News
Editor’s note: With this issue, we are introducing a new department called “Sign In.” This will be a place for news and updates from the outdoors community, from new books by local authors to new records to news from outdoor clubs and organizations.
Vermont Skis Tackle Jaws
Colchester company Starr Surf Skis proved their might recently, when Chuck Patterson skied the world-famous Jaws swell off Maui. Yup, you read that right—he skied it. Starr Surf Skis founder Jason Starr tells us that not only did Patterson ski Jaws, but he did it with panache, carving giant slalom-style arcs down the 40-foot face of the wave. “Gliding into a 40-foot, clean open-faced wave has a lot of the same characteristics that you find when dropping off a cornice into a steep chute with fresh snow,” Patterson said in a statement. “Aside from the surface being water, it’s almost the same feeling,” Patterson said. “Once you let go of the rope and glide down the face making turns to stay in the pocket, it’s totally addicting.” Congratulations to Patterson for his achievement, and Starr for creating such a unique product, helping to push the limits of outdoor sports.
New Records Set at CTA Backcountry Race
Eli Enman of Huntington set a new record of 1:30:30 for the Catamount Trail Backcountry Race on March 13 when he won the race for the second year in a row. Kate Crawford of Essex set a new women’s record with 2:05:22. The two record-setters had to climb 2,300 vertical feet from Trapp Family Lodge to the Bolton Nordic Center. Congrats to both!
Words of Wisdom
Two Vermont Sports contributors recently released new fitness-related books.
“Run Like a Girl” How Strong Women Make Happy Lives,” by Mina Samuels’ and “Heart Rate Training,” co-authored by University of Vermont professor and exercise physiologist Declan Connolly, hit the shelves in March.
Samuels writes about how participating in sports (team and individual) go far to balance the stress of life. But there are often roadblocks to women participating in sports—whether its equipment designed for men, a lack of other women to hike, run or climb with, and how advice from a spouse or partner can be more annoying than helpful, even when it comes with best intentions. Too often, Samuels writes, women give up because of one of these, or other, factors.
Samuels combines statistical data, scholarly research, and her own experiences, making for an engaging read that will have most women nodding their heads in agreement and motivated to keep at the sports they love. Seal Press, 288 pages, $16.95.
Connolly co-authored “Heart Rate Training” with Roy T. Benson, an exercise scientist and distance-running coach. The book takes the guesswork out of training and explains how, when and why heart rate monitors should be incorporated into training and conditioning programs. “The biggest problem with most exercise programs,” according to publisher Human Kinetics, “is that they are not based on a person’s unique body shape, size, physiological response, and, most important, current level of fitness. To get the most out of a program you need to make your effort individualized, and the easiest way to do that is to track your cardiac response to your body’s movement of choice.” Connolly and Benson’s book should help you learn how. Human Kinetics, 240 pages, $18.95.
Honoring Freeskier Ryan Hawks
Vermont native Ryan Hawks died in an accident while competing in the North American Freeskiing Championships in Kirkwood, Calif., on March 1. The 25-year-old grew up skiing at Mad River Glen, and skied with the Diamond Dogs Freestyle Team at Sugarbush. Sugarbush released a statement extending its deepest sympathies to Hawks’ family. Diamond Dogs founder Kevin Wry said, “Ryan was the guy who showed up early to take runs before the program started, and skied until the lifts closed. He had an incredible enthusiasm for the sport.”
Vermonters Clinch Victories
Susan Dunklee, a Barton native and biathlete, placed 15th at the Open European Championships in Ridnaun, Italy in February. She posted the ninth best skiing time in her field, and performed best out of the women competing from the United States. This stellar performance follows a 10th place at the International Biathlon Union Cup in Altenberg, Germany in January.
Cassidy White, an 11-year-old from Danby, won her division twice this year in the New England Sled Dog Club races. White races a three-dog team in the four-mile junior division for the 2010-11 season, and her mom tells us that next year, she’ll be competing at the Can-Am level, making her one of the youngest to compete in that division. She hopes to one day compete in the Iditarod.
Hannah Kearney won the moguls season title for the World Cup. The Olympic gold medalist from Norwich clinched the title while competing in March in Sweden.
Gibbs Named Ski Vermont Marketing Director
Jason Gibbs, former press secretary to Gov. Jim Douglas and Commissioner of Forests, Parks & Recreation, has been named the marketing director of Ski Vermont (the Vermont Ski Areas Association). The Montpelier-based Ski Vermont is a trade organization that represents the Alpine and Nordic ski areas in marketing, public relations and governmental affairs. Gibbs, a skier, snowboarder and snowboard instructor, replaces Kathy Murphy, who was hired as the chief marketing officer of Vermont. Congrats to both!
Going to the Dogs
April is our annual dog issue, so we found it fitting to mention that the Green Mountain Dog Club is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its Dog Show in July at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds, as part of four days of dog showing. On July 14 and 15, the Woodstock Dog Club is holding its show, and on July 16 and 17, it is GMDC’s turn. The show is an official American Kennel Club event, and expects to draw 700 entries and more than 100 breeds. And this show isn’t just for purebreds—mixed breeds are welcome to compete in the AKC Obedience and Rally. Entries close at noon on June 29. For more information, visit www.akc.org.
Kudos to Vermont’s Outdoors
The Montreal Gazette gave some great ink to visiting Vermont. The title, “There’s More to Enjoy in Vermont in Winter Than Just Skiing,” suggested visitors try snowshoeing, ATVing, ice skating, ice fishing, sledding, dog sledding and horseback riding. In fact seven of the 10 recommendations for non-skiing Vermont activities were outdoor activities. Tres bien!
Do you have news you’d like to share with the outdoors community? E-mail us at editor@vtsports.com.