Syracuse.com - Figura writing about NASTAR ski pacesetters and Nordic skiing/biathlon paralympian (Jan. 11, 13)

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I'll be at the Outdoors Sportsman's Show at OCC from 10 to 2 p.m. Saturday. See you there!

AJ Kitt, who has skied on 4 Winter U.S. Olympic ski teams, skis as a pace setter for NASTAR ski racing at Labrador Mountain in Truxton Wednesday morning. Dick Blume/The Post-Standard

I'm getting more into the winter scene. Here's what's on tap for this week's outdoors pages in The Post-Standard.

FRIDAY

Main piece: I travel to Labrador Mountain ski resort where a top-ranked NASTAR pacesetter (4-time Olympian AJ Kitt) races against the best downhill skiers from ski slopes across the state Wednesday morning to set racing standard times for CNY slopes and elsewhere. NASTAR (an acronym for NAtional STAndard Race) is the world's largest known recreational ski and snowboard race program. It allows ski or snowboard racers of all ages and abilities, through a handicap system, a way to compare themselves with one another and with the national champion, regardless of when and where they race.

Column: Precede to weekend's Outdoorsman's Sportsman's Show at Onondaga Community College, which kicks off Friday. (I'll be at the show meeting with readers from 10 to 2 p.m. Saturday. See you there!)

SUNDAY:

Main piece: Interview with Augusto "Goose" Perez, a paralympian who's training this week in Nordic skiing at Winona Forest in preparation for upcoming 2013 IPC Paralympian Nordic Skiing/Biathlon World Cup in Wisconsin. Perez has survived four bouts with cancer. This guy only has one leg and he's absolutely inspiring. he plans on doing all the skiing and biathlon events next week.

Column: Still mulling my options.

READER HELP REQUESTED:

- I'd like to talk to a snowmobile trail groomer who's seen wild boar while on the job. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? I've heard this for several years now and I'd like to see if for myself.

- Looking to speak to some experienced winter campers.

- Would like to interview an expert and try my hand at building an igloo.. and spending the night in one. Can anybody help me with this?

- Burning snowmobile Issues or suggestions about someone I should write a profile story on from the CNY snowmobile scene.

- Looking to do a story on rabbit hunting. Anyone having any luck out there?

strong>ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT? </strong>

The effectiveness of this report is two-fold. First, it lets readers know what's coming up story-wise. It also allows readers a chance to affect coverage and provide sources for upcoming stories. Bottom line: Keep in touch and give input. You could make a difference as to what appears week to week on the outdoors page! Email me at [email protected] or call 470-6066.

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FIGURA ON FACEBOOK:

For those who are on Facebook, I also have a PS Outdoors page, which I check several times daily for feedback and story ideas. I also post personal fishing and hunting and other outdoors-related photos from time to time and I ask members to do the same. When you join, please be sure and hit the "like" button.

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View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog