Author Archives: Alan Telford

Snowsport Scotland AGM

Snow Sport Scotland Header

Snow Sport Scotland Header

Snowsport Scotland invites all Council Members to attend its Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM will take place at 11am on Sunday 8th November 2009 at the Cruachan Hotel, Achintore Road, Fort William, PH33 6RQ. We have arranged discount prices for those who wish to stay overnight/or the whole weekend in the Cruachan Hotel. Prices are as follows: Friday 6th November: Bed and Breakfast. £28.50 per person. Saturday 7th November: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, £30.00 per person in a twin/double room, or £36.50 per person in a single room. To book a room contact the Cruachan Hotel on 01397 702 022, quoting Snowsport Scotland to take advantage of these special rates. It is also hoped that an officials course will run on the Saturday and that some form of entertainment will be organised for the Saturday Night for those of you who wish to meet, drink and dance the night away!!!!!!

New Skate Ski Technique Films

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Earlier this summer I took a few short films to demonstrate different skate skiing techniques. They are demonstrated by members of the Brit Nordic team, so you could do a lot worse than copy them. Hopefully I can get Roy to write something to explain the different techniques

Skate 1

This is good for going up steep hills, it’s the equivalent on 1st gear on a car. Note this is an asymmetric style,  it’ s important to practice it on both sides so you develop your technique evenly. The ski poles are supposed to hit the ground simultaneously with the lead ski.

Here we see Andrew Musgrave going up a hill.

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Cairngorm And Scottish 2009 Series Results

Following the Huntly Sprints on Saturday, the Cairngorm Hill Climb was held on Sunday. This was the last event in the Scottish Rolllerski Series, so the final results for the series are included.

Huntly Championships 12 September 2009

Exhausted Racer

Exhausted Racer

The championships this year were blessed with bright sunshine and blue skies. Visiting teams came from the RAF, GB Biathlon squad, Cairngorm and Highland Nordic. Callum Smith came took first place in the Seniors competition, whilst Sarah Young took first in the Ladies competition. Mike Dixon took the first veteran in the men’s race, and Fiona Crossley took first veteran female. Course records were once again set in the Senior Mens & Ladies 7.1km. In fact standards have risen so much that the first 10 men & first 9 ladies were inside the original course records set in 2005.

To the relief of the organizers, the council roads department had done a good job cleaning up the debris from last Thursday’s flooding. Practice on Thursday night had a distinctly “off road” feel by the car park entrance owing to the large amount of silt depostied by the Deveron.

This year marked the piloting of an automated lap counting and timing system. Despite a few teething troubles the system has proved a success and will, no doubt, be further developed for races next year.

The prizes were presented by George Gabriel. Thanks to all those who gave time to organize the races. Continue reading →

A Wet Thursday In Huntly

Last week’s torrential rain didn’t dampen the enthusisam of Huntly skiers with quite a few members turning up for the practice night despite the rain. Rollerskiing was off the agenda but members took full advantage of the artifical matting to train. With the Deveron filling up throughout the evening getting out of the car park was a dicey exercise. Here are some photos from Claire Newman taken the day after.

Huntly Race Timing Changes

This year’s Huntly Championships will mark a new stage in technological development for the club. In conjunction with Aberdeenshire Council we are piloting  electronic timing for the races. Racers will have a chip strapped to their ankle similar to that seen in World Cup Events. The chip will register when the competitor goes over the start and finishing line.

Coming to an ankle near you

Coming to an ankle near you

The chip can also be used to generate split times and do lap counting – the bane of longer Huntly events over the last few years. The aim is to pilot the system in 2 or 3 races this year and hopefully have a fully automated system next year. This will probably involve permanently installing timing loops or a pipe for them in the rollerski track.

The system has already been used for cycling and triathlon events, but applying it to rollerski racing where there will be many races in one day and the layout of the Huntly track poses technical challenges for the timers.

Eileen, Sandy, Hilary and Claire can’t put their feet up as they will be responsible for the official timings this year and FIS regulations require a manual backup for any electronic timing system.

Muzzy Donates Bib To Club

Last Thursday, 6th August Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre. Andrew Musgrave presented a framed bib from his first world cup race in Kusaamo to the club. Andrews’ race was the first  British world cup Nordic start in 14 years and  definitely worth celebrating.

Close upd of Andrew Musgrave's bib

Close upd of Andrew Musgrave's bib

Andrew Musgrave Presents His Bib

Andrew Musgrave Presents His Bib

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