NCAA Championship Skiing

Steamboat Springs March 10- 13, 2010

The championship from another perspective…

The last three years I was part of the NCAA ski team from the University of Denver and the years before I was racing in Europe. This is the first winter for 20 years in which I am not racing in any competitions… But since the NCAA Championship ski races where in Steamboat Springs I wanted to take advantage of the close location and see my old team and cheer for them.

The NCAA championship is the highlight of the ski season. Starting at the very beginning of January College teams have to qualify their racers for the NCAA races at the end of the season.  The US is split into several regions so that the College teams do not have too much travel each weekend. Colorado College teams race with teams from Montana, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Alaska and Wyoming. The goal for each team is to qualify three women and three men in Nordic skiing as well as alpine skiing so that the College can move to the NCAA with a full team of six alpine racers and six Nordic ski racers. That is not as easy as it sounds- the NCAA Championship Competition has only a certain amount of starter places which is around 50 racers per competition. That means that each region in the US can qualify only about 15 skiers. In order to qualify for the NCAA an athlete has to be in the top 15 overall in its region as well as in the best 3 of its College team…So after about 6 weekends racing with always two competition for Nordic skiers as well as two races in alpine the list is set and the College teams have their qualified athletes for the NCAA Championship competitions. For a team which does have the full 12 athletes, it is difficult to win since they do not have the full amount of athletes who can score points.

This year the championship started off on Wednesday night with the first alpine race. Eva Huckova from the University of Utah won the Lady’s Giant Slalom and Leif Haugen from my old College Team the University of Denver won the Men’s Giant slalom. Leif qualified for the Olympics and raced in Whistler earlier this season for his home country Norway.  The on Thursday the Nordic skiers had their first race. The women went first for the 5 km individual classic race. One of my friends I grew up with skiing, Antje Maemple from Germany, won the women classic race for the University of Denver. On the men’s side Matt Gelso from the University of Colorado Boulder won the 10 km individual men Nordic race. After the first round of completion in Alpine as well as in Nordic skiing the University of Denver was leading. But there were two more days to go and the University of Colorado Boulder and New Mexico was very close.

Then on Friday night the Alpine racer had their second competition, a night slalom which was very exciting for people watching the race. Andreas Adde from the University of Anchorage Alaska won the men’s Slalom race and Malin Hemmingsson from the University of New Mexico won the lady’s race which lasted almost until 11PM at night. Then on Saturday morning was the final completion day. The mass start in Nordic skiing which is always very exciting- 50 racer start all at the same time and fight about 40 min until the finish sprint. The men went first for their 20 km race. A big group of about 15 racers stayed together until the very end and at the finish line the German Franz Bernstein who is racing for the University of Vermont won in a very exciting sprint final. The women race was not quite as exciting, the ladies spread up way faster than the men and at the end there were only two women in front fighting for the winning place. One more time Antje Maemple from the University of Denver won the race.

With these results there were no doubt that the University of Denver won their 21 NCAA Championship Title which is the third in row, winning also last year and two years ago. Second place goes to the University of Colorado Boulder followed from the University of New Mexico.

Congratulations to my old ski team and thanks for amazing exciting fun competitions. Enjoy all your spring break and some days off without practicing!!!

Housing Still Available Despite Heightened Attendance for 2008 Democratic National Convention

This 2 Bedroom/2 Bath Luxury Sky-Box Condo overlooking Denver’s skyline rents for $1750/night – Perfect for walking to the DNC site and entertaining

Prior to its selection as the host city for the 2008 Democratic National Convention Denver’s capability to host such a large event was questioned with critics typically focusing on whether the city’s modest size of its downtown and its inexperience at hosting events of this magnitude would be a concern. These issues, primarily the concerns with housing, worked their way into national and local media quickly as housing demands for the convention filled Denver’s hotels within weeks.

Now with Barack Obama’s acceptance speech being held at the larger Invesco Field and attendance surpassing initial estimates demand for housing has resulted in a frenzy as late comers scramble to find lodging for the week. Fortunately, locally operated DemocraticConventionHousing.com still has available housing in Downtown Denver close to the Democratic National Convention. The company’s moderately priced to high end housing is attainable through their website or by directly contacting Matt Conway or Joe Essy at 303-571-5280. While the housing may be moderately priced and above the company’s customers service and commitment to their clients is impeccable; elite concierge services are available to renters as are the company’s private fleet of shuttles and buses that will be exclusively available to customers.

This stunning loft overlooking the Convention facility is one of many fabulous options still available to rent, with easy access to the DNC its the perfect unit.

Competing with devious and unprofessional alternative methods to renting from homeowners DemocraticConventionHousing.com provides the most reasonable, fair rates for stunning units within walking distance of the Pepsi Center and protection for renters. Their ability to offer such deals is the result of an intricately developed network of relationships with local homeowners who have offered to renegotiate the pricing of their units to ensure they’re rented. This competitive pricing has persuaded many potential attendees to commit and attend what many are billing as Denver’s break through as the country’s best city to host a large convention in.

Facing unprecedented demand on lodging nearly every city that hosts the Democratic National Convention must look towards its residents to supplement housing. With every major hotel full, and demand still growing due to Obama’s acceptance speech being held at Invesco Field, attendees are now looking towards short term leases with local residents for the upcoming 2008 Democratic National Convention to be held in Denver August 25-28. Progressive thinking ensured that DemocraticConventionHousing.com, a locally developed company that utilizes strong relationships with Denver residents and homeowners, was prepared for the 2008 DNC offering an inventory of over 150 properties.

Glass House Unit available through DemocraticConventionHousing

As the convention nears media coverage has increased and targeted some of the larger issues related to the convention, currently one of these is the lack of housing and how residents are stepping in to ensure Denver’s reputation and legacy are intact before, during and after the 2008 Democratic National Convention. This story made it into the Wall Street Journal today with author Christina Lewis writing a wonderful article highlighting the use of residential homes as lodging for attendees. She does a great job describing both sides of the interaction, and illustrates how at past events homeowners have been mislead into believing they’ll make a fortune.

Read the full article describing Denver’s Housing Shortage

for the upcoming Democratic National Convention here

Beat the housing shortage by using DemocraticConventionHousing to find your ideal property for the 2008 DNC, we guarantee that we can find you a wonderful place to stay in Denver that meets your highest standards. Whether you’re looking for a downtown loft or a more secluded home we have an amazing inventory of homes that stand out in Denver.

Call us at 303-571-5280

The resurgence of Denver as one of America’s most prominent cities has been in full effect for over a decade now. A redeveloped and cleaner downtown, as well as an emergence of a stronger culture and identity for the city, have drastically enhanced the city’s image. Rewarding Denver’s improvements the Democratic Party choose the city to host their 2008 Democratic National Convention in late August. With an estimated 50,000 attendees this is quite the honor, and task, as the city will swell with an influx of politicians, media and casual observers as Barack Obama accepts his official Democratic nomination. However, the large unprecedented size of the event for Denver has manifested its share of troubles evident by the lack of housing, concerns with security and other issues that Denver politicians, residents and attendees now face.

This is where many local businesses have stepped up their operations and offerings for DNC attendees, including Vail based Vail Hoffman LLC and its subsidiaries. Vail Hoffman LLC oversees VailSkiVacations.com and DenverConventionHousing.com, two active companies specializing in lodging reservations in unique, distinct parts of Colorado. Founder Tommy Z. Hoffman set up offices in Denver years ago in preparation for Denver’s new found ability to successfully host conventions, corporate retreats and other large scale meetings. The city’s functional geographic location and international airport have enhanced the city’s ability to host such events.

Eager to strengthen their staff with informed Denver residents Vail Hoffman LLC brought in Matt Conway to spearhead DemocraticConventionHousing.com, a component of DenverConventionHousing.com specifically designed to focus on the upcoming Democratic National Convention. Its design, implementation and inventory have developed in the past year, though the company’s life will not be short lived as its operations and scope are designed to sustain long term capabilities of providing housing for conventions and corporate retreats. In doing so, the company has employed its primarily Coloradan staff to network within Denver and develop a solid base of customers willing to rent their beautiful homes and apartments for such events. As proud residents of Colorado; the company, employees and contacts renting their homes all work together to ensure Denver conventions are held to the highest standards by offering high-end rentals for attendees.

In an effort to alleviate housing pressure for the Democratic National Convention DenverConventionHousing.com has contracted over 150 properties in downtown Denver, Cherry Creek and other neighborhoods offering quick access to downtown through Denver’s light rail. Included in this large inventory are some of Tommy Hoffman’s very own units in the prestigious Glass House, stunning Cherry Creek homes and downtown lofts merely blocks from the Pepsi Center. The website features a user friendly method of searching, and matches personal interests with appropriate properties.

As a proud sister company of DemocraticConventionHousing.com we encourage anyone attending the convention and in need of housing to contact us at 303-571-5280 or through our websites. We look forward to enhancing your trip to the DNC and ensure renters nothing short of Denver’s premier properties in convenient sections of town.