NM2007 - Events ScheduleThe host city for the NM2007 -- Bend, Oregon -- is located an easy 30km/18 mile drive from the race venue of Mt Bachelor. Bus service is provided by the ski area from a westside park and ride lot for a reasonable daily fee...but AXCS anticipates most competitors driving this route on all race days. Carpools with other skiers from official lodging sources should prove very easy to arrange. Allow for 35-40 minutes driving time to be safe. Note: For any "why this or that" questions about the NM, please see this FAQ regarding the overall NM2007 event schedule.
------ The following schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions and other factors. Any and all changes will be announced here on the pages of xcskiworld.com...the official website of the National Masters.
------ Wednesday, March 21: Thursday, March 22: Friday, March 23: Saturday, March 24: 10km Freestyle "Fun Race" (no Championship awards) Starts approx. 20mins following last classic wave. Sunday, March 25:
------ NM2007 EVENTS Frequently Asked Questions What facilities are at the stadium for waxing and "hanging out"? Once at the mountain there is substantial indoor space for spectators and racers (nordic and alpine lodges) for down periods a 3-5 minute walk away from the parking lot NM stadium. For easiest access to the stadium, vehicles and the ROSSIGNOL Hospitality Tent will be the best places for "hanging out" before, during, and after NM events. Note that there will be no public-access power at the parking lot stadium for waxing purposes. Skiers will need to bring their own power sources or do without. Two fine local performance XC shops in town (Bend Bike N' Sport and Webcyclery -- both official event sponsors) either provide glide waxing services. WEBCYCLERY has also announced that they will have open use wax tables for NM participants during open shops hours the day prior to all races...9am-6pm weekdays and 9am-4pm Saturday. Directions to the Webcyclery location.. Many hotels and condos can also provide space that will work for waxing (especially if you ask nicely). In the event of inclement weather, the ROSSIGNOL Hospitality Tent will be the closest shelter that can be used for waxing at the event site. Any groups (mostly western US and Canadian groups) that can plan ahead to bring your own 10' x 10' pop-up canopies for waxing would be well-served by the fairly nominal investment for a portable private shelter. What age groups are offered? The U.S. National Masters follows the standards set by the World Masters Association with 5 year age groups based on age as of December 31 the preceeding year. The only difference with the U.S. National Masters is that we recognize the 25-29 age group as an official "M-0" category which is not the case at the international level. Skiers 24 and under are always welcome to take part in the U.S. National Masters, but they race in an unofficial "open" category without national championship designations. Individual National Championship awards are given to the top three in each official age group. Winners are recognized as Masters National Champions. Overall top point scorers for all three NM events (skiers 70+ years use best 2 of 3 events allowing for one day off if you wish) in each age group are recognized as part of the U.S. Masters XC Ski Team. A special thanks goes out to Elentari-Handverk for producing our very, very cool and unique jewelry-quality awards! What distance does my age/gender class ski? All age classes ski the same 15km total skiathlon distance (individual race) on Thursday, March 22. 2-person relay skiers all will ski the same distances as well (roughly 6.5km CL and 8.5km FS). Men ages 59 and under ski 15km on Saturday, March 24 and 30km on Sunday, March 25. Men ages 60-69 ski 10km on Saturday, March 24 and 20km on Sunday, March 25. Men ages 70+ ski 10km on Saturday, March 24 and 15km on Sunday, March 25. Women ages 59 and under ski 10km on Saturday, March 24 and 20km on Sunday, March 25. Women ages 60+ ski 10km on Saturday, March 24 and 15km on Sunday, March 25 Note: If you are slated for a different distance but wish to race just the Cascade Crest 15km on Sunday, March 25...you can...but you will be placed in the unofficial 15km "open" category at registration regardless of your age. What happens with the Cacade Crest citizen race because of the Nationals? The 2007 National Masters 30/20/15km freestyle on Sunday, March 25 is one and the same with the traditional 2007 Cascade Crest race. If you are entered for one, you are entered for both. The only change for 2007 in the traditional Cascade Crest format is that your age/gender category is assigned a specific race distance (see above). How does the Thursday, March 22 skiathlon/2-person relay work? Skiathlon FAQ: Individual skiers will be started in combined waves based on age groups. All skiers will ski a roughly 6.5km classic loop on rolling terrain. Classic technique rules are strictly enforced on this leg and violations will result in disqualification. The skiers will then come into the stadium and be required to take off their classic skis at a designated point. You then run/walk a very short distance into a transition area...the entire time carrying ALL your classic gear! In the transition area you have waiting for you a ski bag which you placed in the designated area before the race start. In the ski bag is any and all gear you wish to change into for your freestyle leg. You are required to use a ski bag to "hold" both the gear waiting for you during the classic leg and also the gear you leave behind when you depart for the freestyle leg! You are required to place the bag in the transition BEFORE the first wave start of the day so as to avoid any conflicts with skiers on course. Some skiers may wish to have a helper simply exchange gear and this you may do over a designated fence on the outside of the transition area. Other skiers may also elect NOT to change any gear from the classic to freestyle legs (which is allowed) and those skiers simply navigate the outside of the transition area on foot...and put their classic gear back on at the freestyle start. Remember -- everyone has to take off their classic gear at the designated point no matter what you elect to do in the transition. By AXCS rules, you can elect to change as much or as little gear as you wish for the purpose of skiing the freestyle leg. After you leave the transition area, you then reach other designated point where you are allowed to put your freestyle gear on. You MAY NOT BE ASSISTED in putting your freestyle gear back on...this will be strictly enforced! Weather pending, some kind of board or device may be available to help knock snow off the bottom of ski boots...but spraying your boots with a non-stick material is recommended. Skiers then depart on a 8.5km freestyle leg that will be mostly separate of the classic leg. First skier across the line in each age group is National Champion. 2-Person Relay FAQ: Depending on the number of relay teams, there may be a separate wave start or simply relay teams folded into individual start waves. This will be determined very close to the event date. Team member #1 skis the same 6.5km classic course as skiathlon individuals. Classic technique rules are strictly enforced on this leg and violations will result in disqualification. Once the classic leg is completed, the classic skier is required to take off their skis at the same designated point as individuals. As with individuals, you are required to run/walk carrying your classic gear around the individual transition area to reach the freestyle skier who is waiting with all their freestyle gear on and ready. You then make a hand-to-body "tag" and the freestyle skier immediately takes off. The freestyle team member #2 skis the same 8.5km freestyle course as the skiathlon individuals. Final skier across the line in each relay class is National Champion. Relay categories are female-female, male-male, female-male. Only in the event of a very large relay field will combined age classes be used to further subdivide these categories. |
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