2016 AUS Rollerski Champs & AUSXC Awards Dinner

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Paul L'Huillier

The 2016 Australian Rollerski Championships will be held on Saturday April 9 at the Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra. This year there is also a new social event on the schedule – the inaugural AUSXC Awards Dinner!

This will be the fourth year of Australian Rollerski Championships since they were reintroduced after an extended hiatus. The same two events as in 2015 will be contested again out at Stromlo – a Freestyle Sprint and a Freestyle Criterium. The reigning champions for both events are Damon Morton of Australian Biathlon fame and Slovenian Winter Olympian Barbara Jezersek. Rollerski demo equipment and races prizes are on offer from event sponsor Snow Trek & Travel. See Event Flier for more details.

Traditionally the Cross Country Skier of the Year and Junior Cross Country Skier of the Year are awarded at the Ski & Snowboard Australia Awards night in Melbourne, at the same time that they are nominated in the overall Athlete and Junior Athlete of the Year categories. This year all the cross country skiing nominations for the SSA Awards will be announced at the AUSXC Awards, together with other categories that are still being finalised.

The AUSXC Awards Dinner will be held at The Clubhouse at Lakeview Gardens in Jerrabomberra. The evening will also feature images and footage from Australian Team athletes recently returned from overseas and from the 2015 Australian winter. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for kids, available via Trybooking.com up until Monday April 4. All skiing enthusiasts are welcome, not just those involved in the rollerski races.

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Annual End of Season BBQ – Sun 22nd Nov ’15

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Paul L'Huillier
    • When: Sunday 22nd November.
    • Where: In the picnic area by the lake in Mount Beauty.
    • Time: From 5.30 p.m.

What to bring

We will provide the meat (and vegie burgers for those who prefer them), as well as bread and sauce.

You’ll need to bring your own chair, cutlery, plates, drinks, plus, for families, a salad and a sweet to share (singles and couples – please bring a salad OR a sweet to share).

RSVP to Kerry Lucas (social secretary) by Wednesday 18th November:
Email: <km.lucas@bigpond.com> or Mobile: 0419 349 319

As a courtesy to Kerry, please let her know you will be coming and if you need vegetarian food (or else BYO meat!!) If you don’t reply, we will assume you are not coming so we don’t over-order. It also makes it easier to contact you if the weather necessitates a change of venue.

If you decide to come at the last minute, please bring your own meat!

Club News
National Teams — Good Luck and safe travels to Birkie skiers in Senior and Junior National Teams heading overseas for training and competition this Northern Winter.

Namely, Phil Bellingham who is on a mission to crack the top 30 in World Cup Sprint events in Europe and Canada. Phil will be doing an intense training block in Falun Sweden and headed off in October. Paul Kovacs heads to Alaska and Casey Wright will be taking up a Uni Sports scholarship in Anchorage Alaska. Kat Paul is planning to ski well in Rasnov Romania at the World Junior Championships. Best wishes to any Masters skiers heading overseas — Ronice Goebel (President)

Congratulations to Phil Bellingham – At the recent 2015 Alpine Shire Youth Awards Phil won the Sports Award and the Youth Award 18-24 years.

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Discover XC (new website) – Boosting Participation

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Paul L'Huillier

Image 2015-10-26 at 6.20.18 PMMon, 26 Oct 15

The Ski & Snowboard Australia Cross Country Committee is excited to announce the launch of Discover XC, an introductory web portal that aims to boost cross country skiing grassroots participation. The new website has been put together in partnership with Ski Cross Country Victoria and the Australian Sports Foundation’s Giving for Grassroots project.

Designed to be mobile/tablet friendly, Discover XC showcases the many different faces of the sport and provides practical information and tips for beginners of all ages. Whether people might be interested in finding a healthy recreational alternative, keeping fit during winter, discovering snow-fun for the whole family, exploring the alpine back-country, seeking an adrenaline rush or taking up ski racing, Discover XC and cross country skiing has something for everyone.

“It can be very difficult to get started in the sport without an inside connection,” said Kate Prest, one of the key drivers of the project from Camberwell in Melbourne. “A cousin introduced me to the sport as a teenager, I got my family into it and now we’re all hooked. With Discover XC we are trying to break down participation barriers and create easier pathways into the sport.”

The next phase of the Discover XC project focuses on promotion in schools, using a mobile unit to travel around providing information on how to get started and demonstrating the sport using rollerskis. Also in the wings is an overhaul of the National XC website AUSXC.com  to provide more information on Australian cross country ski racing.

www.discoverxcski.com is now live for people to browse. For more information on getting started in the sport…click on the Get Started section!

Editor – Kate Prest (BNSC), Robbie Catto-Smith and Finn Marsland (BNSC) have been the driving force behind this project and have put together a first class website. Well done and thank you.

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Birkebeiner Bulletin – October 2015

Posted on October 10, 2015 by Paul L'Huillier

The Birkebeiner Bulletin — October 2015 is now available for viewing as a pdf file.

To view the latest Birkie Bulletin, all you need to do is click the link in this email message and the pdf file will open in your web browser. Hint: To enlarge the text on the web page, use the following keyboard shortcuts: Windows: hold down Control then type +, Apple: hold down Command then type +

Alternatively, if you wish to save the newsletter to your computer, there are two options: 1. Save it from your Browser (File > Save) or 2. Go to the club’s website <Newsletters> and download the Birkie Bulletin pdf file. Hint: Right click the link and select ‘Save Link As…. or ‘Download Linked File As…’ depending on the browser you use. Past issues can also be accessed on the site.

Birkebeiner Bulletin – October 2015

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Do you want to join the Birkebeiner ‘Timing Team’?

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Paul L'Huillier

Image 2015-09-23 at 8.17.29 pmWed, 23 Sep 15This season the Club got serious about the timing of major National races and invested $10,300 in a new timing system called ‘Race Results’.

Michal Trnka (Chief of Timing) leant the bases of new system quickly and put it into practice at the Junior Nationals and again at the Senior Nationals. It proved very successful and the Club is looking at expanding its capabilities in 2016.

The inaugural Race Results Conference is being held on the weekend of 17/18 October in Melbourne. Michal is attending. The Club is looking for other interested members who might wish to learn the timing system to assist in conducting events in the future. An interest in IT would be necessary plus a commitment to follow through as a member of the timing team.

If you wish to be involved and possibly attend the Melbourne Conference you need to let Paul L’Huillier know by Sunday 27th September as Conference places are limited. Contact details: Mobile: 0400 056 247 or Email: <paullhuillier@bigpond.com>

Click [HERE] to view the Conference Program

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Juniors Birkies Sunday 9th August

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Paul L'Huillier

Eric’s  Junior Birkie Coaching Session this Sunday will start at 10am in the Nordic Bowl  NOT 10:45am as has been the previous arrangement. Following the coaching session juniors will be able to enter the Mini Series Race #3 in classical technique starting at 10:45am. Enter the Mini Series at Windy Corner Day Shelter from 9:15am.

The Rocky Valley Rush/Sun Valley Ramble will start at 11:15am following the Mini Series Race. Click [HERE] to enter.

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Hoppet Volunteers needed

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Paul L'Huillier

The 2015 Kangaroo Hoppet needs help with many tasks leading up to and on the day of the running of the 25th event.

Please register your preferences by clicking [HERE]

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Ski de Femme, Rocky Valley Rush, Mini Series & Junior Joey this weekend – 8/9 August

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Paul L'Huillier
      • Saturday 8th August – Ski de Femme. 10am: Start of free instruction sessions in  classical or skating technique – meet in the Nordic Bowl, Falls Creek. Then at 12noon there are fun events: 1.0/2.5/5km. To register online — [BOOK HERE]
      • Saturday 8th August – Junior Joey #2. Meet at the Clubhouse at Windy Corner, Falls Creek at 11am for a snowgaine event.
      • Sunday 9th August –  Rocky Valley Rush 14km (freestyle or classic style) or Sun Valley Ramble 7km classic only. Online entries close Friday 7th August at 5pm. Click [HERE] to enter. Race starts at 11:15am in the Falls Creek Nordic Bowl. Late entries and number collection at the Windy Corner Day Shelter from 9am.
      • Sunday 9th August – Snow Trek & Travel Mini Series race #3 – classical style. Distances: 0.5/0.75/1.0/1.5/2.5km.  Starts at 10:45am in the Falls Creek Nordic Bowl. Enter at the Windy Corner Day Shelter from 9:15am.
      • Sat/Sun 15th/16th August – National Open & Masters XC Ski Championships – Falls Creek. Entries close Sunday 9th August. Click [HERE] to enter.
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Birkie Junior Coaching

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Paul L'Huillier

This weekend (July 18-19th) is the Victorian Junior XC Ski Championships at Falls Creek with Classic Sprint on Saturday and the distance events on Sunday. All Birkie Juniors are encouraged to participate and have some fun out on the track.

Enter on the day only. Please click [HERE] to view and download an Entry Form. Please print it off, fill it in and bring it to the Windy Corner Race Office with the fee. Doing this will save time on the day. The form contains all the details: styles, start times, fees, classes, etc. The championships are being conducted by the Wangaratta Ski Club.

Eric’s coaching session — Eric will still run a coaching session for one hour in skate technique after the races at 12.30 or when presentations are over.

Too Young for Birkie Juniors? — Alecia Phillips, will be running a special session for U12’s from 11.30 -12.30 on Sunday!! Alecia instructed on Birkie Junior Camp last year and is the person with the big smile who will make sure you have fun and improve your skiing! The session is after the U12 races, so you may want to have an early snack.

More details on where to meet will be posted in the club house

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Mid Season Dinner at Roi’s Restaurant

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Paul L'Huillier

Don’t miss out this year. Our Social Secretary Kerry Lucas needs to know if you are attending so please RSVP urgently.

This will be held on Thursday 23 July at Roi’s  Restaurant Kiewa Valley Highway Tawonga starting at 6pm. The two course meal is subsidised $15.00 by the club. Members pay for their own drinks.

RSVP by Monday 20 July — Kerry Lucas, Email <km.lucas@bigpond.com>, Tel: 5754 1341 or Mob: 0407 814 114

 

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