News From H.U.R.T Skiers

How does he do it?

2012-01-13T12:41:00.007-05:00

The Director has done it again. In a season where the odds seem stacked against the Director to finish off his championship three-peat, he has found a way to get his team primed and prepared for a big race season. With the first small amounts of snow finally falling in the first weeks of 2012, HURT juniors got a chance to test their ski fitness in High School races across the state. The results were definitive.....Skiing for the Director just plain PAYS!

Out of the muck and mire of NY's December rose the original HURT-three-headed behemoth of Halligan-Luban-and-Huneck. A.Luban, in his first Sprint contest of the year took the top spot and a few days later Halligan and Huneck went 1-3 in section 2's first 6k of the year.

Visual Approximation of the performance by HURT's three-headed monster.

Top 10 finishes were also turned in by Seth Mares (9th VB) and the Director himself, who went 7th in the JVB race. HURT added some big rookie talent in the off-season and the Sisters-Duclos (Sarah and Amy) went 9-11 respectively in the VG race and John Ferrone added a 2nd place finish to his already impressive JVB resume. Rookies Ethan Katz and Brian Charzan also added solid results in 42nd and 37th respectively in the VB race.

Full Junior results can now be found at New York's first comprehensive database for High School Nordic Racing. You can find this source at http://www.nyssranordic.com/NYShighschoolbeat.html. Be sure you stay up to date on the progress of HURT junior development.

HRT news reporter Maudry Angen caught up with the Director after his 7th place finish to ask him how he has been able to prepare his junior squad to make such a fast start.

MA: so what has been the strategy up until this point? Has it just been a lot of rollerskiing?

D: "This winter has been so bad we've had to dig real deep to get our skiers on snow. I sent B. Halligan all the way to Alaska to get him some on snow time. Everyone else has been forced to tape ice cubes to their shoes. Unfortunately, Halligan's trip to compete at the Junior Worlds Team Trial Biathlon Championships has used up our entire race travel budget for the whole year. But as you can see he is at least ready. Thanks to some refinancing and some austerity measures, (and leaving a smaller Senior team than in years past.....Chris L......holding down the decade!!) HURT should still be able to field a strong team at the new NYSSRA TourNADO! and the NYSSRA Championships. This season may just come down to those two weekends!

Check out the pics of Halligan's 8th place finish in the youth division! Sporting the new 2011-12 HURT gear!

MA: What about the Sr and Master team? Are they as ready?

D: "Well...It is hard to say...I have Andy F. and Chris Y. on a very strict child-rearing interval regimen that his them going to and fro in a semi-exhausted, sleep deprived state. This type of body and mind fatigue should have them ready to tackle the new challenges of the NYSSRA TourNADO. Dave PK seems to be amped up and fit, but he too is incorporating controversial interval sessions that involve dunking holiday cookies in milk, but he has been focused on keeping his hands high. We'll see if it pays off."

MA: Well....there you have it. Bring on the late winter!

Don't forget to register for the ESG TourNADO and Loppet weekend on Feb 3-5. Let's see if we can get all of NYS skiers there!!!

The "Odd Odd-Makers Odds" on the Loppet and Tournado weekend will be coming soon. Stay tuned.

Sacrifice

2011-12-17T21:01:00.003-05:00

As the sun rose on the morn of HURT's great snow sacrifice it was learned that their leader, coach, wax guru, and good luck charm had fallen on his sword in order to bring the desperate HURT team a few flakes of December snow. Stanley, summer training extraordinaire, laid his own life down so that HURT faithful could focus on bringing some major speed to their killer Hills Rd. interval session.

We caught up with HURT skiers for some final thoughts about their fallen coach.

Brian H: Stanley: "You are the fatest bunny anyone had ever seen. but i loved you and will never forget the way you basicly owned our house and did what you want. I will never forget the softness of your coat and I will never feel anything so smooth or fast as that pair of Fischer carbonlites you waxed for me at nationals. i'll miss you little guy' :')"
Stanley The Bunny 2008-12/16/11 Rest In Peace

Sean H (saratoga biathlon): "When you were not eating the furniture, peeing on the couch & pooping anywhere you felt like it.....you were mildly amusing. I wish you could have coached Saratoga Biathlon, then we might of had a short at beating HURT."

The Director: This is a big blow going into the season. My feet just are not as lucky as his.

A. Luban: black armbands shall be worn in tribute!

DPK: I never met the guy. But I heard he was one hell of a guinea pig...and that's saying something.

Chris Y: So is it snowing yet?

Sacrifice to the SNOW GODS! Saturday!

2011-12-15T13:27:00.003-05:00

45 degrees and raining?!? on December 15th?!? Ground that isn't even frozen?!?

The Director is taking things into his own hands. Another weekend in December will go by without a NYS ski race and things aren't looking good in the extended forecast. Time to change the winds. This Saturday at 9am meet with your skate rollerskis in Burning Bush for a killer set of intervals. 10 x Hills Rd at L4. Let's get the whole team out to show winter that the time has come to end this non-sense. Park at the Burning Bush public park in the Country Knolls neighborhood in Ballston Lake, NY and we will ski down to the start of the interval loop. See you there. If you ordered a team suit, you can come and pick it up then.

See you there.

Like Kingston like Sjusjoen

2011-11-22T13:47:00.006-05:00

The following report was filed by the new HRT team news room reporter Maudry Angen on Monday after chasing HURT across the state as they skied in their annual "Festival of Pain" and Kingston Rollerski race.

(Article originally posted at www.sortafasterskier.hrt.uk.co)

Monday morning saw headlines across the country read "HURT SKIS LIKE A BUNCH OF WOMEN" and as the Director flips through the pages of his morning post a big grin slides across his face. There is no bigger compliment. This past weekend saw HURT nordic take a page out of the Norwegian women's team playbook and dominate the annual rollerski race and "nordic free-swag-and-nordic-emporium-extravaganza" known to most as the Kingston Nordic Ski Race. It was done the same way that the Norwegian women made the world cup opener in Sjusjoen look like child's play. With pure dominance and disregard for other mere mortals on skis.

Two time defending champion HURT rendezvoused in Albany with members from as far away as Syracuse in order to drive down en-mass to stake their claim to their FIRST three-peat of the season. The Director (who made his own rollerski race debut) was joined by Chris Yarsevich, David Paarlberg-Kvam, Austin Huneck, Tim Huneck, Martin Donnelly-Heg, Jan Mares, Seth Mares, Adam Luban, Ed Luban, Brian Halligan, (Sean Halligan - HURT for a day), Alec Davis, Matt Tornianen, and Roger and Joan Henry .

HURT ran away with championships in both the 5K classic and 5K skate race and MDH was able to shave even more time off his 5K double pole record.

In the skate race, usually uncontested champion, Sean Halligan was pushed to the limit by Sufferfest champion Austin Huneck until in the last few 100 meters the back wheel of young Huneck's rollerski goes flying off. After a dramatic crash and subsequent shedding of poles Huneck was able to skate-board in on one ski to ensure a 1-2 finish in the skate race. When asked to comment after the race, young Huneck shrugged his shoulders and said "I guess that is where they get the expression 'the wheels came off the bus' from"

We caught up with the Director after the race and he offered the following statement.

"It was a huge effort by everyone today. We had fast skiers with fast wheels, fast skiers with slow wheels, slow skiers with fast wheels, slow skiers with slow wheels, fast skiers with loose wheels, and even a couple loose skiers with well....nice legs. We covered every competition category and are truly ready to three-peat in the NYSSRA points series as well. We will see you on SNOW!!"

Check out the coverage from the weekend.

HURT MEMBERS: PLEASE PLAN ON A TRAIL WORK PARTY on 11-27-11 at 2:00pm. Bring rakes and clippers and hand saws so we can keep our training ground free of pine needles. More details will be found in your email. Hope to see you there.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.

-Director

Kingston Rollerski Races Highlight Festival of Pain

2011-11-18T14:33:00.004-05:00

The Kingston Rollerski Races are Sunday, capping a fun weekend of training. The HURT Festival of Pain kicks off tonight, with a loosely organized (i.e. doing it alone), 90 minute over distance run. Tomorrow, will feature the famous Feeling It 40K skate rollerski, and Sunday the fun Kingston Races. Bring on the training volume!

Director to Coach: Where Is the Mental Strength Test?

2011-11-10T12:37:00.001-05:00

High School Ski teams have started practice. That means performing baseline strength tests for all the young skiers.

The Director was disappointed by merely being tested physically. After putting on a clinic during the physical strength tests (pushups, situps, box jumps, etc) he was ready to really set the standard with his mental sharpness (contract negotiations, owner/manager/player labor negotiations, signing bonus deals, etc).

Drive for 25!

2011-11-08T19:52:00.003-05:00

Not only is November 15th HURT's youngest athlete's first birthday (Anna), but it is also the day of the Drive for 25. Help the National Nordic Foundation raise money to develop our nation's nordic ski talent.

Drive for 25 info:
http://nccsef.org/news/?p=2604

Donate Here:
http://ccgeneralfund.causevox.com/

The Director Not Happy Over Attempted Sabotage

2011-11-07T07:37:00.003-05:00

Sufferfest morning dawned cold and clear, but dark workings were on the horizon. During warm up, the first attempt at sabotage took place. Star HURT skier Austin Huneck’s front rollerski wheel suddenly became loose. A legion of Peru skiers looked on with guilty faces, keeping oddly quiet during the whole affair. After sprinting back to the cars, and a quick repair by father Huneck, they made it back to the start just as the gun fired.

With the race on, Peru quickly went to option two, and viscously started hacking away at Austin’s legs. Here is an official Associated Press picture showing the carnage and near crash.

Austin managed to pull it together and then made quick work of the field, dropping everyone after the first rise. Austin Huneck claimed his second Sufferfest win in record time. HURT did not field a large squad this year, with some of the team traveling to secret training locations and some others not wanting to drive so freakin’ far. But both Yarsevich (non-wheel doped) and Tim Huneck (recovering from pneumonia) put in strong showings for 5 and 6th place. Dave Burt also put in a solid pre-season effort. Gabriella Frittelli won the women’s division and the one pole division, nice work!

The team now looks forward to the Festival of Pain and the Kingston Rollerski Races.

We 'yam what we 'yam

2011-10-31T18:15:00.006-04:00

HURT nordic is gearing up for the oncoming winter. As the northeast enjoys the last couple days of a midwinter treat, the team is making some final preparations for the upcoming season. The command center has been a buzz lately as 11th hour signings, gear orders and interval sessions have taken center stage for the HURT leadership.

Sadly, HURT was unable to sign the dynamite duo of Dan and Kathy Schwenk to another year under the team colors. Sighting "too long a commute" to the Capital region and "Irreconcilable Differences in ski wax choice" the Schwenks backed away from a three-year 4.3 million dollar* deal that would have all but sealed HURT's dominance in the Masters Women categories.

*not actually dollars. snowflakes.

As the Director struggled with options, he decided to build for the future and sign Shenendehowa Varsity up-and-coming star Brian Chrzan to a probationary deal at the league minimum. This deal opened up some cap space to offer league veteran Andy Farry some perks for the upcoming season. The Director sent the following press release:

"It is no secret that there are certain death obsessed clubs around the state that are making some bigtime signings right before the season. They want the title and want it bad. In a dastardly move, they are also heavily recruiting one of our founding members. Their plan seems to be to take some of the deep HURT talent and break our spirits right before the snow flies. We want our team to be as strong as ever....and we want Andy to don one of our special ordered Mt. Borah neck wraps that shows off our new updated HURT 2.0 logos. They go amazingly well with our new championship suits. And seriously....boot carriers?

The new colors for 2011.

HURT is also excited to announce that they have just received some top secret team ski gear that will make it all but impossible for clubs to contend for this year's title.

The Director was unwilling to share what exactly had been received but lets just say that the following pictures were left as clues to the contents of the package.

MAN/WOMAN UP WEEK

2011-10-10T10:19:00.004-04:00

So much training....So much pressure from the Director to deliver.....The pictures and the movie should tell the tale.

Congrats to all HURT athletes who got out this week and logged some quality time training. Special thanks to Andy Wei, Tim Huneck, Chris Yarsevich and Dave Paarlberg-Kvam who shot and submitted the video to the USSA team with hopes of S.W.A.G.

USSA Challenge Team Schedule

2011-09-26T21:15:00.002-04:00

Please plan to join the team for the USSA Challenge next Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm at SPAC.

Meet in the parking lot next to the big field, adjacent to the Gideon Putnam lot. We will be doing Skate Intervals Tuesday and Speeds Thursday. Come to do intervals, cheer, heckle, etc. Just be there!

Blockbuster in the Making

2011-09-24T11:23:00.006-04:00

Things have been quiet the last few weeks in HURT news land and our crack team of correspondents have heard very little from the mouth of the team Director. But as September draws to a close, there a rumblings that things are really getting heated up for the fall. As intensity in training starts to build, HURT is preparing to roll out some big team events.

HRT news Director Sopher Tabot caught up with the Director, who has been stationed out in L.A., via a Skype conference and later filed this report:

HRT: So why are you in L.A. when the HURT team is amping up their fall training in NY and preparing for a three-peat NYSSRA championship? Don't they need your leadership? Besides, aren't you missing third period English?

D: Well Sopher, as a matter of fact, I am here trying to drum up support for our skiers. Haven't you heard about the USSA MEN'S NORDIC TEAM CHALLENGE? If you haven't check it out. The boys of the USSA team are looking to challenge teams to train as hard as they do from Oct.3 - Oct. 10. There is some major gear offered to the team that has the most enthusiastic participation and creates the best video documentation. This challenge has HURT written all over it!

HRT: So why L.A.?

D: Do I have to really spell it out? Big names. Big names. I am looking to sign to big time actors/actresses to ski for HURT so I can feature them in our film. I am trying to make a film that will have a little something for everyone. You know.....Brad Pitt and George Clooney for the ladies, Miley Cyrus for the teeny-bopper crowd (you have to have the teeny-bopper crowd), Halle Berry and Jessica Alba for the men-folk and Zack Galifanakis for some comedic relief. It really should be a HURT dream team. My only hope is that Mr. Galafanakis can ship his ferns across the country.

HRT: WOW!!!!! SO have they signed on to ski for HURT!!!!

D: No

HRT: Oh.

D: Yeah.

HRT: Bummer.

(silent, awkward pause)

HRT: Is there a plan B?

D: Hopefully I can get all of our skiers to get out, ski hard and really get after it. My hope is that they will shoot some awesome ski video and send it to us so that we can compile the clips together to show the real team working hard. With the largest team in NY we should have a real good shot.

HRT: Well, we look forward to seeing the results.

D: Thanks, Sopher....By the way.... do you know where I can get a good Vente-Chi-Mocha-Grande-Latte-Sans-Velle Coffee around Albany? I had one out here and am now like, like, totally addicted, you know like, crazy.

Has The Director Cracked?

2011-09-07T20:06:00.003-04:00

With all the off season contract work, signings, and talk of mergers (Radio Shack and Leopard Trek have been talking with him non-stop), all the pressure might be finally getting to the Director.

Below is a rare shot of the Director drinking his worries away as he tries to finalize the roster for the 2011/2012 season. With Rollerskiing season in full swing, he is running out of time.

Signin's, Wheelin's and Dealin's

2011-08-26T10:54:00.010-04:00

It has been a big summer for HURT nordic and as September falls into view the Director and the HRT news team is proud to announce a number of important team developments. First THREE HUGE team signings....

HURT is happy to welcome CHRIS LAMOTHE, SETH MARES and ETHAN KATZ

HURT adds to it's already impressive roster, Vermont born and bred skier, Chris Lamothe. A veteran of both the New England racing scene and Clarkson University, Chris brings his fearless and powerfully competitive style to the Senior age group. Now a resident of Syracuse and staple of HURT West training session Chris is ready to grab the 2011-12 Senior title. We caught up with the Director to ask him about their newest acquisition.

D: "HURT had a big SR spot open this year as Kvam moves to the M1 ranks. This left a hole we needed to fill. After entertaining several hundred applicants we settled on the Chris. He brings an intensity that is unmatched in the nordic world. I mean look at this picture. This is Chris practicing classic sprint starts. I mean, if his skis move through that muck imagine what they will do on snow. It's a new era in NYS skiing.....the Lamothe era."

In addition, coach Stanley was able to finally work out a deal that signs Saratoga stud Seth Mares to team HURT. Mares joins an already intimidating force of J1 skiers on team HURT and looks like the "fearsome threesome" may have just added a 4th head. Stanley has convinced the Director that the addition of Mares to the Junior team will ensure that even with a massive turnout from the other Junior development teams in NY, HURT can still win the day.

D: "We are pumped to have Mares on the squad this year. He is like a loose canon. Unexpected. Daring. A speed demon on the snow with a competitive fire and a wild head of hair. This is just the edge HURT needs. I mean seriously....has anyone ever looked that good skiing in a cowboy hat? The competition won't even know what's coming!

In looking toward the future, HURT also signs Glens Falls young gun, Ethan Katz. After attending the HURT junior training camp and participating under the strict scrutiny of HURT coaches, it seems Katz is a perfect fit for future HURT dynasties. In just his first year on skis he posted numerous top 5 finishes and a win. He is big, strong, and fit and has proven he can make improvements in leaps and bounds. He plans on working hard in the HS development system and racing in HURT colors when available. He will bring some much needed junior points against the powerful RNR development program. The Director:

D: "Ethan is the future and the now of our franchise. We are looking to build from the bottom up and that starts with a strong development program. If we can bring in young skiers to learn under talent of our "Fearsome Threesome" (Luban, Huneck, Halligan) and older juniors W. Frielinghaus, B. Christoffel and C. Boutelle we are in for a bright future. Watch his results on the big board this season and you will see him climb!"

In other team news......HURT has formed a partnership with Rick Randall of Solobreak Sports. As the regional representative for Komperdell Nordic poles and Halti training apparel, HURT team members are being offered some wonderful ordering opportunities. In order to equip you with the best in nordic racing ski poles HURT members will be offered PRO-PRICING on race poles when ordered as a team. If you are looking for the best in FINNISH NORDIC APPAREL we will be able to purchase gear at WHOLESALE. (This is over 20% off!) We are still in the process of working out the specifics of our team order but we will be working hard to bring you the best deal possible. A big thank you goes out to Rick, the Solobreak team and the two new official sponsors of HURT NORDIC.

Komperdell

HALTI

Have you ever wanted to look as good as Hannu Manninen? Stay tuned for more information!

D: "Can we sign this nordic combined superstar?".....stay tuned

HRT News Report: The Iron Maiden

2011-08-02T20:17:00.004-04:00

As promised, the Director delivered on Iron Maiden day. His powerhouse trio of D.Kvam, A. Huneck and B. Halligan took off from the gun and kept the hard hitting attacks coming all morning against the largest and one of the toughest IMT fields in history. Motivated by enhanced team scoring and point premiums littered around the course, the HURT top guns went out hard with hopes of amassing enough points to win the Fernando Pizzaro Conquest of Peru Iron Maiden Team Championship Trophy. Even though HURT was outnumbered (with the trio joined by T. Huneck) they were able to collect the points, win the preems and sweep the IMT podium.

The full race report can be found by the IMT hosts here: Windbriefs

The HRT newsroom was on hand to photograph the day and catch up with athletes after their massive race effort:

T.Huneck Interview:

HRT: You seemed noticeably absent from the chase pack this year Tim? What happened?

TH: I was under strict orders from the Director to do two things...a) finish the race as fast as possible and b) not do any work for the multi-time champion Chris Rose. My execution of this plan may have been flawed....because it involved rolling right over my ski pole tip at the base of the HOD. This added some significant distance and time. However, the Director was pleased with my additional training volume and it should bode well on the slopes of Prospect Mtn.

HRT: So Kvam, big day for you! Odds makers had you just cracking the top 5. With some top juniors to race against, and some savvy race veterans in the field you really were up against it. Yet you really seemed to shed the voices of the critics and the ghosts of IMT pasts....tell us about your race.....how do you feel?

Kvam's post-race interview

Check out the rest of the photos of the day.

The Director leads the team to championship

The HURT sweep

Huneck up the HOD

The race field at the start of the race

Iron Maiden Eve

2011-07-29T11:51:00.004-04:00

The fatted calf has been slaughtered and the race socks have been hung by the chimney with care. IT's IMT EVE BOYS AND GIRLS!!!!!

The media buildup has been hitting a fever pitch this past week as teams prepare for the "Queen of the Classics", the "Summertime Showdown", The "Beast of the East", The "War up North"....(alright...you get the point.) HURT Nordic has long pegged the IMT as the most important race of the summer and it has been through continuous focus, "Stanley camps", rollerski sessions and secret HURT training that this year's squad feels more fit, more powerful and more geared up for the win.

With hopes of repeating as IMT team champions, HURT will field a tough team of Austin Huneck, Brian Halligan, Dave Kvam and Tim Huneck. (plus...perhaps one or two secret competitors that the Director is keeping close to the chest). With new IMT team scoring and valuable points preems littered around the course this year's IMT looks to be one of the most intriguing competitions of the season.

We sat down with the fearsome foursome to talk about their thoughts on the race and some team strategy.

HRT: So what do you think of the new team scoring this year?

Tim Huneck: I think this bodes well for our team score. If we can get a group coming fast off the run there is a real potential to group up and fly through the bike course gobbling up the preems. HURT has done a nice job off the run in the past and it may play to our advantage.

HRT: So Kvam....where's your head at? Are you prepared to finish this time or are you yet again channelling your inner Andy Schleck?

Kvam: wow.....ouch.....Where's my brother?

Halligan: HEY NOW! Look....I know what your getting at....He hasn't been able to put together a complete race. But remember....we are team! and a really fit one at that. If Dave collects preems and is able to work together with Austin and I on the bike perhaps he sets us up perfectly for a 1-2-3 podium? If we all go out fighting each other it may leave gaps for Rose and some of the other Peru powerful. I think the team win is way more important to Dave.

HRT: Well...Dave...is it?

Kvam: ummm....Where's my brother?

HRT: uhhhhh.....ok.

Austin: Bottom line.....we want the team win, we all want the individual win, we want the 1-2-3. It's gonna be a war and you don't want to miss this. We'll see you there!!!!

HRT: Well...you heard it hear folks. That's the report from the HRT news room. We are packing the van and heading up north. Tune in for full reports and team interviews post race. Don't forget to tune in to our new post race segment "Ask HUR-BKE" where we answer your questions about the Iron Maiden and the Hill Of Death.

Can Schleck....I mean Kvam....wait, I mean Schleck....NO KVAM! Can Kvam finish off the race and sit atop the podium?

HURT nordic ski camp: HURT in the HEAT

2011-07-25T10:01:00.005-04:00

90 degrees! psssh... 95! whatevs.......100?!? Its gonna take more than that to keep the up and coming NYS skiers from getting after at West Mountain.

It was a bench mark weekend for HURT nordic in their quest to dominate the nordic skiing world. This weekend was the first ever HURT nordic ski camp. With help of numerous team members, volunteers, local nordic families and talented coaches from around the region, 31 juniors were treated to a weekend of bounding, running, hiking, rollerskiing, swimming and full on nordic immersion. The HRT newsroom was on hand to see the Director lead the legions.

The focus of this camp was bringing skiers together from all across NY, along with skiers from New England, so that they can train together, challenge each other and create bonds in the nordic community.

The weekend featured an uphill Time Trial from the East Slope Lodge up to the top chair lift. The kids put down some huge efforts and the first running of this race saw some new records set. Check them out....set your goals and we'll see you running next year!

Jason H: 14:36 (World Record Holder)
Ben A: 15:03 (Top Junior Boy)
Adam L: 15:34
Reed L: 15:37
Will F: 15:55
Marco: 17:16
Peter: 17:23
Austin H: 18:16
Brian: 18:45
Eric: 19:05
John: 19:20
Matt: 20:23
Aaron: 20:36
Alex: 21:07
Seth: 21:08
Chase: 21:17
Margot: 21:18 (Top Junior Girl)
Alex Jospe: 21:43
Robbie: 22:04
Ethan: 22:36
Becky: 23:52
Meg: 24:01
Karina: 24:33
Dylan: 24:55
Clara: 27:17
Emily 28:58
Sarah D: 28:59
Amy 28:59
Sarah 30:06
Emily 36:35

Check out the video recap of the weekend:

The Director vs. the pavement (you should fee bad for the pavement!)

West Mountain Preview

2011-07-15T09:29:00.002-04:00

The Director is deep in final preparations for the upcoming HURT junior development camp at West Mountain. Both the Huneck boys plan to flex their summer training muscles at this years camp and in order to pump up the 20+ athletes who plan to attend the camp (and in order to set a little fear in his greatest rivals) the Director sent out his scouts Dave Kvam and Tim Huneck to run the course that will be used for the uphill Time Trial. Bring your mountain goat legs people....You'll ride the pain train up this one.

Enjoy the video.

And if you don't have Mountain Goat Legs.....try shopping for them at one of our four camp sponsors

Inside Edge Ski and Bike

The Sportspage Ski and Patio

Stewarts Shops (I think they have them right behind the beef jerky)

or

Price Chopper (also near the beef jerky)

Where Is The Director?

2011-07-12T08:15:00.003-04:00

Has this new mysterious Stanley overthrown The Director?

The Director has been missing in action lately, as his team ramps it up for the upcoming West Mountain Training Camp.

Where are you fearless leader?

Stewart and Stanley

2011-07-01T21:11:00.005-04:00

It has been a busy week at the HRT news room as summer has officially kicked off and HURT skiers are in full-on summer training mode. Reporters here have been spread thin keeping up with all things HURT. Running and bike miles have been logged, rollerski workouts completed and this week even saw HURT sages Roger Henry, Alec Davis and Joan Henry give intro lessons in canoe racing to M1 skier, David Kvam. When asked about his dabbling in a new endurance sport, Kvam replied "I thought after 30 minutes of canoeing I'd be able to double pole like Santor. It turns out, I was mistaken, damn....does this mean I have to buy a boat?...what are they...like 5 bucks?"

As we begin the countdown to the West Mountain Challenge: Junior Nordic Ski Camp on July 22nd we are happy to report that INSIDE EDGE SKI AND BIKE SHOP and THE SPORTSPAGE have been joined by STEWARTS SHOPS as official sponsors of this years camp. STEWARTS has graciously donated a number of pre and post training beverages to our skiers. The bevy of beverages will be available for our athletes who want some morning refreshment, an afternoon vitamin C kick, or post-run protein/calcium jolt. So if you like juices or milk....and free juices or milk....sign up today for the HURT junior nordic ski camp. Please be sure to have your registration form in to Dave by July 17th. Thanks to Stewarts for placing its name on this soon-to-be memorable weekend.

STEWARTS RULES!!! By the way.....join the milk club.....the Director does it.*

*There has been no conformation of the Director's involvement in the Stewart's milk club.

This week has also seen the HRT newsroom uncover a top secret operation developed in the deep bellows of the Director's elite underground training compound. We have little evidence of what actually happened this past week but we have uncovered a top-secret dossier simply entitled "Stanley Camp". Again, we know little about this operation and we sent a number of our best men and women reporters/paparazzi into the field to dig up answers. We were able procure a few fuzzy photographs from our HURT news blimp and after a great deal of research and several thousand ruples in bribes paid off we are able to release the following information.

"It appears, after months of negotiations, the Director has hired a Russian expatriate to serve as "Grand-Zcar-of-Junior-Development-and-Alternative-Training-Methods". The Director simply refers to his new head coach as "STANLEY". There is speculation that this is simply an acronym for the Russian Phrase "Sloyvokiv Tif Anukk Nief Loshoiuniv Ei Youarif" which means "Ski Fast or I will cattle-prod your a$&" It is guessed that this no-nonsense coach is in fact Youri Vouseliv who is the brother, of the cousin's husband of Yelena Vyalbe the Russian FIS official who has been dealing with allegations of a doping scandal on the Russian ski team. It is unclear whether this is of any significance at all. Whatever the case may be, "Stanley" held a multi-day development camp this past week. From the grainy photographs we received it appears that the camp may have included lessons in "levitation", "disk ballet" and "raising your arms in victory". All this seems to be aimed toward preparing HURT young guns for the ability to levitate over the Hill of Death and act victorious at the upcoming Iron Maiden Triathlon in Peru. We were fortunate to get one grainy photo of the new development coach as he watches disapprovingly as his new athletes go through the learning curve. Needless to say, the dynamic and fearsome Director has added a very powerful and intimidating wing-man. Skiers be warned."

"Who is STANLEY?"

Keep your eye on the HURT blog as we get closer to our HURT Junior Development ski camp. COUNTDOWN IS ON!

Early Summer Training and Sponsorship News

2011-06-08T16:06:00.003-04:00

The past few weeks have seen a big spike in temperature and big spike in motivation for HURT skiers around the state. With the coming of June comes the begin of official rollerski sessions and strength workouts for the HURT faithful. The Director is firing up his troops for the summer training season and has been marching about spouting the great inspirational quotes from 1968 Norwegian Champion Odd Martinsen "Ver Fernde din ende tykk du lat er yukki vuhfr dasearkk"* which loosely translates to "Great skiers need to put on their sneeks, stop tweeting, find their ski poles and go run up a mountain so that they are big and strong like the great black bull and fast on the snow like the white bunny rabbit escaping the jaws of the tundra wolf. Now move your butt." **

Needless to say, the Director's delivery has been enough to get the guys moving. HURT West has had an explosion of success in the last few weeks as their training efforts in the Syracuse area have been rewarded with growing attendance and high level of fitness. Exploits of of HURT west can be found here, in a blog updated regularly by HURT's Adam Luban. If you are in the 'Cuse area and want to join in the action be sure to contact them!

Eastern HURT boys have been joining in the preseason rollerski action as well. Amped up for the upcoming IRON MADIEN Triathlon hosted by the mighty Peru Nordic Masters have the guys training hard and building the high level of fitness needed to conquer the mighty Hill Of Death. Confidence is running high as young gun and rising nordic stud Austin Huneck looks to stamp his name on the Hill Of Death record book. Check out the HRT Newsroom coverage of last Monday's training session at SPAC.

SPONSORSHIPS!!! SPONSORSHIPS!!! SPONSORSHIPS!!!

THE BIGGEST NEWS for HURT skiers is the official partnership for the upcoming Junior Development camp at West Mountain with two local nordic giants, The SPORTSPAGE SKI SHOP in Queensbury and INSIDE EDGE SKI AND BIKE SHOP in Glens Falls. Our campers will be treated to giveaways from these nordic ski shops, discounts on gear and prizes for the winners of the uphill West Mountain Time Trial. This event just keeps getting better and better. Make sure you sign up now and reserve your spot. Space is limited. All registrations must be received by July 10th.

*After extensive research, this is not Norwegian, or a quote of Odd Martinsen, it's just odd.

**Nor is it translatable to this quote

Countdown to the "Rumpus Amongst US!"

2011-05-29T07:38:00.007-04:00

The Director has stated....

"There has been one great World Championship that has eluded me since taking over the supreme directorship of HURT. This year, THIS SHALL CHANGE! It will be HURT's #1 off season goal to win the elusive Iron Maiden Trophy. Under my guidance, the teams and athletes I have been associated with have dominated the NYSSRA series points events (twice), The Prospect Mountain Hill Climb (Sufferfest), Overall NYSSRA points champion, Multiple NYSSRA age group champions, the World Ping Pong Championships (WCPP) and the World Elk Calling Championships. However, The IMT has always found a way to slip from my grasp. As your supreme nordic overlord it is my wish, nay....demand, that you work each day on the befuddling bike-to-rollerski transition in preparation for this year's IMT. It is a mere two months away and look for HURT to bring a deep contingent to battle with the deep Peru legion in the heart of their kingdom of doom."

This is about HURT vs. Peru

about Good vs. Evil

about man against man

and woman against woman.

The Countdown is on to a July to remember. Make your calendar for the upcoming HURT junior training camp at West Mountain followed by the Peru Nordic Iron Maiden Triathlon.

It's the "Rumpus amongst US"!

The Director at the World Elk Calling Championships

HURT camp announcement

2011-05-13T14:49:00.003-04:00

BIG NEWS for Junior Skiers.

HURT announces the West Mountain Nordic Challenge Ski Camp. This three day nordic ski camp is open to Junior level racers interested in taking their training and racing to the next level. Email hurtnordic@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more about the camps details and an information packet will be sent to you very shortly.

Late Season report from the South

2011-03-31T16:34:00.003-04:00

The HRT news team has been put to the test this season as they have scoured the globe for updates and news from HURT skiers who are drawn to compete at the far away nordic hot spots around the globe. They have traveled to the World Masters in Silverstar, BC., Minnesota, remote locations in Vermont, The HIgh Peaks, Western New York, New England, Tug Hill, Pennsylvania and now.....West Virginia?

Thats right.....West Virginia!

The newest nordic hotbed. HURT was on the scene....and so was Hat and the rest of the News Team.

HEY 'YALL The Nordic World has come on down to the Mason-Dixon Line fo' SHo'! HURTS own James South has spent his winter training and donning the HURT colors at the "Coon Farm Whiskey and Grandpappy's Apple Fritter 25K Nordic Hootenanny" *

We caught up with Jim after the race to ask him how it went.

HRT: Well Jim, how was the racing in West Va?

JS: We Hat, It was a big challenge coming down here. First they almost didn't let me race. I had to sweet talk my way in and pay the extra "Yankee Bastard" Head tax. Apparently they felt that I would just come down and exploit the snow for my own profit. Then I had to deal with the local vernacular. It took a little while to understand the "Won, To, Tree, Git-R-done" starting format that the races used.

HRT: Once the race got going how did it go?

JS: It was fine through the first 5K but when I took the first feed and was fed "Granma's slow cooked grits" out of a Dixie Cup it really took me by surprise. Needless to say, the locals had the advantage after that and my stomach never quite got back in the game. But overall, it was a sweet event and I encourage y'all to swing on down and give WVA a real try. Wait....did I just say y'all?..Can you catch Southern? huhdamn!

full results here

Well thats it for now....Congrats to Jim and all the other world travelers. The HRT newsroom looks forward to the Spring exploits! Keep us posted.

*not the actual name of event

Director Declares It's Still Ski Season

2011-03-19T10:35:00.004-04:00

From the Office of the Director:

"While NYSEF is busy canceling this weekend's race, I have taken my team to a top secret training facility, to get in same late season work. As you can see, this secret facility still features tons of snow and great conditions, even with 60 degree days."

Here is a picture of the team still smiling before I cracked the whip.

2011 NYSSRA Championships

2011-03-12T20:26:00.016-05:00

The last few days brought some wild weather to Mt Van Hoevenberg, bringing a lot of question marks to Saturday's Classical Championship race. But don't worry, The Director brought his game face!

Friday night brought cold enough temps to firm up the rain saturated snow pack and the groomers did a great job moving the course to the XC side and putting on a great race. There was a small amount of fresh snow over the glazed tracks and temps just below freezing. Covered klister was the wax of the day.

HURT came up big with many age groups wins and some great overall results.

Two of the four NYSSRA Champions Cups went to HURT skiers, congratulations Heidi Underwood and Brian Halligan to your overall wins!

Heidi won the race even after skiing half a lap with a broken pole and then another full lap with a pole WAY too big for her. This was all after showing up to the race with her husbands skis, that were about 4 sizes too big! Another fabulous result came from Carol Fisher placing 2nd overall! 1-2 for HURT in the women's championships! Kathy Schwenk and Jill Kozial rounded out the massive HURT point extravaganza in the woman's race.

Showing off that Underwood Technique!

In the men's race, HURT's Chris Yarsevich came tantalizing close to the overall win, skiing with the leaders through 3 laps, but could not hold onto John Santor's vicious acceleration "that kid is a double poling machine, maybe I should take up canoe racing too!" Yarsevich ended up 3rd overall (Gold in M1). Dave Kvam had a really strong first lap, then had to pull over to loose his lunch due to some potential poisoning by a rival club (cough, cough, Peru we're looking at you). Matt Torniainen put the hammer down when it counted to best a large pack at the end taking M2 Gold. Tim Huneck and Ed Luban also had good results, taking home Silver in M5 and Gold in M6. Matti Torniainen and Eric Hamilton scored huge points in the M8 division, locking up that division.

In the Junior Race, Brian Halligan walked away with the NYSSRA Championship cup, taking a commanding win. The Director also showed his stuff with a solid 3rd place, taking home the bronze.

Tomorrow are the sprint relays and the inevitable crowing of HURT as the supreme NYSSRA team of the entire universe! The Champions Banner will be coming home for the second consecutive year.

The Start

Chris, Matt, and Dave

Chris and John battling

The Pack

Tim and Eddie Hammering!

The Hamilton's bringing the HURT!

HURT Juniors, the future is here!

The Odd Odd-makers Odds - NYSSRA Champs 2011

2011-03-10T11:56:00.002-05:00

With just a few hours away from closing the 2010-2011 registration for the NYSSRA state championship weekend vegas odds makers have been pouring over the confirmed participant list for the upcoming championship events that will be held at Mt. VanHoevenberg. Team HURT plans to send a host of competitors to cement their overall points team title and win the coveted NYSSRA champions relay victory.

Given the current data, the odd oddsmakers have released the following picks for those following the REAL March Madness event.

Saturdays biathlon race: HURT young-gun Brian Halligan looks to face off against father/wily-veteran Sean and a small but highly competitive field. This one is hard to pick...Weather could always be a factor. Race favorites could have a bad shooting day and underdogs could shoot the lights out. (hopefully not, they need those lights in the timing shed)

Odds: Take 4:1 that the all the bullets will be fired out the correct end of the gun.

Saturdays Championship 21K Classic Race

With a field that appears to be missing all three of last years top finishers this race could be wide open. Typical NYS powerhouse skiers from across the state are pulled away coaching in Minnesota or skiing in other races across New England. This does not mean we don't have a large and competitive field of skiers all itching to have their names etched onto the champions wall. (or is that "etching" to have their names "itched"?) anyways....

Chris Yarsevich: distance classic race are this HURT stud's specialty. And the race course plays well into his striding prowess and gritty determination. Big factor: is it his turn to take care of baby Ana's needs? If he has to drag Ana's ski-sled behind him look for him to slip back a spot or two.

Odds: 25:2 He has to stop at least once to change a diaper

Matt Tornianen: This years George Mason. Both names end with a "n". If you are picking a cinderella to go all the way place your peanuts on this fella. He has been skiing amazing lately and proved he has the strength and speed on classic skis in last years NYSSRA Champs relay. Big Factor: coaching could be a liability. Will he stop to correct technique as he passes by on his 2nd and 3rd lap? Or will he put on the blinders and ski to fame and glory?

Odds: Take 5:2 that the slipper fits.

David Kvam: A lot of "ifs" on this pick. Can he handle the starting speed of the Santor, Diehl, Yarsevich and other big double polers in the field? Can he draw on his fitness and other solid classic performances of early in the season? He hasn't seen a lot of classic distance races this season and this could be a problem. Don't count him out though. He has what it takes on skis and is a fierce tactician. Has proven he has the stuff to finish high in the standings.

Odds: Take 2:1 that he has eaten his oatmeal and his socks will match.

Eric Seyse: Always a competitor in a classic race. Coming of a Tourathon win. Big factor: racing the biathlon race in the morning. Has raced 732 times this year. Plans on racing the day before. Is racing right now. Will race after the event. Is he bionic?

Odds: Take 6:1 that he forgets to take his gun off before the start of the race.

Jon Santor, Jim Kobak and Chris Rose: The might of the Peru dynasty lies the hands of this powerhouse triad-of-destruction. look for team tactics, a fast start and calculated attacks that will look to break the strength of the HURT unit. It should be a battle royale on snow.

Odds: take 1:1 that they all toast to "Slayer" before, during and after the race.

Sundays Team relay: With the RNR group sadly missing from this years event it looks to be another wide open race. multiple teams from Peru, HURT, Glenville and other state teams look to mix it up in a format where anything can happen. HURT looks to be odds favorite to take the title but until the teams are official made it is just hard to say.

Odds: take 1:1 that HURT repeats as points champ! see you this weekend!

HURT prepares for NYSSRA champs

2011-03-08T07:34:00.003-05:00

Calling all HURT-mates.

If you plan on racing in the NYSSRA championship relay competition on Sunday, please post a comment below and let the director know you will be there. Relay teams will be built and posted on Thursday with the official NYSSRA champs "Odd-Oddmakers-NYSSRA-Championship-Preview".

Hope to see you there.

Section 2 and HURT nordic roll at States!

2011-03-03T16:04:00.009-05:00

HURT Juniors and section 2 lived up to the hype this week as they posted outstanding results at the High School State Championships held in Lake Placid. While skiers from all across the state posted excellent results, in the end it was a battle of state heavy weights Section V and Section II (Rochester and The Capital Region). Each region showed off their nordic strengths with team depth and impressive individual performances.
The HURT team sent section 2 coach/wax tech Dave Kvam and junior racers Becky Christoffel, Chloe Boutelle, Will Freilinghaus, Brett Schlesier, Austin Huneck, Brian Halligan (all from section 2) and Adam Luban (from section 3) to race in the events on Tuesday and Wednesday. Newsroom rookie, Ida Liku joined junior women Becky and Chloe as they were all on hand to video, pre and post race interview, document and cheer for the HURT racers.

Results for HURT juniors:
Classic Race:
junior women: 13th: Chloe Boutelle, 18th Becky Christoffel.

Classic Race
junior men: 6th WillFrielinghaus, 7th Brian Halligan, 9th Austin Huneck, 15 Brett Schlesier, 20th Adam Luban

(Top 20 for all HURT skiers!)

Skate Relay splits
junior women's: 24th Chloe Boutelle, 32nd Becky Christoffel,

Skate Relay splits
junior men's: 3rd Will Frielinghaus, 15th Brett Schlesier, 18th Brian Halligan, 24th Austin Huneck, and 27th Adam Luban.

(Will joined the Queesnbury school relay team in their convincing victory in the sprint relay and Brett, Brian and Austin skied to a forth place finish in a back and forth battle with the 3rd place HFL team.)

Full results can be found of both the classic distance race and the Sprint relay at the bottom of the Queensbury HIgh School sports page.

The following coverage of the mens classic race on Tuesday

HURT Going to Master World Championships

2011-02-28T20:54:00.002-05:00

Good luck to all HURT skiers skiing at the Masters World Championships in British Columbia this week.

Good luck to Rene Clarke, Dave Burt, Alec Davis, and Sherry and Richard Dixon!

Bring the HURT!

HURT Juniors: STATES PREVIEW

2011-02-28T11:56:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow is the opening event for the 2011 NYS Nordic High School Championships in Lake Placid. This years competition features some huge talent across the state. While it does appear that each section brings some serious fire power (for example... HURT's Adam Luban from Section III), odds-makers feel that the depth in section II and section V will once again decide the championship. It is no coincidence that it throws the youngest and brightest talent from RNR and HURT against each other in a true battle royale. The rivalries of the future may be born this week. Stay tuned for photos of STATES from Section II assistant coach and HURT team member D. Kvam.

The HRT newsroom (who was already stationed in Lake Placid for this past weekends Empire State Games) sent their youngest junior reporter Miss Ida Liku over to the Mt. VanHovenberg complex to interview the HURT HS boys and girls team as they arrive.

IL: omg omg omg omg it's like really you, Will Freilinghaus!!!! Do you, like, hate it or love it, when they, like, call you HAUS? Are you, like German? Germans ski fast. Will you, like totally win?

WF: Its gonna be fast and furious. I've been pretty "ON" since ripping up sectionals and my win at the Keski has me feeling pretty good. I look forward to battling it out with Kevin Hoose from HFL.

IL: THANKS! btw are you on fb? lol? :) nevermind.

IL: Oh hi! Austin Huneck! does your brother, like, force you to race a billion times a year? and are you, liked pumped for states!?! totally!

AH: I love prepping for big races and the way you do it is by going fast. Its a classic year and this really suits me. Be ready to watch that result board!

IL: Will Do!!!!!! will it have your picture on it?

IL: Hi BRIAN!!!! I love you!

BH: Ugh........ok

IL: OK BYEEEEEE!!!!!!!

IL: oh....Becky! Hi! I love your hair cut! does that make you go faster!?!

BC: No. I am fast because I have been working hard all season long, drilling technique, doing upper body work and dialing in my race pace. I am ready and its on! Chloe and I and gonna OWN this womens race!

IL: Ugh......ok.

(The HRT newsroom apologizes for the previous transcription of the interviews given by Ida. She is still searching for her journalistic voice/talent/use of the English language. None of these quotes should be taken as 100% accurate.)

THAT BEING SAID.....GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THE H.U.R.T JUNIORS AT STATES!

Submitting Reporter: Ida Liku.

The Director Declares ESGs a Triumph!

2011-02-27T20:35:00.010-05:00

HURT stormed the ESG's with an uncountable amount of medals. Literally I lost count of them all.

Even the prodigious amounts of new snow could not slow down team HURT. A foot of snow fell Friday with light snow all day Saturday, then another two inches Saturday night and light snow Sunday. This made for soft track conditions.

The Director developing his strategy for the team.

Saturday Recap:
Saturday was the classic race with most racers settling on VR40 for kick. Oddly kick was not bomber even with fresh snow and cold temps. The deep soft snow was probably to blame. As a good strong kick would deform the soft track.

The HURT juniors took off early, showing the depth of the team. Becky Christoffel placed 4th, while Austin Huneck took the Silver and Adam Luban took 5th. The director ski'd his first ESG race and was quoted just before the race "these kids don't scare me, even though they are 2 feet taller than me and outweigh me by 50 lbs. I think I will just double pole the whole race to level the playing field." With this he was off and put in a good showing at his first ESG's.

Next the HURT masters stormed the course with Carol Fisher taking the Bronze and Jill Koziol taking 5th place. In the men's race Yarsevich placed 3rd overall (2nd M1) Matt T. took Gold in M2, Tim Huneck Silver in M5, and Ed Luban Gold in M6 and Dave Burt Silver. Utter domination was the scenario in M8 with a complete podium sweep by Matti T, Rene Clarke, and Eric Hamilton!

Sunday Recap (now with Pictures!):
Sunday was even softer track conditions that made for a tough 2nd day.

Austin Huneck started the day off in a big way, taking gold in the skate and overall pursuit.

The gutsiest ski of the day went to Adam Luban who had a major league battle for 3rd place in the pursuit, taking it in a sprint win!

Becky also took home Silver in the pursuit (she smiled the whole time too!).

In the Master's pursuit race Jill Koziol took silver in M2 and Carol Fisher took gold in M6. Heidi Underwood took gold in the skate portion only, after being stranded in Logan airport and having to ski overnight down the Mass Pike.

Matt T took gold in M2 and Bronze overall, Yarsevich silver in M1, Bob Underwood won the skate portion in M5, but did not ski on Saturday due to the Mass Pike incident (see above). Tim Huneck took silver M5, Ed Luban Gold M6, Dave Burt Silver M6, and the M8 thunder again swept the podium with Matti, Rene, and Eric!

"I would like to thank my sponsor, Atomic Skis!"

Great job to everyone this weekend!

The Director is now eyeing Championships! Look at that power!

HURT Rocks the Haus

2011-02-17T21:13:00.004-05:00

Team HURT brought the hurt to the Section 2 Championship Race Wednesday at Lapland Lake, snagging six spots on the state team. HURT was led by Will "Haus of Pain" Frielinghaus, who captured his second straight Section 2 title. HURT members Austin Huneck (5th), Brian Halligan (7th), and Brett Schlesier (8th) join Will on the state's team.

In the girls' race, HURT's Becky Christoffel (4th) and Chloe Boutelle (8th) threw down excellent races to earn a trip to states.

HURT junior Junior Development skiers Sarah Duclos, Amy Duclos, and Brain Chrzan also had fine races. These 8th and 9th graders experienced their first sectional action. Look for them on a state's team in the future.

On the western front, HURT's Adam Luban has pre-qualified for states from section 3. Expect Adam to come up big in his sectional race Friday.

The Director was so excited by these results he attempted to enter a HURT team in the state relay race. Unfortunately, he was told that would not be possible since HURT is not technically a high school. The Director is looking into this matter and hopes to find a way around this detail by the time he gets to high school.

HURTathon

2011-02-15T14:25:00.004-05:00

Sunday Feb. 13th saw the second running of the HURTathon ski event. Previously the event had been cancelled from its January 9th (due to poor snow conditions....and by “poor” we mean green grass and barely frozen ground) but with copious amounts of mid-season snow organizers had high hopes for perfect conditions and an ideal race weekend. Mother nature had other plans. Tree blow down and fluctuating temps had organizers working hard on Saturday to break the hard Queensbury crust and clear trails of debris.
Hat Nerz and the HRT newsroom caught up with the organizing trio of Kvam, Yarsevich and Huneck prior to the event to ask them about the challenges.

HRT: So last year for the Tri-HURT-athon you battled a course that had almost no snow. As your solution you dragged snow on sleds from the woods to fill in the course....Did this year go any smoother?

K,Y,H: You would think with several feet of snow it would have been a breeze. But this year instead of hand-dragging the snow out to be groomed....we had to hand drag the groomer through the snow.

HRT: Wha?!!!!

K,Y,T: excellent question, Hat. Well stated. The snow under the ice crust in our field was so soft that when the sled broke through the whole snowmobile would get sunk in and stuck. Our Great Director’s solution was to have us drag it inch by inch from the end of the field back into the woods where the snow was much firmer. He considered it a good strength workout and solid pre-race workout. And all the hours of raking the trails.....that merely cleared the way for more needles to fall on the trail that night......that was our cool-down. He did however, decide to rest most of the team in order to achieve great results today. But he seems to feel that if we are going to challenge for the NYSSRA relay cup the three of us need to “kick it up a notch”. Even HE, didn’t make it out today because he wanted to watch TBS movie marathon of “Dodgeball”...I think he finds it inspiring.

HRT: Did that backfire?

K,Y,T: Yeah it did. He is out of his mind....(oh gosh, did I say that outloud?....will he read this? shoot....I’m toast!)

HRT: Overall though....how’d everything turn out.

K,Y,T: Overall, the event was a great success! Team HURT has the best race day volunteers, the best baking staff, best T-Shirts and the #1 awards-making team in the WHOLE-ENTIRE-WORLD-around-the-greater-saratoga-warren-county-area. We had a better turnout than last year’s Tri-HURTathon and and had several new skiers join us for our first ever “Pick Your Poison” try it event. You may just see these folks strapping on NYSSRA bibs in future races after the great success they had on our 5k race course. Our Kochers had a great time in the final event of the day and I think all of our 10K competitors enjoyed the challenge of choosing between double-poling on skate skis or striding the two main hills and switching their boards. It made for a unique added wrinkle to a normal ski race.
We really want to thank everyone who came out to support our event and we look forward to hosting another ski event next year. Congratulations to this years Men’s Champion: Tim Donahue from Manhattan Nordic racing and our Women’s Champion: Heidi Underwood from Team HURT.

Congrats to the many many local HURT members who came out to enjoy the race. We love having all the club support and its because of you all that we have one of the most successful local clubs in NYSSRA. HURT is nothing without skiers like you who want to get out an be part of community that just loves ski racing.

Check the results to see how our members did this year.

Please enjoy the few race photos and the short movie clip from the HRT newsroom.

P.S. We are sorry that our website, www.hurtnordicskiing.com is not working properly. There has been some difficulty with our hosting and the problem soon should be worked out very soon.

3 Headed Monster Headed To Minnesota and JOs

2011-02-14T15:09:00.002-05:00

HURT's 3 Headed Monster of J2 Studs have ALL qualified for JO's in Minnesota. This is an amazing accomplishment when you consider they only take six J2 skiers and three of them are on HURT!

Nice job and good luck at JOs!

Brian Halligan

Austin Huneck

Adam Luban

HURTATHON Update

2011-02-10T07:52:00.000-05:00

Trails conditions are very good at Queensbury schools. There is plenty of snow and the base is firm and fast. We will be raking, grooming, and setting the course on Saturday beginning at 8am. Come join us if you would like!

Sunday registration begins at 8am, should be a fun day!

The Director demands your presence!

Super Bowl Fix

2011-02-08T20:31:00.004-05:00

The Director may have sent the largest HURT contingent to the Loppet, but it wasn't the only game in town. The three-headed monster went to Old Forge to take on the final Junior Olympic qualifier of the season. As they have all season, the trio brought the HURT to the J2 field: A Huneck, 1st; B Halligan, 2nd; A Luban, 4th. Huneck was a mere 6 seconds off the fastest time of the day.

Bernadette O'brien also made the trek west for Team HURT and brought home the gold in the M6 class.

Halligan and Huneck hung around Old Forge and competed in biathlon Sunday. Halligan won the junior race, and Huneck, competing in his first biathlon, surprised himself by winning the novice class and by hitting 2 targets.

Sunday the Director himself sprang into action at the Dewey Mountain 5K freestyle. His father went along to try and win Peru Nordic's Super Bowl of Skiing and swipe the coveted foam finger. Since only Peruvians are allowed to enter this event, the elder Huneck went cleverly disguised as a mystery skier.

The two laps of the uphill, downhill course were made challenging by the fact that nearly everyone had done the Loppet the day before and by the 12 inches of soft snow that had fallen overnight. The race developed in slow motion and the "mystery skier" finished in the middle of the Peru Nordiques. Meanwhile the Director used his fresh legs and came away with the J3 win, showing the team how to earn big points.

Later, after the Super Bowl, the mystery skier was certain he would be given the finger. He had correctly picked the winner and the MVP. Only Peru's Keith Kogut had done the same. However, the mystery skier had come closer to predicting the game's final score than Kogut and had placed just ahead of him at Dewey Mt. But, like an election in a third world country, some sort of supercomputer denied the mystery skier the prize. The Director has spent the past two days searching the Internet for one of those supercomputers.

Meanwhile....riots and protests have broken out worldwide....

Lake Placid Loppet: So good it….HURTs

2011-02-08T12:34:00.003-05:00

Saturday morning arrived with lots of sunshine, deep fresh snow, and quickly warming temperatures at Mount Van Hoevenberg. This played havoc with the HURT Classical team.

Yarsevich was heard saying “I have 10 layers of 3 different types of wax, to try and get some kick on the varying hard cold tracks, sunny hills, and torn up powder. In the end all 3 waxes let me down, I might as well had skate skis on going up Harry’s Hill the first lap in full sunshine. Don’t even get me started with the Toko Wax Tip, HF Blue, give me a break it was like 20 degrees by 9am!”

Huneck just went with “lots of layers of VR40” and it “kind of worked, sometimes, if I really was careful and patient.” Not what you want for the non-stop climbing of the Loppet.

But the fun, pain, and misery was not only limited to the classic racers. Matt and Dave braved the 50K skate and after the first lap it looked like a bomb had gone off in the skate lane. The hills were literally 6” deep in some spots. Legs have never hurt so badly! After the race Kvam stated “all those soft track skate sessions at QHS really paid off, I mean who knew skating in 6” of powder was good Loppet training!” Matt was more to the point “It felt like someone was charley horsing my legs for the last 20k or so, ouch!”

All in all it was a good day and we could still smile at the end of it. It was also nice to ski a marathon event in temperatures above single digits. Tim Huneck was so delirious he was planning on racing the next day at Dewey Mt, this guy is nuts!

HURT Loppet Results:

25K Freestyle

Alec Davis, 1st M8
Carol Fisher, 1st M6
Heidi Underwood, 2nd M3
Sherry Dixon, 2nd M7
Richard Dixon, 10th M7
Chris Kvam, 10th M1

25K Classic

Roger Henry, 1st M8
Rene Clark, 3rd M8
Dave Burt, 4th M6
Roy Keats, 4th M7

50K Freestyle

Matt Torniainen, 2nd M2
Dave Kvam, 3rd Sr

50K Classic

Tim Huneck, 1st M5
Chris Yarsevich, 2nd M1
Matti Torniainen, 2nd M8
Tom Wolski, 4th M7

Next is the HURTATHON, Sunday February 13th, 10am Queensbury Schools.

Glenville Hills Report

2011-02-01T14:46:00.003-05:00

The HRT news team followed the race team to the newest and hottest nordic venue this past weekend nestled in Glenville, NY. While the trail system typically functions as the training grounds for Section 2's Scotia/Glenville Nordic team, this week it tested itself as the host of the Glenville Nordic Freestyle Race. The private trail system makes its way around in a mostly flat but still technical loop that offered racers very little time to ease off the pedal.

For HURT nordic is was a chance to lay claim to the NYSSRA team championship once and for all for this season. With upcoming off-season changes to the points system it appeared this would be the best chance for the team to take advantage of having a huge number racers spread over so many age groups. Additionally the location this past weekend was as big a home court advantage. Almost as big as the upcoming HURTATHON.

We caught up with the Director (who set the bar for the team and dominated the J3M race) after the race and asked him about the team's performance.

HRT: So what did you think of the race course, Director?

D: I was fully prepared for this race. And so was my team. I have spent hours and hours studying my "Ford-vs.-Chevy-Cyclone-Canyon-Racecar-and-Track-Set" and it helped us prepare for the twists and turns on this course. I may have paid a little too much attention to my full 360 loop-de-loop but it only cost me a few seconds in the race.

HRT: Any big performances in your perspective?

D: The race was highlighted by performances of new HURT members Chloe Boutelle and Becky Christoffel who skied to a 2nd and 4th place finish in the Scholastic Female race. We are really excited about the way these two ladies are skiing and they add
some big talent to our growing women's team. Having the Hamilton family, the Torniainen family and the "Queen" get out here and race was just awesome too. We had a big day!

HRT: Any disappointments?

D: Well. I don't how many more times Kvam is gonna be able to suit up and get beat down by M. Wynn. Race after race he just can't make the leap. I can't find a way to get that slacker in gear. He seems to be operating under a "first is the worst, second's the best" mantra that is just killing me. Torniainen and Kvam had a chance to team up to chase down the Peru powerhouse and they just couldn't pull it together. However, I am pretty pumped that Halligan and A.Huneck are getting their speed on. I guess the biggest positive is that after Wynn, the next five fastest times went to HURT skiers. That is real team power.

HRT: What's next?

D: Get ready for the LOPPET!!!!! WOOOOOHHOOOOO

Enjoy the video recap

THE RACE IS BACK!

2011-02-01T13:40:00.005-05:00

The HURTATHON is back!

Plus the new Pick-Your-Poison Intro Race.

Sunday February 13, 2011

10am start time for Open/Masters skiers. 10:15am scholastic

Queensbury School Campus (Elementary School)

a 2K BKYSL race will follow the Try-it event.

10 km Continuous Pursuit Race: 5km mass start classic race, then skiers quickly switch skis in transition area and ski a 5km skate loop.

New this year will be the "Pick Your Poison Intro Race". This race is designed for new racers or recreational skiers who want to give racing a try. You can pick either classic or skate technique and ski one 5 km loop. The race will be a mass start and take place after the HURTATHON is over (around 11:15). This will allow minimal lap traffic, and no really fast guys wearing spandex passing the new skiers.

T-Shirts (with HURTathon logo) to the age group winners.

$20 for the HURTATHON or $10 for the "Pick-Your-Poison" race.

Bib Pickup at the Queensbury Elementary School Cafeteria 8-9:30am (bathrooms and indoor facilities available).

Directions:

From The North: Exit 19 off I-87 Take left off exit, see below for further directions.

From The South: Exit 19 off I-87 Take left off exit, see below for further directions.

Travel 200 yards, to traffic light. Queensbury Middle School will be on your right. Take a right at this light, enter the Queensbury School Campus. Follow this winding road, passing over a few speed humps and passing the elementary school on the right. Park in the far right corner behind the elementary school.

TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT VISIT SKIREG HERE

HURT Invades Holland Patent

2011-01-31T08:52:00.002-05:00

Saturday morning HURT showed up to the Holland Patent Classic Race to be greeted by fresh snow and beautiful conditions. Kick wax was surprisingly tricky, with powder snow and temps in the high 20’s by race time. Most racers settled with Violet/VR 45 that “kind of/sort of” kicked. The course was a very fast double pole-fest, so fast skis trumped good kick.

HURT skiers took 2nd, 4th, and 5th overall (Yarsevich, Torniainen, Adam Luban) and also came home with SIX age group wins (Yarsevich, Torniainen, Adam Luban, T. Huneck, Ed Luban, Matti Torniainen). The Director, Aaron Huneck, also jumped into a Bill Koch race, after skiing approximately 50K beforehand doing timing splits and barking orders at his team on course. Nothing makes a HURT skier faster than seeing that menacing glare in the Director’s eyes.

Nice job to everyone there! Great job to Holland Patent for putting on a great race!

Big Days in Day...and Glens Falls

2011-01-25T10:45:00.006-05:00

This past weekend saw a flurry of racing as HURT athletes were enticed to races in and Saratoga County. Saturday held two races, the 10K Queensbury Invitational at Crandall Park and the 24K Sacandaga Mini Marathon in Day, NY. Both races saw a solid HURT contingent show up to battle for the win.

In the Mini Marathon, Kvam jumped quickly into a lead group with Peru's Mike Wynn and Jon Santor. Over the course of the 4 laps of the twisting 6K loop the trio split apart as Wynn skied to the win with Kvam sliding across in 2nd a couple minutes ahead of Santor. In a battle royale for 4th place it was HURT's Matt Torniainen who edged out Peru's Stan Hatch by 2 seconds. Perhaps this was foreshadowing for the end of the year throwdown at NYSSRA champs against two of NYSSRA's top contending clubs.

Other great results were had by:
Jill Kozoil: M2 first place
Kathy Schwenk: M4 first place
Dan Schwenk: M6 3rd place
Dave Burt:M6 6th place
Eric Hamilto: 1st place M8

A short drive away, at Crandall Park, Queensbury HS team and Bob Underwood hosted the annual JOQ/ESG/HS/MASTERS/MENS/WOMENS/OPEN/SCHOLASTIC/CITIZENSRACE/ANYONEWHOSKIS/ANDTHEIRMOM race which draws massive numbers from all around the state.

In the ESG/JOQ J2 race it was once again the HURT "trio of triumph" that flexed their muscle. In 2nd, 3rd and 4th place it was A.Huenck, Adam Luban and Brian Halligan who were just bested by Gavin Hess.

Even the Director himself jumped into to tangle in the J3 race and finished in 2nd.

The race of the day went to Will Frielinghaus who skied away with the fastest time of the day in the J1 race.

In the J1/OJ race Newly signed Becky Christoffel had a solid 6th place finish.

HURT masters showed up in numbers for this race and it was Chris Yarsevich who led the way in 2nd place followed by Tim Huneck, Ed Luban, Matti Torniainen, Rene Clark and Alec Davis finished in 4, 5, 11, 14, and 15th respectively.

Carol Fisher took the 3rd podium spot in the Women's race.

SUNDAY:
HURT skiers were back at Day to contest the Shenendehowa Classic race and it was HURT's Chloe Boutelle and Becky Christoffel who went 2 and 3 in the Scholastic Women's race.

The Scholastic Men's race was dominated by the devastating speed of the "threesome of thunder" and the guys shuffled spots from the day before and Brian Halligan, Austin Huneck, and Adam Luban went 1-3.

NEW ALBUM COMING SOON

The Director has another solid effort in his 8th place finish.

Jill Kozoil returned to battle the Saratoga Biathon course and finished 4th in the women's race a few spots ahead of the "QUEENS" effort. (way to go GINA!!)

In the Open/Masters Race it was Classic specialist Bob Underwood who skied to the win just edging a barrage of Peru finishers. Tim Huneck skied to a 7th place just ahead of Ed Luban in 9th. More HURT finishers included...Dave Burt in 9th, Matti T in 17th, Alec Davis in 18th, Rene Clark in 19th and Eric Hamilton in 22nd.

Great job by everyone who raced.

I have writers cramp.

Or the typing equivalent.

Ouch.

And my eyes hurt from peering through results.

Ouch.

See you in Glenville!

Super Tour 2011: "Faster, Colder, and a Little Tighter Pants."

2011-01-17T23:09:00.003-05:00

HURT nordic showed up in force at the 2011 USSA Super Tour in Lake Placid. Enjoy the HRT coverage of the event. Well done to Chris Yarsevich, Tim Huneck, Ed Luban, Dave Kvam, Adam Luban, Austin Huneck, Brian Hailligan, Will Frielinghaus, Becky Christoffel, Eric Hamilton and all the many other people that came out to make the Super Tour race as awesome as advertised!

See Full Results here

Back in Business!

2011-01-12T12:38:00.005-05:00

Ok ladies, gentlemen, the unladylike and bums!!! We have snow! (lots of it)....we have races coming up (many)....and we have many available training facilities just waiting to host massive K's of skiing!

Wednesday nights are back on and we will have our regularly scheduled training ski at 5:30. Please visit our calendar page on our website for last minute details on the location. We will either ski at Crandall Park, QHS or Lake George Elem. depending on the best available conditions. Visit http://www.hurtnordicskiing.com/teamschedule.html

Get ready for some quality sessions with your teammates. Both distance skis and interval sessions. Or come and ski with us and see what we are all about.

Tonight 1/12 we will be skiing at QHS at 5:30. We have lots of new snow and it may not be groomed yet so plan accordingly.

HURT TEAM NEWS:
This Friday and Saturday is the USSA Supertour race in Lake Placid hosted by NYSEF. HURT team members will be skiing in both races on Friday and Saturday. We have arranged a HURT team wax room at the biathlon stadium that will be available for HURT members to use. Please chip in a couple bucks to Ed Luban for setting up the arrangements. Friday's race will be at the Ski Jumps so if you need to use the room, please plan for transportation time. Saturday's skate race is at Van Ho so if you want to add a top coat Saturday morning the room is there for you. Come watch our group tangle with some of the USA's best!

Get Ready FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTERVALS. Time to go HARD.

6 x 2 minute snow ball fights

Hill repeats

8 x 1 minute snow angels.

Big Disappointment....HURTathon Cancelled

2011-01-05T21:16:00.003-05:00

We are sad to report that with no snow on the ground and the forecast for the next few days not yielding large amounts of snow the HURTathon scheduled for 1/9 will be cancelled. There is currently no date for rescheduling but stay tuned to nyssranordic.com or hurtnordicskiing.com for updates.

Many tears....Many tears.

HURT Tryouts This Wednesday

2011-01-03T20:46:00.004-05:00

Seeing that winter no longer exists in the Northeast and it now snows in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Washington DC, HURT will be forgoing their traditional Wednesday Night Throw Down training sessions and will be holding tryouts for the HURT Badminton and Croquet Team. HURT is looking to extend it's dominance into a sport that actually might exist in the next few years.

Three Headed Monsters clash on the Tug Hill

2010-12-21T21:44:00.007-05:00

This past weekend marked the first race of the 2010-2011 season that did not involve pouring rain, epic conditions and howling winds and therefore saw the first race coverage from HRT News Team and the first real test for many of HURTs finest. New acquisitions from Western and Central NY came out to clash with a massive field of from the Tug area and points west. While there were a number of stories from the day (including domination of the Men's M8 field by Roger Henry and the Women's M9 field by Joan Henry...it was never even close) and the multiple first place age group victories by HURT teammates (the pies never had a chance) the story of the day has to be the impending clash between the two three headed monsters that polarize NYS.

On one side (The East) you have the trio-of-terror Brian Halligan, Austin Huneck and Adam Luban who RIPPED up the J2 field in a way seldom seen in HS racing. The boys went 1-2-4 and was only missed the trifecta by a slim 15 second margin. Western skiers were thankful by the young Douglas boy who was able to "jack himself up" to the base of J2 podium preventing the HURT sweep.

The West saw (yet again) the SR men flex their nordic muscle. The powerhouse trio of Hettenbaugh, Day and Maynard took all three spots on the SR podium and it was only with a well timed boot slide that HURT's Kvam was able to share the 3rd spot with the mighty Maynard. The SR men's race looks to be a drama filled arena as places 3-5 were separated by a mere 3 seconds. As the conditions improve, the race season gets further along and the field gets deeper (including the absent but never-out-of-mind Evil Empire) look for more of this drama to unfold.

Check out HRT Newsroom coverage here

2011 HURTathon

2010-12-17T11:18:00.003-05:00

Team HURT is pleased to announce this year's HURTathon race! The team Director has a love for unique race formats and after the success of last year's "classic-sprint-prologue-followed-by-a-skate-race" he has decided to run a "mass-start-continuous-pursuit" event on the wonderful trail system used by the Lake George Ski Team. The trail system features a wide variety of terrain and the race hopes to be one of the highlights of the NYSSRA race schedule.

This years race has been moved from the February date used last year to the new date of January 9th. Many of NYSSRA's finest will be in the area on the 8th for the High School/JOQ/ESG/Masters race at Crandall Park and HURT would like to encourage those competitors to stay and challenge themselves in the HURTathon. Prize money will be awarded to the Top 3 male and female racers. ($50, $30, $20)

Register TODAY!!

http://www.skireg.com/events/register.asp?EventID=3185

NYSSRA Season Opener

2010-12-15T12:33:00.004-05:00

The Director declares, "LET THE SEASON OF HURT BEGIN!"

A smaller than normal HURT contingent braved the crazy weather on Sunday for the NYSSRA Season Opener at MVH. Early birds were greeted to great conditions and heavy falling snow, that quickly turned into sleet, then heavy rain with the occasional 30 mph wind gust thrown in. Yarsevich remarked "My skis were super fast after some last minute tuning by the director/overlord, but by the 2nd lap the mud, sticks, and occasional fallen tree were really slowing them down."

While the boys in green were outnumbered by Peru's Dark Army, they still scored big points especially in the junior ranks. HURT had 3 of the 8 skiers in the J2 Race, with Brian Halligan and Austin Huneck placing 1st and 2nd Overall. The Director himself made his 2010-2011 racing debut, by battling with the older kids, giving away a foot in height, but giving away nothing in tactics and motivation.

Tim Huneck and Chris Yarsevich had solid races, placing 3rd and 2nd in their age groups respectively. It was also the first appearance of newly acquired HURT mega stud Eric Hamilton grabbing massive points in the M8 category! HURT welcomes Eric and looks forward to all the experience he brings with him.

The Odd Odd-makers Odds

2010-12-11T09:00:00.004-05:00

WILL THEY REPEAT????

Just one day before the start of the 2010-2011 NYSSRA ski race season and the Vegas odds-makers have released their final "favorites" report on HURT skiers going into this year's campaign...

Enjoy.

Chris Yarsevich: This is an interesting pick for this season. Nobody has a more calculated and focused training plan this this HURT stud. The big wrinkle....Baby Anna. Will sleep depravation impact race performance? or will the fact that while he is feeding her late at night he is doing a wall sit make him an odds on favorite for the Championship?

Vegas Odds: take 3:1 that Baby Anna's size and weight will be the same size as prince Haakon Haakonsson and Chris will consider skiing the 50K classic Loppet with cargo in tow.

Tim Huneck: A real Father's Father, Man's Man and lover of NYSSRA points. Dad Huneck will continue to be pushed by the speed of the up and coming young Huneck talent. Will the training skis with speedster sons make Dad Huenck faster or cause a performance peak on December 26th?

Vegas Odds: Take 5:1 that Tim Huenck, together with sons, will travel at least 10,000 miles and compete in 17 ski races this winter.

Justin Tetlow: He's in D.C.....Is he done?

Vegas Odds: Considering the weird weather pattern of the last few years take 4:1 odds that Justin will have more snow in D.C. than us in upstate NY. He'll find a way to race 11 times, win 3 and score 0 NYSSRA points.

David Kvam: He likes to find a away to finish just off the podium. With more 4th place race finishes and more 2nd place age group standings than anyone in NYSSRA history can Kvam finally get it together? Will his job as Lake George Ski coach make him a better skier or will he pick up the bad habits of his modified racers? In his last year as a Senior competitor, he plans to throw everything he has at this season. Despite making the choice to start his season in Osceloa instead of the opener he looks to capitalize on a focused plan and a high level of fitness. New S-Labs can't hurt either, can they?

Vegas Odds: 2:1 he finds a way to finish 2nd again.

MDH and Ed Luban: The high powered lawyer pair of "Donnelly, Heg and Luban" have been graced with copius amounts of early season snow. Will the extra K's boost their performance or will snow much snow in the Syracuse area mean they have spent all their energy shoveling off their decks?

Vegas Odds: 6:1 that their cars get stuck at least twice with all the sky above Syracuse will dump.

Brian Halligan, Austin Huneck, Adam Luban: Few nordic teams post a junior punch as hard as team HURT. This three headed monster has grown a total of 17 inches since last winter and 9 shoes sizes. Massive speed in the junior ranks and look for it on the ski trails this year.

Vegas Odds: 2:1 that they will grow another 3 shoes sizes before March.

Dan Schwenk: With HURT absorbing Team KNEWHCS from years past, Dan has new motivation to add some more speed to his race weaponry. Look for big results in Western NY masters races.

Vegas Odds: 15:1 that the new green and white suit will take 2 minutes off his Loppet time alone.

Sherry and Richard Dixon: They love to ski and they love to teach.

Vegas Odds: Take 10:1 that they stop mid-race to correct a fellow competitors technique.

Kathy Schwenk, Elyse Sara, Jill Kozoil, and Gabriella Frittelli: The HURT female pain-train. Few NYSSRA clubs have a women's team as deep and accomplished as Team HURT.

Vegas Odds: Take 5:1 that they ski 15K in a 10K race simply because they are tough as nails. And they eat them for breakfast.

Bob Underwood: He eats babies before a classic race. He is still a monster. and there is nothing you can do about it.

Vegas Odds: 1:1 you will wet your speed suit if you line up against him in a classic race.

Matt Tornianen: The last news from Matt T was that he was still rollerskiing up mountains on rollerskis with square wheels. This guy is tough and will make a lot of noise this year.

Vegas Odds: Take 16:1 that he will win a freestyle race on snow on said rollerskis.

Andy Farry: The man likes to rollerski. Boom.

Vegas Odds: Take 13:2 He'll finish 2nd in previous mentioned race, on rollerskis, with an Ipod in his ears.

Matti Tornianen, Alec Davis, Rene Clark, Dave Burt and Eric Hamilton: Their combined race experience is too big for Vegas odd machines to calculate.

Vegas Odds: ??

Jim South: The PIttsburgh dynamo should be back for a few races this season. Look for big improvements from our PA brother.

Vegas Odds: 6:1 he will be skiing in a Penguins hat.

The Director: All will fear him.

Vegas Odds: All will fear him.

ENJOY THE SEASON! See you at the HURTathon!!!

HURT Repeats at Kingston

2010-11-23T17:30:00.003-05:00

Using a team that wasn't put together until just before the race, HURT successfully defended its title at the Kingston Rollerski Races Sunday.

The pre-race team roster was large and loaded, but for a variety of reasons - unexpected work duties, unexpected desire to leave HURT and form a new team - only a little more than half the roster showed up on race day. It was more than enough.

Back from last year's team were Martin Donnelly-Heg, Sean Halligan, Tim Huneck, Carol Fisher, Chris Frielinghaus, and Brian Halligan. New were Austin Huneck, Eddie Luban, and Drew Mahoney. Also new were B. Halligan's freshly doped wheels.

A rule change forced the team to pre-select its 4 scoring members. Last year, we were able to wait and see who had the best day before naming the team. After much consultation, it was decided to use MDH and Fisher in the 5K classic race and the young guns, A. Huneck and B. Halligan, in the 10K skate race.

The plan worked to perfection in the 5K. Fisher had a great race and MDH repeated his win from last year, breaking his own course record in the process. He was pushed all the way by a strong pack and only pulled ahead of Queensbury's Nick Underwood at the end. Nick's ski was especially impressive as he was the only member of the lead pack on undoped wheels. However, it was later revealed that the skis belong to his father, Jim, and were at least 20 years old. Could they have been doped wheels from another era?

A. Huneck showed no respect for his elders by taking advantage of his father's late race bobble and nipping the old man at the line for third. B. Halligan rounded out the top 5.

The skate race was over in the first 100 meters as S. Halligan shot off the line and never looked back, repeating his win from last year and also breaking his own course record. This happened after he gave up his spot on the official team because he thought the young guns were ready to take over. Not quite, but the young guns held their own. A. Huneck finished third and B. Halligan fourth just behind MDH. HURT/Queensbury skier Will Frielinghaus had a strong performance, finishing eighth on wheels that were undoped in this, or any other, era.

The racing was great, but the highlight of this event was the post race feed, massage and raffel. This year winners got to choose from the prize table first and HURT skiers walked away with skis, poles and hydration packs. The only disappointment was the absence of the Kingston video girls, but maybe the contract dispute will be resolved by next year. Everyone should do this event next year!

HURT and Queensbury skiers show off their trophies. HURT won the open race. Queensbury captured the scholastic division.

No Deal for Diehl

2010-11-21T20:56:00.003-05:00

Despite the HRT news team sadly being unable to offer in-depth coverage of the Kingston Race weekend, and the Kingston High School Girls remaining unwilling to follow up their Emmy/Grammy/Fuzzy award winning directorial effort last year because of contract disputes, the News Room is on hand to offer the following breaking news....

Doug Diehl, previously of Team HURT and Peru Nordic is on the move again. He is preparing to launch a new NYSSRA nordic club to compete with the already established nordic powerhouses. The following statement was sent to HRT...

"In an attempt to make the NYSSRA team competition more interesting I'm applying for a team sanction to form a squad. I think I can get 3 skiers from the central Adirondacks plus put forth a solid Southern Adirondack recruiting effort. Watch out for the dark horse!"

Game on.

HRT Television: Sufferfest

2010-11-15T11:56:00.002-05:00

HUNECK TAKES THE TITLE! Hurt takes the team title and finishes 1,2,6,7,8, 10, 14, 15, 18 to take the team title. Full results found here.

http://windbriefs.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/sufferfest_2010_results.jpg

Pictures from the day.

The video tells the story.

Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ArMYRv4MuQ

Buckle Up! Its time to Roll!!!...Sufferfest weekend looms...

2010-11-11T21:55:00.008-05:00

...And the women may steal the show.

Sufferfest weekend has long been circled on the calendar as the official start of the 2010-2011 nordic ski race campaign for the HURT faithful. With the boys-in-blue (or black now I guess) are off in Muonio the "green tide" is prepared to descend (or ascend) on the Prospect Highway. The "Team Director-Supreme-Overlord" has hopes his skiers from across the state to join in the campaign. Central Skiers, E. Luban, A. Luban and MDH may even attend after months of solid training blocks in the hills of central NY.

The Director, as with all great dictators/nordic masterminds, has waited until this moment to unveil some of the biggest team news yet. The following statement was issued by the Director himself to all major news outlets.

"In an unprecedented move, HURT nordic has now signed TWO new members to the HURT WOMEN's DIVISION. This is, and has historically been, a relatively untapped area of massive NYSSRA points and this news will no doubt strike fear and doubt into the hearts of the statewide rival clubs. Gabriella Frittelli (from the Saratoga area) and Elyse Sara (lives in Brooklyn, formerly a Nisky star) have signed lucrative one year deals with the club and both have plans to join the team on snow. Gabriella plans to join in the fun on Sunday. Elyse and Gabriella will join the stalwart group of Sherry Dixon, Jill Hamilton Kozoil, Kathy Schwenk (I apologize to KS for not looking at my updated form before the first draft) and of course "The Queen". The women's juggernaut may be tough to tangle with once the snow flies."

(Picture this train of women in HURT suits...you'll be seeing a similar sight all winter long!)

Additionally, It was learned by our investigative team at the HRT news room that a women's team prospect may be waiting in the wings if the conditions are right. Hat Nerz reports that a "yet to be named" prospect (hence-forth referred to as KP) will make her minor league debut as a Team "HOMP" (Hurt's Official Molly Pitcher). Don't let the minor league status fool you. She is one fierce mountain climbing champ and will utilize her skills to lighten the load for some of the HURT speedsters. She will also employ her cinematic skills to aid the lads in post race analysis. We caught up with the incognito KP.

HN: "So KP...you are an official HOMP for this years Sufferfest. How do you feel about this?

KP: "It's a complicated situation Hat, on one hand I probably could win this thing. I am really excited about the new wicked fast Atomic skis I just purchased and feel like I could probably tangle with Doug, Chris and some of the other heavy hitters. I mean, I never have been on rollerskis, but if men can do it, any woman can. Am I right ladies?! Holla!

HN: But your hiking instead....to support the HURT men?

KP: Look, Molly Pitcher is a gendered symbol of nationalism and in some academic circles is found to be an inappropriate symbol of prescribed roles that indicate that the women's place is to be on the sidelines supporting the men as they prepare for battle. Part of this turns my stomach, but the other part of me is like, "Hey, Check me out! I'm a HOMP! Those guys only have to do HALF the hiking that I do, AND they are doing the hiking the easy downhill part. PLUS I am carrying WAY MORE WEIGHT than any of them! Not to mention they are ROLLING! Who's SUFFERIN' Now! (wusses...whispered)

HN: Thanks KP, I am quite sure after this interview you will win the hiking division.

Snow!

2010-11-08T20:49:00.004-05:00

Golf Course + Fishscales + 1" New Snow = Sweet Classical Conditions

HURT Fesitval of Pain a Success

2010-11-08T08:28:00.002-05:00

What does 12 miles of running and 75 Km of rollerskiing get you in one weekend?

The HURT Festival of Pain and one damn nice training block. Thanks to everyone who came out for any or all of the events.

Team Director fires back

2010-10-26T15:55:00.002-04:00

It was reported through an (unreliable) news source that nemesis Peru Nordic Ski Club MAY have made a fool-hearty attempt to nab two of HURT's finest while isolating them in the hinterlands of Vermont. It was a tactic modeled after the tactics used by preying wolves and African big cats...isolate, and pounce. However, it has been recently confirmed that strength and loyalty has been exercised by A. Farry and J. South and they will fly HURT colors this upcoming season.

However, the Director, in response to the attempt made by Peru, went right out and added two additional signings that will further bolster team points, send a message to Peru, and add a pipeline of recruits coming through the Lapland Lake feeder system. HURT just signed Sherry and Richard Dixon of Mayfield, NY to the Masters roster and they look to secure massive points in the Master categories.

All of HURT welcomes the new addition and are looking forward to seeing all the Green and White out there!

Happy Training.

Join us for the HURT "Festival of Pain"!!

HURT Festival of Pain Nov 5-7th

2010-10-26T12:55:00.005-04:00

The HURT Festival of Pain returns for 2010, with more distance, more climbing, and generally more pain.

Friday Night 5pm
12 Miles of Pain (Run)
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4125414

Saturday: SUFFERFEST

Sunday Morning 9am
"Feeling it 40K Rollerski" Now with more climbing!
The below link shows last year's route, we will be throwing in a few extra surprises.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4125414

See you there!

Training to Suffer

2010-10-23T14:48:00.006-04:00

Today saw Matt Tornianen, Dave Kvam, Austin Huneck and Tim Huneck make the first of two HURT sponsored training skis up the Prospect highway in preparation for the upcoming "Sufferfest" Hill climb in two weeks. The boys strapped on the speed reducers, slow wheels and worked with controlled pacing to acclimate themsleves to the road. The pictures tell the story...

The ski of the day goes to Matt Tornianen who skied with wheels that
a) barely exist
b) hardly turn
c) probably work better moving backwards
d) are so old and worn that "round" is not a good word to describe them.

However, he slugged it out and is SO MUCH stronger for the effort. watch out.

By the way....thats not to mention the boots he used....which are now collectors items and worth as much as a pair of carbonlites....only if they were in mint condish, in the originally packaging. Neither of which is the case so basically they are worthless.....However, do remain undoubtably cool.

In other news...On the way down the prospect Highway it was discovered that someone or something found and stole Tim Huneck's Championship HURT race suit top. The highly prized item was unwrapped, unfolded and taken from behind the rock where it lay. Initially it was assumed that this was an evil deed carried out by rival Peru Nordic but then it was deemed that this act was indeed to heinous for even Peru. Needless to say, if some unknown hiker or biker is seen wearing said jersey the rath and power of the Director, A. Huneck, will be unleashed. Have mercy on this persons soul.

Either that...or there is one really good looking bear wandering around Lake Geroge.

Under a Watchful Eye

2010-10-19T21:39:00.005-04:00

The HRT Newsroom caught up with a number of the HURT faithful this past weekend in Clifton Park as "Team Director and Supreme Noric Overlord", A. Huneck, demanded to see a few of his athletes in race action at the Clifton Park Duathlon.

For those of you that have been following the summers HURT news and keeping tabs on their plan world conquest/domination/infestation you will know that the reaches of Team HURT are now approaching the Ohio River Valley. With late summer signings of the Schwenks and the big local signings of Koziol/Hamilton family, HURT has themselves poised to enter the ski season flying high. Like any dictator, the Director has been stretched thin managing the state wide nordic fronts and keeping tabs on his athletes improvements has become nearly a full-time job. Fortunately, his schedule now allows for a study hall 6th period on MWF and two study halls on TTH. He had to drop French but...eh....

He spent this past Sunday overlooking the race course in Clifton Park as D. Kvam, T. Huneck, J. Koziol and "The Queen" G. Huneck competed in a field of 140 in the Run, Bike, Run format. He pulled his brother, last minute, from the race feeling that his cross-country running schedule was keeping him primed enough for early season snow.

http://www.finishright.com/multi/2010/mohawkduo10.txt

We caught up with the Director to ask him about the race...

HRT: So, what are thoughts about todays showing?

TD: "I am very pleased with the strengthening of our women's division. Jill brings power, drive and positive attitude to the race scene that is infectious and I am excited to see the women's division move onto rollerskis. They will be formidable. The Kingston Team competition may be already in the bag."

HRT: is that a guarantee?

TD: Well...I can guarantee this....we will finish in at least 4th place. We have a MONOPOLY on 4th place finishes. Just look at the results. G. Huneck (4th place age group) J. Kozoil (4th place age group) D. Kvam (4th place overall) BOOM! NOBODY FINISHES IN 4th PLACE in October and November like TEAM HURT!!!!

Oh...I have to leave...sorry I can't talk......I just placed a quick bet at OTB in the 4th race for "Foremans Fortune" to finish 4th by 4 lengths. I think I have some major coin to pick up.....adios

HRT: (shouting after a running TD) what are your predictions for SUFFERFEST in the pick'em competition???

TD: (shouting back) idunno....but either a Kvam, Yarsevich, Farry, or a Huneck will be fourth.....

See you this Saturday at 10:00am as TEAM HURT plans its first of two training day in preparation for the annual SUFFERFEST hill climb. With extra preparation we will sweep 1 THROUGH 4!!!

HURT Beats US Ski Team to Snow

2010-10-16T16:29:00.004-04:00

Director Aaron Huneck:

"Those suckers on the US Ski Team were training in Lake Placid all last week. If only they knew this week was going to be the real deal, 2 feet of snow at the top of Whiteface!"

Tim Has Lost His Legs

Sweet Ski Track

Slow As......

2010-10-14T08:14:00.003-04:00

The team's first uphill skate intervals of the season were last night and boy were they hard. Then again, that is why we do them!

The Director reviewed average speed, heart rate, and took blood samples after each run to monitor lactic build up. He was most unhappy with older brother Austin's performance.

"I mean come on now, he is not even allowed to think of skiing right now because of "cross country" so his performance numbers are really suffering, like he was totally absent from these runs."

Train to Suffer

2010-10-01T12:29:00.005-04:00

HURT nordic announces training days up Prospect Mtn. Highway in Lake George. Plan to be there. For more info visit http://www.hurtnordicskiing.com/trainingdays.html

Welcome October...and HURT (far) West.

2010-09-30T11:27:00.004-04:00

As the October and the ski season officially starts and rollerskis spin on the pavement across NY, the Director continues to push the definition of "Hudson United". Citing a early 1900's survey report and map file, A. Huneck has deemed the great city of Rochester, NY part of the Hudson region. The Erie Canal unites the Hudson with the far west regions of the state has opened the door for two MAJOR HURT signings this past week.

In testimony before FIS and Congress, the Director made his plee to sign Dan and Kathy Schwenk to team HURT who for years have been languishing under team KNEWHCS. Having been looked over by RNR and Rochester XC Foundation it was easy to see why the Director was driven to sign the Masters Women Champ in Kathy and long time Masters star, Dan. It was doubtful for a long time if the signing could be made legal, but the testimony of S. Colbert, (who spent one day in a field standing on a nordic ski) swayed Congress to decide in favor of the young Nordic Czar.

RNR and Peru thought it insulting that Colbert was even brought in to comment on the disputed signing. "It is just plain rude and not funny" they told the crazy blond lady from Fox News in a post conference interview.

"I thought it was demeaning when he said...."This is Rochester!, I don’t want my tomato picked by a Mexican. I want it picked by an American, then sliced by a Guatemalan and served by a Venezuelan in a spa where a Chilean is giving me a Brazilian....after I go nordic skiing in a HURT uniform."

Dan and Kathy join Jill hamilton Kozoil, Gina Huneck and Eric Hamilton as the big off season signings for team HURT. They should help fill the gap left by the departure of Tetlow and others who have moved on from the team.

Following the signing, the Director released a" State of the Nation" report to all team skiers about uniforms, sanctioning and our upcoming race. If you are currently on the team and have not received a copy of this release, please post your email below or email it to hurtnordic@gmail.com. I don't seem to have an email address for all of you.

Farry ups the ante

2010-09-20T15:38:00.006-04:00

On the third installment of HURT over distance Sunday sessions it was mild mannered Andy Farry that inspired the team to action leading into the ever-important fall training block. A day after figuratively crushing himself and dueling up the famed "Hill Of Death" with teammate Doug Diehl and a swarm of Peru Nordies, Andy showed up bright and early in Queensbury for a over distance ski. He was joined by Kvam, Yarsevich, T. Huneck, A. Huneck, B. Halligan and Saratoga's Sean Halligan.

Only he skied TO the workout.

And FROM.

When asked about his massive rollerski effort Farry answered: "With tabloid reports that Tetlow's future may be doubtful for the winter, I wanted to make sure someone was ready to step up. Besides....the acronym "HOD" was put into my Ical on the whole weekend and I guess I thought it was all one event....Hill Of Death....HURT O.D.

The team were treated to a rolling ski up the Glens Falls/ Lake George bike path, through the village and up the big climb up toward Warrensburg. The elder Halligan was dismayed at times given his unfortunate misunderstanding of the course profile. It appears that when The Director sent Halligan the course profile he sent him this:

However, in reality the course was more like:

It is currently being investigated whether this was an early season prank to rattle the Saratoga skier.

To the Border

2010-09-14T11:30:00.005-04:00

This weekend saw a 400% improvement in OD participation as HURT skiers clipped in and headed for a OD bike ride through Washington County to Vermont. The regulars (Yarsevich, Kvam and Huneck) were joined by HURT west's Ed Luban on a cool, cloudy, and sometimes spitting Sunday for a 91 mile ride from Round Lake through Cambridge to the border and back.

We asked why the boys did not ride the 9 miles needed to make it a perfect century, here is what they said.

Ed: Using a complicated system of algebra, trigonometry, and calculus I determined that the energy output needed to drive my vehicle from Syracuse equalled 9.12003 miles of biking and quite frankly I was worried about overtraining.

Yarsevich: WHAT?! I bike from Saratoga TO the start of the ride. I think I was at least 113!!!

Huneck: Don't you round up?

Kvam: Uh Uh Uh...I just wanted to honor the death of famed rocker Freddie Mercury who died in 1991. '91....get it.....91 miles.....1991! Really that was the only reason.

Needless to say.....The Director was not pleased......well.....pleased with Chris.

Enjoy the pics.

Complimentary profile shot

At the Border.

See you next week for a OD distance skate ski in Glens Falls. See http://www.hurtnordicskiing.com/trainingdays.html for details. Map is posted on that page. See you there!!

OVER the distance

2010-09-08T08:49:00.004-04:00

HURT skiers are in the midst of a training block focused on making the transition from summer base training into a period of increased volume, ski specific strength and increased intensity. The Director has carefully timed out the teams plan to focus on peak performances right around the time the Super Tour rolls into Lake Placid in January. The First of team events was an OD run, last Sunday. And will continue with a long OD bike ride this upcoming Sunday.

This run event was poorly attended. The Director was not pleased.

But that's not to say the team was not hard at work.

The bike OD has a number of confirmed participants. The Director is very pleased.

-Reports from fasterskier show the MDH (after no news for an long time) is working hard both rollerskiing and communicating with fellow rollerskiers via fasterskier. The Director is very pleased.

-Ed and Kay visited Gatineau Park, incognito. They did not want to risk tipping off the powerful X-C Ottawa team on their home turf, being guests in a foreign country (a country even more foreign than Peru, NY). Greg Christie's Ski & Cycle Works appeared closed for the Labour Day holiday, but we noticed an open door. They tried to sneak in to see if we could uncover some top secret wax concoctions, only to be met by Greg himself at the door. It appears Team C-A-N-A-D-E-H is full of pedaling "hard-men" biking through the pouring rain. There's more, much more, but the balance of our report is for the Director's eyes (ears?) only.

-Dave has taking the philosophy of "over-distance" and moved his whole base of operation to the MIDDLE OF FREAKIN' NOWHERE. His new living situation has made it so he has to run, bike, fan-boat, hang-glide, roller-ski, bush-plane, bike, drive and crabwalk MANY MANY miles just to go to grocery store. Lots of OD training in beautiful country for him. His proximity to the Vermont boarder leads the director to believe that he will get faster just by breathing their air. The Director is very pleased.

Please note.....The bike time has been changed to 10:00 am on Sunday to allow for HURT west to arrive without red eyes.

Also....Team rollerski has been moved to Thursday again. 5:00pm SPAC.

As summer cools off, HURT heats up.

2010-08-27T09:22:00.005-04:00

There is big news from the Team HURT command center (as reported last night on the "HRT nightly news and world report" , cable channel 243038). The Director has released three September dates for distance training and HURT recruitment. HURT team members are encouraged (recommended/suggested/demanded/implored) to attend as many of the OD Days as possible. Any prospective team prospects are likewise encouraged to join. For details on the training events and maps of the routes please visit http://www.hurtnordicskiing.com/trainingdays.html.

In other news, there has been a leak out of the team command center and some TOP SECRET INFORMATION may have fallen into the hands of the HRT news team (who then promptly sold the information for massive amounts of cash may have seen in the latest issue of World News Report...Hat Nerz wants a new pair of carbonlites). None of the following information can officially be confirmed but this is what we know.

-HURT MAY have offered a big nordic contract to a high profile NYS nordic skier who earns massive amounts of NYSSRA points.
-HURT MAY have likewise offered the family members of "said nordic athlete" similar contracts (also who earn massive NYSSRA points.)
-"Said Nordic Skier" may have years and years of nordic racing experience
-"Said Nordic Skier" may have been responsible for the development of countless youth in in the greater Albany area.
-"Said Nordic Skier" has not officially commented on his status but is currently in negotiations with team attorneys.

Following the report by World News, HRT called the TEam Director for comments.

HRT: Can you confirm the report printed in World News?

D: WHO GOT THIS INFORMATION!!! This was supposed to be the nordic bombshell that would shake the foundations of the nordic world!!! It is a very sensitive situation and we did not want this to go public!! This darn report may end the whole deal before its even done. Unbelievable!

It like coaxing a chipmunk to eat from your hand....if you make big dramatic moves he just runs away! jeesh. I certainly hope this doesn't ruin things for us.

HRT: So you can confirm the report then?

D: Oh...THAT was the question?!? ugh...ugh...ugh...no comment.

HRT: Do you feel like this signing will lock up the team championship?

D: ugh...no comment

HRT: Will this make you faster as a team? can you compete with RNR?

D: ugh......no comment

HRT: Does this have anything to do with Peru Nordic Masters loosing their team facilities and massive amounts of funding?

D: ugh...no comment

As you can see the Director clammed up like a Long Island oyster.
Stay tuned for more updates.

The Director

IMPORTANT NOTE: HURT TEAM TRAINING HAS BEEEN MOVED NEXT WEEK FROM WEDNESDAY TO THURSDAY! check the team calendar.

HURT East and West Unite, Kind of Like Voltron!

2010-08-19T07:37:00.003-04:00

Wednesday August 18th, brought together members of HURT West (Adam and Ed Luban) with Wednesday night regulars Chris, Tim, and Austin. The joining of forces created one mega-powerful super skier that threw down destruction on the neighborhoods of Clifton Park!

Famous 1980’s Voltron Quote : “Form feet and legs; form arms and body; and I'll form the head!”

After a solid workout of double poling and specific strength the team went to work on strategizing for the upcoming season. The action items coming out of the brain trust were the following:

1) Get the director out recruiting ASAP. We know Peru are building their evil ranks, we need to respond.

2) Prevent Adam from peaking at this week’s Stratton Ski Camp. Last year he beat up on everyone except one ex-Olympian and then paid for it the rest of the season.

3) Quietly continue building Austin into a super skier. Heck, he has already grown a foot or so this year and gotten way stronger. He is going to show those Vermont kids his new form this week.

4) Have the director sign a major advertising sponsor to help retain Justin and Dave, so they won’t have to look for “real” jobs. It’s like skiing it not a real job?!

5) Get Ed doped roller ski wheels.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

2010-08-02T08:13:00.005-04:00

This past weekend was the annual 'Iron Maiden' Triathlon in Peru, NY and it was HURT nordic who showed up in force to contend for the title. Representing the deepest team in the field was T. Huneck, A. Huneck, The Director, D. Kvam, and Brian Halligan. Even the Queen showed up. As usual, the HRT news team was on hand to bring you a breakdown of the event.

The chase

The Good- HURT goes 2,3,4,5 to dominate the team title competition. Huge efforts were put down by HURT young guns Austin Huneck and Brian Halligan. Halligan's second fastest run leg was only eclipsed in excellence by A. Huneck's bike dual-royale with race veteran Chris Rose.

The Bad- Kvam blows it. With the absence of last years champion M. Wynn, Kvam wore the cloak of the race favorite. Things seemed to be going that way early. After putting minutes into the main chase field in the short run course and fighting tooth and nail in a solo break on the bike to add even more seconds into the main chase pack of 3 (A. Huneck, C. Rose, T.Huneck) Kvam found a way to blow the race in the final 600 meters. After being totally pegged the whole race it appears he was crippled by intense cramping during the 20% portion of the Hill of Death. His crumbling legs allowed a savvy and controlled Rose to catch and lay down one final massive attack to bury the humiliated Kvam. We caught up with Kvam after the race.

Just before the epic collapse

HRT: What the heck happened?

Kvam: I think it was watching the TDF in the rain that did it. As a huge fan of Andy Schleck I think I learned by osmosis how to blow a race that I had for all intensive purposes won, to a more crafty and race-savvy veteran. I didn't respect the Hill of Death enough and thought I could just run away with this victory at full speed. absolutely embarrassing. Lesson learned though, "if you laugh in the face of the HOD, it will kill you"

Kvam opening it up on the run

The UGLY:

This Dude

Maiden Looms

2010-07-27T21:11:00.006-04:00

As the summer heats up and early fall race events loom, the Team and the Director have been rapidly preparing for the future both close at hand and months away. The HRT news team has been put to the test keeping tabs on HURT athletes as they employ the previously indicated "divide and conquer" strategy.

The first real test will be the upcoming IRON MAIDEN event hosted by Peru's Nordic juggernaut. Several HURT athletes have already committed to the event (Kvam, A. Huneck, and T. Huneck) but the Director still feels a few more of his boys will tip the scale away from the deep and heavily favored Peru squad. The Director was asked about the prospects for the race and he said, "Last year Farry joined in the melee and hopeful he will return and Tetlow, Yarsevich and some of our western boys should make the trip too. Its a big field this year and with Wynn the heavy favorite and Rose on good form, Peru is looking to have a strong representation on the podium". Since many HURT skiers are yet to fully commit the the race much of the Teams hope lies with Kvam. With a year experience and much better knowledge of the course he hopes to turn in a strong performance and land a spot on the podium. The HRT reporter, Hat Nerz, caught up with Kvam after his final altitude block before the Maiden.

HRT: How's the last few weeks of training been going?

K: Feeling good, Hat, The past two weeks really had a double purpose. I really feel that chasing French livestock around mountain sides at 9,000ft on a bicycle pretty much exactly mimics the type of mid-race situation I'll be faced with next week. Truthfully, I also wanted to see if I could get some of the Tour de France boys to swap colors and join the HURT squad for the upcoming season.

HRT: Recruiting? Really? Explain.

K: Well yeah, you know....green jersey....HURT shirts are green....Thor Hushovd is Norwegian.....Norwegians are good skiers....It made sense to me at the time.

(Hushovd...presumably leaving upset)

HRT: Did it work?

K: Well, unfortunately, I spoke to Thor as he was on his way up the Tourmalet and even brought the HURT championship banner to show we were no joke, but he was just pissed I slowed him down. In fact, I think it may have caused Petacchi to get the points he needed to grab the jersey. He wasn't pleased with me. But fortunately, the banner came in use as it was able to function as motivation/cape/thing-to-wave/rain hat/something-to-sit-on. Anyway...the recruiting was bad but the training was sweet. Assuming I can stay on course this time (no guarantees) I think I can mix it up pretty well.

(Team Banner travels East to keep the flood waters back)

The Director, also there with Kvam at the time, was quick to encourage all Team Members that may read this before Saturday to consider rallying up in Peru. Its a big day to send an early season message.

Besides...Thor won't make it this time.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

2010-07-09T14:44:00.006-04:00

As the month of July rears its hot and sweaty head, nordic skiers around the country are starting to plan for cooler months ahead. Every athlete has an idea as to how ski specificity, intensity and volume concerns play out to ensure big success 6 months from now. The Director has spent the last few months pouring over the data from last years season and some changes have been implemented to ensure that his boys are skiing their fastest, late in the season. The end of the year championship inconsistencies will not happen again.

Our HRT news room reporter Hat Nerz has taken an opportunity to sit down with the Director to talk about some big time decisions being made for the Team and some individual choices by HURTS core members...

HRT: So what's the big focus for the summer?

D: Slow volume. Strength. And Slow volume. That and tree forts, bike rides and KILLING IT! AT THE IRON MADIEN TRIATHLON.

HRT: The IMT? The Peru event?

D: That's right. Mid-Summer intimidation is high on the list. We want to be in the heads of these boys all fall. Last year was a debacle with Kvam's sense of direction and small attendance from HURT skiers. Not this year. Its on. Donkey Kong.

HRT: What can you tell us about some of the training decisions your team is making? A few hints?

D:
-I have decided to have Austin focus on altitude training. Instead of sending him west, I am having him do circuit training 33 ft in the air in a hand-made tree fort. Strength is key. Lug up the timber, nail it in, 50 pushups.....repeat.

-Kvam is off to Europe for a volume training block in the Pyrenees with the TDF boys. Climbing Climbing Climbing,

-Operation "Kill the Fatty" has moved into stage two for Tetlow and his marathon training program kicked off this week. You won't even know this man come winter.

-A. Luban has headed off to CSU camp to bang around with some of New England's finest.

-Yarsevich's training is a unique blend of bike riding, running, hiking and baby proofing....Its a highly controversial training plan developed in the former USSR. I can't really talk about it but he'll be able to do amazing things on very little sleep.

-Big developments from the Queen....She's running...A LOT. Masters women beware.

HRT: It seems to be very individualized? The team still training together?

D: As much as ever. Wednesday's have been more productive and more focused than ever. I am feeling very confident.

HRT: I can tell! Anything worrying you right now?

D: Well, to be honest....The relocation of E. Huneck to Plattsburgh this coming fall has me shaking my head. Does she know that Plattsburgh is PERU COUNTRY? They have mind tricks and voodoo and strange $#it up there. I can just see her going off to college, getting a nose ring, tats, pink hair and either doing 1 race for Peru or at least making them T-Shirts.

HRT: Well best of luck to you and the team. We look forward to the next update. And we will see you at the Iron Madien Triathlon.

(Note to HURT athletes.... REGISTER FOR THE IMT!!!

HURT velo in action

2010-06-30T20:40:00.003-04:00

The big wheels keep on turning for HURT Velo as the team continues to slowly but surely shift focus into ski specific strength and rollerskiing.

The Western flank of HURT Velo made a good operation at the Owasco Flyer, a 36-mi. hilly bike race around Owasco Lake. A. Luban finished 4th among 18 and under boys. The competition wasn't too shabby either--the kid who won rides for the University of Colorado. Just two seconds later, E. Luban and new team acquisition Kay Simonson, making her bike racing debut, crossed the finish line in 4th place out of 8 (!) tandems. Although the race was close to their training grounds, RNR were conspicuous by their absence from the 250-strong field of riders. Some speculated that "ROC's" non-appearance could be related to fallout from recent bike reports that a search warrant has been issued for the owner of Rock Racing as part of an ongoing investigation into performance-enhancing drugs and other team problems. RNR/ROC/Rock . . . perhaps there's more there than meets the eye . . . its a lot of R's.

The TT season is in full swing as Kvam posted a new PR for the 10 mile River Road TT course. On a night that saw fierce winds and the majority of the field slow down compared to previous weeks, Kvam was able to drop over 15 seconds from the week before and post his best time by 1.2 seconds. It isn't much, but it is a great sign of things to come as he prepares to set off on a 12 day cycling adventure in the Pyrenees Mountains following the 2010 Tour de France. Training will be top secret but it is speculated that it will be long hours and tons of climbing.

HURT update

2010-06-26T10:11:00.004-04:00

The HRT News Team caught up with skiers this past week to update the teams progress over the past few weeks. June has seen a "divide and conquer" attitude amongst HURT athletes as the month has been filled with a variety of bagged peaks, bike races, TT's, Trail Runs and general strength and fitness training. The Director himself has a set the tone for the upcoming months with a victory in Vermont's "NORDIC CUP" Soccer tournament. HURT is poised to replicate the results across the NYSSRA and NENSA scene. As momentum builds towards the first Summer test..."The Iron Maiden Triathlon"...we met HURT skiers after their Wednesday night Double Pole and Strength Section...

Regulars Kvam, Tetlow, A. and T. Huneck are joined this week by Pat Clancy, traditionally a biathlete, Clancy joined in for a double pole throw down. Perhaps a new recruit?

Efforts to bring in new recruits has seen HURT leaders go south for untapped talent.

Tetlow lays claim to the only person who has ever double poled so fast to strip the paint off his boards. (claim has gone unsupported but it is badass just the same)

HURT in the heat.

2010-05-28T22:13:00.005-04:00

The HRT news team caught up with HURT skiers on a scorcher of a day Wednesday evening. With temps in 90+ it was hard to imagine cold weather and snow would ever again be an environmental possibility, but stalwarts Chris, Tim and Dave found their skate legs and followed it up with ski drills and circuit training. Much to the amazement of the packs of roaming dogs, (and roaming owners) that the taken over once skiable Kinns Road Park.

Conspicuously absent was the eldest Huneck son who came down with a severe case of the "whinies". Apparently this a severe heat induced illness the makes physical movement nye on impossible. We don't have much more information on his case because our medical journalist called in today and complained it was too hot.

Epidemic? we certainly hope not.

The Team Director was unavailable for comment. He was playing soccer in 90+ degree weather.

Meet next Wednesday on the Malta bike path at 5:00. Bring your shoes for drills and a new exercise to add to the circuit.

Investigative Report. Wednesday Update.

2010-05-20T22:28:00.003-04:00

We here at the HRT news room bring you the following news updates from HURT base camp for the following news reports on the news that is making the news headlines ....

1) Wednesday saw stalwart skiers gather in CP for a wet and rainy double pole in Clifton Park. Yarsevich, Kvam and the Huneck men teamed up for some solid base work on the gradual terrain surrounding CP's suburban jungle. This is the second week in a row Austin has joined the aging veterans. His J2 compadres had best be warned.

2) HURT has launched HURT Velo as way to bring cycling into focus as off-season training. Join HURT members for posted rides on the Team Schedule and keep updated as HURT athletes compete in road races, cyclocross events, MTB rides and tri events. If you are newly interested in HURT join us for a bike ride and see perhaps in time be brainwashed into strapping rollerskis to your legs.

3) HRT news room picked up a story printed on tuesday edition of al jazeera...It appears that HURT Director Aaron Huneck has claimed responsibility for an attack on a unnamed Peru Nordic skier. The Al Jazeera report indicates that a bird of prey was used to wound said skier while he was isolated on a training mission. After some intense investigative reporting it turns out said bird of prey was confirmed as the same bird of prey that until recently lived in the tree behind the Huneck residence. Upon further review of old photo documentation taken by HRT journalists it appears there is evidence that said bird of prey is in fact close to the nordic team director.

When asked about the relationship the Director said:
"The actions of the bird were totally free from any directive from me. We chatted about how Peru could be working toward a big comeback after last season, but other than that....I didn't do nothing ever not not ever nothing anything."

We'll see if league sanctions are levied on the team.

Spring 2010: back in action

2010-05-08T13:21:00.006-04:00

It has been a tumultuous spring for HURT chief-director-and-overlord-A. Huneck. Amid swirling rumors of being overpaid and threatening to cut back on the team roster to streamline for the future seasons, The Director has had a lot of questions to answer.
-Where is the team bus?
-How come we have no snow gun at Crandall Park?
-Where are the millions from the Tri-HURT-athon?
-Does Aaron even care about supporting the athletes?

Many of these questions were raised in parallel with internal changes with USSA and the reporting staff here at HRT News room doesn't feel it was a coincidence. It didn't help that Aaron was repeatedly spotted with USSA director John Farra after budget woes hit USA skiing. Many HURT faithful questioned whether it was the lack of team financial support that stymied attempts to put HURT team members on the NYSSRA podiums. What if Aaron hadn't invested in Fast Wax Bronze?!?!?! and went for Ski-Go or Holmenkol?

It came to a steaming boil a few weeks ago week when Aaron left sister and the teams only Senior female skier Emma Huneck stranded in Europe. Aaron kept spouting the fact the volcanic ash had made things truly impossible. But many insiders in the HURT camp feel The Director could have done more

T. Huneck: "doesn't the team bus he promised us double as a fan boat?...Is this a sign of things to come? Will he just ignore our needs?"

Austin Huneck: "I don't think he really even wanted her back...its a big sister, little brother thing...ya know."

E. Huneck: "Whateva...psh....its freakin France....this article is lame."

R. Clarke: "Is this why i didn't get my M9 medal at ESG's?!"

When asked to respond all the Director could say was "WHAT!!!...its a volcano people....a volcano!!!"

Despite the early season controversy. Athletes have been getting back into action. Tetlows finding soild running form and Kvam has been building up the bike miles. Goals have been set: TEAM CHAMPS AND TOP REALY TEAM IN 2011! Rochester is the clear talent mark and a reloading and rebuilding Peru is still on the radar. Time to get out and get it on!

OFFICIAL TEAM TRAINING BEGINS WEDNESDAY. MAY 12th.

MEET WEDNESDAY: SPAC....TRAIL RUN...and strategic planning. 5pm parking lot near the Gideon.

HURT skiers at Eastern HS Championships

2010-03-16T11:04:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to Will Frielinghaus, Austin Huneck and Brian Halligan who competed in the 2010 TD Banknorth Eastern HS Championship race in Gilford NH. Will skied to a very impressive 4th place overall in the Men's Freestyle race. Austin and Brian, as j2's, skied to 94th and 96th respectively.

In the Freestyle sprint Will finished 14th, Brian 105th and Austin 109th. Finishing things off in the classic race Will was 10th, Austin 71st, Brian 104th. Great way to finish off the season for these guys! Well done. See you all on rollerskis!

Full results here: http://www.nensa.net/results/index.php?io_view=events.show_results&event_id=722

J2s lead HURT assault on New England

2010-03-10T12:48:00.002-05:00

(press coverage provided by Adam Luban who is vying for a full time spot on the Oscar, Golden Globe, Tony and MTV VMA award winning "HURT skiing and other stuff" media team)

This past weekend saw skiing of epic proportions led by some of HURT’s finest. The J2 triple threat of Brian Halligan, Adam Luban, and Austin Huneck spearheaded HURT’s invasion of New Hampshire for the Eastern J2 Championships AND Invitational, with waxing support coming from HURT master wax tech and klisterer extraordinaire Heidi Underwood. Not to be outdone, E. Luban and T. Huneck took advantage of their time in New Hampshire to do the Ski to the Clouds, otherwise known as THE RACE UP MOUNT WASHINGTON!!!
The adventure began with a brilliant strategic move by The Director. He sent his charges, under the care of his disciple, trip director Rob Hinsdill, over Lake Champlain on by ferry. You may remember that Peru Nordic also traveled Champlain by ferry during their Craftsbury escapades. By riding the ferry HURT liberated the Greater Lake Champlain Metropolitan area of the dark specter of heavy metal and destruction that had befell its citizens for these many weeks.
Racing began on Friday the 5th with a 5k freestyle for the J2s. Theirs was a loaded, top-heavy field; complete with teams from Idaho, Washington, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Quebec. Austin, Brian, and Adam took advantage of a fast and hilly course with several treacherous curves to place 1st, 2nd, and 4th for New York. Huneck took 29th place overall on the day.
Saturday dawned with tricky waxing conditions and two looming classic races. After extensive testing of their combined 271 pairs of Fischer Carbon Lites, the HURT boys made the wax recommendation to New York’s expert service men and woman. Using a still to be revealed klister mix, A. Huneck cruised to a 19th place overall and another top New York finish. Halligan and Luban finished 51st and 66th, exposing a bit of classic weakness. Though The Director could not be reached for comment, he was reported to have said “TOO MUCH…#&@$ BIATHLON!”
The Director’s brilliance really showed during Saturday’s afternoon sprint. In a stunning, yet insightful move, h directed the tech team to apply griptape down the entire skis of the juniors, thus ensuring they would not ski too well and raise alarm in New England about New York’s nordic prowess. This move was done with an eye to the future, as The Director is reportedly planning to build a covert HURT training center deep in the White Mountains of NH, and wants his team to be completely under the radar. The Director also told the boys to ski as a team, which they accomplished beautifully. Halligan led a HURT crew separated by only 8 seconds, taking 78th place. Huneck and Luban followed, taking the coveted aluminum and cubic zirconium medals of 87th and 94th place.
While the younger crew was racing, the elder Huneck and Luban scouted out Mt. Washington from a large hill near the J2s’ venue. When asked to comment, all Luban could muster was “Wow.”
Sunday was saw racing by both the young and the old(er.) Halligan and Huneck led New York’s A relay team to a solid 12th place. A. Luban threw down the fastest New York time of the day, clocking a blazing 5:10.4 in the 2k skate, earning in 13th place in his leg. Meanwhile, the big boys were skiing up Mount Washington. In a field headlined by Torino Olympian (and coach of the HURT J2s) Justin Freeman and Jacked Up Old Man, E. Luban and T. Huneck, finished 4th and 6th in the 50-59 age group.
Though Hurt TV does not have a license to film in New Hampshire, it has subcontracted with a local company to bring you some picture and video of these races. Look for it on the blog soon, but be patient, because it is a long drive between here and NH. HURT would also like to extend a special thank you to all the coaches and parents that made the J2 trip possible.

CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP

2010-03-01T14:45:00.004-05:00

The wild 2009-10 NYSSRA Championship weekend came with a bang...or a dump, or a slop, or a deluge...whatever you want to call it...it was big and it was wet and would be the story of the weekend only trumped by the events that transpired on Sunday. However, Saturday's 17.5K Freestyle Mass Start race was held despite the soft conditions and snow/rain that blanketed the course at Saratoga Biathlon. (An amazing job was done by everyone at SB to pull it off! Thanks!) While Paul Allison pulled away from the deep and speedy field it was RNR who placed three in the top five and flexed their powerful nordic muscles over the field. It was only Peru's Santor who was able to crack the RNR blockade. Like the Swedes in Vancouver, it was Peru who employed smart team tactics using Rose and Kobak to launch Santor. They gave fits to Seyse and Maynard with their highly calculated accelerations and decelerations.
On this day, HURT skied strong, but struggled to really respond. With their team director absent and unfocused due to massive points controversy that saw his own personal points wiped away by NYSSRA, the HURT boys struggled with ski selection and wax. The weight fell on the shoulders of Luban, Kvam and Tornianen to turn in some strong times. While some of HURT skiers struggled with wax selection in tricky conditions (what the HELL is Fastwax Bronze anyway?) It was Luban that found the right flex, rill and wax and skied for the best HURT time of the day. Kvam, despite missing the butter, found some form of old to place ahead of the surging Tornianen. He was unable to respond time and again to the surges of the strong open class but left feeling he might have some ammunition for Sundays relay. Strong efforts were turned in by Yarsevich, Burt, A. Luban, Carol Fisher, Farry, Clarke, Tetlow and Tim and Austin Huneck. For the most part, HURT left scratching their heads, rethinking their relay order and desperately wanting to call Zach Caldwell.

Then good fortune struck....

Tides turned around 9:00pm Saturday night when MDH sent an email out to the HURT team saying he left his skate ski boots out of town. While initially this seemed to be trouble, it moved the dominate MDH out of the skate relay spot on Team 1 and moved his powerful double pole to a classic leg. This left the Team Director with a tough choice....Kvam or Tornianen? Knowing Tornianen has a beast of a classic sprint over Kvam... and seeing Kvam edge out Tornianen on Saturday made the call to give strength to both squads. Kvam: HURT 1...Tornianen: HURT 2.

Gray clouds (metaphorical and literal) cleared and Sunday's relay saw Good triumph over Evil. While initially it looked like HURT was destined to toe the line against Peru, DOMINANT classic legs by Yarsevich and Tornianen launched skaters Kvam and Tetlow into a position where they could skate easily to a 3rd and 4th place finish being left behind only by the speed and depth of RNR. Although, Kvam was left in a position to tangle with Maynard from RNR, poor fitness and a miscalculated corner left HURT out of the top 2.

The weekend ended with HURT receiving the NYSSRA Champions Banner for earning a massive amount of racer points over the course of the season. Congratulations to all HURT members who had a hand in adding to the total. We are already thinking about ways to add to the total, recruit new skiers, add strength and speed and prepare to bring ALL the titles from West to the
East.

HURT end of the season AWARDS are as follows:

Most likely to break a boot, lose a boot, lose a jersey and duct-tape a sneaker to a 2 x 4 to ski: MDH

Most likely to get mono from kissing the NYSSRA banner: Kvam (see photo above)

Most likely to be shunned for mocking a cripple: T. Huneck (see movie below)

Best baseball cap while skiing: (ITS A TIE) Farry and Tornianen

Best video work for HURT Television: THE KINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS

Best Baked Goods and Best Brewery: Chris and Rachel Yarsevich

Best cheering section (the wave): A. Huneck, The Director, B. Timmerman, A Luban, Brian Halligan (see Empires)

Best Attitude: Rene Clarke (keep on keepin' on!)

Best excuse for poor race results: Tetlow "its the fat"

Best lesson in Grooming: Bob Underwood "turn this thing and press that thing and your good to go"

ENJOY THE SEASON END TO HURT TV....see you once rollerskiing starts!!

HURT TAKES THE BANNER!

2010-02-28T20:49:00.002-05:00

Storm Descends on Saratoga Biathlon

2010-02-25T12:04:00.006-05:00

Emulating the back to back whopping slush events that have hit Northeast in last few days, racers from around the state are preparing to bring the storm this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Day, NY. It is the start NYSSRA Championship weekend and the beginning of a series of fast and furious ski races to determine the NY powerhouse competitors in biathlon, cross-country and sprint relays. The weather has already staked its claim as a force to be reckoned with. The feet of heavy wet snow will no doubt make it a defining element of the upcoming races.

Unlike NYSSRA championship races in the past this is probably the most built up, compelling, and dynamic culmination to the Ny racing season. This ain't your Grandma's NYSSRA scene anymore....This is the final statement on a season that has seen:

1) massive defection by skiers from traditional powerhouse clubs to new teams

2) an all out free-agent war between clubs hungry for untapped sources of NYSSRA points

3) a new upstart club chasing down the Club Points title from a powerhouse ski foundation

4) biological warfare between skiers from HURT and Peru aimed at crippling the teams most prolific racers

5) a battle for the dominance of good over evil in the NY skiing universe

6) a highly calculated and expertly executed effort by one open skier to grapple the individual points title from the perennial victors from the Huneck household

7) the rise of a three-headed Open Class monster from Rochester, NY.

8) the support and franchising of a new young hot shot to lead the legion of doom.

9) a ratings war between competing media outlets who wish to monopolize the coverage of the NY nordic ski world.

10) The rise of the youngest, most powerful, nordic dictator IN THE WORLD.

All this will come to a head this weekend in Day, NY. Don't miss it.

HURT announces its three relay squads:
A) Chris Y (classic) Matt T (classic) MDH (skate)
B) Austin Huneck (classic) Tim Huneck (classic) Austin Huneck (skate)
C) Dave Kvam (classic) Justin Tetlow (classic) Dave Kvam (skate)

HURT skis at Empires

2010-02-22T14:11:00.007-05:00

Despite focus of HURT on the upcoming Championship weekend in Day, NY, many of the HURT faithful used the perennial Empire State Games as a final tuneup before the end of season throw down. Even though all members of the team have had the same end of season focus there is a great deal of individuality about the training/tapering and racing goals leading into the championship race. For the team director, it was a final opportunity for him to see his guys in action as he plans his relay teams. We caught up with a few of the HURT skiers to ask them about their goals and purpose for racing Empires:

Tetlow: Well I just really want a skate tuneup...champs is skate so I am only in for day 1...besides, Schenectady has neither snow or hills and Placid has both.

MDH: WHAT?!!!...Tetlows only skiing day 1....screw this...I'll take my silver medal in the skate race and going home.

Yarsevich: Wait? Champs is a skate race? Quite frankly I'd rather dominate this classic race and get all the hardware. IM ALL IN!!! Champs can wait. (2nd place Pursuit)

Kvam: Is this how you ski? I can't remember....help!

Matt T: Nobody had been paying any attention to me all season...SURPRISE!!! its statement weekend baby! (3rd place Masters Skate, 4th place pursuit)

Diehl: I'm 50+ and still a classic skiing MACHINE...watch this! (1st place Masters)

Stong Performances were also turned in by A. Huneck, E. Huneck, The Director, The Queen, T. Huneck, Burt, Clarke, Matti Tornianen, A. Luban, E. Luban, Timmerman, and Halligan. All are ready to show they are going to be in top form for next weekend.

Top teams also showed up in Lake Placid this weekend and showed some of their hands. Team Director was there to take notes and plan a strategy for domination. After the races we asked A. Huneck about his impressions of the field.

A: "No surprise that if Dr. Douglas shows up the field is toast. Unless he is forced to ski backwards. Then at least there will be a final sprint. Rochester will come in force and bring a well rested and talented squad. Glenville has some skiers but they are a young team that lacks depth. Seyse is on good form but has been a racing fanatic and 21K may feel very long for him. Santor's been skiing very strong and what's even more of a concern is the full backing he is receiving from the legion of doom. All chips seem to be in Santor's corner and it looks like Peru is planning to play a little "Sweden tactics" with a recovering Rose in the field. However don't count out OUR overwhelming depth in Saturdays field. It will be very interesting. I expect there to be a great deal of buildup and buzz throughout this week... Especially once the relays are set."

Q:"Do you plan to reveal the relay teams to the media?"

A: "maybe...maybe not"..."that being said...(looking away from the camera)...if you are on Team HURT and haven't registered fro the relay and intend to race get on that...thats an order!!!)

Below are top secret technique analysis photos from the Director!

Enjoy the HURT Television coverage of the weekend.

Lost Skis

2010-02-18T07:31:00.001-05:00

A Team HURT member accidentally left a pair of skis at the Tri-HURT-Athon on Sunday. They are a pair of Fischer Waxless skis with Excel poles. They were left right next to the parking lot behind a snow bank.

Did anyone pick them up? Let us know if you have them.

Thanks

Big Effort = Big Success at Tri-HURT-athon

2010-02-15T21:00:00.006-05:00

With a huge effort on Saturday by many of the HURT faithful (including Yarsevich, Farry, MDH, T. Huneck, A. Huneck, Burt, Kvam, Clark, Tornianen, R. Yarsevich, Underwood) shoveling snow onto a hard-packed-icy-pine-coned loop in Queensbury, Team HURT pulled off the SINGLE MOST SUCCESSFUL NORDIC SKI EVENT in Warren County, NY in the last three days. While the original plan for the Tri-HURT-athon featured a pursuit format the revised duathalon format featured all of the desired drama.

With just 4 seconds separating the fastest 1.2K classic sprint time from the rest of the chase pack Martin Donnelly-Heg found his slim lead quickly swallowed up by the fast skating Seyse of Glenville. Despite racing 3,454 times this season, Seyse quickly formed a gap that he would hold over the course of the 11.5K loop.

Team HURT, as expected, came out in force and strong performances were put down in all the age classes. Their collective team effort has solidified a runaway in the 2009-10 NYSSRA Team competition. The performance of the day went to Austin Huneck, who despite a poor sprint effort threw down a "Billy Demong-esque" effort in the skate race to claw his way back into a 4th place finish, 2nd on team HURT. When interviewed after the race he said: "I really felt like I has something special today, I don't know if it was inspired by team USA or just that my skis seem to glide best on pine-tar and sugar snow...whatever it was, I plan on bringing more of that into Championships."

Kvam, who again sat on the sidelines and watched his teammates shoulder the workload, was asked to comment on what he saw from his team. "Well, let me tell you...with MDH's sprint, Huneck's unbelievable comeback effort, and the dominating performance in the Bill Koch race by the Team Director, whosever job it is to plan the NYSSRA relay teams is going to have a tough go of it. I mean geesh...If I don't comeback like a champ at Empires...I may be bumped to the 3rd squad.....I tell ya....we are deep!"

The MVP of the day goes to the combined effort of Rachel Yarsevich who's organizational skills and baking/cooking prowess provided the racers with cookies, hermit bars and amazing chili. Not to mention her team effort with K.P. who ensured split second accuracy in race timing. THANK YOU!!!

Full Results here
Stay tuned as the HURT season winds down with Empires and NYSSRA champs.

HURT juniors roll into STATES!

2010-02-12T13:47:00.003-05:00

With Sectional meets taking place this past week it was up to the HURT juniors to test there mettle against the fast and powerful represented from their sections. Adam Luban scrapped his way to a 7th place finish in his sectional meet and a few days later Austin Huneck, Will Freilinghaus and Brian Halligan went into battle in the Section II race at Lapland Lake. Will's dominating 1st place finish was followed by 11th and 12th finishes by Brian and Austin respectively. All earned spots on the section squad. HUGE CONGRATS goes out to all the guys (and gal) who raced (Bennett and Emma too...congrats)

Tri-HURT-Athon Work Party

2010-02-12T09:35:00.003-05:00

This Saturday at 10am join Team HURT behind the Queensbury Elementary School for a work party. We will be whipping Sunday's race course into shape. Please bring shovels and rakes.

Final Reminder and Site Relaunch

2010-02-12T07:33:00.006-05:00

Today is the final day to register for the first annual "Tri-HURT-athon" (which has been motified to more of a duathlon due to conditions) But either way....it will be a great race and its a perfect way to celebrate with your true love (which if you are reading this is most likely skiing). Its also a perfect way to get pumped up for the first nordic events held in Vancouver! So visit Ski Reg and sign up today!

HURT would also like to announce that after a long period of technical difficulties and problems with the hosting company initially used for the team website it is finally totally functional. HOWEVER THE ADDRESS IS CHANGED. To find all updates and information on TEAM HURT please visit www.hurtnordicskiing.com. FInally the design team is able to upload data and pics much more easily and the website finally features the addition of 4 new skier profiles. Bob Underwood, Bennet Timmerman, Brian Nilsson and Heidi Underwood. Check the web calendar for training events, race pictures and videos as the season winds down.

FINALLY...HURT would like to congratulate the team JUNIORS who competed in sectional competitions. Well done by Adam Luban, Will Frielinghaus, Brian Halligan, Austin Huneck, Emma Huneck and Bennet Timmerman. Check these guys out as some move on to states!

Good Luck to the Juniors

2010-02-09T14:40:00.002-05:00

High School Sectional races are this week. Good luck to Austin Huneck, Adam Luban, and Brian Halligan.

Show them the HURT guys!

Lake Placid Loppett

2010-02-07T09:37:00.008-05:00

Team HURT had a strong showing at the Lake Placic Loppet, with 9 skiers showing up to race. All 9 were truly needed, as the Peru boys brought an entire army of evil or at least a brigade.

Best results of the day came from the Underwood duo. Bob winning the overall 25K classic by minutes and Heidi winning the 25K skate, again by minutes.

Here is Bob letting some of his competition have a false sense of security at the start. "Ohh my god, I am beating Bob, OMG!" Well this lasted for a few hundred more meters.

David Burt also had a good race, winning a silver in the M6 25K classic.

Tim Huneck, brought his suitcase of courage, and signed up for the 50K skate. This comes off his great 50K Classic at Craftsbury last weekend. Two 50K races back to back, man this guys loves to ski or just enjoys the pain.

Here is Tim questioning his logic at 17K.

Rene Clarke just missed the podium, in a very deep field, with a solid 4th place finish in the M8 25K classic.

The real brawl was in the 25K skate. A massive field and a crazy start caused the first 5K to be hectic, with the entire lead pack coming to screeching halts on some of the uphills.

MDH ski'd smooth and came home with a bronze in M3.

Yarsevich, Farry, and Tetlow also battled the masses in the 25K skate, with Tetlow taking the gold in the 18-24 division.

HURT preparing to hammer.

Team HURT will be out in full force next weekend at the 1st annual Tri-HURT-Athon at the Queensbury Elementary school. If you have not signed up yet, get over to skireg.com and do it! Free performance wicking t-shirts to the first 50 signed up.

Tri-HURT-Athon Location Moved

2010-02-05T12:52:00.004-05:00

Next Sunday's (2/14/10) Tri-HURT-Athon has been moved. The new location is behind the Queensbury Elementary School. See Directions below.

Directions:

From The North: Exit 19 off I-87 "The Northway." Take left off exit, see below for further directions.

From The South: Exit 19 off I-87 "The Northway." Take Left off exit, see below for further directions.

Travel 200 yards, to traffic light. Queensbury Middle School will be on your right. Take a right at this light, enter the Queensbury School Campus. Follow this winding road, passing over a few speed humps and passing the elementary school on the right. Park in the far right corner behind the elementary school.

Race Details:
The race will feature a 1.5K classic sprint prologue at
10am on the fields surrounding the campus. There is enough snow there to
set a classic track. That sprint will seed racers for a 10K SKATE RACE in
the wooded trails at 12pm. Unfortunately it will no longer be a pursuit
race as we will be unable to set a quality classic track in the woods.

There will be a (1.5k/3.0k) race for the BKYSL skiers. The BKYSL event
will have 0.5k lollipop race, 1.5k J6/J5 and a 3k J4/J3 and this race will
be held on the 1.5K loop set in the field.

Tri-HURT-Athon Update

2010-02-04T14:13:00.004-05:00

We are a little more than a week away from the 1st Annual Tri-HURT-Athon on February 14th 2010.

Team HURT is anxious to pull off this race, but with zero snow in the long range forecast things look dicey. We are currently pursuing two other possible locations and we may need to change up the format.

Look for an update in a few days.

Call to Arms

2010-02-03T08:15:00.004-05:00

With the Loppet looming large this weekend Team Director Aaron is calling all his racers into action...be it skate or classic....25 or 50 Aaron wants Team HURT to assert their dominance on NY field. Instead of dwelling on the news that Kvam has mono and been pulled from the 50K skate race he has decided to use the news as a rallying cry for the HURT faithful. "Kvam's out but we are ... ALL IN" (When asked if he had paid for the rights to parrot the USA ski team registered slogan he denied comment.)

Get out there and kick some a$$ guys!

HURT Takes It To Vermont

2010-02-01T19:07:00.004-05:00

After a wild week of weather the 2010 National Masters Championship Craftsbury Marathon was pulled off in frigid conditions. After a little snow mid week and lots of course work the groomers were actually able to set a firm track and the conditions were pretty decent.

At the 9am start temps were around -6 F. Luckily, kick was easy to determine, the coldest damn wax you had!

Ed Luban, Tim Huneck, Chris Yarsevich, and David Burt braved the frigid temps and skied the 50K with good results. Rene Clarke, Adam Luban, and Heidi Underwood completed the 25K. Hats off to all HURT skiers, especially Heidi Underwood and Adam Luban. Heidi placed 4th overall and won the M3 category! Adam won the J2 category!

Great job to all!

HURT Rallies for Thunderdome Sunday

2010-01-25T11:28:00.011-05:00

Just when Team HURT seemed to be on the ropes, Director Extraordinaire Aaron Huneck rallies the team.

"I'm not sure what it was. Maybe all the Peru trash talking, my brother Austin out and our skating stud Dave feeling ill, but something was missing during Saturday's race. Add to that, no Dave or Deihl for Sunday and something had to be done. Therefore, I am calling in the ringers, both Bob and Heidi Underwood, to dominate the master's field. I will also join the action, to help lead my team and show them how to properly throw down!"

And with that proclamation Team HURT got after it, in a mass start classical throw down!

The juniors were out early, for a quick 5K classic race. Austin was back in his all powerful HURT racing suit, shaking off illness, like it was a wee little NYSEF racer. Austin, Brian, and Adam placed 6,7,and 14th respectively, in a tough field.

Next, it was the all powerful, but rarely seen Underwood duo. Heidi won the master's race and Bob placed second in the master's field, storming through the field after starting at the back of the grid. "Both Heidi and I used these funky 20 year old race suits today to lull our competition into thinking we were off our game, then BAM right by them we went!"

Yarsevich used a good start to get a jump on the PERU boys and tried to hang with Underwood and Seyse as long as possible, finishing 3rd overall in the master's field.

The race of the day goes to the Director's own father, Tim Huneck! He laughed at all the Swix wax voodoo and went with a custom combination of Toko hardwaxes and had a great day, winning his age group.

Also scoring big points was the "Mayor of Medicare" Rene Clark, Dave Burt who stormed back after breaking a pole at the start, and Ed Luban (winning M6).

With this performance, the Director thinks we may have held off the the NYSEF onslaught for another week.

HURT steamroller hits speed bump

2010-01-24T11:59:00.007-05:00

Just as it looked like Team HURT was going to roll through the remainder of the NYSSRA club series the Nordic gods had other things in mind. In an effort to close the gap between HURT and the close competing clubs the ever powerful and mischievous Loki sent his smallest and most destructive warriors into action against two of HURT most reliable points earners.

Austin Huneck and Dave Kvam (who currently sit 2 and 7 on the NYSSRA Red group) have been sidelined with devestating infections. Team director Aaron was counting on Kvam in the face of the NYSEF hoards but his poor attempt to staggar around the course did little to help the team. Austin wasn't even sent into action. With Austin out and Kvam out of action on day 2 it is up to the deep and resiliant HURT faithful to step up and ski like champions.

With Marathon season looming and big races coming up its up to Team Director Aaron to fix his boys before the problems spread. He is currently spending the day rubbing his brothers feet to bring down the fever....

Saturday was ugly...Enjoy "The Lions Den"

A Call To Arms!

2010-01-20T20:21:00.004-05:00

HURT took a commanding lead in the NYSSRA's point series after this past weekend. However, now is not the time to become complacent. This weekend features two races in Lake Placid, home to the powerful NYSEF team. They will surely be out in force this weekend with about 100 J1 and J2 junior skiers, scoring points for their team.

Our junior skiers will be tested this weekend, with tough competition, but they are up for it! Look for Austin Huneck, Adam Luban, and Brian Halligan to have good races.

We need to maximize the number of HURT members racing this weekend. If you are on the fence, sign up and throw down! Your team needs you and the director demands it!

All Business for Team HURT

2010-01-19T12:38:00.006-05:00

Taking Advantage of 3 weekend races historically poorly represented by NYSEF's finest, HURT was out in full force this past weekend at Saratoga Biathlon Club and Winona Forest. Aaron, the ever savvy race veteran understood that the allure of a Junior Olympic spot would bring many to Rochester and open up some key points in the 10K Shen Classic Race, the Mini Marathon and the WFRA try it. The recent January warming trend had the director pacing about the nights before the race but with his bags packed full of Klister and water-wings he lead his boys to some very impressive results.

The Saturday Classic Klister-fest saw big performances by Austin Huneck and Brian Halligan who went 1-2 in the J2 boys race with The Director himself giving a fine display of classic striding and powerful double pole to the back half of the field. After the race he was quoted as saying "I am on the lookout for future talent...sometimes you get the best view as these guys go zipping by." Hopefully I can get some big deals done in the future."

Ever a man of his word, the director was able to lock up the up and coming talent of Bennett Timmerman for the remainder of the season. With the added push of Huneck, Halligan and Luban keep your eyes on this guy.

The story of the day was the rare sighting of the REAL wielder of HURT's power....the queen bee...the final say....the woman who really calls the shots (and designates bed time) GINA HUNECK made her 2009-10 NYSSRA debut with a strong finish in the Masters Women's race.

IN the Open Men's throw down 4 of the top 5 slots went to the HURT juggernaut. Taking advantage of starting along side each other Kvam and Yarsevich battled back and forth over the rolling 10K course. It was a late move on the final climb that gave Yarsevich the 2nd place finish over a charging Kvam. The .01 second gap between the two demonstrates just how nip and tuck the race really was. Kvam after the race: "I was clipping his heels the whole race...taking advantage of fast skis and a strong double pole paired against his superior striding and gritty determination...it was a classic battle for sure. Had I spent a little more time stretching and less time smoothing my klister pocket I probably could have out lunged him. I'll have another go at it next weekend in LP."

Closely behind Kvam came Diehl, MDH, T.Huneck, Tetlow, Burt, M. Torniainen and Rene Clark. It was a solid day for all involved.

Sunday saw many HURT members return for the Sacandaga Mini Marathon. With Kvam on the bench, Heidi and Bob Underwood led the way followed closely by MDH, Yarsevich, M. Torniainen, Tetlow, Farry, South, T. Huneck, Burt and Clarke. Unfortunately, the team tactics of HURT fell short of breaking the impressive streak of 5 straight Mini Marathon victories by Peru's Mike Wynn.

On the Western Flank it was up to Ed Luban to attack early and often in the WFRA try-it and he did so with a solid age group win. Stay tuned in for next weeks update, video and recap as HURT journeys into the heart of NYSEF country for a Saturday Sunday double.

It Must Be the Suits

2010-01-11T14:28:00.003-05:00

With this week's race on our home turf, many critics were asking how Team HURT would possibly defend their course against the onslaught of fast High School and Open racers.

Team Director Aaron, answers the critics with the following declaration!

"What is all this talk of defending our turf? The best defense is a great offense! We are going to bring ALL the troops and make a strong showing with a full on attack!"

Kvam leading the army!

Yarsevich

MDH

Andy

Jim

Tim

Justin and Matt

Ed

Hundreds Gather for Queensbury throwdown

2010-01-10T18:29:00.014-05:00

Between 23 High School Teams from across New York, a field of ESG and JO hungry competitors and a deep Masters field, the two lap course at Crandall Park saw its fair share of fast skiers this past Saturday. Fortunately for the participants, Queensbury's Bob Underwood and his staff of round-the-clock scientists had developed a surface well suited for the nordic-beatdown the trails took. The mix of crushed pine debris, sugar snow and secret German plastic polymer made for an awesome course and a great day of racing (all kidding aside....kudos to Bob Underwood and all those that volunteered to shovel snow and prep the course!)

The Team Director and most of Team HURT was out in full force to defend their home turf and big points were earned in the Junior and Master Races. Brian Halligan led the HURT J2 with Austin and Adam following close behind. J1 Will Frielinghaus had a dominate performance in the J1/OJ race coming second only to Charlie Bencze. In the Men's race, Dave Kvam led HURT with a strong 7th place finish. His attempt to battle the three headed "Day-Hettenbaugh-Maynard" monster from the West was thwarted as the Rochesterians threw down 3 of the top 6 fastest times. When asked about the growing monkey on his back Kvam replied "mummble mummble @$%#freakin grrrr@#$r mummble more grrr damn mumble intervals mumble!" His 7th place finish now makes it the 3138th time he has finished a race in 7th place. Team Director Huneck feels like Vegas might be the best place for him.

Despite the Rochester beatdown, Kvam had very strong support from his HURT teammates as Chris Yarsevich, MDH, Justin Tetlow, Tim Huneck, Ed Luban, Andy Farry, Dave Burt, Jim South, Rene Clark and Matt Tornianen turned in performances of 11, 13, 16, 20, 22, 23, 27, 28, 36, and 18 respectively. Oddly enough, these were the exact winning numbers of the Connecticut State Powerball and had Team Director Aaron played accordingly team HURT would now be proud owners of 25 snow cannons that would have provided Crandall Park with perfect skiing conditions from October to June. When notified of this Team Director Aaron replied "mumble mumble #$%^freakin mumble grrrr gambling age mumble grrr bu$$shi%"

On a day that saw mixed reactions from many HURT skiers about their performance nordic reporters found it hard to find too many audible comments...either that or the throngs of cheering middle schoolers drowned out many of the responses.

The highlight performance of the day was the inspired home course performance by Rene Clark who not only came to tangle with an M8 field larger than 1 skier (a rarity) but was urged around by a host of cheers from adoring nordic fans along the trail. We caught up with HURT's aptly named "Mayor of Medicare" after the race.

Q: How did you feel out there today?

RC: I tell ya...it was great to be out there mixing it up with the spry pentagenarians....and the crowds!...amazing....I kept hearing my name......I swear I felt like Norm from Cheers!

(Oddly enough....post interview we did some comparative research and found some very interesting similarities....maybe he is Norm?!?!)

Enjoy the latest installment of HURT television