NNF Pledges $58,000 in support to 5 Cross-Country Pillar Projects

Tue, Nov  8, 2011 - By Andrew Gerlach

Salt Lake City, Utah - Nov 7, 2011: The National Nordic Foundation will invest a record $58,000 in 5 Cross-Country Pillar projects in its first round of 2011/2012 funding.  These strategic investments are made to Support Tomorrow’s Stars Today.
 
The Pillar Projects do not fund individual athletes directly but rather subsidize the high costs of individual trips. The nation's top developing athletes earn the right to participate in these trips through their competitive results. In essence, the Pillar Projects provide the infrastructure, or pillars, necessary for international development. Funding of these Pillar Projects allowed America’s present generation of World Cup stars including Kikkan Randall and Andy Newell to participate affordably in many of their first international trips including Scandinavian Cups, Continental Cups, and World Juniors competitions. Without this early access to ongoing international competition it is less likely these athletes, and our Nation, would be experiencing the success we are today. The following Pillar Projects will be guaranteed the support listed. Additional funds raised by NNF through the Nov 15 Drive for 25 and other ongoing campaigns will be strategically invested in future finding allocations.   

• $3,000 - National J2 Elite Camp; Sun Valley, Idaho August 1-8, 2011

This camp is one of the first steps an athlete takes from local star to national development prospect.

• $5,000 – J1 Junior Scandinavian Championships “Scando Cup”; Mammaste, Estonia, Feb 14-27, 2012

This trip is the first exposure to international racing and racing travel for U.S. athletes.  Traveling to Scandinavia and putting on a race bib is an eye opening experience. Athletes come back with a new appreciation of the dedication and focus needed to succeed internationally. Coaches attending the trip also gain valuable experience in the trials and tribulations of international racing and coaching.  This Pillar receives $5000 from NNF and an additional $6000 in support from a NNF partnership with the 10 USSA Junior Olympic divisions. This total support fully funds the volunteer coaches’ expenses while subsidizing overall trip expenses.

• $22,000 - World Junior Championships/Under 23 World Championships: Erzurum, Turkey  February 10 - 27, 2012

The World Junior U23 Ski Championship is where then nation’s top junior athletes first see how they stack up against the very best juniors in the World. This annual World Championship are often a precursor to the (Senior) Nordic World Championships 2-4 years later. For US athletes the Junior and U23 world championships are the foundation and stepping stone for a successful future.

• $15,000 - Europe Continental Cup “OPA/Scandinavian Cup"; Jan 20 – Mar 15, 2012,

The Europe Continental Cup - Pillar funding allows older Junior and developing senior athletes to contest an international series just below the World Cup. It provides the natural progression from winning week in and week out in North America to battling for a top finish in Europe. Interested athletes and coaches should inquire with [email protected]. Athletes on the most current Overall, Distance, or Sprint USSA points lists will be given preference for trip spots. Available money is split amongst qualifying athletes for the offered Continental Cup trips, generally covering coaching and van expenses. Because the money available and the money needed will always be a changing number, NNF is not required to split the money evenly between COC trips.

• $13,000 - World Cup: 2011-12 Circuit

The World Cup Pillar funding allows America’s future stars who have qualified to compete on the World Cup but are not funded by USSA or FIS to get exposure to the World Cup.  The World Cup is the premier race circuit. Available money is split amongst qualifying athletes throughout the individual World Cup "periods". Because the money available and the money needed will always be a changing number, NNF is not required to split the money evenly between World Cup periods.

Support Tomorrow’s Stars Today

The National Nordic Foundation exists to help America’s young, dedicated, and driven Nordic talent realize their, and America’s, long term potential in sport and in life. The biggest hurdle facing American Nordic racers is gaining consistent access to international quality coaching, training, and racing experiences from ages 15 through 25. Providing future generations of U.S. Nordic athletes earned access to a progression of high-quality international competitions, their life enriching lessons, represents this nation’s greatest Nordic development opportunity and funding need. The National Nordic Foundation and its Pillar Projects exist to fulfill this need. Please donate to the National Nordic Foundation and support tomorrow’s stars today as their quest for athletic accomplishment on the trails prepares them to achieve their potential in life while inspiring others to do the same. Please Donate $25 or $2500 Here Now!