|
MAST UPDATE #1
Saturday, August 31, 2024 Dear MAST Athletes, Parents and Coaches: Welcome to the first official MAST Update of the 2024-25 season. I hope you’re as excited to read this as we are to send it. If you do not wish to receive these updates (and we can't imagine why anyone wouldn't), you should be able to unsubscribe yourself by scrolling down to the end of the update. If you still can't make them stop coming, then shoot me an email. I. Monday, September 2, 5:30pm State Fair Barn Cleanup Fundraiser for MAST The Minnesota State Fair is underway, which means that we will be gathering with your fellow MAST teammates and MAST parents in our annual fundraising event of cleaning out the State Fair Goat Barn! This is a great MAST tradition and our team has been fortunate to have the connection to the fairgrounds to raise good money that pays for our awesome coaches and all of the gates you break during the season! The more people we have, the quicker and more fun the event is. So even if you are a MAST newcomer, we can show you the ropes and help you meet new people. And our experienced shovelers can show you their best technique. What: State Fair Barn Cleanup Where: MN State Fair - 1785 Judson Avenue When: Monday, Sept. 2nd at 5:30 pm Who: Anyone willing to work: athletes, siblings, parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents. How: Sign up by clicking on the Sign up Genius below. Sheep Barn Clean Up 2024 Bring: Work gloves, water bottle, mask (it gets smelly/dusty). Free tickets into the fair for all volunteers. Where to pick up free fair tickets: Hasler's House - 5051 Gladstone Ave, MPLS in plastic bin on front steps (even side street parking, opposite of house) When: Pick up tickets Wed. Aug 28th- Sun. Sept 1st. 8am-8pm. **Call or text Aaron Hasler with questions 612-669-9073 Thank you in advance if you’ve already signed up! We can’t wait to muck it up with you. II. Race Equipment and A Note On Purchasing New Equipment This Season Ski racing is an equipment intensive sport. Unfortunately, ski racing equipment is expensive. For this reason, many of our athletes look for used equipment to get them through the first years of their careers. We will write more extensively about equipment AND upcoming ski swaps, as well as MAST’s own online used equipment inventory, in future MAST Updates. For now, you can learn a lot about the equipment you need and how to size and select used equipment by reading through the pages we have posted on our website listed under the EQUIPMENT header. https://www.mplsalpineski.org/ Regarding NEW equipment: In recent years, ski shops have tended to run low on race skis and boots due to factors beyond the shops’ control. Therefore, it’s typically advisable that if you are planning to purchase new boots or skis this season, you DO SO SOONER THAN LATER. It is possible that ski shops will sell out of certain brands of race skis and boots before the season even begins. Shopping now and in September is better than October. October is better than November. You will not find lower prices by waiting to make your purchase. We are fortunate to have many good ski shops in the Twin Cities: Pierce Skate and Ski, Gear West, Joe’s, Hi-Tempo. Pierce Skate and Ski offers special pre-season pricing for racers. Just let them know you ski with MAST. Gear West also offers racer discounts. Other ski shops may also offer discounts to high school racers. Just ask. The staff at Pierce asks that you make an appointment in advance if you are purchasing skis and/or boots this Fall. A boot fitting appointment can take up to 90 minutes if done properly, so plan accordingly. If you need poles, tuning equipment, clothing, or protective gear, you are welcome to just walk-in. Here is the number to call if you would like to make an appointment with one of the many experienced sales staff at Pierce: 952-884-1990. Any of the Head Coaches are also willing to talk through your equipment needs with you. One other tip, download a clip of your best run from your Sprongo account when you go to buy new equipment. This will help the salesperson to better match the equipment to your skill level. Some additional thoughts/recommendations.
III. Save The Dates A. Monday, Sept 30, 7-8pm MAST Information Night for New Racers and Families Where: NEW LOCATION! Lynnhurst Recreation Center- 1345 W Minnehaha Parkway Minneapolis, MN 55410 What: A night to learn about the Minneapolis Alpine Ski Team and how we create lifelong skies and exceptional citizens. Meet coaches and racers on the team. Learn what the season looks like. Learn about racing equipment and how and where to purchase race equipment. B. Tuesday, October 1 MAST Registration Opens On-Line! (Details to follow) C. Thursday, October 3 The 4rd Annual MASTers Golf Tournament We’re excited to announce the 4rd Annual MASTers Golf Tournament! This is a casual round of scramble golf for fun, so all parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, alumni, coaches, and fans of MAST are welcome. The youth have to sit this one out however. More info to come! D. Wednesday, October 9, 2024 MAST Equipment Day at Pierce Skate and Ski Equipment - 3pm to close. E. Thursday, October 14th Winter Sports Registration Opens with Minneapolis Public Schools (Both MAST and MPS registration is required, details to follow) F. Tuesday, December 31, 2024 - Friday, Jan 3, 2025 Giants Ridge Camp! III. Ski Swaps available for purchasing used ski equipment:
2024 Team Gilboa Ski Swap at Hyland ***These are not MAST events, but it is an opportunity to buy USED equipment, clothing and gear. ONE CAUTION: Be very clear you are shopping for a MAST alpine racer shopping for Slalom race gear. Ask for a salesperson who is knowledgeable in ski race gear. Being specific will help prevent you from purchasing the wrong equipment. Don’t hesitate to contact your high school coach for guidance before going to the sale. See below for more buying information. Also, be aware that the race stuff goes fastest so you are far more likely to find things if you go on the early end. ***Read before you go! MAST Buying Guide For Ski Equipment has a lot of detailed information about the equipment you need. The MAST Guide will help you understand how to size and select quality used (and new) equipment. Please note: You need SLALOM race skis and RACE boots. You do NOT want to use RECREATIONAL skis or boots. Why? Because they will not perform well in a slalom race course. The skis will be slow to turn. The boots won’t flex and help you create the kind of angles you need to progress as a racer. III. Rostering and Registration MAST Registration will open on-line on October 1. If you are new to MAST or have a new athlete in your family joining the team this season, please complete the NEW ATHLETE INQUIRY FORM that can be found on our website. Some of you have already done this, so thank you for taking that first step with MAST. This will help assess interest and start the process of building a roster, and gets you on our e-mailing list. If you are looking for more information about MAST, you can watch the two slideshows available on the homepage of our website. Some of the information needs to be (and will be) updated, but we think you will find them helpful even though they are referencing the 2021-22 season. Finally, if you will not be returning to ski with MAST this season, please let us know this as well by contacting the Core/Parent Contacts below for your school. More information about registration will be communicated once you are back in school. That’s a lot of information for your first MAST Update of the season. Enjoy your last week of summer break. We are excited to see you on Labor Day at the Goat Barn! Best wishes, Coaches and Support Team, Mpls Alpine Ski Team *For technical questions about skiing and equipment, contact your coach. For all other questions (registration, dates, etc) contact your Core member. CORE/Parent Contacts for each school: Washburn/Page - Erik Addy, [email protected] - 952-270-0934 Southwest/Anthony - Bill Bray, [email protected] - 507-301-7109 MAST-All Other Schools - Owen Moldow, [email protected] - 612-730-4818 Coaches: Head Coach Southwest Boys - Joel Hedrick, [email protected] - 612-718-1440 Head Coach Southwest Girls - Paige Alampi, [email protected] - 612-716-3186 Head Coach Washburn Boys - Matthew Polland, [email protected] - 612-220-1010 Head Coach Washburn Boys - Eleanor Goodnow, [email protected] - 612-723- 9559 Head Coach MAST Boys TBD Head Coach MAST Girls TBD FOLLOW MAST: MAST Facebook MAST Instagram Comments are closed.
|
Archives
February 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed