Newell third in Changchun ... anyone?

I'm breaking my three-year, self-imposed exile from posting on RSN
here.

Yesterday, Andy Newell a) qualified first and b) ended up third -- the
first US podium since 1983 -- in the final.

The collective response of RSN was: One post with four replies -- three
of which were from non-Americans. And posts about klister, base
structure, roller-skiing, the trails at Battle Creek and what sort of
skis one can race on cheaply.

I've been less than respectful in the past, and recognize that that's
not necessarily the best way to make a point. That being said, I have
to ask: Is American success at cross-country skiing something RSN is
supportive of?

If RSN is simply a forum to introduce information to skiers -- great. A
way to discuss training and equipment -- fine. As a sport, we need
these sort of places to disperse knowledge. However, I've see a ton of
discussion about racing -- including spirited speculation on someone's
Norwegian Birkie finish time -- and what the US team should be doing. I
am baffled that this forum isn't overrun by posts about what a shining
day this was for the US Ski Team, the sport of cross-country skiing,
Vermont, Andy Newell, etc.

Discuss.

jcork

PS: Off topic, but: "Being a wax tech has got to be one of the worst
jobs in skiing" -- Any job in skiing is better than putting a regular
9-to-5, Monday-to-Friday shift.

I'm new here. Is this meant to be a US-specific group?
I'll cheer as much for a Chinese podium finisher as an American. I'm Dutch
and somehow figured out how to post here, as no other decent
English-language places seem to exist.

schreef in bericht
oups.com...
I'm breaking my three-year, self-imposed exile from posting on RSN
here.

Yesterday, Andy Newell a) qualified first and b) ended up third -- the
first US podium since 1983 -- in the final.

The collective response of RSN was: One post with four replies -- three
of which were from non-Americans. And posts about klister, base
structure, roller-skiing, the trails at Battle Creek and what sort of
skis one can race on cheaply.

I've been less than respectful in the past, and recognize that that's
not necessarily the best way to make a point. That being said, I have
to ask: Is American success at cross-country skiing something RSN is
supportive of?

If RSN is simply a forum to introduce information to skiers -- great. A
way to discuss training and equipment -- fine. As a sport, we need
these sort of places to disperse knowledge. However, I've see a ton of
discussion about racing -- including spirited speculation on someone's
Norwegian Birkie finish time -- and what the US team should be doing. I
am baffled that this forum isn't overrun by posts about what a shining
day this was for the US Ski Team, the sport of cross-country skiing,
Vermont, Andy Newell, etc.

Discuss.

jcork

PS: Off topic, but: "Being a wax tech has got to be one of the worst
jobs in skiing" -- Any job in skiing is better than putting a regular
9-to-5, Monday-to-Friday shift.

Newell kicked ass. I just didnt post.
For some reason I can't get real fired up about sprints.
When the USA wins a distance event I'll get stoked and post multiple times.

PS. I'll take my 9-5 job over being a wax tech.

JK

No...... a little more seriously now.

I think there are so many posts about other topics because we feel we can
make a difference. When I give waxing advice to Santaniello about the
Norwegian Birkebeiner I feel i'm making a difference. I"m being helpful.
Simply cheering a "hurrah" "go usa" for newell isn't helpful and i've no
connection there. THats its for me anyway. Its more personal to give
advice to an unknown and hear that they used your advice -- how cool !!
Newell is a far removed "star" quite removed from us here. So, I did surely
feel proud that we achieved the podium finish, but didnt post.

Hell yeah, I'm supportive of USA skiing. But, I am more interested in
distance, not sprints. Just like track. I"ll watch the olympic marathon or
10km from wire to wire in the summer olympics but I dont care about
sprinters !!

rambling now .....
next?

JK


wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm breaking my three-year, self-imposed exile from posting on RSN
here.

Yesterday, Andy Newell a) qualified first and b) ended up third -- the
first US podium since 1983 -- in the final.

The collective response of RSN was: One post with four replies -- three
of which were from non-Americans. And posts about klister, base
structure, roller-skiing, the trails at Battle Creek and what sort of
skis one can race on cheaply.

I've been less than respectful in the past, and recognize that that's
not necessarily the best way to make a point. That being said, I have
to ask: Is American success at cross-country skiing something RSN is
supportive of?

If RSN is simply a forum to introduce information to skiers -- great. A
way to discuss training and equipment -- fine. As a sport, we need
these sort of places to disperse knowledge. However, I've see a ton of
discussion about racing -- including spirited speculation on someone's
Norwegian Birkie finish time -- and what the US team should be doing. I
am baffled that this forum isn't overrun by posts about what a shining
day this was for the US Ski Team, the sport of cross-country skiing,
Vermont, Andy Newell, etc.

Discuss.

jcork

PS: Off topic, but: "Being a wax tech has got to be one of the worst
jobs in skiing" -- Any job in skiing is better than putting a regular
9-to-5, Monday-to-Friday shift.

"When I give waxing advice to Santaniello about the Norwegian
Birkebeiner I feel i'm making a difference."

That's a valid and completely reasonable response. Totally respect
that.

"Newell is a far removed "star" quite removed from us here."

I'll agree/disagree with that. He probably doesn't read or post to RSN,
but I'd put pretty large sums of money down that if you saw him on the
trails and asked him a question, he'd answer it. Likewise, the rest of
the USST staff. I'm assuming you all have seen the Team Today book
"Creating Champions"; if you turn to page 15, you'll see the new head
coach giving a clinic to masters.

"But, I am more interested in distance, not sprints."

I'll be honest: me too. That being said, the best result in 23 years
garnering close to no recognition is amazing to me.

"PS. I'll take my 9-5 job over being a wax tech."

I'm assuming that's because it pays better, right? Because otherwise,
who wouldn't take a job that gets you to work at 6am and has you
inhaling fumes all day?

jcork

On 16 Mar 2006 14:49:43 -0800, wrote:

Is American success at cross-country skiing something RSN is
supportive of?

I assume you've given money via Team Today.

http://www.teamtoday.org/Merchandise...1/Default.aspx

JFT

****************************
Remove "remove" to reply
Visit http://www.jt10000.com
****************************

Yes. Monthly.

Jan Gerrit Klok wrote:
I'm new here. Is this meant to be a US-specific group?
I'll cheer as much for a Chinese podium finisher as an American. I'm Dutch
and somehow figured out how to post here, as no other decent
English-language places seem to exist.
And welcome you are. We get a little US-centric, even Minnesota-centric
at times, but it's truly an international group. We rag about the US
skiers, pound on dopers, but mostly we all get along.
Oh, and in the offseason, we digress into rollerskiing and occasionally
someone will bring up skeelers.

Marsh
New Brighton, MN, US

schreef in bericht
oups.com...

I'm breaking my three-year, self-imposed exile from posting on RSN
here.

Yesterday, Andy Newell a) qualified first and b) ended up third -- the
first US podium since 1983 -- in the final.

The collective response of RSN was: One post with four replies -- three
of which were from non-Americans. And posts about klister, base
structure, roller-skiing, the trails at Battle Creek and what sort of
skis one can race on cheaply.

I've been less than respectful in the past, and recognize that that's
not necessarily the best way to make a point. That being said, I have
to ask: Is American success at cross-country skiing something RSN is
supportive of?

If RSN is simply a forum to introduce information to skiers -- great. A
way to discuss training and equipment -- fine. As a sport, we need
these sort of places to disperse knowledge. However, I've see a ton of
discussion about racing -- including spirited speculation on someone's
Norwegian Birkie finish time -- and what the US team should be doing. I
am baffled that this forum isn't overrun by posts about what a shining
day this was for the US Ski Team, the sport of cross-country skiing,
Vermont, Andy Newell, etc.

Discuss.

jcork

PS: Off topic, but: "Being a wax tech has got to be one of the worst
jobs in skiing" -- Any job in skiing is better than putting a regular
9-to-5, Monday-to-Friday shift.

Nice to see you back, Jason. Post Oly or end of season blues on rsn? I
don't know. I'm with Jeff and don't get overwhelmed about sprints.
Someone elsewhere wrote about how Americans have become sprint
specialists in track because that's all they can win. That would be a
bad trend in skiing. I'm also not a nationalist. I appreciate talent
and the work and attitude that goes into being great, no matter where
it comes from. Maybe Andy's on the way. His consistency so far is that
he seems to race better alone than against others. Wednesday he placed
in a depleted and mostly tired field. That still counts and is
something to build on.

If you want to note real silence, how many posts have there been about
the new coach?

Gene

wrote:

I'm breaking my three-year, self-imposed exile from posting on RSN
here.

Yesterday, Andy Newell a) qualified first and b) ended up third -- the
first US podium since 1983 -- in the final.

The collective response of RSN was: One post with four replies --
three of which were from non-Americans. And posts about klister, base
structure, roller-skiing, the trails at Battle Creek and what sort of
skis one can race on cheaply.

I've been less than respectful in the past, and recognize that that's
not necessarily the best way to make a point. That being said, I have
to ask: Is American success at cross-country skiing something RSN is
supportive of?

If RSN is simply a forum to introduce information to skiers -- great.
A way to discuss training and equipment -- fine. As a sport, we need
these sort of places to disperse knowledge. However, I've see a ton of
discussion about racing -- including spirited speculation on someone's
Norwegian Birkie finish time -- and what the US team should be doing.
I am baffled that this forum isn't overrun by posts about what a
shining day this was for the US Ski Team, the sport of cross-country
skiing, Vermont, Andy Newell, etc.

Discuss.

jcork

PS: Off topic, but: "Being a wax tech has got to be one of the worst
jobs in skiing" -- Any job in skiing is better than putting a regular
9-to-5, Monday-to-Friday shift.

I think it's the end of a long hard season, is what it is.

If Americans had gotten on the podium at the Oly's in anything we
would've heard some hootin'---and seen some props from other countries,
too.

I think folks on RSN have CONTINUOUSLY, STEADILY and SINCERELY
discussed issues relating to US XC uplift and boosterism.

And I bet a lot of us contribute to Team Today.

But we're not always quick on everything.

Thanks for bringing Andy's success to my attention, though. I read
something about him doing well in the heats then saw nothing more. But
I don't usually follow WC events blow by blow.

And congrats to Pete! I really hope he can bring the gang to the next
level up.

Lastly, as for myself, I'm not a total race freak---I wish them the
best, though, and like to follow their attempts to solve the riddle of
getting to the top. I personally try to do what I can to give uplift at
a variety of levels in the media.

--JP
upnorthmag.com