It's the time of the year when thoughts turn to winter sports and
holidays. With that in mind, I thought I'd make a few suggestions...


XC SKI MARATHONS

Why anyone does a running marathon when you could do a ski marathon I don't
know. These great races take you through some amazing scenery where you will
work just as hard (if not harder) than in a running marathon. Because the
impact on your joints is so low, chances are you'll be out skiing next day.

Also, because every year some people take part with virtually no preparation,
chances are you'll overtake a few racers (even if they are in the 90+ age
group!). These races are great fun and a great experience.

Each year over 100 Brits take part in the Engadin Ski Marathon in Switzerland,
and our rollerskiers have also taken part in the Vasaloppet (Sweden),
Birkebeiner & Skarverennet (Norway) and Koenig Ludwig Lauf (Germany) among
others.

To find a ski marathon, visit our ski marathon calendar -
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/nf003.html This is the 2007 calendar, but we'll
update it for 2008 when a few more dates are firmed up.


XC SKI HOLIDAYS

There's a huge range of cross-country ski holiday companies now operating,
offering more choice than ever. Whether you're a complete beginners looking to
get moving on snow, or a hardened veteran in search of a new challenge, there
are holidays to suit everyone.

Among the trips our rollerskiers have recommended most highly, are the Exodus
(formerly Waymark) trips to Kvitavatn and to Versiaco, both of which offer a bit
of instruction, and will push you to make the most of your time on snow.

We have more information on our website at
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/cross.html and if you book an Exodus holiday and
mention 'Rollerski' as the referring source when you book, you will get �25
off rollerski instruction or equipment.

Independent trips are now more possible than ever, especially for anyone who has
their own skis and knows how to use them. Cheap flights, and faster rail
connections this winter (Eurostar from St Pancras), give you plenty of choice.


POLAR CHALLENGE

For a more serious ski challenge, how about a race to the North Pole? The Polar
Challenge ( http://www.polar-challenge.com/ ) sees teams race for 350 miles in
temperatures as low as -50C, towing supplies in 120lb pulks, and skiing for a
good part of the journey.

The most competitive teams do a lot of training on rollerskis, and last year the
fastest womens' team ever, the Arctic Virgins, spent months training on
rollerskis with the Manchester Cross-Country Ski Club. A couple of weeks ago we
helped one of the 2008 teams, the Lost Penguins ( http://www.lostpenguins.com/
), get started on rollerskis and wish them the best of luck in their training!


ROLLERSKI RACING

OK, this isn't a winter sport as such, but like rollerskiing generally, it's a
good stepping stone towards your ultimate winter challenge - especially if
you're preparing for a race.

Coming up in late October are the 4-hr Rollerski Race, run by the London Nordic
Ski Club, (see http://www.londonnordic.org.uk ) and the Wessex Sprints, which is
a chance to test yourself against the best of the army's racers at Castle Combe
race track in Wiltshire (see http://www.wessexbiathlon.org ).

These are both well recommended, with an emphasis on friendly competition.


ROLLERSKI PREPARATION

The courses we have coming up will help your preparation this season, and we'd
encourage you to book up. We had a terrific turnout for our September courses,
and it's great to see such improvements -

Dorney Lake - Sunday 7th October - 1-day course
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/events3.html
Castle Combe - Sunday 28th October - 1 day course
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/events4.html

4-wk skating course - starts Saturday 13th October, Hyde Park -
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/events2.html

4-wk classic course - starts Sunday 22nd October, Hyde Park,
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/events1.html

I've added a few new comments to the comments page -
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/nr026.html

I'm afraid we've had to increase the cost of the Dorney course slightly more
than we'd have liked to - mostly because of additional charges from the Dorney
Lake Trust to use the facility.

But these courses are still good value at �55, and include a day's coaching,
all the best equipment and lunch! (Also, the Dorney Lake park is looking
beautiful this time of the year, with plenty of autumn colour).


DULWICH THE 'COOL' VENUE!

It's been suggested that I plug Dulwich as a good venue, by the gang I've been
teaching there. At the moment we're doing a weekday lesson there each week
(Tuesday morning), and I hope to add more sessions. It's a really good fun
group, and a lovely venue, 5 mins by bike from Herne Hill Station, Thameslink.

For details of class sessions at Dulwich, Dorney Lake, Hyde Park and Richmond
Park, see http://www.rollerski.co.uk/class.html


ROWING WORLD CHAMPS SUCCESS FOR BRITISH XC SKIER

See - http://www.rollerski.co.uk/ns030.html


REPORT ON BRITISH ROLLERSKI CHAMPS 2007, HUNTLY

See - http://www.rollerski.co.uk/ns031.html


ROLLERSKI CLUB AUTUMN PROGRAMME

All proficient rollerskiers are invited to join -
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/clubprog.html

We're more geared up for skating rollerskiing, but classicists are welcome!


RETURN OF ALAN EASON

Alan Eason is on his way back from Australia soon, where they had a great season
of snow - one of the best in years. You can see his results from the Kangaroo
Hoppet (short) race at -

http://www.hoppet.com.au/

We look forward to Alan's return, and he'll be coaching some club sessions and
advanced courses.


Good luck planning your season and see you soon,

Best regards
Iain



http://www.rollerski.co.uk/events.html

iain@...
07968 286129