Redfeather Snowshoe Team Blog

Snowshoe Product Test Complete

2010-04-16T13:58:00.002-05:00

Read Complete Product review of Redfeather Apline,Conquest,Explorer and Pace Snowshoes at

Photo of the Day

2010-04-06T10:44:00.002-05:00

Photo of the Day 4-6-10:

(Josiah Middaugh Redfeather Race Team)

2010-02-24T15:37:00.002-06:00

The Silverthorne Snowshoe Skedaddle, in Silverthorne, CO. Boasts a course designed by Danelle Ballengee 8 x snowshoe national champion. She was able to pull off a 3rd place finish.

Redfeather Snowshoes supports Local Organization

2010-02-23T13:55:00.004-06:00

What:Coulee Region Trout Unlimited Banquet
Where: Cedar Creek Country Club, Onalaska , WI.
When:Friday Feb. 26th 6pm.
Cost: Tickets $40 at the door includes dinner.

hundreds of prizes. You can check our web site also at Couleeregiontu.org

Update From Yaro Middaugh

2010-02-19T10:01:00.001-06:00

Big Foot Snowshoe Race in Traverse City, MI, which was my regional qualifier for Nationals as well. There was a fantastic turn out of 360 participants. They claimed to be the largest snowshoe race east of the Mississippi. Anyway, I was able to pull off the win in the 10 km and was the only shoer to break the 50 minute mark. I couldn't have asked for more from my gear. It's nice to have the optimal equipment. I raced the Vapors and found them to be quick and nimble. They had many admirers!

My second race, the Frozen Torch was smaller, but the same top three from the Big Foot race showed up making it very competitive. Again, I was able to pull it off, but it took a final sprint to do it. I was very pleased with its performance in the colder weather! The Vapors made the steep climbs a breeze and I was able to charge the down hills.

Update from Helen Cospolich

2010-02-19T09:42:00.002-06:00

I did the Swift Skedaddle Snowshoe Adventure in Silverthorne last month (10K USSSA nationals qualifier) and finished 2nd overall for women

40th Annual Salomon Frisco Gold Rush 7K Snowshoe Race
A chilly day greeted both snowshoers and Nordic skiers at the 40th annual Salomon Frisco Gold Rush events in Frisco, Colorado on February 7th. Hundreds of skiers of all ages took part in the races throughout the morning, while a hearty group of snowshoers gathered for the start of the 7K Snowshoe Race at 11:30am. A group sprint start led the ’shoers onto a singletrack trail that followed the undulating Frisco Peninsula perimeter. Up and down, we winded our way through the woods with views of Dillon Reservoir and the empty Frisco Marina. While not a technical course, the singletrack provided great variety, and the climbs challenged even the most fit competitors. Tim Hola of Littleton won the men’s race in a time of 31:58. Helen Cospolich (Redfeather Elite Team) of Breckenridge won the women’s race in 35:56. Both winners beat their closest competitors by more than 2 minutes.

Beaver Creek Snowshoe Series Update 7Feb10

2010-02-19T08:04:00.003-06:00

Josiah Middaugh pulls off another Win in Beaver Creek Snowshoes Series on the 7th of February.

Update from Auburn Ski Club Snowshoe Challenge. 2/15/2010

2010-02-19T07:55:00.002-06:00

Peter Fain was able to pull off another win and missed his course record by 45 seconds

Update From Peter Fain about Rim tour snowshoe Race

2010-02-05T08:39:00.001-06:00

I guess it's pretty easy to get upset if you miss a turn during a race. But in this case, since everyone did, I see it as we all got a few more miles for our money. Besides, it was probably my fault. But lets talk about the event.
It was a really good feeling toeing the line with many, not just a few but many athletes ready to brace an incredibly challenging course. A course more reminicent of Europeans idea of snowshoeing; groomed, wide and hilly. In all fairness that is a necessity for a race that shares a course with nordic skiers, besides, throwing in any powder sections/single track on a race of this distance may be too humbling for some and scare participants from ever trying snowshoe running again.
From the gun the skiers made quick work to get out ahead of the runners, good thing since we'd only get in eachothers way, but the snowshoe field stayed tight in a few seperate groups, the lead front runners which consisted of Justin Thomass, Piers Stockwell, Ross Mcmahan and myself; then the lead women of Marriane Chandler and Sarah Mcmahan, while a strong showing of new faces to the sport took it conservatively but together.
For the lead group Piers in standard fashion pressed the pace immediatly testing the waters and shedding dead weight. I sat on his tail hoping that was the case because there was no way I could've held that pace with him. After about a mile he settled down and I was forced into the lead. I held a moderate pace keeping both Piers and Justin right with me. By the time we began the climb up mt watson (5 + miles) Piers had fallen back a bit and Justin began pressing the pace. Not to far into the climb Justin took the lead and began to power ahead. The snow was softer on the fiberboard freeway than it was in the Tahoe City nordic center. I found myself slipping a bit as I criss crossed the trail looking for the sweet spot. Once I did I found that I quickly made up the lost ground on Justin. Feeling energized by the surge I continued the pace ahead but Justin answered the call. Throughout the climb I tried surge after surge trying to break Justin from my tail but he stayed. Near the top the trail levels out. I picked up the pace even more I pulled away from Justin. At this point I could no longer hear him behind me so I ran by fear, always assuming he was right behind me.
From the aid station near the halfway point the course begins it's long, gradual, rolling downhill. This is great for skier but damn, there's no letting up on the downhill with snowshoes. I opened up my stride and kept an uncomfortable pace all the way to the turn in at Northstar. The vapors allowed for an unhibited downhill stride. I glanced over my shoulder a few times and noticed I had gained a sizeable lead. The turn off the Northstar was a really soft section of snow. A sense of panic came over me as I knew if the last 2 miles were this soft I would lose all the ground I made up on the downhill. Luckily once on Northstars nordic center trail system it was firm running all the way in. 15.5 miles and nearly 2 hours and 10 minutes later the race ends for me. I stand hunched over with my hands on my knees trying to gain my composure in front of the nordic skiers and no sooner does Justin cross the line behind me. I say, not bad for a retired exterra racer. Some people are naturals and he is for sure. I would put money on him taking the crown of snowshoeing by next year. Mark my words. I'm glad he wastn on Redfeathers or I may have lost my advantage. It's hard to highlight the rest of the race as I was now sitting inside the warm nordic center eating a bowl of chile and trying unsuccessully to get warm. Reminising with Piers, Ross and Justin about the race Sarah and Marriane walk in happy to be done but wondering about the distance. It turns out the two of them battled it out most of the way.
Overall another sucess for the Northstar nordic centers series of snowshoe events. The more people hear about this the more people will come. Besides, having the best trail runners in the country in our state there's no reason they shouldnt be out here. For those of you who didnt catch it, that was a challenge to rest of you runners not from our area to come and toe the line in Tahoe City next year.
Peter Fain

Updated Photograph of the Race outfit

2010-02-05T08:03:00.003-06:00

Chris Miller

Hardwater Snowshoe Race

2010-02-03T10:45:00.002-06:00

"I had a great race and was able to win the 11 mile race. It felt real good to get a win." Quote from the Hardwater Snowshoe Race just outside Boulder,CO
Greg Abrahamson

Race Update From Peter Fain

2009-12-23T11:12:00.002-06:00

With a record breaking crowd and epic early season conditions, today was lining up to be competitive event. With all walks showing up to race, there was no telling what the outcome might look like today. All the local favorites were on hand for today’s race including Bill Raider, Ross McMahon, Sly Coons, and Peter Fain. On the women’s side both Sarah’s’ toed the line (Raider & McMahon) for their annual duel.
The weather and conditions were ideal for an early season race in the sierras. The groomers were soft and sticky and the single track was deep and off kilter, the pieces that keep a race ever challenging. The temperature started in the low 20’s but by start time we were right around 32 degrees.
The start: Fain took it out from the start leading all through the 1st mile of single track and then into the 2nd mile of groomers. By the 3rd mile Pierce Stockwell started putting pressure on Peter to pick up the pace which was in the 100meter section of fresh single track. Pierce floated by and continued forward. By the turn around point Justin Thomas pulled up next to Peter and continued passed and began his attack on Pierce. It was a long chase that Pierce gave but Justin finally overtook Pierce with about 1 mile to go. The gap spread and the places held firm. Justin Thomas, a relative new comer to snowshoeing took first, while Pierce Stockwell came in a close second, another relative newbie to the sport, while veterans Fain, McMahon and Raider brought in 3-5 respectively.
No surprises in the women’s race, Sarah Raider once again ran away with the win; finishing not far behind the top 5 men.
As far as races go, it’s good to know that there are still some running/snowshoeing events out there that reward the racers that put in the effort to be at the top of their game. Kudos to Julie Young for offering cash prizes for top 3 men and women.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!
FROM ALL OF US AT
REDFEATHER

REDFEATHER RACE TEAM MEMBER

2009-12-10T07:53:00.003-06:00

CASEY SHEA
Current National Snowshoeing Team Member
Trail Runner and former collegiate runner

REDFEATHER RACE TEAM MEMBER

2009-11-30T09:55:00.003-06:00

JENNY SMITH
Professional Multisport Athlete
Xterra and Mtn bike focused
(Photograph taken by Xavier Fane)

REDFEATHER RACE TEAM MEMBER

2009-11-25T13:38:00.002-06:00

Teri Smith
Triathlete
Adventure Racer

REDFEATHER RACE TEAM MEMBER

2009-11-25T13:35:00.003-06:00

Peter Fain
current USSSA Snowshoe Champion
racer since 1998
accomplished distance and ultra runner

REDFEATHER RACE TEAM MEMBER

2009-11-25T13:31:00.004-06:00

Helen Cospolich
2008 Leadville Trail 100 Running Champion
Professional Ultra marathoner and snowshoe racer

REDFEATHER RACE TEAM MEMBER

2009-11-25T13:15:00.003-06:00

Greg Abrahamson
International Bike Racing Back ground
2009 Xterra Amateur fire and Ice champion

Redfeather to form Elite Endurance Snowshow Racing Team

2009-10-19T10:31:00.002-05:00

Redfeather Snowshoes announces the formation of an elite racing squad, a team of select endurance athletes who will enjoy sponsor support from leading manufacturers within the outdoor and multisport industries.

The Redfeather Endurance Racing Team, presented by The North Face, will feature one dozen athletes who will be chosen primarily for their proven athletic talent and ability to serve as ambassadors for the sport and for the team’s sponsor brands. The focus of the team will be to commandeer podium positions at regional and national snowshoe race series’ throughout North America.

Team athletes will benefit from wearing Redfeather’s premium race model, the R700. With its ultra-light bindings and Live-Action Hinges, designed for increased mobility and maximum speed, the R700 literally lays the tracks for other race-specific snowshoes to follow.

Partnering with Redfeather in this exciting venture are a host of premium outdoor and multi-sport brands, including The North Face, manufacturer of highly technical race apparel and outerwear; Smith Optics, an industry leader in active lifestyle and performance eyewear; GU Energy Labs, purveyors of scientifically-proven, performance-tested sports nutrition; Carmichael Training Systems, delivering personal coaching, training camps and performance testing to athletes of all abilities; Fuel Belt, providing advanced hydration systems for endurance athletes; and Triathlete Magazine, the go-to resource for multi-sport news and information.

Welcome

2009-10-16T09:53:00.002-05:00

W E L C O M E !
Welcome to the Redfeather Snowshoe Team blog.