Friday Race Clinic

The Race Clinic program is designed for children enrolled in the Development/Racing program who are motivated to ski fast and interested in racing. The Race Clinic program provides an additional day of practice to focus on race-specific techniques and strategies, and dedicated time to train and prepare for upcoming weekend races or events. Coaches will support skiers through races, including individual goal setting, waxing skis on race day, and cheering.

Registration

Registration historically opens October 1 (check Registration Info for exact date and time) and closes on November 1. To register your child, please use the blue “Online Registration” button to the right. We will cap our registrations at 45 skiers so please register early! Late registrants must contact the Program Director to apply, will be subject to a $35 late fee, parent must volunteer on snow, and is provisional based on us meeting our coaching ratio requirement.

Program Details

  • Prior Experience: Must be enrolled in the Development/Racing (DEVO) Program, have experience in both classic and skate techniques, AND have previous racing experience.
  • Grades: 5-8
  • Program Fee: $240 additional to BKL 5-8 DEVO program fee (Scholarships available)

Practice Information

  • December 5 to March 13
  • Fridays
    • December 5 through January 30 from 3:30 – 4:45
    • February 6 through March 13 from 3:30 – 5:00 (more daylight!)
  • No practice:
    • Thanksgiving Break: November 28
    • Winter Break: December 26, January 2
    • SAU 70 February Break: February 27
  • Practice location is determined by snow conditions. Practice location will be e-mailed the night before practice.
    • Oak Hill: 59 Oak Hill Drive, Hanover, NH; top parking lot of the Storrs Pond Recreation Area
    • Garipay Fields: 9 Reservoir Rd, Hanover, NH; near the Dartmouth Rugby Fields
    • These locations are within walking distance of the Ray School and Richmond Middle School.

Cancellation of Practice

Practice will be cancelled if the Dresden School District is closed, including snow days, early dismissals, and school vacations (except when noted), OR if conditions are dangerous to children or the trails (cold temperatures, unsafe or icy trail conditions, heavy rain).

Equipment

  • Technique: Classic and Skate
  • Equipment:
    • 2 separate pairs of skis
      • Skate Skis
      • Classic Skis
        • 5th & 6th Grade: Strongly encouraged to have waxable classic skis.
        • 7th & 8th Grade: Waxable classic skis are required! (Learning to wax is an important part of learning to race!)
    • 2 sets of poles (classic & skate lengths)
    • 1 pair of Combi ski boots. 
  • Refer to our Ski Gear Information page for more detailed information on equipment and contact the Grade 3-8 Program Head or Grade 5-8 FRC Lead Coach with any specific questions.

Questions

Please contact the Grade 3-8 Program Head should you have any questions about enrolling your child in BKL 5-8 nordic programs for the upcoming season.

Attendance Expectations

Each season our programs fill up to capacity. Out of respect for other skiers, we expect that participants who register will have no regularly-planned scheduling conflicts and have every intention to attend as many practices as they can. Skiers who do not attend regularly often do not advance their skiing abilities at the same pace as the group; when they do attend, they often hold the group back and draw additional coaching attention. This is unfair to participants who have been regularly attending practices.

Refund Policy

Refund eligibility may vary by program and is subject to the discretion of the program head(s). The following general guidelines apply:

Missed or Canceled Sessions:
We do not issue refunds for missed sessions or cancellations due to weather or safety conditions.

What’s Covered:
Refunds apply only to Ford Sayre program fees. They do not include costs associated with memberships (NENSA, USSA, etc.) or ski passes from the Dartmouth Skiway, Oak Hill Outdoor Center, Whaleback, or any other ski area or organization.

How to Request:
A refund request must be submitted in writing and received at least two weeks prior to the first day of training (whether dryland or on-snow).

Approved requests submitted by this deadline may be eligible for a full refund minus a $60 administrative fee.

Please send the refund request via email to the Nordic Coordinator (nordic@fordsayre.org).

Late Cancellations:
A refund request is considered late if it is not submitted in writing and received at least two weeks prior to the first day of training (whether dryland or on snow).

Requests received within the two-week period prior to the start of training, may be considered in very limited circumstances. These requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

No refunds will be issued on or after the first day of training.

Injury or Illness:
If an athlete experiences a season-ending injury or illness, you may request a partial refund of program fees. These requests must be submitted in writing and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Our Team

Hilary McNamee

Nordic Head Coach

Hilary hails from the most Northern reaches of Maine, where winter lasts nearly all year. Hilary began coaching with Ford Sayre in 2011, during her undergrad years at Dartmouth and later worked for four seasons as the Dartmouth Ski Team Assistant. She has a background in biathlon and attended five World Junior Championships representing USA. In her role as Ford Sayre Nordic Head Coach, she oversees all Nordic programming in addition to being the head coach for the Junior Nordic Team (JNT), Ford Sayre’s high school racing program. Her other passion in life is growing and arranging flowers. Hilary can be reached at: hilary@fordsayre.org

Jay Davis

BKL Head Coach

Jay started skiing in Bethel, ME, in elementary school. He lives in Lyme and works with first generation and low income students at Dartmouth College, where he captained the collegiate team as an undergraduate and then coached the college team for two years after graduation. He has two kids who have loved being part of Ford Sayre skiing and racing, and he has coached all grade levels with Ford Sayre in the 21 years he has been with the program.  As Head Coach for the K-8 BKL Programs, he is responsible for the organization, preparation and direction of our fabulous coaching team. Please address all coaching inquiries to Jay at HeadCoachBKL@FordSayre.org.

Courtney Marchetti

Grade 3-8 Program Head

Courtney is a lifelong alpine and backcountry skier who discovered the joy of xc skiing, along with her two children and husband, ten years ago while living in southern Vermont. She has since become an enthusiastic volunteer and supporter of BKL programming in numerous youth programs throughout New England. When not outside seeking out adventures with her family and friends, she runs a child psychiatry practice in White River Junction. Email Courtney at BKL@fordsayre.org.

Dennis Page

Friday Race Clinic Lead Coach

Bio coming soon.