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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula March 5, 2004 Text © 2004 Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club, with content provided by Dean Woodbeck and Patty Lins. Photos © 2004 Patty Lins

Ski Tigers, p. 2

Since early January, Ski Tigers have been meeting each Saturday, forming groups (Red, Bronze, etc.) with similar abilities, led by volunteer coaches. Each coach has a checklist of skills to be taught at each level. As Tigers move through the groups, they also have the option to continue to ski recreationally or to join the racing program.

Members of the Ski Tigers' Red Group meet for skiing at Maasto Hiihto in February 2004. (Photo © 2004 Patty Lins. Reprinted with permission.)

Groups progress from green through gold, with green the very beginners and gold the oldest racers. Coaches for the groups are as follows: 

Green: Gail Neufeld, Steve Delong 
Blue: Richard Honrath, Mike Meyer, Ray Sharp 
Red: Wendy Sharp, Richard Featherly, Alex Friend, Deb Hart 
Yellow: Bill Marlor, Andy Baltensperger 
Explorer: Theresa Shoup 
Silver: Jan Haase, John Molnar, Mark Klemp, Lieschen Klemp 
Gold: Doug Oppliger, Dean Woodbeck

Members of the Ski Tigers' Red Group, from left, Soyma Gupta, Lena Sutter and Anna Shoos practice at Maasto Hiihto trails in Hancock, Feb. 7, 2004. (Photo © 2004 Patty Lins. Reprinted with permission.)

The Ski Tigers Parent Involvement Program provides every parent with opportunities to volunteer, such as uncorking the apple juice for thirsty kids, volunteering to help with the Junior Bear Chase, coaching or helping with awards and prizes. 

Red Group Coach Wendy Sharp gives a demonstration of different types of skis and how to wax them to parents and Ski Tigers at the Maasto Hiihto Chalet Feb. 7, 2004. (Photo © 2004 Patty Lins. Reprinted with permission.)

New this year is a group for parents who also want to learn to cross-country ski.

Ski Tigers parent Blair Orr, far left, coaches an adult class of skiers at Maasto Hiihto. Members of the class, from left, are Chelly Vician, Vickie, Bergvall, Kelly Luck, Robin Orr and Amy Chard. (Photo © 2004 Patty Lins. Reprinted with permission.)

To learn more about the Ski Tigers, visit their Web site on keweenawtrails.com and read their recent newsletter, edited by Keweenaw Now columnist and Ski Tigers parent Ray Sharp.

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