MAST Update #2 Wednesday, September 29, 2021

MAST UPDATE #2
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 

Dear MAST Athletes, Parents and Coaches: 

This week’s warm weather makes for some beautiful fall days to get outside and exercise. If you are not already in a fall sport, I encourage you to get outside after school to run, hike, bike, or skate. In other words, get some exercise. Work the legs, get your heart rate elevated, sweat, stretch your lung capacity. At least 30 minutes, but more if you are already in good condition. When our season opens on Nov 15, we will most likely be engaged in dryland training for a few days or even weeks until Hyland opens. So, train now or suffer some very sore muscles the week of Nov 15.  

MAST Registration Opens Oct 1
Registration with MAST will open Thursday, October 1. I will send DETAILED instructions on how to register in an email late in the afternoon tomorrow. The instructions will include all the links you need to register with MAST (Step One) and to register with MPS (Step Two).  Please read these instructions carefully before clicking on any links.

MAST Webinar #1: Orientation to MAST and Alpine Ski Racing 
Who: for Students and Parents/Guardians NEW to MAST and Alpine Ski Racing.
When: Sunday, October 3 at 4PM
What: Learn everything you need to know about high school alpine ski racing and MAST: What is MAST? What is slalom racing? Where and when do we train? What equipment do we need? Costs? Fundraising? Coaching? Why is this a great sport for your athlete to learn? Why is this a great team for your athlete to join? What role do parents/guardians play?
How: Your student will need to sign into the Orientation using his or her MPS email account. Your athlete should already have received an email in his/her MPS Inbox with an invitation to join the webinar and a link. If you have not filled out the NEW Athlete Inquiry Form, please do so today so that we have your student’s MPS email address and can send a link to the meeting. I will send a second email on Sunday morning to everyone with the link and phone number to join the meeting as well, so please check your inbox on Sunday.

If you cannot make it to the Orientation at 4PM, we will be recording the session and posting it online. We will let you know how to access it in Update #3.  

To prepare for the Orientation, please be sure to review the MAST Fact Sheet HERE.

MAST Equipment Night at Pierce Skate and Ski: Wednesday, Oct 6
If you need to buy any equipment new, I recommend Pierce Skate and Ski in Bloomington.  

MAST Equipment Night at Pierce scheduled for Wednesday, October 6. Two scheduling times are still available after school on the 6th, so call now if you want to grab either of these: Dave Hinz at 3:30 and Tyler Pierce at 7:45. Call the shop and ask for Bart if you would like to grab either of these appointment times. If you can’t get an appointment for the 6th, you can also make an appointment on another day. And there are appointments available during the school day with either Dave or Tyler as well.

Here is the phone number to make an appointment at Pierce: 952-884-1990

Team Fundraiser On October 14: 2nd Annual MASTers Golf Tournament
Don’t forget to sign up for the 2nd Annual MASTers Golf Tournament at Hiawatha Golf Course.  3PM Shotgun start. Details attached and registration link below.
SIGN-UP HERE

We are also excited to be holding a raffle at the event for a chance to win incredible prizes. But we need YOU to help provide them – just make sure they’re incredible! Please donate any goods or services like gift cards, wine, tickets, equipment, apparel or anything someone might want! Prizes can be dropped off at Matt McConville's house (5057 Newton Ave. S.) anytime before the event or text Matt at 612-802-9560 and he will pick them up. Click the link below if you would like to donate a raffle prize.
RAFFLE DONATIONS HERE 

MAST Equipment Swap: Saturday, Oct 16 from 9am-Noon and MORE on Equipment
We are bringing back the in-person MAST Equipment Swap. If you have equipment to sell or donate, please drop off your equipment between 8 and 9am. If you are looking for used equipment, please shop between 9am and Noon. We ask anyone who is selling equipment to please plan to return between Noon and 1PM to collect any unsold equipment and/or your payments. Please plan to pay with cash or check. Checks will be made out directly to the seller.  

Some of the coaches will be on hand to help you select boots and skis. We will have a small inventory of helmets and race suits available and hopefully some protective gear as well. Hopefully the captains will continue the wonderful tradition of supplying donuts. 

If you don’t want to wait until Oct 16th to buy used equipment, please check out the equipment listed for sale on our website HERE and HERE. Cyrus Vahhaji and I continue to work on editing these two pages. If you have items listed on either page that have sold, please let us know so we can remove them from the listing. To remove or add items, please contact Cyrus Vahhaji at [email protected]
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Remember, NOW is the time to get set up with the equipment you need. Please check out the Equipment Pages on our website for a lot of detailed information about the equipment you need. Attached is a revised MAST Buying Guide For Ski Equipment. This is also available on our website under the Equipment header. The MAST Guide will help you understand how to size and select quality used (and new) equipment.  

See our website for additional swap information: Fall Ski Swaps.

Individual Fundraising Kick Off: Sunday, October 17 at 4PM.
We will be kicking off the MAST Individual Fundraiser this year on Sunday, October 17th at 4PM with another festive Webinar. This year you can sell both coffee and salsa to friends, neighbors, family members and perfect strangers to raise money to support your very healthy pursuits with Mpls Alpine. The money you raise can help pay for supplemental training, the Giants Ridge Camp, MAST apparel, the MAST Banquet, team fees, or even your Hyland Season Pass. The coffee come from Urban Ventures and the salsa is produced locally by MinneSalsa. Join us on the 17th for more information about how to participate. I will send out a link to the Individual Fundraiser Webinar the week of October 10th. For now, set aside 4-5PM on Oct 17. 

Have You Purchased Your 2021-22 Hyland Hills Season Pass?
To date, I have only received payment from one MAST athlete for a 2021-22 Hyland Season Pass. Everyone needs a season pass to Hyland Hills Ski Area. You can purchase your season pass through MAST or online through Three Rivers Park District/Hyland Hills. The season pass price is $455. If you purchase the pass through MAST, you will not need to pay Minnesota State Sales Tax. To purchase a season pass through MAST, please mail a check made payable to Mpls Alpine in the amount of $455 to: 

Mpls Alpine Ski Team
4800 Harriet Ave S
Mpls MN 55419.  

The deadline for purchasing a season pass through MAST is October 27.

Giants Ridge Camp Update
Thank you to those of you who have shared your date preference for camp. So far, everyone prefers December 30-January 1. So, set those three dates aside. We are exploring the possibility of extending the camp through Jan 2. However, due to MN State High School League rules, we will not be able to coach or train on the 2nd. We are hoping we can stay over so that you can just go free ski together. We are checking with MPS to see if this arrangement would be allowed. Stay tuned.  

Another beautiful day. Enjoy it.

Mark Conway
[email protected]
612-275-8392