Willie Neal

This Saturday at the weekend biathlon camp in Fort Kent a few of the younger athletes were fortunate enough to get an opportunity to work with some of the older Maine Winter Sports Center regional team athletes on skate roller-ski technique.  One of these older athletes was Willie Neal.  On Sunday night when the campers were on the drive back to Southern Maine, Willie was out roller-skiing with his girlfriend back in the Fort Kent area.  Willie was hit by a car while roller-skiing and killed.  Although these younger athletes only met Willie on Saturday and only got to work with him once, everyone was upset and shocked when hearing about his death.  In the two hours that these younger athletes got to work with Willie they found out what a nice guy and a great skier he was.  The Southern Maine Biathlon Club would like to thank Willie for working with us and will support the Neal family in the fullest.  Willie's death is a huge loss for the ski community and for the world as well.  Not only was Willie a great skier, but an influential figure in climate change, and very involved in the democratic party.  Willie was a delegate for the state of Wyoming at the Democratic National Convention and worked as an intern for Sen. John Kerry.  Willie, you were a great guy and you will be missed. Rest in peace. 

 http://fasterskier.com/2009/06/jackson-wy-biathlete-willie-neal-killed-in-roller-skiing-accident/

-Jackson Hall 

June Fort Kent Weekend Camp

Sam and Ian shooting 
Grace helping Eva 
air rifles
techno dancing on the car ride home
shooting and roller-skiing 
air rifles 
shooting cans, balloons, and paint-balls!
range 
wet Mike and Chester 
Tara and Caitlin washing off mud and dirt in a puddle
twins shooting and roller-skiing 
the twins 
roller-ski technique
soccer teams 
Mike's daughter Eva joined us on the trip
group activity 
obstacle courses 
group soccer game 
Shooting
Tom, Tara and Jackson checking their zero 
Loading clips
Mike helping Sam
Air rifles in the rain

This weekend was biathlon camp in Fort Kent. We headed up on Friday afternoon, and arrived Friday night after a long evening in the car. On Saturday morning we left the cabins and headed for the 10th Mountain Center. We met the Austin's other campers from the county, and played the name game and got acquainted. It rained all day Saturday, but that did not stop us. It was a very full day, with lots of shooting air rifles and .22's, soccer, roller-ski technique, dynamic stretching, and mini run-and-shoot races. We all left soaked and a little cold, but it was a great day and a ton of learning took place. Everyone had lots of fun. Toast made us a big lasagna dinner on Saturday night at the cabins, and after some stayed at the cabins and some went back to the 10th Mountain Center to clean rifles. On Sunday we did some dryland training and warm-ups, some roller-skiing, and shooting. Older athletes shot .22's and did a workout with Gary, and other athletes did air rifles shooting with Toast. They shot balloons, paint-balls, plates, cans, etc... It was a great time! On the way home we all had techno dance parties in the cars. There was a lot of driving and the weekend was wet, but everyone learned a lot and had a ton of fun! If anyone has any other pictures feel free to send them to me and I can put them up on the blog! My email is thumphries3@gmail.com. 

North Haven Roller-Ski Day

Olivia on the beach
Lunch
Olivia, Chester, Alex, Tara
Group 
Scenery was amazing 
Skiing
There were tons and tons of Lupine! 
Chester
Mike 
Chester, Alex, Olivia, Mike, Joel, Tara 
The group on the ferry 

This Saturday, Joel, Tiki, Mike, Chester, Tara, Olivia, and Alex traveled to the Island of North Haven for the day to roller-ski. The ferry left in Rockland and arrived on North Haven in about one hour. We did a Long Slow Distance workout in the morning, some on skate and some on classic. The roads were in absolute fantastic shape, and the island was just beautiful and great for skiing. Then we had lunch and relaxed on a nice hill in the sun. After lunch and resting, some went on another roller-ski, different technique, and some went on a walk. Then we rode the ferry back to Rockland, stopped in Camden for dinner, and headed home. The weather was warm and sunny (a few red cheeks), and the roads were absolutely amazing. Everybody left with a smile on their face. It was a perfect day. 

Alternative Strength

Charlie
Chester
Tara
Jackson

On Monday Jackson Hall, Chester Jacobs, and Tara Humphries went up to Roundabout Farm in North Yarmouth for an alternative strength workout. They unloaded one wagon of hay, about 200 bales, which took about 45 minutes. It was hard work, but a lot of fun and a very good workout. Doing things like unloading hay are very good for upper body strength, which can help your skiing!

End of May Practice

Today was an air rifle/games practice. It was interesting with the rain, but overall went very well. We started off with some jogging, pick-ups, and active stretching. Then we followed with an amazingly intense game of speedball! After that we did some shooting with the air rifles, which was fantastic until the rain came and we had to take cover inside. Since we were stuck indoors, we watched Jackson and Chester's biathlon video made for a school school project, which was well done and very funny. Even with the rain, spirits were high and everyone had fun. 

Southern Maine Biathlon Club end of the Season Wrap-up, Potluck, Meeting Extravaganza

Potluck 
Abby James Eileen
Kids Thank You
Eileen Gary Mike Tiki Amy 
Getting food 
Molly
Carrie Caitlyn Sarah Olivia 
Tim Haley Oliver Mitchell 
Carter Sam Chester Jackson Tom

Sunday evening was the first annual SMBC end of the season potluck. There was a slideshow, delicious food, and lots of enthusiastic athletes and families. We also had a few special guests join up. Gary Colliander, MWSC biathlon coach and US National B team coach, James Upham, US National development coach, Eileen Carey, MWSC program director, and Abby Weissman, from NENSA all came to the potluck and answered questions, talked about nordic and biathlon, and and also talked about athlete's futures in biathlon. Gary Eileen Abby and James, it was great to have you!  

Thank you Joel, Mike and Tiki for a wonderful season. Thank you Ted for organizing the cafeteria and projector, Molly for organizing the event, and all athletes and families for supporting the club. 

If anyone not get a club sign-up form, Joel still has lots of them! His email is joelhinshaw@yahoo.com. The summer schedule and news will be posted on the website soon, so keep your eyes open! www.somainebiathlon.com. There is more information about Maine Coast Nordic at www.coastalnordic.org and www.mainecoastnordic.blogspot.com. 

We had a fantastic turn out on Sunday, and next year we hope for it to be even better. Keep spreading the word! 

End of the Season Potluck

On Sunday May 3, 5.30 pm at Yarmouth High School, there will be an SMBC potluck. There will be a slide-show, dinner (please bring a dish), and we will be going over finances, the upcoming calendar and 2009/2010 events. This should be really fun, so bring your family and any one else you think might be interested in joining the club! Email Molly Susla at hsusla@aol.com with any questions. See you there!