Times are a changing...........

So things are coming to an end here in France for the small kiwi ski mountaineering race team, as we will be heading home in the next week or so. The end of winter here means the New Zealand winter is near and before long the first race of the 2008 SkiMoNZ race series will be underway.
Things here on the SkiMoNZ blog will be changing up a little, with the blog going from "NZ ski mo team's updates" to "SkiMoNZ race series updates".
I'll try doing a few posts and updates on the per season events like when we confirm race dates and venues and maybe even some pre season training.
If you want to share your favorite thing about ski mountaineering racing please contact me and I can publish it here. Maybe you want to tell all the nice people why you are so excited to race this winter in NZ, maybe its some pre season training to help us all get motivated, or even just a ski touring/ski mountaineering trip you did (lots of photos please!).
E-mail your story/ideas to: nzinfo at skimo.org

I'll get things started with one of my favorite things about a ski mountaineering race, in Europe anyway. No, not the skin tight suits that every wears-Cow Bells! These things are great! Nothing lifts you like the sound of cow bells banging away as you are tired and are in need of a boost. What really impresses me is the size of the cow bells and the fact that people actually skin/ski around with them! Check out the photo below of Thomas and I at the Pierra Menta. Those bells are bigger than the guys head!

Thanks to Eric for the photos.