pointed out that with the new “shaped” skis that getting on your heels will shoot the racer out of a turn and may cause them to lose control.   Lateral Balance: Maintain most pressure to the outside ski.

Pressure and Extension

Extend body down the hill to initiate turn and gradually increasing pressure to the outside ski by moving the upper body to the outside of the turn.

Double Pole Plant

The double pole plant is used in SL and GS to maintain balance and timing.  In SL they said that it is absolutely essential that the racer has a solid and consistent pole plant, the double pole plant brings the racer forward into the next turn and signals where one turn ends and another begins. 

In GS the double pole plant is not as defined.  It can be a pole tap or a movement with your hands forward without poles contacting the snow.  This serves the same function as in SL as it moves the racer forward into the next turn and signals where one turn ends and where the other starts.

     For me, it was a completely awesome experience!  I met some extremely fun, motivated, and enthusiastic people that love the same thing that I do, coaching ski racing to young athletes.  I spent a lot of time talking with my peers over dinner and in my room finding out about their programs and their approach to teaching.  I’ve had the opportunity to share this knowledge with the MBSEF Coaches in “Coaches Clinics” held before MWC training.

     In 2001, the Regional USSCA Coaches Academy will be held in Bend and I am excited to say that there will be several MBSEF coaches that will have the opportunity to participate if selected.   

Brad Jacobson  
MWC Head Coach

ITEMS FOR SALE

Volkl GS Skis, 2 pair, 173cm, $150 each, 1 pair Volkl Slalom skis, 163cm, $125.  Contact Gretchen at 388-8184.

VarioCharger Riser Plates, 1 pair 9mm for Atomic skis, $100.  Contact Chris at 383-5819.

Russ Read, Chairman
Frank Cammack, Vice-Chairman
Mike Puddy, Vice-Chairman
Bev Francis, Treasurer
Linda Snyder, Secretary
Andrew Balyeat
Randall Barna
Kathy DeGree
Nils Eriksson
Karen Fast
Howard Friedman
Martha Glaser
Ben Husaby
Scott Jacobson
Mike Lafferty
Peter Miller
Dennis Oliphant
Gary Pape'
Doug Ribeca
Jeff Robberson
Christian Schuster
Dean Stevenson

MBSEF MISSION STATEMENT

The Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and support of competitive Alpine, Cross Country, Snowboard and Freestyle race training in Central Oregon. MBSEF provides the opportunity for introductory to advanced levels of race training and competition.

Our main objective is to assist student athletes in achieving their individual athletic, academic and personal goals. The program's guiding philosophy is to encourage academic achievement and promote the positive values of competitive sport: sportsmanship, self-discipline, goal setting, character building and the pursuit of healthy lifetime activities.

Click here for Sponsors

MBSEF Office Phone: (541) 388-0002
MBSEF Office Fax: (541) 388-7848
Volunteer Hotline: (541) 385-1999
Junior Race Center: (541) 382-2607 Ext. 2243
Mt. Bachelor Ski Report: (541) 382-7888