Apparently, I sent out a calendar with some practice times crossed out. My goof.   The correct schedule is on our website and in our google calendar--for future reference.
 
Monday, Nov 25: 9th-12th @ 5PM-7:15PM and 7th-8th@6:30-8:45PM
Tuesday, Nov 26: 9th-12th @ 5PM-7:15PM and 7th-8th@6:30-8:45PM 
Wednesday, Nov 27: 7th-12th @  8:45AM-11:30AM
Friday Nov 29: 7th-12th @ 7:45AM-1030AM
Saturday Nov 30: 7th-12th @ 7:45AM-1030AM
(NOTE: Hyland has yet to confirm that Friday and Saturday's practices will be at 7:45am.  That was the original plan but that could change.  I will let you know if it does.  For now, plan on 7:45am.)
 
PLUS, don’t forget ...
Supplemental Training 
2:30pm - 10:30PM
Sign Up For Supplemental Training Here: https://www.mplsalpineski.org/supplemental-training.html
 
AND
Giants Ridge Camp
Dec 30-Jan 2
Sign Up For Giants Ridge Camp Here: https://www.mplsalpineski.org/giants-ridge-camp.html
 
Sprongo
As you now know, Sprongo is our video sharing site.   I shot video last week and loaded it onto our Sprongo site. Since we have so many skiers this year, I have to ask each one of you to figure out how to TAG your videos to your account and to do so every time I shoot video of you. If you can’t figure it out, please ask a coach or one of your experienced teammates.  You will usually know when I am filming because we make it quite obvious. The video is almost always uploaded when I get home that night.   It is very easy to TAG yourself.  Please do it. And feel free to TAG your teammates if you are certain of his or her identity.   It makes it much easier for you and the coaches to find your videos later when we want to watch them with you.   Besides, it tells the coaches that you are actually watching the videos we shoot.  If you don't watch your videos, I will stop filming you eventually.
 
If you don't have a Sprongo account set up, do so today.  I will be sending invitations again to those of you who do not have an account set up.  If you don't get an invitation, send me an email and I will send you one.  Please use YOUR first and last name when setting up your account.  No nick names and no parent names please.   
 
Performance of the Week
Speaking of Sprongo.... I want everyone to watch this clip of Elsa executing the Swiss Drill on Saturday. https://sprongo.com/video/3026344/163175  Watch it many times.  Use the slow-motion function. Turn it down to .25 speed.  Use the space bar to freeze and re-start the video.

• First, observe the big edge angles she creates soon after the transition while her skis are still pointing outside of the new turn.
• Second, note how she creates these big edge angles (strong flex at the ankles and knees, early lower leg engagement to get the skis up on edge).  
• Third, note how and when she applies pressure to the outside ski (by extending the outside leg to bend the outside ski and she does this when her skis are entering the fall line).  
• Fourth, note how her outside leg is "long" and her inside leg is "short" when she is pressuring her outside ski.
• Fifth, observe the "pinch" she gets at the hip when the forces are the strongest--her knees are driving into the center of the turn but her upper body angles back over the outside ski to maintain SUPER STRONG outside ski pressure.  
• Sixth, note how the skis return to a position right under her hips at the end of the turn and both legs are "short" again as she enters the very quick transition part of the turn.  
• Seventh, note how her shoulders and chest stay relatively square to the bottom of the hill throughout the turn shape-- they are at least pointing downhill of her outside ski tip.   This helps her keep her weight on her outside ski and forward.
• Eighth, observe how her inside ankle stays under her inside hip through the turn, allowing her to maintain strong ankle flexion in both ankles.
• Ninth, see how her hands and arms are relaxed yet held to either side of her shoulders and about chest high.  Her shoulders are "square" to the hill (in other words, the inside shoulder does not dip down or twist in the direction of her ski tips at the end of the turn).   Elsa is demonstrating the fundamental skill of "upper body discipline".   This allows her to stay in perfect balance at every point of the turn.  
• Tenth, note how she drives the inside hand down the fall line as her skis cross the fall line.  The forces of the turn want to cause the upper body to continue the rotational movement of the lower body.  By keeping the inside hand forward as her skis cross the fall line, Elsa is able to position her upper body for the next turn even though she still needs to finish the old turn.  Now we are getting really technical, so I will leave it there.

Please watch Elsa's video and learn from it.  There is much to emulate.
 
Chalet Security
As I told you last week, there are some miscreants roaming around the chalet who steal things from the bottom of our ski bags.  I have had a couple of parents offer to stand guard during practice to watch our athletes' gear.   One did so already on Friday evening and likely deterred a theft from our group's gear.  That night's offender stole from some other random adult who came back in to find his wallet missing.  Police were called.   
 
I am wondering if someone would be willing to take charge of such an effort as a security coordinator.   We could create a schedule and ask people to take a shift.  Please give me a call or send me an email if you might be willing to do this.   I am also going to ask the Board to work with the management of Hyland to find a solution to this issue.
Remember: store no valuables in your bags.  I suggest bringing a small backpack to practice and use that to store your valuables.  You can bring the backpack up to the training lane with you.  If all our bags are in one spot on the top of our lane, then we can easily protect our bags.   You can even include a water bottle or spot of hot tea, an energy bar, ham and cheese sandwich on rye with just the right amount of mayo and honey mustard....
 
I know some of you will be traveling this week and will miss some practices.  Have a wonderful holiday with your families and come back hungry to ski.   And sell some coffee so you can attend some supplemental training sessions this Winter.
 
I look forward to seeing the rest of you tonight.
 
Mark
612-275-8392
markrobertconway58@gmail.com

The snow guns were blasting during training tonight.  It felt like Winter again.  I want to thank our coaches for getting the season off to such a good start.  Our athletes are making big improvements every day.  I also want to thank the athletes for your focus, effort and determination.  Great job.  Keep up the good work on the hill. 
 
Storing Valuables During Practice
Everyone has a phone.  Most of you probably have a wallet.  Some have car keys.  Do NOT store anything of value in your ski bag.  Unfortunately, the thieves who stole from racers last season are still in operation this season. They like to rummage through our bags while we are out on the hill and take what does not belong to them.  Bring your valuables on the hill with you or chip in with several other teammates and rent a locker each night.   But do not leave anything that someone might want to steal in your bag in the chalet.  

I would like to suggest that the team move to the South end of the chalet for booting up...  the end closer to the restrooms. It is worth a try.
 
Are You Leaving Practice With Your Equipment?
We have had a couple of incidents in which an athlete has walked off with the wrong set of poles or other gear.  Be sure that the skis and poles you grab during or at the end of practice are your own. If you haven’t put your name and phone number on all of your gear and clothing, do so today.   
 
MAST Supplemental Training
We will be offering six supplemental training sessions this year.  All sessions will be held at Wild Mt and the first one is the Saturday after Thanksgiving--Saturday, November 30.  We will have two more on Dec. 7 and Dec 14, and three more in January and February. We load the bus at 2:30 at Washburn High School (49th and Pleasant) and will return to Washburn by 10:30pm. Wild offers longer runs for training (32 seconds vs 16 seconds at Hyland for the better racers) and it is the site of our Section IV Championship every year.  These supplemental training sessions give you the opportunity to test and improve your skills on more challenging terrain and boost your confidence on our section championship race venue.   Plus, they are very fun nights for all involved.  The cost is $55 and includes training, coaching, lift ticket, and transportation.  You will want to bring a sack supper or money to purchase supper.     I will open registration for each supplemental training session on the Sunday immediately preceding the session.    These sessions are open to all MAST skiers.   For more information and to register for the first supplemental training session on Nov 30, click here: Supplemental Training
 
Announcing the 14th Annual Giants Ridge Camp
Registration for the MAST Giants Ridge Camp is now open.  All MAST athletes are invited to attend.  We work hard, improve exponentially, and have a ton of fun in the process.   The camp runs from 6am on Monday, December 30 through Thursday, January 2.  Four days of skiing on some of the best race runs in Minnesota. The very runs we will be skiing all four days are the same runs on which the Minnesota State High School Alpine Championships are held (Innsbrook and Helsinski).  For details about the camp and how to register, click here: Giants Ridge Camp 2020.

If you are unable to attend camp or if the camp fills before you can sign up, know that we will be offering training at Hyland over some if not all of the dates of the camp.  Registration is on a first come, first served basis.  No one is officially registered until the camp fee is paid.  If for some reason you cannot pay the camp fee in full at this time, please contact me at 612-275-8392.   

PLEASE pay for the Giants Ridge Camp by CHECK if you can. 
Here is why. I recognize how expensive skiing is for our families.  I want our athletes to have the chance to attend a camp if they wish, so I work hard to keep the price as low as possible.   As you can see, this year's camp is priced to the dollar.  There is no wriggle room on the budget.  The $491 fee we are charging covers meals, lift tickets, transportation, lane fees and lodging.  It covers these expenses to the dollar.  It does not cover the 3.39% fee that your credit card company charges MAST when you pay by credit card.  I could have included this charge in the camp fee, but I am sensitive to the families on the team for whom this is already a difficult camp to fund.   If all 70 camp spots are paid with a credit card, MAST has a $1,165 hit to our camp budget off the top.  That is a lot of money for us.  So, when you are checking out for camp, please check that you will pay by check.  I understand that some of you find it really convenient or even necessary to pay by credit card . So, if you really want to pay by credit card, please consider mailing a check in the amount of $16.94 (3.39% plus a 30 cent transaction fee charged by SportsSignUp) to Mpls Alpine/ 4800 Harriet Ave/Mpls/55419.    

For supplemental training, we did include the cost of paying by credit card in the $55 fee.   You are welcome to pay for Supplemental Training sessions by credit card or check.

Hoigaards Tent Sale Volunteers and Account Credits
MAST has not yet received payment from Hoigaards for the work our families performed at the Hoigaards Tent Sale, but have received a report from Hoigaards indicating how many hours each of our MAST volunteers supplied.  So rather than wait for the check to arrive, we have issued account credits to all MAST Hoigaard Tent Sale volunteers.  These credits can be used to help pay for part or all of a supplemental training session or Giants Ridge Camp or even the banquet in March.  When you register for a MAST event in SportsSignUp, you will be given the opportunity to pay for part or all of the event using your account credits. You received via email a spreadsheet listing all the Hoigaards tent sale volunteers and the number of hours volunteered and the amount of money credited to your SportSignUp account.  Please contact me if you detect any inaccuracies.

MAST Individual Fundraiser: Urban Ventures (UV) Coffee Sales
All MAST athletes are invited to participate in our Individual Fundraiser with Urban Ventures Coffee.  Download the Fundraiser Information Page and the Fundraiser Order Form.  Go door to door, reach out to family and friends and perfect strangers, hit up all those co-workers who always hit you up.  Be sure to collect payment when the order is placed. Checks should be made payable to Mpls Alpine Ski Team. All the money you earn will be put into your SportsSignUp account for use during the season or next year—GR camp, supplemental training sessions, the banquet.   Or save up credits to use next year to help cover your team fees.   
 
Collect orders and money from now until Wednesday, Dec. 4th.  We prefer checks made payable to MAST, no credit cards.   Turn in orders AND money at practice on Dec. 4th (or email to  karbeiter@msn.com).  The orders will be ready for pick-up and delivery (by the athlete) on Dec. 14th.
 
Don't forget to check our website frequently. See you on the hill.
 
Mark Conway
612-275-8392

We had a good start to the season with three dryland training sessions at Washburn.   Tonight we ski.   
 
Training This Week and Next
Tonight’s practice STARTS at 6:30pm and ENDS at 8:45pm.  Be outside in front of the center chairlift at 6:30 with boots, skis, poles, helmet, and googles.   We will leave the hill at 8:45. You will find the coaches and athletes changing into their boots upstairs and toward the north end of the chalet.  Be sure that anything you leave in the chalet—a bag, shoes, winter boots, etc—has your name printed on it in permanent ink.  AND... put your name on your skis and poles as well along with your phone number. AND... when you go home at night, make sure the skis and poles you are taking home are YOUR skis and poles.  Remember, race skis and poles look the same. And with 100s of racers using Hyland every night, it is easy to grab someone else’s equipment.
 
We will also ski on Saturday.  Again, be ready to ski at 8:45am. We will head for the chalet at 11:30PM.
 
Hyland’s plan is to close Monday and Tuesday next week, so we will hold dryland training again on the Washburn Stadium Field from 4:30-6PM both afternoons.  
We will ski Wednesday-Friday from 6:30-8:45PM and Saturday from 7:45AM-10:30AM.
 
Tuning Clinic THIS Sunday, November 17 @ 7PM.
Parents and athletes: Do you need to learn how to tune your skis? Co-Captain Luke Conway will lead a tuning clinic on Sunday, Nov 17th at the home of Nate and Jen Crawford. Address: 4928 Harriet Ave South.   
The tuning clinic will be in the Crawford’s garage, which will be heated—wear warm clothing nonetheless.   Please attend if you need a refresher or do not know how to tune at all.  Tuned skis are a NECESSITY of ski racing. Thank you to Nate and Jen for hosting.
 
Training and Race Calendar
A TENTATIVE training and race calendar is attached.   I apologize for the delay. I have been waiting for Hyland to publish the lane assignments for the first two months of the season.  Yesterday afternoon I received our lane assignments from Hyland.  As I suspected, we were not able to get as many lanes as we requested at the times I requested. Last night, I submitted a second request for additional lanes at either the 3-5PM time slot or the 7-9PM time slot.  The calendar I am sending to you INCLUDES those additional lane requests.   So, depending on whether some or all of those requests are granted, this calendar may or may not change. 
 
I realize that only our high school athletes have a shot at taking advantage of the 3:30PM training session.  We will just have to make the most of it.  Drive safely, shuttle over, and boot up as quickly as you can.  I will have the course(s) set by the time you get on the hill so you will be able to progress through your warm-up and train soon after.  Note that some of the training sessions are designated as Varsity or JV.   These are suggestions.  If your car-pool or your needs align better with a different practice time, then come to the other training session. The coaches just want you on the hill.  
 
Raise Money For Yourself: Urban Ventures (UV) Coffee Sales
All MAST athletes are invited to participate in our Individual Fundraiser with Urban Ventures Coffee.  Download the Fundraiser Information Page and the Fundraiser Order Form.  Go door to door, reach out to family and friends and perfect strangers, hit up all those co-workers who always hit you up.  Be sure to collect payment when the order is placed. Checks should be made payable to Mpls Alpine Ski Team. All the money you earn will be put into your SportsSignUp account for use during the season or next year—GR camp, supplemental training sessions, the banquet.   Or save up credits to use next year to help cover your team fees.   
 
Collect orders and money from now until Wednesday, Dec. 4th.  We prefer checks made payable to MAST, no credit cards.   Turn in orders AND money at practice on Dec. 4th (or email to  karbeiter@msn.com).  The orders will be ready for pick-up and delivery (by the athlete) on Dec. 14th.
 
More To Come...
Look for an additional email from me this weekend.  I will be sending you several documents that I want both PARENTS and ATHLETES to read and discuss together.  
Topics include:
MAST Safety Rules
MAST Skiing and Racing Etiquette and Protocols
MAST Expectations of Athletes
 
As you know, our team is large and it is impossible to gather everyone in one spot to deliver these messages, so I am trusting that our athletes have received a good education and can read several pages of very important information—about your role as an athlete on this team, about the flow of our practices and races, about what you can do to keep yourself safe in this sport, about how you can become the best athlete you can be by living a healthy lifestyle.    Yes, it will cover a lot of information.  It will be single-spaced.  It will require that you engage your attention span over a sustained period of time.  It will not be fun, entertaining, or quick.   But it is VERY important information.   It is ON YOU to read it, understand it, internalize it. 
 
See you on the hill this evening.
 
Mark Conway
612-275-8392

Hyland is covered in white and opens tomorrow.  I was told early in the week that Hyland would open for the weekend and then close again to make more snow during the week.  I suspect that IF that is STILL their plan that they will re-open on Friday to 15th.  Stay tuned.  Be flexible. Be prepared to ski this week just in case Hyland stays open after this weekend.
 
MAST Parent Party and Race For The Golden Ski—Are You Signed Up?
Sunday, November 10th from 3:00-6:00. 
Race for the coveted 'Golden Ski' is at 5:00
We'll have chili and all the fixins, cocoa, beer, wine, cider, and sodas.

• Where: The Hyland Hills Ski Jump Lodge at 8325 E Bush Lake Rd in Bloomington.
• Who Attends:  All PARENTS, STEP-PARENTS, and ANY OTHER ADULT CAREGIVER  of MAST athletes PLUS COACHES. But NOT Athletes. This is an adults-only event.
• TO RSVP Yes! Click on the following link, scroll to the bottom, and RSVP with the number of attendees:  MAST Parent Social
• We will be selling MAST coffee mugs at the parent social. Bring your checkbook.  They are very nice. Guaranteed to make your coffee taste better.
• Dress Warmly.  It is going to be cold and we will have some outdoor activities.  Snowboots recommended, as well as a winter coat, hat, gloves.  Goggles are optional.

Season Pass Picture Night and Pick Up
All MAST athletes should come to Hyland on Monday, November 11 between 6:30 and 7:30PM to pick up your Hyland Season Pass.   If you are under 18 years of age, you need to have your parents sign the attached Three Rivers Park District Waiver.   If your parents are attending this event, they can sign it at Hyland.  But if you are coming on your own or with a different family, please download, print, and have your parents sign this waiver and bring it with you.    

Individual Fundraiser Is Officially Open: Urban Ventures (UV) Coffee Sales
All MAST athletes are invited to participate in our Individual Fundraiser with Urban Ventures Coffee.  Download the Fundraiser Information Page and the Fundraiser Order Form.  Go door to door, reach out to family and friends and perfect strangers, hit up all those co-workers who always hit you up.  Be sure to collect payment when the order is placed. Checks should be made payable to Mpls Alpine Ski Team. All the money you earn will be put into your SportsSignUp account for use during the season or next year—GR camp, supplemental training sessions, the banquet.   Or save up credits to use next year to help cover your team fees.   
 
WHY?
Good Profit - Earn profit for each item 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 – Urban Ventures 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 – Percentage of sales donated by the roaster directly to Urban Ventures for after-school mentoring and sports programs in the Central & Phillips neighborhoods.
 
Good for Everyone – Who doesn’t drink coffee, tea or hot cocoa?   Makes a great gift for the holiday season. 
 
WHAT WE’RE SELLING

• Organic Fairtrade Coffee – Offering 5 varieties this year:  CityKid Java Blend, Guatemalan, French Roast, Highland Grogg & Colombian Decaf (descriptions on the sales brochure)   Sell for $12.00 per bag with a profit margin earned of $5.50 per bag.  
• Hot Cocoa – Sell for $12.00 for a 2lb bag with a profit margin earned of $5 per bag
• Cedar Lake Organic Whole Leaf Tea – New addition this year.  Offering 3 varieties:  Lemon Drop, English Breakfast & Wild Child (descriptions on the sales brochure). Selling for $10.00 for 15 tea bags with a profit margin of $3.05 per bag.
• Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans & Chocolate Covered Salted Caramels
  Sell for $8.00 per bag with a profit margin of $4 per bag.

 
HOW IT WORKS

• Print the attached sales brochure and order form and start selling.  Forms will also be available at the Parent Social this weekend and available on the MAST website.
• Collect orders and money from now until Wednesday, Dec. 4th.  Prefer checks made payable to MAST, no credit cards.
• Turn in orders AND money at practice on Dec. 4th (or email to karbeiter@msn.com).
• Orders will be ready for pick up at Fuller Rec Center Dec. 14th (time TBD)

 
MPS Registrations
I know that the athletic directors are busy processing registration forms and clearing athletes for participation.  I am keeping track of the athletes who are cleared to participate.  Attached is the list of athletes who are CLEARED as of yesterday (Thursday evening).  You will also see a list of athletes who have turned in some forms but are not fully cleared.  See the notes provided by the ADs for information about what is missing.   I have not heard from SW or Washburn today, so if your name is not on the attached list of cleared athletes, you may have been cleared today.  If I hear from the ADs today or over the weekend, I will send a follow up email.    If you haven’t gotten your forms into your Athletic Director, do so first thing Monday morning please.
 
Thanks all... the fun is about to start.
Mark Conway
612-275-8392
markrobertconway58@gmail.com

Winter has officially arrived.  Wild Mt opens tonight.   An October ski area opening is a rare phenomenon.   Take a moment to reflect on this moment in Minnesota skiing history.  Mark this date in your diary.     If you can actually get out to Wild for some skiing between now and Thursday, you will be able to tell your grandkids all about it someday.
 
So... let’s make sure we are ready to go on November 11....just in case these temps continue and Hyland can get the snow down quickly.
 
MPS Athletics Registration
If you have not turned in your athletic forms to your high school athletic director, do so this week.  Here is a link to print the forms: 
Washburn Forms                                Forms For All Other High Schools
 
Roster and Car Pools
If you have visited our website recently, you will see that registration is now closed.  You received via email a roster with contact information for each athlete and his or her family.  Please respect this information.  It should only be used to communicate within the team for MAST purposes only.  The most immediate purpose would be to form carpools.  If you are a returning MAST skier and have room in your existing carpool for another skier, please feel free to reach out to someone new on the team who might live close by.   We need to help out each other so our skiers can get on the snow.   Another idea for use?   Veterans, you could invite a rookie MAST skier and parent over to your home for a tutorial on ski tuning.   
 
Captains’ Practices
I am told that Captains’ Practices will be held at Lynnhurst Park from 4:30-6PM starting today.  Here are the dates.

• Tuesday, Oct 29
• Wednesday, Oct 30
• Tuesday, Nov 5 
• Thursday, Nov 7

Sprongo
This weekend, I sent an invitation through Sprongo to our new teammates to become members of the Minneapolis Alpine Ski Team Sprongo site.   Sprongo is the video sharing service we use to host video clips of your skiing.  The clips are only viewable by MAST skiers and families.   A few of you already set up your personal account in Sprongo.  Most of you have not.  I will be sending an invitation again tonight just in case you deleted the first one.  The invitation was sent to the email address that was requested and listed for the athlete in the SportsSignUp registration process.  Please check that email account for the invitation to join Sprongo.   If you are a returning MAST skier who does not have a Sprongo account set up for yourself, let me know and I will send you an invitation to join as well.
 
Some Dos:

• You will need to create a Sprongo Account User-Name and Password.  
• Please write down this user-name and password and post it on your refrigerator.    
• The account needs to be opened using the FIRST and LAST NAME of the SKIER.  No nicknames or monikers.  Just your boring old first and last names.   
• You may add a picture of yourself to your profile or we will do it.  We will be taking a photo of you at the season pass pick up night to post on your Sprongo profile so that the coaches and your teammates can match names with faces.  Some of us old guys need more time to get the names down.

Two Do Nots:

• Do not set up the account in a parent’s name.  Only the athlete’s name will do.
• Do not set up a second account if you already have one, even if you forgot your user-name and password.   We have ways to recover those.  Just get ahold of me and I will help you recover access to your account.

Concussion Baseline Testing
Here are the dates, times and locations for taking the concussion baseline tests before the season starts.
Wednesday, October 30 @ Southwest and Washburn
Option I: 3:15PM
Option 2: 4:30PM
Room: TBA
 
Tuesday, November 5 at Southwest
Option I: 3:15PM
Option 2: 4:30PM
Room: TBA
 
Anyone who is new to MAST or who did not take the baseline test last year MUST take the test this year.  I realize that these dates and times might conflict with Captains’ Practices, so you might have to miss one session.  See the attached roster of athletes who took the test last year and do not need to take it this year.  Everyone NOT on this list needs to take a concussion baseline test.
 
MAST Parent Party and Race For The Golden Ski
Sunday, November 10th from 3:00-6:00. 
Race for the coveted 'Golden Ski' is at 5:00
We'll have chili and all the fixins, cocoa, beer, wine, cider, and sodas.

• Where: The Hyland Hills Ski Jump Lodge at 8325 E Bush Lake Rd in Bloomington.
• Who Attends:  All PARENTS, STEP-PARENTS, and ANY OTHER ADULT CAREGIVER  of MAST athletes PLUS COACHES. But NOT Athletes. This is an adults-only event.
• What Should I Bring: Glad you asked! Click on the link below to sign up for something to bring.
• TO RSVP Yes! Click on the following link, scroll to the bottom, and RSVP with the number of attendees  MAST Parent Social

 
Season Pass Picture Night and Pick Up
All MAST athletes should come to Hyland on Monday, November 11 between 6:30 and 7:30PM to pick up your Hyland Season Pass.   If you are under 18 years of age, you need to have your parents sign the attached Three Rivers Park District Waiver.   If your parents are attending this event, they can sign it at Hyland.  But if you are coming on your own or with a different family, please download, print, and have your parents sign this waiver and bring it with you.    
 
Dryland
Official practices begin on Tuesday, November 12, 4:30-6PM at Washburn HS.  Dryland continues Monday-Friday until we get on snow at Hyland.
 
Meanwhile: Get your equipment ready.   Try on and wear your boots around the house (only on the carpet of course.).  Sharpen and wax your skis.   Get your ski clothes organized.  Make sure you know where everything is.  We could be skiing on very short notice.  Hyland can fully cover its runs with snow in 48 hours once the temps stay below freezing for extended periods of time.
 
Looking forward for the season to begin.

Mark Conway
612-275-8392

Winter is coming!   We are three weeks away from the start of the high school alpine season.  Are you ready to start practicing?

MAST Apparel and Swag Store Is STILL OPEN, but not for long!
The apparel sale has been extended a couple of days due to the MEA weekend.  So, if you would like to order MAST apparel, do so in the next day or two.  We want to place the order so this week so that we can get your order into your hands before Winter Break.  Here is a link: MASTApparel Sale.
                
Registration Update
Congratulations to all 125 of you who are officially registered for the Mpls Alpine Ski Team.  IT IS NOW TIME TO SUBMIT THE MPS/MSHSL FORMS TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR.  If you are a 7th or 8th grader, you need to submit your forms to the athletic director of the high school to which you are assigned because of your address.   I recommend dropping off the forms directly with the AD, but you can certainly put them in the mail.    Be sure to place the name of the AD on the envelope along with your return address and mark the envelope ALPINE REGISTRATION. If you put SKIING on the envelope or on the form itself, the AD does not know whether the registration is for Alpine or Nordic.   
 
You can find the forms you need by clicking on the link below that is associated with your high school.  You should also be able to pick up forms directly from your athletic director.
https://athletics.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/eligbrochure_2019_20_4.pdf
 
PLEASE NOTE: 

• DO NOT PAY the $75 Activity Fee, UNLESS YOU DECLINED TO PAY THE $75 FEE WHEN YOU REGISTERED WITH MAST.  Most of you did pay this fee when you registered with MAST.
• If you are download and print the forms, you will see that the “Packet” is 19 pages long.  This can make things very confusing for first time users.  Here is the message posted on the top of the first page.  

To Register for MPS Athletics this entire packet must be completed. Sign and Return the following pages to your school · Page 4 Emergency Referral card · Pages 5-6 Media Release and Student Transfer Form (if necessary) · Pages 13-14 MSHSL Eligibility and Sports Health Questionnaire · Pages 15-19 Athletic Physical Examination Forms

Note that the forms that you need to submit to your high school AD are listed: 

• The Emergency Referral Card; 
• Media Release; 
• MSHSL Eligibility and Sports Health Questionnaire; 
• Athletic Physical Examination Form.  

You do not need to print or turn in all 19 pages.  And ignore the Student Transfer form.  This does not apply to you.  Be sure to look over this form twice. There are hard to spot signature requirements for both parents and athletes throughout these forms.   If you miss a signature requirement, the AD will not clear you for participation.  

If you played a FALL HIGH SCHOOL SPORT, you only need to turn in a new Emergency Referral Card.   The Physical Examination Clearance Form is valid for three years.  If you are a returning MAST athlete, PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR to see whether your Physical Exam Clearance Form is still valid for the Winter Season.  
 
FORMS ARE DUE ON OCTOBER 28TH.  This is the date of the MPS Winter Sports Registration Day.  I would encourage you to turn the forms in BEFORE the 28th rather than AT the Winter Sports Registration event for that evening at your high school.  I went to the Fall Sports Registration and there were long lines, chaos and much gnashing of teeth.  I recommend turning in the forms BEFORE the registration evening.  MAST coaches will not be in attendance at any of the schools that evening.  
 
IMPACT Concussion Baseline Testing
Attached is a list of athletes who took a CONCUSSION BASELINE TEST last season.  If your name is NOT on this list, you need to take the CONCUSSION BASELINE TEST this Fall.   Exceptions: if you played a Fall Sport this year and took the baseline test for that sport, then you should be current.  Here are the dates, times and locations for taking the concussion baseline tests before the season starts.
Wednesday, October 30 @ Southwest and Washburn
Option I: 3:15PM
Option 2: 4:30PM
Room: TBA
 
Tuesday, November 5 at Southwest
Option I: 3:15PM
Option 2: 4:30PM
Room: TBA
 
Read on to understand why we ask you to take a Concussion Baseline Test.
 
Athletes in many sports are vulnerable to a blow to the head that may result in a concussion.  Although you will be wearing a helmet whenever you are on the slopes with MAST, the risk of suffering a concussion during the season remains.  When concussions do occur, athletes are required to take a break from the sport and return only after being cleared to participate again by professionally trained concussion expert.   One tool available to medical care personnel is a computerized concussion test.  For this test to be most helpful, athletes are asked to take the test when the brain is “healthy”, that is, when it hasn’t sustained a concussion.   The test measures multiple cognitive functions and gives each athlete a score for each area measured.  Should the athlete suffer a concussion, the physician or attending care giver may elect to have you re-take the concussion test (after all the concussion symptoms have disappeared) in order to compare pre and post-concussion cognitive functions. If the scores don’t align well, your physician or other qualified medical care professional may continue to restrict your activity until your scores improve.   When a concussion is sustained, your brain must fully heal before you can return to play.  If someone with a concussion sustains a second concussion before the first concussion has fully healed, the risk of long-term cognitive damage increases greatly. So,   please set aside on of the two dates and times listed above to take your baseline test.   If you can’t attend either of these testing dates, you will need to contact the athletic trainer at your high school to arrange to take the test at another time.  
 
Equipment: Last Call--Team Gilboa Equipment Swap at Hyland
Friday, Oct 25-Sunday, Oct 27.
I will be on the sales floor at Hyland from 4:00pm on Friday until about 6:30 or so to help anyone find equipment who still needs equipment.   If you plan to attend during that time, feel free to send me a text with your equipment needs, sizing information, and your name.  I can keep my eye out for quality equipment for you.
 
Season Pass Payments
Most of you have sent payment for your Hyland Hill Season Pass. Thank you.  If you have not done so, please drop off a check made payable to Mpls Alpine or put it in the mail today.   
Mpls Alpine Ski Team
4800 Harriet Ave South
Mpls MN 55419
 
Captains’ Practices
The Captains will be holding fun practices at Lynnhurst Park from 4:30-6:00PM on the following dates:
Tuesday, Oct 29
Wednesday, Oct 30
Tuesday, Nov 5 
Thursday, Nov 7
 
Hyland Season Pass Picture and Pass Pick Up 
For our first practice on Monday, November 11, we are descending on Hyland to pick up our season passes.  Join us between 6:30 and 8:00PM at Hyland to pick up your pass. Please arrive no later than 7:30PM.  Mark the 11th in your calendar. 
 
Dryland Training Begins Tuesday, November 12, 4:30-6PM at Washburn HS
Dryland will continue Monday through Friday until we start skiing at Hyland.   Wear layers of warm clothing, athletic shoes for running and cutting and jumping, hat, gloves, and bring a water bottle.  If the weather is cold, we will be outside.  If the weather is stormy, we will be inside.
 
The coaches are working on a training and race calendar.   We will also be working on assembling a team roster this week for you to use to form carpools and we will be sending out invitations to become a member of the MAST Sprongo site.     
 
Get exercising.   
 
Mark
612-275-8392