Introduction to the High School Nordic Racing Program
The Ford Sayre Nordic Racing Team is a program of the Ford Sayre Memorial Ski Council, which supports recreational and competitive skiers of the Upper Valley region of Vermont and New Hampshire. The FS Nordic Racing Team is for J2, J1 and OJ cross country skiers who are looking to step-up their training and racing to the next level. The programs coaching staff stresses smart training and long-term skier development to allow the skier to reach their full potential and personal goals. The team trains in the Hanover, NH area and races the Eastern Cup/JOQ circuit on the New England Nordic Ski Association schedule. In addition, all members of the program also ski and race on the their local high school teams*. The championship schedule includes the New England J2 Festival, the Eastern States Ski Championships, and the Junior Olympics. A quick outline of program details from the Ford Sayre Program Brochure can be found here.
 
2006/2007 Season
The Ford Sayre Nordic Team this season is composed of 12 athletes from the Upper Valley. The skiers are all between the ages of 14-17, competing in the J2 or J1 age groups in NENSA and USSA sanctioned races.
Many of these high school age skiers have developed their cross country skiing and racing experience in Ford Sayre’s Bill Koch League program for elementary and middle school students.
 
What we do
For most of our skiers, our program begins with summer dryland training. Ranging from long trail runs to roller skiiing and strength work. After the local high school  fall sports programs complete their seasons, our program starts up again in early-mid November. We are on snow as soon as Mother Nature allows and our racing season begins with the first Eastern Cup races the weekend before Christmas and lasts through the championship season in  mid-March.
 
Our Resources
Our most important resources is our coaching staff that care about each and every skier on the team. Scottie Eliassen, Dennis Donahue, and Jay Davis each bring a special set of coaching skills and experience to the program and work to create a well crafted, season-long training and racing plan for our skiers. The program owns and operates its own van, allowing us to travel to training locations and races together, with plenty of room for our wax boxes, skis, poles, and other gear.
 
An Option for High School Skiers
The Ford Sayre Nordic program, also known as the Junior Training Program (JTP) is one option for skiers as they enter high school. The Ford Sayre Bill Koch League program is for skiers in 8th grade and younger. Following 8th grade, skiers have various options - which option to choose depends on the individual skier’s goals and commitment to racing and training. A short description of these options can be found in this document: hs xc ski options.pdf.
 
Looking for More Information
If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Greg DeFrancis, the Program Head at 802.649.5738 or click to email.
About the Ford Sayre Nordic Program
All sites are maintained by Greg DeFrancis                                                                                                                                                                              Questions/Comments?
Ford Sayre Nordic Racing Silver Fox Trot Eastern Cup
 
Hanover and Lebanon High School Programs
Ford Sayre nordic ski team members also ski on their local high school teams. Both Lebanon High School and Hanover High School have active varsity programs for both boys and girls in nordic skiing. The high school racing schedule is a separate schedule of races. Click here for the LHS nordic schedule.pdf or here for the HHS nordic schedule.pdf.