GB cross-country skiing is on a roll: yesterday, Andrew Musgrave
entered the World's Top Ten juniors, finishing 9th in the FIS World
Junior Championships in France.

On Sunday night, the BBC will broadcast Graham Bell's attempt to take
part in a cross-country ski marathon, the Arctic Circle Race in
Greenland. Meanwhile, the snow just keeps coming across Europe, which
is great news for everyone heading off for challenges on snow! It is
definitely an exciting time to be involved in the sport.

It's been great to have so many new rollerskiers in the last couple of
months, and such great improvement among regulars. News is trickling
back of rollerskiers' ski holidays and successes in ski races - such
as the British Champs, Dolomitenlauf, etc. We look forward to hearing
more of your news and wish you luck for the rest of the ski season,


COURSES COMING UP

The next Dorney course is on Sunday 22nd February -
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/events3.html
The next SK 4-week course in Hyde Park starts tomorrow -
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/events2.html
The rollerski club continues, new members welcome -
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/club.html
Rollerski classes every Saturday in Hyde Park -
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/class.html


WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPS SUCCESS

For details of Andrew Musgrave and the GB team's success at the World
Champs, see http://www.rollerski.co.uk/nx033.html

I spent some time with the team over the New Year, and got a great
insight into the challenges they face, and the incredible results they
have achieved. Read the report, http://www.rollerski.co.uk/nx034.html


BBC HIGH ALTITUDE - GRAHAM BELL DOES A SKI MARATHON

Despite alpine ski racing for GB for many years, Graham Bell has only
cross-country skied a handful of times. Yet, the guy is up for a
challenge, and took part in one of the toughest cross-country ski
races in April last year. This will be broadcast on Sunday, for more
details see http://www.rollerski.co.uk/nx035.html

For a list of ski marathons, see http://www.rollerski.co.uk/nf003.html


INSTRUCTORS' CHALLENGES - WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO

When we're not teaching rollerskiing, we like to do our own
challenges. You can see what we've been up to at
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/nx036.html


BRITISH BIATHLON SEARCH FOR RAW TALENT

In recent years the British Biathlon team has struggled. It's been
the civilian cross-country skiers who've been showing the way, as the
recent successes have shown. While in the past, the army biathletes
would dominate summer rollerski racing, it is rare now to see them at
rollerski competitions - while the cross-country skiers, at all states
of development, have vigorously embraced rollerski racing and summer
training.

Most regiments seem to view the sport now more as a military exercise,
than a serious and competitive sport. Despite this, the British
Biathlon Union has been at pains to keep the sport within the army.

But times are changing, and the BBU is embarking on a project of
'talent identification'. For athletes aged between 17-25, there will
be an assessment from 23-27 April at Catterick Garrison. Athletes
must be able to run 400m in 60 seconds; run 3000m in under 10 minutes;
do a biathlon strength test and undergo an interview process.

What they will do with athletes once their talent has been identified
remains to be seen, but there appears to be a resolution 'to actively
search for athletic talent for biathlon development', which is a great
step forward. You can contact the BBU via their website,
http://www.britishbiathlon.com


SNOW IN LONDON

There has been great snow across the UK, even in London. Here's a
picture of Ivan Gorbenko, skiing in Orpington -
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/gallery22.html


2ND HAND BOOTS FOR SALE

I've been asked to pass on the following ad -
Salomon Active 8 CS - classic boots, compatable with SNS Profil
bindings, Size: Mens UK11 / EUR46 / USA11.5, Condition: Almost new (I
used them 5 times but they are slightly too small), RRP £79 but any
offer considered. Contact: Simon snorseman@... 0782 555 7338


VASALOPPET PLACE

From Raoul Surcouf, raoulsurcouf@... - 'I have a place for the
Swedish Vasaloppet 90km race in March that I would like to sell to
someone who really wants a go at this great race'.


GOOD LUCK!

Best of luck to all heading for the snow - have a good holiday / race
/ trip - and hopefully see you on rollerskis soon,


All the best,
Iain



--
Iain Ballentine
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Roller ski instruction & rollerski shop
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W: http://www.rollerski.co.uk

E: iain@...
M: 07968 286129
T: 020 8348 2540

Rollerski Club - action pictures -
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/gallery21.html

Join us on snow - Seefeld 2009 -
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/cross.html

Rollerski courses coming up -
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/events.html


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The Rollerski Co & Rollerski Instruction 2009
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