Ride and Glide Instructors 2005-2006

Steve Thatcher - I've been classical skiing for 30 years. I even did the Birke classical a few times in the early 80's. I took up skating 15  years ago and have done the Birke and Vasaloppet every year since then. Skating was really difficult to learn until I took the Finn Sisu training programs and the Holiday clinics for several years. There I learned that technique is extremely important and it can make up for lower fitness levels by making you more efficient. I also learned about dryland training and how it applies. I've run the Ride and Glide club for the last 7 years. My goal is to look like I'm fast even if I'm not. If you watch good skiers it does look effortless. Everyone can benefit from technique reviews on a yearly basis. Unless you're highly gifted it takes several years to become proficient. Technique, Technique, Technique, and a little training thrown in for good measure.

Jyneen Thatcher (Classical) - I started skiing in 1975, with wood skis and pine tar, and finally "learned" to ski during a clinic session with Antonina Anikin in 1992. After breaking all my old bad habits, I was amazed at the improvement in my skiing. While I have completed a few races, I prefer a more relaxed attitude towards the sport. My goal is efficiency of motion, rather than raw speed. I skate a little, mostly with my dog in harness, but readily acknowledge having a bit of attitude about classical skiing being the true sport. My most noteworthy ski race finish was the 1986 Montreal Underdag 10K; I finished second in my class, the other women racer took first. After being in the Finn Sisu program for a few years, I realized I had a lot of fun helping others learn to ski, and have coached the novice classical skiers with Ride and Glide for the past five years.

Thomas Harris - I learned to ski back in the 70's in places like the Kettle Moraine forest in Southern Wisconsin and the Porcupine Mountains in Upper Michigan.   I liked cruising through the woods and not having to wait in lift lines.    After I got out of school and moved to Minnesota, I revived XC skiing as a way to get through the winters.    My competitive skiing "career" began in the mid-80's after jumping on the skating bandwagon.   Each year since, I've gotten a little more involved with competitive skiing, taking several training courses along the way and purchasing more ski-specific stuff, like roller skis.    Through this effort, I've managed to get in wave 1 or 2 at the Birkie, but more importantly, I've had a lot of fun.   I hope I can spread the skiing disease to a few hapless victims.

Ed Corazella - My educational background, includes a masters in exercise physiology, a 9-12 teaching degree and a coaching license. About 40 years ago the passion began (age 5), first for down hill skiing which branched into the cross-country ski team in high school (old wooden boards and the smell of pine tar). After studying exercise science at the U of MN, I had the pleasure of coaching a wonderful group of kids from south Minneapolis. This was during the transition period when skating was just catching on(1984-1990). I brought my new skating boards to the first practice ...and said this is the old way(striding) and this is the our way(skating). Being one of the first teams to make the transition the men's and woman's team went on to become regional and conference champs(all the years I coached)--- taking the entire team to the state meet for the first time. Being an exercise physiologist, I fell in love with skating immediately. I loved the motion, no better cardiovascular work, easy on the joints, different stokes for different speeds and terrain...the perfect total body exercise ... even better--- its fun. I've coached for Finn Sisu, and helped out at many holiday camps. For many years I was an official at the state high school meet and still give a private lesson from time to time. My greatest compliment as a ski coach came when one of my prized athletes insisted that my efforts trimmed 20 minutes off his best time in the Birke and that moved him into the elite wave--his dream had come true. So had mine. }

Paul Torniainen - I was born in Finland, so it was only natural that Nordic skiing would become an important part of my life.  From the age of 4, I've been skiing.  In high school, I became interested in racing and have entered competitions every year since.  I have raced throughout the US and Scandinavia.  The most effective way to share my passion for skiing with others is to teach them how to ski.  Too often, beginners turn away from x-c skiing after a few difficult and frustrating outings.  "It's too much work" is the common complaint.   Learning how to ski efficiently is the remedy -- good technique can replace frustration with satisfaction.  I have had several years of instructing/coaching for groups such as the American Lung ski program and the MN Youth Ski League.  I have also had the good fortune of receiving instruction from Ahvo Taipale, Steve Gaskill, and Nikolai Anikin.

Steve Skarvan – Cross-country skiing has been a part of my entire adult life. It was mostly recreational until 1993 when I participated in an American Lung Association (ALA) sponsored marathon training program (similar to the Ride and Glide Program) which introduced me to the competitive world of skiing. I’ve competed in many events since the first race (Finlandia in Bemidji) with various results and all with unique experiences. I have participated as a facilitator with ALA for several years following, FinnSisu fall training, Minneapolis Ski Club and Nikolia Aniken Thanksgiving day camps. Cross-country skiing has given me many years of enjoyment and satisfaction. My goal is to give others that opportunity too.

Arvid Krogsven (Classical) - As an active athlete, born in Norway near Lillehammer, sports have been an important part of my life. Through activities like ski jumping, downhill skiing, soccer and especially cross country skiing, I have learned the importance of proper technique as it applies to racing and recreational skiing. I have been a successful cross country skier for over thirty years and a recreational skier since I was three years old. In 1979-80 I was on the National Marathon Team. I have completed the Birkie ten times and have done the Norweigen Birkibeiner twice. I've done the Mora Vasaloppet thirteen times plus countless others. I enjoy working with skiers of all abilities helping them improve both their classic and skating skills. My goal is to help people become complete skiers so they can enjoy all the aspects of cross country skiing.

Ken Tobacman - I've been cross country skiing since the late 70's, first in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and then in Wisconsin and Minnesota, where I finally learned how to do it with some efficiency.  I've been racing since 1993, along with Steve Skarvan, and with Paul, both of whom I coached with in the American Lung Association Ski Program.  I enjoy sharing this sport with others, and coaching is a great way to do it.  Many of my good ski friends are people I've coached or coached with.  I particularly enjoy watching, as some of my students surpass me.  Cross country skiing is a very technical sport, and it's satisfying to master the fine points, so you can ski effortlessly for hours.  I still enter a few races each winter, but I enjoy training and touring far more.  I look forward to skiing with you all this winter.

Hank Carbone - I had been a downhill skier, starting at age 3, but moved into cross country skiing as a means of cross training for high school downhill ski racing.  As
it turns out, cross country became my true winter time passion and I've been cross country skiing (and racing), skate and classic, ever since.  In the
past five years I've come to love marathon ski races, especially the Birkie and Noquemanon.  I'm new to the Twin Cities and can't wait to explore all
the trails this area has to offer.  Bring on the snow!!

Todd Powell - Part Russian and part French-Canadian I was born in up-state Michigan and raised in Minnesota so I love snow and the cold.  My mother got a part-time job to purchase cross country skis for us kids so I grew up skiing with my whole family.  We camped using pup-tents with no floors and got up early to ski and get ourselves warm!
I've skied for over 30 years, raced, skied the biggies, (Mora and Birkie) and seen backcountry all over Minnesota.  I have trained with the Minneapolis Ski Club, Finn Sisu and Nikoli Aniken.  I love to teach and help others ski because it always shows me something new about this wonderful way of life.  My hope is that we have fun, learn and get our 80" of snow!