
Congratulations to RNST Alumni, Laura Cattaneo, who finished 3rd in the Rollerski Loppet up in Minneapolis, behind Jessie Diggins and Caitlin Gregg.
Also check out the video clip on the RASC Home page where Jessie talks about upcoming fundraiser for Ian Torchia on Nov 23rd

Thanks to Ian Torchia for two great dryland training clinics on August 17th. If you missed the opportunity to attend one of these clinics, we are hoping to have Ian back in Rochester for another clinic in November.
Check out the RASC home page for video clips from the morning session from local news channels.

ABOUT IAN TORCHIA:
Ian Torchia began skiing the day before he turned 2, but was on his Mom’s back long before then, sliding around Rochester’s golf courses during the winter months. He grew up a runner, chasing his older brother Mike around on the roads and trails and cross country skied in the winters as a member of the Rochester Nordic Ski Team. During his junior year in high school, Ian won the American Birkebeiner Korteloppet race and it was later that year, at his 1st Junior National championship in Fairbanks, Alaska, when Ian decided to cross-country ski at the collegiate level, breaking away from his 4 siblings’ tradition of running in college. He attended Northern Michigan University under the direction of legendary ski coach Sten Fjeldheim, and accumulated 6 All-Americans, tied for most in program history. His junior season, he became an NCAA champion in the 20k freestyle in Steamboat, Colorado. He was a member of the US Development Ski Team for 3 years training alongside the nation’s best skiers. Ian earned a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and is currently pursuing skiing at the professional level with the Stratton Mountain School T2 Elite Team, a professional ski team that boasts of 3 Olympians, including Gold Medalist Jessie Diggins. Ian recently got engaged to his fiancé, Kameron Burmeister, who he coached to a 2:42 marathon at Grandma’s, an Olympic Trials qualifier! He is stoked to come back to Rochester this summer to teach and inspire the next generation of skiers!
Dryland Clinics with Ian Torchia are sponsored by the Rochester Active Sports Club and the Rochester Nordic Ski Team

Congrats!
RNST and RMBT Member, Noah Billings, won the U16 category and was 30th overall at the USA Triathlon 2019 Winter National Championships held at Theodore Wirth Park on March 13, 2019!
The Winter National Championships included a 6.5 km ski, 18 km of on-snow fat bike, and a 6 km run on the same on-snow course as the ski.
Congratulations, Noah!

RNST Olympics
Congratulations to all of the RNST skiers who participated in the RNST Olympics on Thursday the 28th February.

Mora Vasaloppet
Congratulations to all of the RASC and RNST alumni skiers who participated and survived this year's Mora Vasaloppet. This was a cold race, with temps below zero F for the entire race! Several RNST alumni and coaches were on the podium at the Mora Vasaloppet, as follows:

Vasa (54km freestyle)
F18-24 / 1. Laura Cattaneo
M35-44 / 2. Danny Whipple
Classic (42km classic)
F18-24 / 1. Rose Doda
Dala (36km freestyle)
F18-24 / 2. Elena Cattaneo
M65-74 / 2. Michael O’Connor
F55-64 / 2. Kristin Welch
The RASC/RNST haul was a total of two red and four blue Dala horses. Congratulations also to all the other RASC skiers who braved the cold and got out to ski on Saturday.
Winona Meet - February 2019

Thanks to Anna Sortland for a photo album from the recent meet in Winona. Click here to see the album which has ~120 photos from the meet.
Rochester Invitational Wrap Up
Coach John Resman
Congratulations to all of the skiers participating in the Rochester Nordic Ski Invitational on Saturday, January 26! A total of 114 skiers participated in the race with 61 RNST members joining skiers from Red Wing and Winona.
The skiers raced a 5.4K trail in the freestyle (skating) technique. In addition to the usual golf course trail, a small section in the woods and a new loop on the driving range was added to the course. First year skiers traversed a slightly shorter 4.7K course which didn't include the loop on the driving range.
A timely 5" snowfall a week ago was just enough snow to cover up the icy track and provide good conditions for the race. None of this would have been possible without the grooming and course repair efforts by volunteers (led by Dave Greymont) and Park and Rec grooming.
The skiers showed much determination and persistence while on the race course in 5 degree temps and slow snow conditions. It was not an easy day for racing, but the skiers discovered it can be done!
Winona captured the boys individual titles with Ryan Meyer leading the varsity skiers and Braden Fritz earning the junior varsity championship. Jakob Ratelle (varsity) and Charlie Busch (junior varsity) finished first among the Rochester boys.
In the girls races, Anni Skillicorn of Winona finished first among varsity girls with Hadley Jensen leading the Rochester girls across the finish line. Congrats to Rochester's Natasha Sortland who was the junior varsity girls individual champion.
Rochester's Natalie Drake was the first girls finisher in the First Year 4.7K Race. Jon Keillor finished first among the Rochester first year boys skiers.
Winona won the team competitions in all four divisions (boys/girls varsity/junior varsity) with Rochester finishing second in all divisions.
The Rochester Nordic Invite results are posted on the RNST meet results web page. There are also photos of the invite on the Post Bulletin web site.
Thank you to Great Harvest who donated the baked goods for post-race refreshments. Be sure to thank them for their support when you visit their store.
Thank you to the coaches and parents who volunteered at the race. Your efforts made for a very smooth-running ski race and a great experience for all. Special thanks to Mike Trantow for organizing the Rochester Invite.
Victoria's Fundraiser
Thanks to everyone who participated in our annual RNST team fundraiser on Sunday January 13th. A total of $1300 was raised, simple by team members and friends dining at Victoria's on that day. Funds from this event help to support maintenance of the ski trails in Quarry Hill and Essex Park.
Many thanks to Kristin Sorenson who organizes this fundraiser, and to Victoria's restaurant for their generosity.
Maplelag Ski Camp
January 4 - 6, 2019


Photos from Maplelag time trial
Thanks to Anna Sortland for all the photos from the time trial

Maplelag's famous Sunday buffet!

Pre-practice meeting in the main room in Maplelag
(photos courtesy of Finola O'Sullivan).
