Welcome to the MARA web page. The previous web page served us well for many years, but this will be much more dynamic. You’ll notice important static page links at the top. On the right hand side you’ll find our recent posts, some external links, various forms and an archive.

The  heart of the page though will be the feature board in the middle and the blog accessible in the navigation bar at the top or in the box at the bottom. The blog will feature race announcements, parent education, race results and athlete inspiration. The possibilities are endless. We’ll also be linking to Facebook and Twitter, social media that many people rely more heavily on these days.

to the following who continue to help MARA in incalculable ways!

Mustard Press, Stewart Media, Opus Broadcast Systems, Rogue Valley Crossfit, Deep Woods Embroidery, Ogasaka Skis, Freelap Timing Systems, and Oakley.

Thanks so much. You all rock!

Websters defines the verb “train” as follows:  a) to form by instruction, discipline, or drill b) to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient.

A myth has slowly grown in our community, and likely in many competition oriented clubs, that our athletes are not training if they aren’t in the gates. My goal here is to KILL THAT MYTH DEADER THAN DEAD!

Every skill an athlete needs to apply to get faster has to be achievable OUTSIDE of the gates. A set course adds a level of challenge that they are ultimately building towards, but introducing new, sometimes counterintuitive skill in a race course adds complexities of its own that may overwhelm an athletes ability to even attempt, let alone adequately acquire a new skill.

The photo in the slider is a perfect example. Yesterday, our juniors were working on edging up. None of them were able to edge up like Elisabeth Goergl is doing in that photo, not just in the course, but ANYWHERE. In order to do it in the gates, they have to learn it in a less complicated environment first, and then apply it to the gates.

When I taught my son to drive, I took him to a newly laid out subdivision with few houses and very little traffic. I didn’t turn over the keys and turn him lose on the highway or in downtown Medford. The same went for snow driving. We went up to the high lakes into a large, remote parking area and learned what it feels like when a car looses control. Skills are best learned outside of the high pressure context they will ultimately be used in.

Powder skiing is the ultimate myth that needs to be busted. Powder skiing places a high price on balance, finesse and fine motor skills. Anytime an athlete is skiing in the powder, they are becoming better athletes and thus better racers.

So why do we feel this way about “training”? It’s simple, most of us, me included, are laypeople, and not ski coaches. Our minds are programmed to complete stories in the absence of information. It makes more sense to run with the “they didn’t train” story than “I’m sure the coach had something in mind, but I don’t know what it was.”

We are very fortunate, and have been for quite some time, to have a knowledgable, caring coaching staff. When our athletes are on the mountain, with a coach or even free skiing the trees or powder on their own, they are training as long as they are doing it mindfully with careful attention to the process. That is up to each individual athlete and doesn’t matter whether they are in the gates, doing drills, skiing powder or at home contemplating the ways they can strengthen their mental game.

THE MYTH IS DEAD! LONG LIVE THE NEW CONCEPT OF “TRAINING”!

Mike Hoyt

MARA Parent Coach

The Masters race scheduled on March 18th has been cancelled.

Mark Keiser had a joy for life and the outdoors that was unbounded. When it came to skiing, he wasn’t about “the stuff,” but about the freedom and the rush, the out of body zone right up next to flying that we occasionally get when we are skiing as if in a dream.

Mark and his brother Eric, under the wing of their Dad, Dave, pioneered ski racing in Southern Oregon, traveling every weekend to Mt. Bachelor before Mt. Ashland even existed. The both had very fruitful racing careers. We owe everything to their original vision.

In the late 90′s, Mark’s life was tragically cut short in a work related accident. This weekend we race in his memory.

Don’t worry about your wax, or if you have the latest skis, or the coolest suit, do what Mark did and see if you can fly.

February 25th & 26th, 2012

Giant Slalom on Saturday and Slalom on Sunday

Mt. Ashland Ski Area, Winter Run

Race Data:

GS, SL (two runs each race)

Boys and girls (non scored event)

Start times 10:00 am

Course will be open for inspection at 9:30 am

Seeding by age classification. Youngest to oldest by class.

***All schedules are tentative and subject to snow and/or weather conditions.***

Eligibility:

Open to all club and sanctioned racers U8-Masters (ages 6 and up).

*** Helmets required ***

Entry Deadline:

Wednesday, February 22th, 2012. Entries must be completed online or postmarked by the entry deadline. If mailed, all fees must be included with race application.

Entry Fees:

$20.00 per event, cash, check or credit card. Sign up and pay online or download the PDF Race Application and mail it with a check to:

MARA Race Committee Chair Kirk Austbo

Mt. Ashland Racing Association

P.O. Box 3105

Ashland, OR 97520

Phone: (541) 482-1808

Email: mararaces@gmail.com

Late Entries:

Entries submitted after the posted deadline will be subject to a $10.00 late fee per race. Late fees must be paid at registration in order to participate.

Cancellations:

24 hours before race by phone to MARA Race Committee Chair Kirk Austbo.

Race Headquarters:

Mt. Ashland Lodge on the fourth floor.

Registration:

Opens at 8:00 am each morning on the fourth floor of the Lodge. Follow the stairs to the top. Liability releases and late fees must be turned in before a bib is issued.

Lift Passes:

6 years and under free, 7 to 12 for $24.00, 13 to 69 for $34, 70 and over are free. Coaches of visiting teams shall receive one complimentary ticket for each 8 paid athletes. Registered racers can purchase discounted racer tickets at the ticket counter on the first floor from 8 am to 9 am from Mt. Ashland. (Cash, Check or Credit Cards). ***Prices may change … these prices are a guide.***

Volunteers:

Visiting parents are invited to help with the race. A Mt. Ashland ski pass will be provided for race day. If you anticipate being able to help, please contact MARA Race Committee Chair Kirk Austbo.

Awards:

ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE AN AWARD. Medals for the top 3 of each U8 through Masters classes and ribbons for all other skiers following the completion of the race. Awards ceremony will be held on the fourth floor of the lodge.

• I. Thou shall not impose thy ambitions on thy child.
• II. Thou shall be supportive no matter what.
• III. Thou shall not coach thy child.
• IV. Thou shall only have positive things to say at a competition.
• V. Thou shall acknowledge thy child’s fears.
• VI. Thou shall not criticize the officials.
• VII. Thou shall honor thy child’s coach.
• VIII. Thou shall be loyal and supportive of thy team.
• IX. Thy child shall have goals besides winning.
• X. Thou shall not expect thy child to become an Olympian.

Skis- K2 Seth Pistols- 179cm. Make offer. Contact me direct at dd@tcchevy.com or cell 541-944-4202

Boots- Nordica Superchargers- 2 seasons on them. Size 26.5 (Fits a Mens 9-10). Make an offer.  Contact me direct at dd@tcchevy.com or cell 541-944-4202.

The Shakespeare Cup will run Saturday and Sunday, February 12 and 13. Giant Slalom will run on Saturday and Slalom on Sunday. A link to registration can be found below. See you there!

http://www.mtashlandracing.com/mara-race-application/