Oslo's best

On the final full day of our Norway trip, we have been busy! 

First, we celebrated Madison's 18th birthday. She and Sophie celebrated with a morning jump in the Atlantic...I was there to see it but managed to refrain from joining in. 

Then Josefine prepared an incredible birthday breakfast...

And after breakfast cake, we were off! 

First, to the Holmenkollen ski jump, with an incredible view of the Oslofjord, and the terrifying prospect of actually jumping off the thing..

Then our fearless athletes paid money to go inside this awesome "Ski Simulator" because they Just Can't Get Enough...

The ski museum was full of treasures, including a pair of skis down at the end that Finn Christian Jagge signed and donated (Go Burke!) 

And an exhibit about how early ski poles were designed to enhance balance and also used as spears for bear hunting. So there's that. 

Then it was off to the Viking Museum where there were three *actual* Viking ships on display. One of the coolest things I've ever seen...

And now we are off to dinner to continue the Norway tour slash birthday celebration. See you all on Monday! 

Spring break in Norway

While most of you are soaking up the Vitamin D we have been missing all winter and working on your tan somewhere tropical, Sam and I have a hearty (and hardy) group of athletes over here in Norway chasing the season for another two weeks. 

We just finished the second of three races at Hovden, which is a *very* small town in southwestern Norway - there is a ski academy here, and it's not unlike East Burke! Significantly more reindeer here in Hovden, although we haven't spotted any, YET. Yesterday we started the series  with a GS, and Madison and Aleck both wound up 6th, and Kalle 14th. Sophie and Josefine took pretty good tumbles, but everyone was in good spirits at the end of the day. 

Today was the Norwegian National U18 Championship GS, which happily includes a sweet athlete and coach banquet - yay! Today Josefine was 3rd on the day (2nd after first run), and was the 2nd U18 - hence two podium pictures. Aleck won the first run, but got bumped on the second run to wind up second - since he's a U21 he only got one podium trip, unfortunately. Kalle was 12th after the first run, but his shock absorbers didn't hold up to the bumps on the second run. Madison was 9th overall, and 6th on the second run, and Sophie was 17th overall but 7th on the second run. Tomorrow is the National Champs SL, and then we move from here to Ål for three more races before heading to Oslo for a bit of sightseeing, and then home! 

Today's race podium, Josefine 3rd

Aleck - 2nd today

Josefine 2nd U18. 

Breaking in Josefine's trophy with a team toast - Norwegian "kid's champagne" for everyone! (Well, everyone over the age of 1.) 

Super Series Experts

Josefine, Alli, Bridget, Madison and I spent some quality time among the Québécois this week, racing SL at Le Relais, GS at Stoneham, and eating lots of poutine for dinner. The conditions were ideal until the last day, when we finally got some spring conditions and had to salt the surface for the last GS. There was some great racing throughout the week! Josefine was 3rd overall in the U18 season series standings (surprise!!) thanks to some early season SG results that we had all completely forgotten about, in addition to her 5th overall on the first day of the GS and the first U18 both days of GS at Stoneham. Madison was the 4th U18 and Alli was the 3rd U18 on the first GS day, giving Burke three of the top five U18 spots. Madison was also on the podium for the first slalom day. Also, Tory and Cecelia came to Canada to surprise me for my birthday, and Madison got a great shot of Cece's first team van ride. And the girls surprised me with a birthday cake (from Shaw's, my favorite)! Not sure who Gramps is, but I really enjoyed his cake. 

I hope everyone has a great spring break! See you all in a few weeks, with your running shoes on! 

Mado 3rd in SL

3 of the top 5! 

Overall GS - Joey 5th, on stage with some pretty heavy hitters. 

Season standings. Sweet plate for Josefine! 

Family dinner trip! 

Nordics get FAT!

The Nordic Team mixed it up for the final week of spring training and went fat-biking with Viv on the Kingdom Trails.  12.2 miles and 1600+ feet of climbing.

U16 USSA Racing

The end of the winter provides some fun opportunities to race outside of the U16 age group. Over the past two weekends some U16s raced at Cannon and Sugarbush. Their hard work from the year paid off as they lowered their points and some landed on the podium. Below are some photos from the races.

 It was so windy at the start at Cannon that the warmest place to wait was in the trees.

 After the race we took a "tram run" from the top of Cannon. This was the awesome view of Franconia Ridge.

Andrew claimed 3rd U16 in the SL.

 At Sugarbush, Bri was 2nd overall.

 Matt Price was the 2nd U16 in SL.

 Parker took 3rd overall in the GS at Sugarbush. Bri was 8th.

Shamus won the GS overall, with Matt in 5th and Andrew 6th. 

U16 Am-Can at Stowe

Tuesday through Thursday this week seven Burkies represented the eastern US against the best of eastern Canada: Shamus, Cole, Gigi, Parker, Avery, McKenna and Annie. We enjoyed awesome snow conditions and beautiful sunny skies two of three days. After the SG we even skied the other side of the mountain, which was super fun!

 Looking at the other side of Stowe from the race hill

 The blue jackets crew - Annie, Gigi, Shamus, McKenna, Parker

 Parker and Momma Biele (and Misty)

 Annie claimed 2nd in GS, with Gigi 6th and Parker 8th

Shamus wins GS! Way to represent!

Avery 8th in SL

Shamus 7th in SL

SL day - luckily the rain waited until we finished - McKenna, Shamus, Gigi, Annie, Parker

Surrogate Family Life

Today was a little rough for the BMA girls in the US Nationals GS, although Nina's win was incredible! With a day off tomorrow, the girls cooked up an amazing pesto pasta meal, and then we sat around the dinner table and played Clue to blow off a little steam. Family style game night!