Photo: Dave Priganc
General Information
NENSA
The New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) is the umbrella organization for cross-country skiing events in New England and strives to promote "lifelong learning, development and community-building through the sport of cross country skiing." NENSA is the host organization for both the Eastern U16 Championships and Eastern High School Championships. Visit NENSA's website for additional information.
Qualifier Race
The Qualifier Race is how athletes are selected for the Eastern U16 Championships and Eastern High School Championships (general info on both events below; detailed info is linked from the respective pages above). All Vermont U16 and/or High School skiers who are interested in qualifying for and attending either event should race the Qualifier! The Qualifier is actually 2 races in one day--more detailed information here.
Eastern U16 Championships
The Eastern U16 Championship is a premier event for New England cross-country skiers under 16 years of age. Participation is limited to 24 boys and 24 girls from each state (Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont). The event sometimes features guest teams from other regions as well. U16 Championships are typically held over the course of 3 days with 4 races total. Skiers qualify to represent the Vermont U16 team based on results at the Qualifier Race (scoring details below). The top 24 boys and 24 girls are named to the team along with 2 alternates for each team. Eastern U16 Championships is an excellent event designed to focus on young skiers and help them raise their racing level. Skiers who qualify for the team represent Vermont as part of the Vermont Nordic Ski Team, which typically means traveling and staying with the team. As such, all skiers need to become NENSA members. Jackets and uniforms are supplied to team members. Trip details and costs vary from year to year.
Eastern High School Championships
The Eastern High School Championships is the season finale for high school cross-country skiers. Participation is limited to 24 men and 24 women from each state (Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont). The event is typically held over the course of 3 days with 4 races total. Skiers qualify to represent the Vermont EHSC team based on results at the Qualifier Race (scoring details below). In brief, the top 20 boys and 20 girls are named to the team from the Qualifier along with 2 alternates; then the last 4 spots will be filled based on combined results from the individual races at the VT State Meet (though those individuals must have at least registered for the Qualifier as well). This is an excellent event designed to focus on young skiers and help them raise their racing level. Skiers who qualify for the team represent Vermont as part of the Vermont Nordic Ski Team, which typically means traveling and staying with the team. As such, all skiers need to become NENSA members. Jackets and uniforms are supplied to team members. Trip details and costs vary from year to year.
Team Qualification Guidelines
Detailed information about qualification, including information on discretionary selections, can be found here.
The New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) is the umbrella organization for cross-country skiing events in New England and strives to promote "lifelong learning, development and community-building through the sport of cross country skiing." NENSA is the host organization for both the Eastern U16 Championships and Eastern High School Championships. Visit NENSA's website for additional information.
Qualifier Race
The Qualifier Race is how athletes are selected for the Eastern U16 Championships and Eastern High School Championships (general info on both events below; detailed info is linked from the respective pages above). All Vermont U16 and/or High School skiers who are interested in qualifying for and attending either event should race the Qualifier! The Qualifier is actually 2 races in one day--more detailed information here.
Eastern U16 Championships
The Eastern U16 Championship is a premier event for New England cross-country skiers under 16 years of age. Participation is limited to 24 boys and 24 girls from each state (Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont). The event sometimes features guest teams from other regions as well. U16 Championships are typically held over the course of 3 days with 4 races total. Skiers qualify to represent the Vermont U16 team based on results at the Qualifier Race (scoring details below). The top 24 boys and 24 girls are named to the team along with 2 alternates for each team. Eastern U16 Championships is an excellent event designed to focus on young skiers and help them raise their racing level. Skiers who qualify for the team represent Vermont as part of the Vermont Nordic Ski Team, which typically means traveling and staying with the team. As such, all skiers need to become NENSA members. Jackets and uniforms are supplied to team members. Trip details and costs vary from year to year.
Eastern High School Championships
The Eastern High School Championships is the season finale for high school cross-country skiers. Participation is limited to 24 men and 24 women from each state (Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont). The event is typically held over the course of 3 days with 4 races total. Skiers qualify to represent the Vermont EHSC team based on results at the Qualifier Race (scoring details below). In brief, the top 20 boys and 20 girls are named to the team from the Qualifier along with 2 alternates; then the last 4 spots will be filled based on combined results from the individual races at the VT State Meet (though those individuals must have at least registered for the Qualifier as well). This is an excellent event designed to focus on young skiers and help them raise their racing level. Skiers who qualify for the team represent Vermont as part of the Vermont Nordic Ski Team, which typically means traveling and staying with the team. As such, all skiers need to become NENSA members. Jackets and uniforms are supplied to team members. Trip details and costs vary from year to year.
Team Qualification Guidelines
Detailed information about qualification, including information on discretionary selections, can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to be ready to pay for my spot on the team at the Qualifier?
A: No. There is an option to pay online--see the respective trip pages. You are also more than welcome to pay by check (actually saves us some $ on processing fees). Any checks should be written to the VT Nordic Ski Team, Inc. and given to Anna Schulz. Payment is due by March 1 unless you're in alternate limbo-land or there are other extenuating circumstances.
Q: Can kids who go to Junior Nationals also go to U16s and/or EHSC?
A: Typically the timing of these events prohibits participation in both.
Q: I qualified for U16s/EHSC. But I also think I might make the JNs team, and I don't know whether or not I should accept my U16/EHSC spot because I won't know until the last Eastern Cup if I'm going to JNs. What should I do?
A: You can wait to make a final decision until after final JNs scoring has been released after the last Eastern Cup. We do want to know your decision as soon as possible after that, in order to name alternates and give them time to plan. You can learn more about how alternates work in the race guide.
Q: What if I'm sick and can't race at the Qualifier?
A: See the notes in the race guide about discretionary naming. If you are sick, there's a chance you will be named to the team via discretion if your results to that point have been strong enough to warrant it. If not, you may need to use the state meet to qualify (relevant for EHSC only) or be out of luck (U16s).
Q: Why do I need to register for the Qualifier if I can't go to it and just plan to use the state meet as a way to qualify for the team?
A: We need to know who is actually trying to make the team in order to name team members in an efficient manner.
Q: Holy smokes these trips are expensive--are there scholarships available?
A: There are limited scholarships available. Please check out:
A: No. There is an option to pay online--see the respective trip pages. You are also more than welcome to pay by check (actually saves us some $ on processing fees). Any checks should be written to the VT Nordic Ski Team, Inc. and given to Anna Schulz. Payment is due by March 1 unless you're in alternate limbo-land or there are other extenuating circumstances.
Q: Can kids who go to Junior Nationals also go to U16s and/or EHSC?
A: Typically the timing of these events prohibits participation in both.
Q: I qualified for U16s/EHSC. But I also think I might make the JNs team, and I don't know whether or not I should accept my U16/EHSC spot because I won't know until the last Eastern Cup if I'm going to JNs. What should I do?
A: You can wait to make a final decision until after final JNs scoring has been released after the last Eastern Cup. We do want to know your decision as soon as possible after that, in order to name alternates and give them time to plan. You can learn more about how alternates work in the race guide.
Q: What if I'm sick and can't race at the Qualifier?
A: See the notes in the race guide about discretionary naming. If you are sick, there's a chance you will be named to the team via discretion if your results to that point have been strong enough to warrant it. If not, you may need to use the state meet to qualify (relevant for EHSC only) or be out of luck (U16s).
Q: Why do I need to register for the Qualifier if I can't go to it and just plan to use the state meet as a way to qualify for the team?
A: We need to know who is actually trying to make the team in order to name team members in an efficient manner.
Q: Holy smokes these trips are expensive--are there scholarships available?
A: There are limited scholarships available. Please check out: