..not only the most fit strength-endurance athletes on this plane(t), they are also among the most beautiful…
After 10 days and 8 Stages, the 2007/08 Viessmann FIS Tour de Ski performance by Craft Sportswear is over. On the ladies’ side, Charlotte Kalla (SWE) stormed to win the 2nd edition of the Tour in spectacular fashion on the last Stage. In the men’s event, Lukas Bauer (CZE) was never in doubt on his way to cross the line first on Alpe Cermis, Val di Fiemme (ITA).
Thankfully, my beloved Team Norway, easily won the Tour Team Standing by beating Team Russia by 4.21 minutes in the course of the eight Stages. Each day, the best two ladies and men on each team scored for the Team Standing.
My childhood absolute nordic idol, the one and only; Vegard Ulvang, who is now Chairman of the FIS Cross-Country Committee commented: “One of the main goals for the Tour de Ski was to increase interest in Cross-Country Skiing. And that we have achieved! In terms of the number of TV viewers and number of media on site, the Tour is a different story. This was the 2nd Tour and we can already say that it has found its place on the calendar. This time around, we were again able to create a good story that developed Stage after Stage.”
Ironically, i leave today for my h(om)eland of Durango, Colorado to be one of only 20 athletes in this nation’s debut of our own “Tour de Ski, 2008”. This event (one day, not 10 days!) offers a 20 kilometer or 40 kilometer skate race over 2,300 vertical feet of climbing for the 40k! i know well the terrain which starts at the top of Lift #4 at Durango Mountain Resort (above photo) and it’s gonna be B-R-U-T-A-L yet oh so B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L! Anticipated winning time for the 40k will be 3 hours. personally? i’m gunning to finish this motha. this event, put on by one of the nicest, fasted pro mountain bikers ever; Travis Brown promises to be a doozy. i am considering this training for the Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon in February, and i want to do my best to bring visibility to this premier event so we can keep in on the Race Schedule in the years ahead!
i go off at 10:00 am on Saturday.
please do a few rounds of the Tribal Mantra for your ol’ coach who still does the do…or, at least gives it my best shot!
May your Practice sing with the strength of the San Juans and may your Dharma Wisdom be as pure as the San Juan snows…
head bowed,
the mountain yogi
These teachings are the "Rasas" or "sap" of Wholistic Fitness. You’ll find insights to ponder, student chi to keep your own chi topped off, and plenty of proven training techniques to test on your own body, mind, and spirit! Also, you’ll find my very popular Race Reports, and news of our Sangha’s (community’s) latest transpersonal fitness adventures!