The New Moon Ambassador Program
The New Moon Ambassador Program gives a group of athletes support and the ability to share their race stories while achieving their sporting goals. These athletes understand the importance of staying active and fit, even with the daily demands of life. They have a supportive, positive outlook with which they seek new experiences. As a New Moon Ambassador member, they help friends, community and training partners by letting them in on the secret. Since 1976, New Moon has provided cutting edge products and expert technical support to help athletes of all ages excel in their sports. Word of mouth has been our #1 reason for growing as a company and lifestyle.

Charlie Anderson
Skiing and cycling have been part of Charlie’s life since High School in Hayward. Now there are two seasons in the year. Warm weather = biking, cold weather = skiing. Ski racing went international when he started competing in World Loppet races in Europe. What could be better than combining the sport you love with a family vacation? Only five more race to go until he completes his goal of becoming a World Loppet Master.

Molly Burger, Katie Burger Hecker, Emily Burger
It’s clear that a love of xc skiing runs through the Burger girls’ veins, But apart from competing, it is clear that participating with friends and family is what is truly important to them. Molly’s favorite memories are of “roller ski intervals with my Dad and over-distance runs and skis with the NMU team,” and Katie recalls, “Skiing with my best friends in college at the Reforestation Camp trails in Green Bay,” as a special memory. Emily says, “I love the sport of skiing and the people in the ski community are so nice. Having fun while skiing with my family and friends is very motivating and makes me want to keep doing it.”

Paul Cigan

Courtney Donahoe
As a former NCAA runner, Courtney continues to train for local running races, but she has also embraced the variety of activities the north woods have to offer. She is a 6 time Birkie skate finisher with elite wave aspirations. Her favorite mountain bike trail is Flow Mama and she hopes to start commuting to work by gravel bike this summer. Courtney is not only an athlete but also a mom of two young adventure seekers, Arthur and Maeve.

Justine Ertl
Justine found her love of mountain biking after her high school hockey team did a team-bonding mountain bike ride. Since, she’s added road and gravel biking to the mix, racing collegiately and locally, and enjoys the Tuesday night group rides. Justine is also a try-hard runner, completing two marathons and is looking forward to an ultra-marathon in the future. Last winter, she learned how to skate ski and is excited to ski her first Birkie in February.

Kristen Frane
Even though she started at the age of 37, Kristen already has 6 Kortes and 6 Birkies under her belt, as well as multiple triathlons, 1/2 marathons, and crossfit competitions. After being invited to a local women's fitness group, Ski and Tea, she began her path to good health. "For me, staying in shape has so many health benefits, and I've developed habits to keep me going. If I am signed up for something, I'm the type that will train for it. And training is also very social for me. I feel very fortunate to have met many wonderful like-minded friends during this fitness journey."

Cody & Desiree Hagberg

Justin Olney
Justin has been cross country skiing since he was 5. He loves the outdoors, and is always out fishing, hunting, skiing, biking, or roller skiing. In 2017 he moved to Hayward and joined Nordic kids and the love affair began. He is a member of the Hayward Composite Bike team and the Hayward High School Cross country Ski Team. He has raced in the Junior Birkie, Prince Haakon and the Kortelopet. Justin loves teaching younger kids how to ski in Nordic Kids. Justin placed 4ththis year at the middle school sprint state championship and 9thin the classic distance state championship. Justin’s goal is to win the Birkie and be part of the US Ski team and Ski in the 2034 Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Mitch Nelson
Mitch is one impressive high school student, both on the trails and off. He is passionate about cross country skiing, especially classic, and hopes to ski collegiately. Mitch is a great example of balancing the athleticism of sport with the beauty of nature. “I was …skiing the Sleeping Giant Loppet in southeastern Canada, really trying to ski competitively, but about 16k into this 24k race I just slowed down and realized how beautiful the trail was. It was very bright out through the trees, and it was dead quiet. It was just pretty, and I've now learned that it is ok to just slow down and take in your surroundings.” At 15 he is a busy kid, on the Hayward HS Varsity Soccer and Nordic ski teams, the HS Trap Team, and a life scout who enjoys hunting, trapping, hiking, and kayaking.

April Rasmussen
April's most memorable moment in competition is from the Birkie Half Marathon Trail Run in 2013, "This was my first half marathon ever. I was SO excited for it that I got the start of the race time wrong and showed up 15 minutes late. I was late, but I did not let it stop me from running. I just pushed ahead and killed it!" Her motivation is a healthy lifestyle, "My family and I try to embrace this as much as I can in daily living."

Maddy Schwartz
Maddy has been active outdoors since she was a baby in a backpack and has always loved it! She has been cross country skiing and mountain biking since 4 yrs old and passionate about both since she started. Her family moved to Hayward to start Middle School, where she is now on the ski/mountain bike teams. When she was 11, she started doing bigger races like the Pre-Fat and Short & Fat. At 12 she did the Seeley Hills Classic & Ski de She and plans to do the Korte when she turns 13 this year. She now enjoys helping the younger kids learn to ski as a volunteer for Nordic Kids. Maddy hopes to someday ski in the Olympics!
