​Mpls Alpine Ski Team
Update 11: Week Five (Monday, December 10, 2018)
 
Hello MAST Families and Coaches:
We had another excellent week of training.  We are now skiing gates.  If you are a new skier, you have seen a lot of panel gates and stubby gates to keep you focused on utilizing your newfound skills in the controlled environment of a race course.  Varsity athletes are now skiing mostly tall gates.  I encourage all our athletes to continue to work on your technical skills outside of the race course. That is how and where you make technical improvements.  Just ask Mikaela Shiffrin, who captured her third World Cup win in a row over the weekend.  Check out her panel slalom technique and victory here.  And just let it keep playing to see her win in the Super G at St. Moritz.
 
I want to thank all the athletes and coaches who have been working hard these first four weeks at training.  Keep it up.  A special thank you to the coaches who have given up their Saturday nights so that we can offer additional training at Wild Mt these past two Saturday afternoons and evenings.  The coaches worked really hard to set up the training venue and give our athletes the best training experience possible.  Thank you all.  Without you, we could not do what we do.
 
I want to remind ALL Athletes to STAY on the hill until the coaches have told you that we are done slipping in our lanes after training.  After we are done skiing gates, we need to pull the courses and slip in our ruts.  If you skied in a course, then you have a responsibility to stay on the hill until the ruts are fully filled in.  The coaches will let you know when we are finished. Please do not leave the hill before this is done. 
 
I.  Split Practices Begin
This week marks the first week that we will hold SPLIT practices.  This means that we have practice from 5-7:30PM and 6:30-8:45PM on both Tuesday and Wednesday.  The 6:30 time slot is designated “Junior Varsity” and the 5PM practice is designated “Varsity”.  One reason we make this designation is to control the number of athletes at each practice.  We need to do this because we only have ONE lane to use for gate training at the 5PM time slot.  We do have TWO lanes at the 7PM time slot. Remember, the 6:30 practices start on South Chair with directed free skiing.  This time slot also gives the JV racers more time working on the fundamental technical skills they need to race at a high level when they reach the varsity level. 
 
Who is JV and who is Varsity.  
These are rather fluid designations.  Many of you who were junior varsity last year are going to be varsity this year, if not now then by the end of the season. 
For now, consider these criteria for determining whether you should attend the Varsity practice or the Junior Varsity:
Varsity Athletes:

1. you are a junior or senior in high school and/or
2. you earned a letter last season and/or
3. you were starting first through tenth in the run orders for your high school last season and/or
4. you consistently finished in the top ten in Hyland JV races last season.

Junior Varsity Athletes:

1.  you are new to MAST this season (unless I tell you personally to ski with the Varsity) or
2. you are a returning MAST skier who finished consistently outside the top ten last season in Hyland JV races.

If for some reason you can’t make the JV practice time slot, please attend the Varsity practice.  I want you to practice, so don’t miss a practice because you can’t attend the practice designated for your skill level.  And Varsity racers are always welcome at JV practices.  It is good for the JV skiers to ski with the Varsity skiers as much as possible.
 
II.  Racing Begins This Week  
Our first race is on Friday, December 14th.  We are calling this one The Minneapolis Public School Alpine Championships.  Sort of a City Conference Championship.  Here is the schedule:
4:45PM-5:15PM         Bib Pick Up/ Warm Ups
5:15PM-5:45PM         Course Inspection
5:50PM                       Forerunners
6:00PM                       First Run Start
6:30PM                       Quick Inspection/Slip Courses
6:40PM                       Second Run Start
7:15PM                       Hill Clean UP
7:30PM                       Awards
 
The second race scheduled for December 21 is the Wild Mt Invitational.  We only have 24 start positions for MAST athletes in the Wild Invite.  Six boys and six girls from SW and six boys and six girls from Washburn. If you are from South or Roosevelt and would like to race in the Wild Mt Invitational, please send me an email directly and let me know you would like to race AND that you can commit to racing.  These means you already know that you can miss a full day of school on the 21st.    If you are sure you can race, I will do my best to get a start position for you in the race, but I can’t guarantee it.   Email me.
 
Who Races?
December 14th Hyland Race: ALL MAST athletes are INVITED to race.
December 21st Wild Mt Invitational: Six fastest boys and six fastest girls from SW; six fastest boys and six fastest girls from Washburn.
 
Stating Your Race Intentions
As in years past, ALL MAST Athletes need to STATE YOUR RACE INTENTIONS for EVERY RACE to which you are invited.  For each race, you will have the option of clicking on one of two statements:

• “Yes, I ACCEPT the invitation to race” or
• “No, I DECLINE the invitation to race.”   

 All MAST Athletes should state your race intentions for the Dec. 14th race at Hyland.
All Varsity MAST Athletes should state your race intentions for the Dec 21st Wild Mt Invite.  Because we can only take six boys and six girls from SW and Washburn, final selections will be determined later this week by the coaches. We are going to time each night in practice this week and coaches will analyze these times to determine the top six boys and girls for each team, plus a couple of alternates.   If you want to be considered for selection to the Wild Mt Invitational, be sure to State Your Race Intentions to the December 21st Wild Invite. 
 
Here is a link to Stating Your Race Day Intentions on our website.
 
III.   Giants Ridge Camp
Attached is a list of athletes who are currently registered for the Giants Ridge Camp.  If you are still thinking about attending, please register by next Sunday, December 16.    We currently have 15 girls and 27 boys registered for camp.  This means that there are about 9 spaces remaining for boys and 21 for girls due the way the lodging is set up.  
For More Information: 2019 Giants Ridge Camp
To Register: 2019 Giants Ridge Camp
 
Reminders:

• Sign up for the Giants Ridge Camp if you are intending to attend.
• Send payment for the Giants Ridge Camp Fee to Mpls Alpine, 4800 Harriet Ave. S., Mpls, MN 55419.
• Check our website for the latest news.
• Tune your skis (sharpen your edges and wax your bases) several times a week.  Sunday is a great day to do a full tune (sharpen and wax).
• Be ready to ski at the posted start time.
• If you are attending the 6:30PM practice time, be ready to ski on the South Chair at 6:30.
• Stay on the hill to help with hill clean up until we are finished. 
• Stay on top of your school work.
• Eat healthy meals and drink tons of water. 

 See you on the hill.  
 Mark

We are in week four of our season and last night was what we call in the coaching business “a breakthrough night” for many of our skiers.   This refers to those practices when a skill that you have been working hard to acquire suddenly “breaks through”.   To get technical, the continuous movements you make doing our coach directed drills are finally becoming natural movements.  Coaches can see the change and development, which is what happened last night for so many of you. Bigger edge angles. More balanced position over your skis. Stronger outside ski pressure.  Tighter radius turns. More carving action.   If you didn’t feel it last night, just keep at it. Break throughs will come.  It just takes focused, intentional work on the slopes day in and day out.  
 
We are practicing hard this week.  
Tonight, Wednesday and Thursday:  6:30-8:45PM. Meet on South Chair for directed free skiing.
Friday: 5:00-7:30PM.  Meet on North Chair for Warm Ups.
Saturday: 7:45-10:30AM. Meet on North Chair for Warm Ups.

----AND---
​
Supplemental Training at WILD MOUNTAIN (YES, THIS IS A VENUE CHANGE)
We are returning to Wild Mt on Saturday, December 8. (Yes, we were scheduled to go to Welch but that training fell through, so we are moving our Dec 8 training to Wild.)  Our Dec 1st training was outstanding. Forty-six athletes.  Lots of coaches.  Excellent directed free skiing session. Two courses set side by side. A blizzard with howling winds.  Happy skiers.  Pumped up coaches.   Beautiful hill clean-up at the end.  Video taken and posted to Sprongo. 

I hope you will join us.  

2:45PM Load Bus at Washburn.  10:30PM Return.  Bring a sack lunch or some money to purchase a supper in the chalet.
 
We are canceling our December 15th session, this will likely be our last Supplemental Training for December. Look for more supplemental training opportunities in January.
Sign up here: December 8 Wild Mt Supplemental Training Registration
When you check out, you will have two options for submitting payment.  I would ask you to please PAY WITH A CREDIT CARD if possible.   If you need to pay with a check, please send it to: Mpls Alpine, 4800 Harriet Ave. S., Mpls, 55419.  Make checks payable to Mpls Alpine.
 
City Kids Java Individual Fundraiser
Congratulations to the 26 athletes who raised a total of $2643 selling City Kids Java.  Your SIP accounts have been credited and you can now use the money you raised to pay for camp, supplemental training, or any other MAST expense that comes up this season or beyond.  A BIG THANK YOU to Kirsten Arbeiter and Melissa Harritt for chairing this fundraiser. 
 
Giants Ridge Camp
33 athletes are registered as of today for the Giants Ridge Camp.  Daylight training.  Team bonding.  Brisk temperatures.   60 gate course sets. Varied and fun terrain.  OUTSTANDING coaching.   Awesome views.  Even more awesome free skiing terrain.  Talent show.  Coach bus transportation.  Don’t miss this memorable experience.  You will make new friends.  Improve your skiing skills.  Create some terrific memories.  Move your ski racing skills to the next level.   And you get to ski in DAYLIGHT, what little there is of it that far North. 

For More Information: 2019 Giants Ridge Camp

To Register For Camp: 2019 Giants Ridge Camp
Be sure to PAY BY CHECK.  Checks should be made payable to Mpls Alpine and mailed to Mpls Alpine, 4800 Harriet Ave S, 55419.

Reminders:
·      Check our website for the latest news.
·      Tune your skis now that we are skiing gates.  The hard snow will dull your edges and dry your bases.  You MUST HAVE sharp edges to ski race.  A little work on the edges every day will keep them sharp.  And the more times you can wax your skis in a week, the faster your skis will run on the snow.·      Be ready to ski at the posted start time.
·      Stay on the hill to help with hill clean up until we are finished.  
·      Stay on top of your school work.
·      Eat healthy meals and drink tons of water.  I spied some of you drinking colored water the other night…. No, no, no!!!  You know who you are.  WATER!! Develop healthy hydration and nutritional habits now in your life.  
 
See you on the hill.  Who will experience a breakthrough performance tonight?
 
Mark
612-275-8392

​Mpls Alpine Ski Team - Update 9: Week Three-Monday, November 26, 2018
 
Good Day MAST Athletes, Families and Coaches:
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We are in week three of our season and once again we are busy...City Kids Java Fundraiser concludes...Hyland Training continues...Supplemental Training begins...Giants Ridge Camp Registration opens...We will continue to work on developing our fundamental skill sets using various free skiing drills.  Please continue to focus hard on learning the proper execution of these drills. We will start to get into gates tonight, but our course sets will allow you to test out the skills you have been learning, like rolling up your edges using your lower legs and keeping your upper body disciplined and quiet.  Don’t expect to see a true slalom course this week with corridors, delays, hairpins and flushes and all that jazz.
 
I.  City Kids Java Individual Fundraiser
City Kids Java(CKJ) orders are due today.  Please bring your order forms and the money you have collected to practice today.  If you can’t make it to practice tonight, please email your order form to Kirsten Arbeiter or drop it off at her home today: 4841 Aldrich Ave. S.  Kirsten needs the form to place the order first thing tomorrow morning.  You can make arrangements via email to get the money to her at another time this week.  Orders will be ready for pick up and distribution after practice on Saturday, Dec 1 at Fuller Park at 48th and Grand.
 
II.  Week Three Training Schedule
The training schedule for the week is posted on our homepage.  For Monday through Thursday practices this week, we will meet on South Chair for directed free skiing at 6:30pm.   We will move over to our training lanes on either the North Chair or the rope tow at 7:15 or shortly thereafter.  Be sure to wear ROPE TOW GLOVES so you can use the rope tow if we are on the lanes closest to the rope.  And you can bring your shin guards if you have them as well as your pole guards.
 
III.  Supplemental Training at Wild Mt on Saturday, December 1
We will be holding our first Supplemental Training Session at Wild Mt this Saturday. Note that the venue has changed.  Welch is not yet ready to open their hills for gate training, so we switched to Wild.  Meet the bus at 2:45pm at Washburn HS. We will return at 10:30.   We will continue to test our fundamental skills with some directed free skiing and set some early season drill courses on South Wild, the same run we ski for the Section IV Championships. The cost is $50 for bus transportation, lift ticket, lane space and coaching.  You will take a short break to eat supper.  We encourage you to bring a sack supper so you can eat quickly and get back out onto the hill.  If you prefer to eat ski area food, bring money.   Please register online here.  When you check out, you will have two options for submitting payment.  I would ask you to please PAY WITH A CREDIT CARD if possible.   If you need to pay with a check, please send it to: Mpls Alpine, 4800 Harriet Ave. S., Mpls, 55419.  Make checks payable to Mpls Alpine.
 
IV.  Giants Ridge Camp
The THIRTEENTH ANNUAL Giants Ridge Camp will be held from December 31, 2018 to January 3, 2019.    Registration opens tomorrow, November 27. 
 
Who Can Attend? 
The camp is open to all MAST athletes on a first come, first serve basis.  We can take roughly 35 boys and 35 girls.  Seventh and eighth graders are encouraged to attend just as much as the everyone else on the team. 
 
What Happens?  
In addition to training on longer pitches and in 60 gate course sets for three days, you will enjoy a race on Thursday (day four) against the Northern high school teams in the Hibbing Invitational.   Because camp falls on New Year’s, we will celebrate the arrival of 2019 back at Camp Chicagami.  We will also hold our annual MAST Talent Show… so start thinking about what talent you might be able to share.   In the past we have enjoyed dramatic readings, skits, stand-up comedy, magic, piano, fiddling, guitar, singing, and dance.   Of course, you don’t have to participate, but please don’t be shy about doing so.  
 
How Much? 
The cost is $460 and includes bus transportation, camp lodging, meals, lift tickets, and race fees.  You will need to bring money to purchase a meal in Cloquet on the drive home on Thursday.    

What About Parents and Siblings? - Parents, please consider joining us.   You will need to arrange your own lodging, but you can pre-order daily lift tickets through MAST for $33 per day.   We would love to have your help with the race on Thursday should you happen to be around that day. We will need gate judges, scoreboard recorders, and maybe a starter and assistant starter.   Come and enjoy the beautiful scenery and slopes at Giants Ridge on the historic Iron Range of Northern Minnesota.  
. 
How To Register?
Here is a link to more information about camp and registration.   
 
A note on submitting payment:  Please PAY BY CHECK if possible.  We get charged for credit card payment and if everyone pays by credit card we will incur nearly $1000 in credit card charges.   As I have said before, we are very careful with your money. Consequently, we have set the price for the camp as low as possible.  Any savings we can enjoy means we can keep those prices low for everyone.   If you can pay the $460 by check, please do so.  Checks can be made payable to MPLS Alpine and mailed to 4800 Harriet Ave S, Mpls 55419.   Please do NOT hand me checks at practice.   If you have earned and stored account credits through your Sports Illustrated Play account, you will be asked if you would like to apply those credits at check out.   Registration is secure once payment is received in full.  If you are waiting on credits you earned through the Hoigaards Tent Sale, please know we are still waiting on payment from Hoigaards/Vail.   Since it is taking so long, MAST will post the credit you earned to your account by the end of the day tomorrow so you can use it to pay for camp or supplemental training.  Hopefully, we will receive payment for the tent sale hours soon.   And as soon as we have your CKJ sales numbers, we will enter those credits as well.

V.  Will There Be Training At Hyland While Camp Is In Session?
That is the plan.  We will confirm the exact times and days as we get closer to camp.  Most likely, training will be some combination of morning and evening training, depending on coach availability.
 
VI.  Sprongo
I ran into some technical difficulties trying to upload video to Sprongo last week.  I hope to
Have these solved by the end of the day Tuesday as well.   Sorry for the delay.
 
VII.  Save the Date: Sunday, January 13, 2019
Steve and Gail Arnold are opening up the Great Harvest Bakery for a MAST Team Fundraiser on Sunday, January 13th.  I am so grateful to them for this generous offer to help us raise money to keep our team financially accessible to more Minneapolis students.  Families will be asked to PRE-sell bakery products prior to the 13th and then to come into the bakery in shifts to bake, sell, serve, and clean on January 13th.  Parents are an integral part of this fundraiser as well.   Please set aside January 13th to help with this very important fundraiser.   In 2017, we netted almost $8000 for the team.   Just so you know, Gail and Steve donate all bakery ingredients and payroll for the staff that they bring on to assist us.   This is an unbelievable gift on their part, so please be sure to not only thank them, but to help with this fundraiser and frequent their wonderful bakery.
 
See you on the hill.
Mark
612-275-8392

Mpls Alpine Ski Team
Update 8: Week Two--Monday, November 19, 2018
 
What a wonderful first week.  Season pass pick up went very smoothly. Chipotle was packed and delicious.   Two good days of dryland.   Two excellent on-snow practices.   Due to the early start on the slopes, this was the best first week of the season we have ever had.  I want to encourage everyone to take advantage of this unique situation of early season skiing.  We will have seven days of skiing under our feet by the end of this second week of the season.  If you are in town, please come out to practice.   Working on the fundamentals of the sport is the key to ski racing success.  The more fundamentals you build now, the bigger your improvements in the latter half of the season.  By the way, the other coaches and I were very impressed with everyone's work ethic and focus on Friday and Saturday.  Great job.  That is how you improve quickly.  
 
One racer who understands and preaches the importance of drills is Mikeala Shiffrin.  Below is a link to a series of drills that she narrates and that you will be learning over the season.  I would like you to take some time to watch these drills several times over the next week.   Put these images into your head so that when we teach you these drills, you will already have an idea of how to do them.  They are really fun.  Click HERE for Mikeala’s Drills.
 
Mikaela Shiffrin won the season opening World Cup Slalom in Levi, Finland, by a large margin.  Study her winning run.  We are working on the fundamental skills of STANCE AND BALANCE, EARLY LOWER LEG ENGAGEMENT, AND OUTSIDE SKI PRESSURE in our own MAST practices this week.  Use the pause button on the screen to stop the video and check out these technical points in her skiing:

• Shins pressing forward into the front of her boots to create ankle flex.
• Flex at the knee.
• Hands up, forward and outside her shoulders.  
• The angle of her upper torso matches the angle of her shins.
• High edge angles on her skis created by driving her ankles, lower legs, and knees into the center of the turn.
• Strong outside ski pressure by her outside leg (like pushing on a bike pedal) when the ski is in the fall line.
• Upper body and lower body work separately.  The upper body stays quiet and the upper torso faces down the fall line or at least downhill of the outside ski. 

Here is a link to her second run: 
https://www.nbcsports.com/video/mikaela-shiffrin-takes-home-33rd-career-slalom-victory
 
We are practicing this week: 
Monday and Tuesday: 6:30-8:45PM.
Wednesday: 5-7PM
Friday: 5-7:30PM.  
Saturday: 8:45-11:30AM
 
Practice times are always posted on the home page of the website: www.mplsalpineski.org. 
Meet in front of the Center Chair at the posted start time.   
 
Individual Fundraiser Reminder
Just 1 week remains to raise money for your ski season.  City Kid Java coffee is locally roasted in small batches in NE Minneapolis and is good coffee (coming from a coffee drinker).
The coffee, cocoa and chocolate covered espresso beans make perfect gifts for the holiday season!  Product information and order forms are available on the website.  Order forms and money will be collected at practice Monday, November 26th, and orders will be available for pick-up and delivery Saturday, December 1st, at Fuller Park Rec Center.  Questions?  Contact Kirsten Arbeiter at 612.839.6363 or karbeiter@msn.com.
 
See you tonight at 6:30.   
Mark Conway
612-275-8392

Mpls Alpine Ski Team
Update #7: Week One--Sunday, November 11, 2018
 
Here we go!   Cold temps have arrived.  Snow is being made.   Life is good.  We have a busy week ahead already, and an action-packed fourteen-week season scheduled. Know that the website is updated continuously so please check our website first if you have any questions.  If you can’t find the answer to your question there, send me an email or give me a call.  Hopefully we will be adding the full on-snow schedule in the next day or two. We are waiting to hear back from Hyland about our lane and practice assignments.   For now, our race schedule is posted.   I will be sending additional messages this week with important information and instructions about various topics:

• Sprongo--our video sharing service
• Stating your RACE intentions
• Signing up for Supplemental Training
• Giants Ridge Camp

Please read these emails carefully and take whatever action is requested.  For now, here are the important things to know to get through the next few days.
 
Concussion Baseline Testing –Make Up Test Tomorrow at Southwest
Thank you to all of you who took the concussion baseline test last week.  The Athletic Trainer at Southwest is offering one additional testing date for those of you unable to attend last week’s sessions.  If you need to take the baseline test or update a previous test, please attend one of these two sessions tomorrow.
When: Monday, November 12.  
            Session I— Arrive no later than 3:15PM.  
            Session II— Arrive no later than 4:15PM.  
Where: Southwest High School 
(Enter Through The Link off 47th Street between Beard and Chowen).  
Room: E106 
 
Season Pass Pick UP at Hyland --Bring a Signed Hyland Hills Waiver
Monday, November 12, 7PM-7:30PM
Pick up your season pass tomorrow.  Arrive NO LATER than 7:30PM.   
If you can’t make it tomorrow, you can pick up your pass during Hyland’s posted business hours.  Tell the clerk that you are from the Minneapolis Alpine Ski Team and that you are there to pick up your season pass.  If you purchased your pass through MAST, your name will be in the system under the MAST account.
 
Attached is a WAIVER from Hyland that your parents need to sign if you are under 18 years old.  BRING THIS WAIVER WITH YOU TO PICK UP YOUR PASS IF YOU ARE COMING WITHOUT A PARENT.  MAKE SURE A PARENT HAS SIGNED IT. 
 
Chipotle Fundraiser
Monday, November 12, 5-9PM
No cooking allowed tomorrow….   Chipotle is on the menu.   Attached is a MAST Chipotle Flyer that you can either print and turn in with your order or store on your phone and show at check out.   MAST earns 33% from all sales associated with MAST between 5 and 9pm.  Please encourage all your friends and family and enemies to eat out.  We are dining at the Edina location on York Ave South (across the street from Southdale and across the parking lot from Cub Foods).   Eat before or after you pick up your season pass…. It is virtually on the way.
 
City Kids Java Fundraiser
Just 2 weeks left to raise money for your ski season.  City Kid Java coffee is locally roasted in small batches in NE Minneapolis and is good coffee (coming from a coffee drinker).
The coffee, cocoa and chocolate-covered espresso beans make perfect gifts for the holiday season!  Order forms will be available on Monday night at Season Pass Pick Up Night at Hyland Hills or feel free to print from the link on the MAST website.
Order forms and money will be collected at practice Monday, November 26th and orders will be available for pick-up and delivery Saturday, December 1st at Fuller Park Rec Center.
Questions?  Contact Kirsten Arbeiter at 612.839.6363 or karbeiter@msn.com.
 
Dryland Training This Week--Tuesday Through Friday, 4:30-6PM at the Washburn Stadium
Although Hyland is making snow, it does not appear that they will be opening over the next five days.  We will certainly learn more tomorrow when we are picking up passes at Hyland.  Dryland training begins Tuesday and will continue through Friday unless Hyland opens sometime this week. DRYLAND TRAINING is what we do when we can't ski: we engage in strength and conditioning drills to improve your strength, agility, speed, and endurance.  Be prepared to work both indoors and outdoors.   Wear athletic shoes and clothing.  Make sure you dress in layers of warm clothing and wear a hat and gloves.   BRING A WATER BOTTLE.  There is no water available at the stadium.  
 
BE SURE YOU ATTEND ALL DRYLAND TRAINING SESSIONS.  UNLESS YOU ARE IN COLORADO SKIING, DRYLAND TRAINING IS NOT OPTIONAL.  IN ADDITION TO ENGAGING IN CONDITIONING WORKOUTS, WE WILL BE HOLDING IMPORTANT TEAMS MEETINGS EACH DAY.  
 
Are You Cleared To Practice?
I will send out a roster tomorrow with a list of everyone who has been cleared to participate by their Athletic Director. Check to see that your name is on this list.  If it isn’t, check with your Athletic Director to see what you are missing.  It might be as simple as a signature or you may be missing a form. NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO PRACTICE IF THEY ARE NOT CLEARED TO PARTICIPATE.
 
Give To The MAX
The Minneapolis Alpine Ski Team is a 501c3 non-profit and participates in Give to the Max.  Please consider making a contribution if you have the means.   You will be receiving a separate email with more information in the next day or two.   Thank you for your support.
 
See you all tomorrow at Hyland.  
 
Mark Conway
612-275-8392

Minneapolis Alpine Ski Team
Update #6.1: October 31, 2018
 
Dear MAST Athletes, Parents and Coaches:
I just added two dates to our calendar next week.  These dates are very important for the health and well-being of our athletes.   
 
Tuesday, November 6 and Thursday, November 8: Concussion Baseline Testing
Background: As you have heard me say, ski racing is a contact sport.  Skiers fall and there is always the risk that when this happens an athlete can suffer a concussion.    The big risk to long term health is not a single concussive event but multiple ones.  Scientists and physicians have learned a great deal in the last fifteen years about concussions.  Perhaps the two most important things they have learned are

1. We need to take them very seriously
2. Once concussed, it is very difficult to know when the brain has healed enough to resume activity without running the risk of doing long term damage to the brain should a second concussive event occur.  

One imperfect tool a physician has to determine when an athlete can return to play is a Concussion Baseline Test.  The test is done on a computer and is designed to measure a person’s cognitive functions when the brain is known to be healthy.   It takes about an hour to administer from start to finish.  Should an athlete suffer a concussion, a physician MAY ask the athlete to re-take the baseline test in order to measure whether ALL cognitive functions have returned to baseline.  The test is re-taken when ALL the symptoms of a concussion have resolved. It is one tool that a physician might use to determine whether an athlete’s brain is healed. Even then, athletes follow a five-day return-to-play protocol before they are allowed to fully participate in the sport.
 
Our high school athletic trainers are offering baseline concussion testing to MAST athletes. 
Here are the details.

​Who Should Take Test Baseline Test?
Attached is a roster of our team.  If you have taken the test before, the date that you took the test is listed.   Note that my records may be imperfect, so if you think you took the test last year and it isn’t listed, check with your high school’s athletic training to confirm. 

• If you are new to MAST this year and did not take the test this Fall, YOU need to take the test.  
• If you are a returning MAST Athletes who took the test in 2016 or prior (two or more years ago), YOU need to re-take the test on Nov 6 or 8.
• If you took the test last year, you will need to re-take the test in the Fall of 2019. 

 
Where: Southwest High School.  Room: E106 (Enter Through The Link).
When: Tuesday, November 6. 
            Session I— Arrive no later than 3:15PM.  
            Session II— Arrive no later than 4:15PM. 
 
Where: Washburn High School.  Room: Cafeteria (Enter Door 5).
When: Thursday, November 8.
            Session I—Arrive no later than 3:15PM.
            Session II—Arrive no later than 4:15PM.
 
Please arrive ON TIME.   The validity of the test is compromised when there are disruptions to accommodate late arrivals.
 
You do not need to be a student at Washburn or SW to take the test at either location.  Roosevelt and South athletes are WELCOME to take the test at either Southwest or Washburn.  You can also check with the Athletic Trainers at your schools to see when the test is offered there.   Middle school students should plan to take the test at 4:30 unless your school is an early release school like Barton.
 
Everyone needs to have a baseline test on record.  The test results are stored with TRIA and your school’s athletic trainer will be able to help your physician access those test results should you need to do so in the future. Let’s hope you don’t.
 
Please select a date and put it on your calendar.  
More to come…
Mark
612-275-8392

Mpls Alpine Ski Team
Update #6: Friday, October 26, 2018
Subject: Captains’ Practices, CityKidsJava Fundraiser, MPS Alpine Registration, Chipotle Fundraiser and Season Pass Pick Up Night, Dryland, Team Roster, Team Gilboa Equipment Swap
 
Dear MAST Athletes and Families:
Captains’ Practices Begin NEXT Week:  Captains practice will be at Lynnhurst Park (across from Burroughs) 4:30-5:30pm on Monday (10/29) and Wednesday (10/31) next week and Monday (11/5), Wednesday (11/7) and Friday (11/9) the following week. Make sure you bring a water bottle and appropriate and warm clothes (not jeans or nice shoes) as its often muddy/cold and we will be running around. Captains is a really great way to ease into dryland and to meet new people and to get excited about skiing and it’s just really fun. We are SO excited, see you there!
- Anna, Ahnika, Rachel, Augie, Luke, Ryan 
 
MPS Athletic Forms and Registration:  We are only a few weeks away from the start of the season.  Please be sure to get your MPS/MSHSL FORMS into your high school athletic director.  All the forms you need are attached.   You want to get those forms in NOW so that your athletic director has time to review them and clear you to participate.  Keep in mind that the ADs have to review and clear hundreds of athletes from all the winter sports.  An easy way to turn in your forms is to bring them to the Winter Sport Registration Night at your high school on Monday, Oct 30 between 5 and 7PM.  Otherwise, you can drop them off with your Athletic Director at you high school.  We have had a handful of incidents in which Athletic Directors have mixed up Alpine and Nordic, so  I suggest putting them in a manila envelope and marking the envelope with the word ALPINE REGISTRATION in large letters.  DO NOT write SKIING on the forms… most athletic directors interpret ‘skiing’ as Nordic. Remember, if you played a high school fall sport, you only need to submit a new Emergency Card.     Click HERE for the MPS/MSHSL Athletic Forms Packet is attached or you can pick up forms directly from your AD.     
 
City Kids Java INDIVIDUAL Fundraiser:  The time to raise money for YOUR skiing expenses is NOW.  If you would like to raise money for supplemental training, Giants Ridge Camp, or any other MAST expense, you will want to participate in this excellent fundraiser. CLICK HERE for more details.
 
Monday, November 12:  Season Pass Pick Up Night (7PM) & Chipotle Fundraiser (5-9PM):  The official start to the high school Alpine ski racing season is Monday, November 12.  We are combining two events in one night.  We are raising money for MAST by eating out at the Edina Chipotle location between 5 and 9PM.  Chipotle returns a percentage of our sales that night to MAST.  This has been an important fundraiser for MAST in previous years.  I hope you will participate and spread the word to family, neighbors, friends and enemies.   We are also picking up our Hyland Passes from 7-7:30PM.   This means that you can either eat before you pick up your pass or afterwards.     The pass pick-up goes very fast.  We are usually in and out in 45 minutes.  All I ask is that you arrive at Hyland no later than 7:30 to pick up your pass.  
 
Dryland Begins: Tuesday, November 13 at Washburn High School from 4:30-6PM:  Until Hyland opens for skiing, we will hold dryland training at Washburn High School from 4:30-6PM when school is in session.   Unless it is raining or sleeting hard, we will be OUTDOORS in the Washburn Stadium or in the neighborhood.  This means that you need to dress for OUTDOOR exercise.    Yes, you will get hot and need to shed clothes, but make sure you have multiple layers of outwear plus a hat and gloves/mittens.  Sweatpants, not jeans.  And make sure you have good quality athletic footwear.  Skateboard shoes won’t cut it.   You will be running and cutting and jumping.  
 
Team Roster Attached:  The 2018-19 Team Roster is attached.  Registration is still open, so a few more athletes may be added in the next two weeks.  But this should give you enough information to start connecting with other families in your area to form carpools to and from practices.  I only ask that you keep this roster private. I consider the data contained to be sacred and personal.  I don’t want this information to find its way into the public domain in any way.  It is for internal use as a club only.  Thank you.
 
Equipment:  We had a great turn out at both the Pierce MAST Equipment Night and the MAST Equipment Swap back in September.  I know some of you might still be in need of skis or boots or ski suits.   The Hyland Swap begins today at 5PM and runs through Sunday morning.   I encourage you to attend today if you need skis or boots.   Know that there is a separate section set aside for race boots and race skis.  Ask somewhere where these sections are in the chalet.  The slalom skis sell quickly.  
 
One of our volunteer coaches, Thorn Turner, will be at Hyland for a short while starting at 5.  He may only stay an hour or so.  He has offered to help any MAST athletes find appropriate equipment if they can be there close to when the sale opens today.  Here is Thorn’s phone number (612-743-4929) in case you want to take him up on his offer this afternoon.  I also know that he has two GS suits he is willing to sell to a MAST athlete.   They would fit a younger athlete I believe. 
 
Finally, if you do find equipment that you think might work, feel free to reach out by phone to me.   I suggest sending pictures via text but also calling me to alert me to the text message.  I will do my best to respond as quickly as possible this weekend.

Hyland Season Passes
If you have not purchased a Season Pass yet and wish to do so through MAST, please drop off a check made payable to Mpls Alpine in the amount of $424.  My address is 4800 Harriet Ave S.   Please put it in an envelop and slip it in my mailbox no later than Saturday noon tomorrow.  

Have a great weekend.
Mark Conway
612-275-8392

Mpls Alpine Ski Team
Update #5: October 11, 2018
Subject: Parent Social and Workshops, CityKidsJava Fundraiser, MPS Alpine Registration, Apparel Sale Deadline, Team Roster
 
Dear MAST Athletes and Families:
THANK YOU to everyone who worked a shift or two at the Pierce Oktoberfest Team Fundraiser.  Bart told me last night that our parents and athletes did a fantastic job.     And thank you to Jodi Mkaouri for leading this fundraiser.
 
I.  Up Next:  MAST Parent Social and Workshops:  Sunday, October 14, 3-7PM
I am looking forward to Sunday’s Parent Social at Doug and Lisa Tanner’s home on Cedar Lake.  I hope all of our MAST parents can attend.  This is a great way to meet other families, learn about some of the finer points of ski racing, share a meal, and join in on a friendly “dryland” ski race.  Here is the address: 18 Park Lane on Cedar Lake in Minneapolis (some activities will be outside, dress appropriately). Please note that parking is limited to one side of the street in the neighborhood.  .  
 
For planning purposes, it would be very helpful if you can sign up ahead of time for this event. 
1)  RSVP: HERE 
2)  Let us know if you’d like to bring something HERE
3)  Sign up for a Workshop HERE 
For more information on the workshops, click HERE.  

A quick word about the workshops:  the workshops are not just for new parents.  They are also for returning parents, especially the gate judging/race worker workshop.   Unlike other sports, ski racing relies on many volunteers to run a race.   Most of the jobs are simple and require no training. Other roles require training in advance, especially that of a gate judge.  The gate judge is an important race official, insuring that racers make a proper passage around each gate and giving instructions if a fault is committed.   We will train our parents to serve as gate judges on Sunday.  One thing that makes MAST special is that we better engage our parents to serve as race workers than other high schools do.  

• Why do we do this?  Because our athletes deserve to ski in well run races.   A poorly run ski race is like playing a soccer game without a center ref.   Frustrating and not very fair.   For several years now, MAST has been supplying more than its share of race officials at races.  This may not seem fair, but it is the only way we can make sure that we have high quality race events for our athletes.  In addition to learning how to gate judge, you can learn how to tune skis at both the introductory level and at the advanced level, learn about technique, and learn about the athlete race day experience.  I hope you can attend.

 
II.  City Kids Java (CKJ) Individual Fundraising
The big opportunity to raise money for YOURSELF is here.   We are selling coffee again.  Athletes earn a profit on every bag sold and that profit is credited to your SIP Account for you to use to pay for supplemental training, camp, apparel, team fees or any other MAST expense throughout the year or next year.
 Why Participate?

• Good Profit: Earn $4 ~ $6 for every bag the athlete sells. Help pay for supplemental training, Giants Ridge Camp, etc. The money from the sale benefits the INDIVIDUAL athlete, not the team.
• Good Coffee: CityKid Java coffee is responsibly sourced, sustainably grown and roasted daily in Northeast Minneapolis in small batches.  The roaster trades directly with coffee growers and brokers, ensuring integrity.
• Good Cause - Profit from the coffee company (CityKid Java) helps after-school mentoring and sports programs in the Central & Phillips neighborhoods.
• Good for Everyone – Who doesn’t drink coffee or hot cocoa? Makes a great gift for the holiday season.

 What We Are Selling?

• Coffee – Team cost is $6.50 per bag, sell for $12 (earn $5.50 per bag). Offer 3 varieties: CityKid Java Blend, French Roast & Highlander Grogg (descriptions on the sales brochure)
• Hot Cocoa – Team cost is $4.00 per bag, sell for $8.00 (earn $4 per bag)
• Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans – Team cost is $4.00 per bag, sell for $8.00 (earn $4 per bag)

 How It Works?

• Print the sales brochure and order form.  Forms will also be distributed at the Parent Social this weekend and available as a link on the MAST website.
• Collect orders and money from now until Monday, Nov 26th.  Prefer checks made payable to MAST, no credit cards.
• Turn in orders AND money at practice on Nov 26th (or email Kirsten )
• Orders will be ready for pick up at Fuller Rec Center on Saturday, Dec 1st (time TBD).  Athletes are responsible for delivering orders to your customers.

 
III.  Time to REGISTER for Alpine Skiing with Mpls Public Schools
As of today, we have 110 athletes registered with MAST for the 2018-19 season. Thank you for your registration and payment.  As the Fall sports season winds down, it is time to complete Step Two of the Registration Process: register for Alpine Skiing with your HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR/DEPARTMENT.  Remember, most of you already paid the required Activity Fee of $75 when you registered with MAST online, so do not include this payment when you turn in your forms to your high school athletic director. 

This year, the athletic departments of each high school are using the same set of forms.  These forms are contained in the 2018-19 Athletics Registration Packet, which can be found HERE, or you can obtain a paper copy from you high school’s athletic director. The packet contains important information about eligibility, health and safety, and MPS protocols.    The packet also contains all the FORMS you need to complete, sign, and submit to your high school athletic director.
 
Please note the following:

• If you played a Fall sport in 2018 for your high school, you will only need to complete a NEW Emergency Contact Form (unless your Physical Exam form expires between the Fall and Winter season).  Complete this form and give it to your Athletic Director
• If you are a returning MAST athlete but did not play a Fall sport in 2018, you need to submit all forms, except the Sports Qualifying Physical Exam Form as long as it is still valid.
• If you did NOT play a Fall sport in 2018 and you are new to high school sports in MPS, you will need to complete ALL the forms.
• Middle school students need to register with the high school that serves the attendance area in which you live (even if you don’t plan to attend that high school).  Complete all forms necessary and TURN THEM INTO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR.  Do not turn them into someone at your middle school.

A word about the Sports Qualifying Physical Exam form: This form needs to be completed by your physician or by a qualified clinician.   If you have a primary care doctor, know that most physician groups will fill out this form and get it back to you in a week as long as the student is not due for a physical exam.  Check with your clinic for their requirements.  If you do not have a physician or insurance, you can call 612-668-4333 to make an appointment for a free sports clearance physical exam.
 
The Sports Qualifying Physical Examination form is kept on file in the athletic office of your high school and is valid for three years.  So, if you submitted this form in seventh grade and you are now in tenth grade, the form is expired and you will need to complete and submit a new form.  
 
I WANT ALL RETURNING ATHLETES TO GO TO YOUR AD AND ASK HIM/HER ABOUT THE STATUS OF YOUR SPORTS QUALIFYING EXAM FORM SO THAT YOU ARE NOT SURPRISED WHEN THEY TELL YOU IT IS EXPIRED.
 
If you are a new MAST athlete, get this form TO your physician as soon as possible so that you can submit it to your AD LONG before the start of the season.   

Please turn these forms by the end of the First Quarter, October 31.  The season begins November 12, so this will give each athletic director plenty of time to process your forms and clear you for participation.
 
Read, re-read, and review the forms before turning them in.  There are many places where signature is required.   If a signature is missing, the Athletic Director will not clear you to participate.  Please make sure the forms are completed thoroughly.

Please feel free to call me if you have any questions.   Get forms, MPS HIGH SCHOOL Athletic Packet

IV.  MAST Apparel Sale - Order Deadline: Oct 17
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to purchase and proudly wear MAST ATTIRE this season.  Click HERE To Browse and Order
 
V.  MAST Team Roster
As mentioned above, we have 110 athletes registered for the team this year.  To facilitate the formation of car pools and help build connections between families, the Board would like to publish a team roster that would include the following information:

• Athlete Name
• Athlete Address and Zip Code
• Athlete Email Address
• Athlete Cell Phone
• Athlete School and Grade
• Parents Names
• Parents Phone Numbers
• Parents Email Addresses

If you do NOT want any or some of this information published, please complete the OPT OUT OF THE TEAM ROSTER FORM HERE.   Know that the team roster will only be disclosed to MAST families and coaches. Nor will it be published on the MAST website or sold to any savory or unsavory parties, no matter how attractive the offer---Even if it could fund my retirement.

Please complete the OPT OUT Form no later than October 21st if you do not want any or all of your contact information included in the team roster.
 
Please call me if you have any questions.  Otherwise I will see you on Sunday.
 
Thanks,
Mark Conway

Mpls Alpine Ski Team
Update #4: October 2, 2018
Subject: Pierce Oktoberfest Team Fundraiser, MAST Equipment Night at Pierce, MAST Parent Party and Racing Workshops, Giants Ridge Camp Update and MORE...
 
Dear MAST Athletes and Families:
Thank you to Matt Arbeiter, Christine Smalley, Charlie Smith, Dave Moore, Daniel and Matthew Polland, and Luke Conway for coordinating and working the MAST Equipment Swap on Saturday.  A lot of gear changed hands and a lot of feet sized for a future purchase.  And thanks to Anna Smalley for picking up donuts.  If I missed someone, please accept my apologies and thank you as well.
 
I. Pierce Okoberfest Team Fundraiser
The Pierce Oktoberfest is this weekend!  MAST has the opportunity to staff the Pierce concessions again this year as a team fundraiser! Hot dogs and water, maybe chips.  There are still a few volunteer slots that need to be filled to cover the work and any unexpected volunteer conflicts.  Please CLICK HERE for available time slots. We are targeting to need at least 2 volunteers for each shift. Your support of this event is very appreciated!
 
URGENT NEED:  Sunday, October 7th shift from 3:30-5:30pm  
Remember: All athletes are welcome to work!  The only requirement is that one adult must be present during each shift. 
 
A volunteer schedule and contact numbers will be posted in the Pierce concessions tent for reference.  If at least one of your replacements does not arrive within 10-15 minutes of your shift ending, please feel free to call them or Jodi (Contact #3 on schedule).
 
Volunteers:  

• Wear your MAST apparel and remember to bring a hat to avoid wearing a hair net!
• Please confirm your contact number is correct on the attached schedule.  If an update is required please email Jodi
• If you would like to volunteer for a shift that already has two volunteers, you are welcome to do so.  Just show up. 

II.  MAST Equipment Night at Pierce Skate and Ski: Wednesday, October 10, 5-9PM.
Some of your MAST coaches will join forces with the very competent staff at Pierce Skate and Ski to help you size and match any equipment you still need for the upcoming season.   If possible, it would be very helpful if you could let us know your needs in advance.  Bart Pierce wants to make sure he has enough staff on hand and in the correct departments. Here is a link to a quick survey to help us plan for the evening:
 
III.  Sunday, October 14, 2018--MAST Parent Social and Training
Parents… join us for fun, adventure, competition, education, and some team camaraderie on the shore of Cedar Lake.   Doug and Lisa Tanner are once again hosting the MAST Parent Party and Workshop! Attend workshops on everything from ‘What is Ski Racing’ to ‘Advanced Ski Tuning’ and more. We’ll have chili & cornbread, beer & wine. AND start training for the Second Annual All Parent Race. Lori Hart and Greg Abel will be defending their title, and the right to hold onto The Golden Ski.

WHEN: Sunday, October 14 from 3:00-7:00*
WHERE: The Tanner’s Home at 18 Park Lane on Cedar Lake in Minneapolis (some activities will be outside, dress appropriately)
WHO: MAST parents new and ‘experienced’
WHY: Because it will be fun, you’ll see old friends and meet new ones, and you’ll learn a thing or two!

*Workshops will be offered from 3:15-6:00. Our Second Annual All Parent Race will be from 6:00-7:00

Some comments from last year…best parent MAST event ever…kickoff parent party was a great success…got to know MAST better and have fun…what a hit – the stations, the setting, the race…we had a blast!
Please sign up (YES, Three Times) so we can plan properly.  

WHAT TO DO:
1)     RSVP: HERE 
2)     Let us know if you’d like to bring something HERE
3)     Sign up for a workshop HERE (more information on the workshops, click here)

IV.   MAST Apparel Sale
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to purchase and proudly wear MAST ATTIRE this season.   Order Deadline: Oct 17.  Click HERE  to browse and order.
 
 V.   Giants Ridge Camp Update
We have finalized the dates of the Giants Ridge Camp.  We will depart very early in the morning (think 6AM) on Monday, Dec 31, 2018 and return late (9 or 10PM) on Thursday, January 3, 2019.  We can take 35 boys and 35 girls.  We are hoping to race on Thursday at Giants Ridge in the Hibbing Invitational. If we don’t race, we will train.  Set the dates aside now if you think you might be interested. 

• Four days of skiing, training, and racing.
• Three nights lodging.
• Transportation
• Meals (excluding breakfast on Monday, dinner on Thursday).
• Talent Show
• Great Coaching
• Beautiful Scenery
• Cool Crisp Mornings

Cost: We should be able to keep this under $500.  Still finalizing some expenses.
 
We will also have training at Hyland that week.   

Parents are encouraged to ski as well.  Group lift rate of $33/day if pre-ordered through MAST.  Lodging on your own however.  We also enjoy having parent help on the hill, especially on race day.  More details coming soon. 
 
VI.   Afton Ski Swap This Weekend: Click HERE For Details
 Be sure to check our website to access information about…

• registering for Alpine Skiing with your high school athletic director
• the equipment you need
• previously sent updates #1, 2 and 3
• and so much more….

I will be out of town from Thursday morning until late Monday night.  If you need help with equipment or have any other urgent questions, please call Daniel Polland, my head-coaching sidekick.   Here is his number: 612-558-0526.  If you are at the swap this weekend and want confirmation that you are purchasing the correct equipment, give Daniel a try.
 
VII.   Season Pass and Team/Activity Fee Payments
​Keep those Hyland Season Pass checks coming, and if you indicated you would be paying for your team, activity, and handling fees with a check, please send that as well. 
Season Pass: $424
Fees: $260
Mail to: Mpls Alpine, 4800 Harriet Ave. S., 55419.
Make checks payable to Mpls Alpine Ski Team.
 
More to come.
Mark