Greetings fellow master racers. This letter is what we hope to be a yearly event from now on. Its intent is to provide the NEMS membership with the latest most accurate info, the best places to eat, stay, the latest in equipment or any other item that might help you have a more enjoyable season.

Let start with some late breaking news. Atomic has signed on as a sponsor. The details have yet to be finalized but there appears to be some free skis in the works. More information as we get it will be posted on www.nemasters.org.  Many thanks to George Durocher from Buchika's Ski Shop for his assistance in getting Atomic to sign on. You can say thanks in person by dropping by Buchika's and checking out some great kids and great recreational ski packages. I'm told by someone in the know that these are really unbeatable.

Speaking of our web site, Gary Colwell states, "Remind everyone that the handbook has some mistakes on the Schedule and Contacts and our web site's info is definitive. Also another reminder to send in the $25 NEMS fee." (form at end of newsletter)

Here's one for those fireside nights from our major sponsor Mount Gay Rum; Mount Gay Rum Fireside: Mount Gay Rum, Cranberry Juice, Hot Water, Sugar and Cinnamon. If you would like to know more about Mount Gay Rum, please visit their web site at www.mountgay.com.

Nadine Price sent this plug in; I am hosting a camp at Killington the week of Martin Luther King Jr.'s B'day, i.e. January 24 - 28. SL & GS beginning with SL on the afternoon of the 24th. Anyone interested can  contact me by email, nadine.price@verizon.net.

DID YOU KNOW? The minimum ski length for women's slalom is 150 cm and 155 cm for men.  (Not enforced for Masters racing)

I want to thank Duffy Dodge for sending us a veritable telephone book of info on Burke Inns and motels:
1 Old Cutter Inn at the mt. excellent restaurant tel. 802 626 5152
2 Wild Flower Inn at E.Burke excellent restaurant tel. 802 626 8310
3 Lynnburke motel at Lyndonville tel 802 626 3346 6 miles
4 Colonnade inn at Lyndonville tel 802 626 9316 7 miles
5 Comfort inn & suites St. Johnsbury tel 802 748 1500 16 miles new excellent

Restaurants:
E. Burke River Garden Cafe also Pub Out Back
Lyndonville diner - breakfast(and dinner)
F. Scott's Lyndonville
Lincoln Inn St. Jay
Surf and Sirloin St. Jay

Burke is boasting a new FIS rated GS trail that we'll be using that weekend.

DO YOU KNOW? --- What are the SUPER SEED RACES?  Check out www.nemasters.org.
DID YOU KNOW? ---Minimum lengths in GS skis will not be enforced for Masters this year.
DID YOU KNOW? If you are injured in a USSA race, (All Sise cup races), that you have supplemental insurance from USSA.

THE GOOD NEWS RUMOR DEPT. Rumor has it that Fraser noble is interested in some shaped skis. (You can touch base with him at Box 74, 4 Pleasant St, Westminster Ma. 01473) And rumor also has it that Heinz Paul Wieser might come out to watch from the sidelines.

Stratton - Bromley weekend -
Master racer Henry Bronson sent in what he called a shameless plug;  "I just happen to be the chef/owner of an award winning (at least I am competitive off the snow...) restaurant in Manchester. My web site is bistrohenry.com." (Editor note; Checkout his web site, it's anything but shameless.)

While Henry's restaurant covers the gourmet side of dining, CHRISTO'S Pizza & Pasta on Main St in Manchester handles the more basic side. This place has THE FOLEY KIDS SEAL OF APPROVAL.

Master racer Ward Ricke states, "Right off the top of my head, you should add the Starting Gate ski shop near Stratton which offers great discounts to all Master Racers."

Another Foley plug; My master racer wife Marcia says, "While traveling between Middlebury and Suicide 6, stay at the Swiss Farm Inn on Rt 100 in Pittsfield, the breakfast is superb!"

Christmas is coming soon and George Merrill from ARTECH is waiting for your order. 603-632-9152 (5 to 10 PM) or artech@endor. com

DID YOU KNOW? --You can click on to any of our sponsors from www.nemasters.org.

Don't forget the social after the first race at Cranmore Jan 5. All of our sponsors will be there; ARTECH, SWIX, DENBY POTTERY, FLORIAN TOOLS, ATOMIC, BUCHIKA'S and of course MOUNT GAY RUM. Look for last years leaders to be wearing the LEADER'S BIB.

Steve Foley, 812 Rustic Dr. Killington, Vt. 05751