Two weeks at the world nordic ski championships in Austria meant a lot of people met, a lot of stories seen and heard, and a lot of photos taken, from the ski jumper, above, flying toward the Alps, to the Seekirchl (church by the lake) in Seefeld by moonlight, below, to all the faces of nordic ski sport. Click here for the gigantic gallery, if you dare. When you get to the gallery, mouse over and click the images on the right-hand side arrow to speed up the slide show. Or just relax with a cup of something and let the show run. This is a lot of photos, but it’s the just the tip of the snowberg.
So Long, Seefeld
The 2019 FIS world nordic championships are history. More than 100,000 tickets were sold during the two-week competition in Seefeld, Austria—about 12,000 on the busiest days, according to the organizers. Norwegians, like the fan above, were definitely smiling: They won 25 medals, more by far than any other nation. The Austrian organizers should have been happy with the way the events ran, but undoubtedly they were crushed when a full-blown blood-doping scandal erupted, complete with the arrests by German and Austrian police of several athletes, including two Austrian skiers.
Below, a turn during the 50-K race (that’s more than 30 miles on skis), the final event. Below that, Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby leaving the medal area with his son after the 50-k medals were presented. Sundby finished fourth by a fraction of an inch, but it didn’t seem to prevent him from enjoying the festivities or prevent his son from high-fiving Norwegian Sjur Rothke, who beat Sundby for the bronze. Below that, two Swedish wax testers — who hold hands to make sure they both reach the same velocity on a downhill, then let go and see who goes the farthest/fastest. And finally, I suppose all event mascots are entitled to feel a little down when their event is over. The Seefeld mascot, Snowie, bottom, did seem a bit lonely as things wound down. I’ll post a gallery from the events when I get back home next week.
Warm: Seefeld #4, Women’s Relay
It was this hot during the women’s 4 x 5-K relay at the world nordic ski championships in Seefeld, Austria, yesterday: So hot — temperatures well into the 50s and skiers fighting through slushy, slow snow — that Therese Johaug, top, Norway’s number one skier, collapsed into an instant on-snow cooldown at the finish line. She (and Norway) finished second. Jessie Diggins, the top US skier, below, cut the legs off her race suit and rolled down her striped red, white and blue relay socks. The US was fifth. Full race recap at FastSkier.com. 
On the Jump Hill, Seefeld
Three from the ski jump in Seefeld, Austria. I know very little about ski jumping and very little about how to photograph it, but it is really interesting to be on the jump, hearing the jumpers hurtle down the inrun, whistle through space and land, watching them as they ride the air. Plus there’s a great view from up there.
Seefeld World Nordic Championships #3
Catching up with a few days of racing at Seefeld. Above, Norway’s Therese Johaug exults after winning the women’s 15-k skiathlon. She had been suspended (in a baffling move by ski authorities) from competition for 18 months for using a lip cream that contained a steroid, and, in her first world championship since, she was ready to strike back. Below, Sweden’s Maja Dahlqvist embracing teammate Stina Nilsson after the two won the team sprint; the US’s Jessie Diggins is in the background. The rest are from the skiathlon and team sprint. More at Faster Skier.com and Instagram @lazenbyphoto.com.
Posted in Uncategorized
Seefeld World Nordic Ski Championships #2
Still cannot enable my galleries but here are a few from the big sprint championship day yesterday. Both men’s and women’s races were won by Norwegians (no surprise!). American men and women had some good results, including Simi Hamilton’s 9th place, but no podium finishes. Details and more photos at Fasterskier.com and on Instagram @lazenbyphoto. Above, Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, en route to the men’s 1.6-kilometer win and orchestrating a selfie on the podium.
Seefeld Nordic World Championships #1
Quick note from Seefeld, Austria: Here at the FIS Nordic World Championships in a high mountain valley near Innsbruck, feet-deep in snow, but with temperatures in the 40s. Racing starts Thursday, but the competition center is filled with coaches and athletes trying wax and skis and checking out the courses. Above, Alaska Pacific University coach Erik Flora with APU and US Ski Team member Sadie Bjornsen. Olympic rings in the bottom photo are at the Bergisel ski jump in Innsbruck. Will try to continue posting, but it gets busy quickly. Photos will also be on Fasterskier.com and Instagram @lazenbyphoto. Will add gallery later. 
The Seven Sisters
The Seven Sisters, a series of chalky bluffs along the Sussex coast, is known as one of the best seaside strolls in England. Just about a 90-minute train ride from London’s Victoria station, it’s also among the most popular. Plenty of company from fellow walkers, but worth it for the big expanse of sky, ocean, breeze and downs. In the middle of the walk, a World War II-era Spitfire performed aerobatics over the sea with paragliders cruising the sky just off the cliffs. Part of the South Downs Way. Just don’t go too near the edge. Click here for a short gallery. Click here for information on the walk.
Posted in England, Seven Sisters Hike, South Downs Way
Tagged England, Hiking in England, Seven Sisters Hike, South Downs Way
London: Look Both ways
You have to look both ways in London for two reasons: One, if you don’t look left and right when you cross a street, you are liable to be flattened by the inexorable hurtling bulk of a big red double-decker bus, a cab, a cruising motorscooter or even a bicyclist, all coming from exactly the direction you do not expect them to. And, two, you have to look both ways because around you you can see not just the imposing history of centuries-old England: the architectural and historical record, the royal hoopla, but 21st-century London, a thriving, incredibly diverse city full of people from the far reaches of the former empire. I visited back in November (thanks Hannah, Ben, Dirk, Steve). Fuji X100F, almost pocket-sized. Click here for a gallery.
Posted in England, London, Look Both Ways, Travel
Tagged England, London, Look Both Ways, Travel
2019 US Paralympics
The 2019 U.S. Paralympics Nordic Nationals brought paralympic athletes from around the country to the Craftsbury, VT, Outdoor Center in January. It is always great to see the strength of mind, body and spirit these athletes — who compete despite impairments that range from partial paralysis to diminished sight — put into the competition. Top, Dan Cnossen, an Annapolis graduate and Navy SEAL who lost his legs to an IED in Afghanistan, competes on his sit-ski. Below, Greg Durso makes it up a hill with help from his coach; Joy Rondeau tucks and concentrates on a downhill; Dan Cnossen’s prosthetic legs; New Hampshire’s Nick Fairall, a former international ski jumper who lost the use of his legs after a jumping fall. Click here for a gallery. Click here for more on the US paralympic nordic team.
