All Madnorski ski coaches are members of the US Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) and have completed SafeSport training. Madnorski coaching staff maintains a five to one skier to coach ratio, to ensure the highest level of support for skiers at every level.
Jacob has been with the MadNorSki Club for 6 years–initially as an athlete, and now as a coach for the Juniors program. Jacob completed the US Ski and Snowboard Level 100 Coaches training and regularly coaches at CXC regional camps. Jacob is the United States Nordic sales manager for Start Ski Wax, Bliz Eyewear, Swenor Rollerskis, and Anti-Freeze face tape. He is excited for another year with the team!
Jake is pleased to be joining Madnorski in his first year as coach. A recreational nordic skier for nearly three decades, his interest in skiing was recently rekindled when his two kids became Madnorski skiers – and he discovered the excitement of skate skiing. When not skiing, Jake may be found mountain biking, birding, or being a limnologist at UW-Madison.
Tamara grew up in sunny and warm Southern California (Valley Girl!) and only began cross country skiing when her two children began skiing with the Madnorski Juniors program. Tamara loves hiking, backpacking, running, enjoying the outdoors and now cross country skiing! Tamara enjoys being part of the Madnorski community where she coaches with the Juniors & Trail Kids programs, works as the director of the club, attends “Trail Women” events, and gets to learn so many fun games to play on skis like “squirrels and lumberjacks!” from the Trail Kids! She is currently working on her US Ski & Snowboard Level 100 training.
The other Jake is in his second year coaching with Madnorski. He caught the cross-country skiing bug while in high school in Vermont and has sought out snow ever since. A level 100 USSA certified coach, you can find him rollerskiing around the south side of town in search of smooth pavement. In addition to skiing, he enjoys rock climbing, mountain biking, playing dungeons and dragons, and camping.
Cowboybob is quite old but can still ski pretty good. His birthname is Robert Schwarz but he uses his nickname so he can be famous someday. He is dedicated to helping youth learn the joys of Nordic skiing, and has volunteered as a coach with MadNorski since 2018. He’s a dad with a 23-year old daughter. He grew up alpine skiing near Rochester, NY but clipped into his first Nordic boards in 1977. He loves the winter season and has completed several SISUs and Birkies. When he is not skiing he is road biking. He also teaches at the UW School of Business.
Jay D. Sween is a Level 100 CXC/USSA Certified coach who has been involved with training youth skiers in both the Wausau and Madison area for 11 years. Jay has had the honor of coaching several Wisconsin State top-10 skiers and in 2016 helped two MadNorSki athletes qualify and compete at the 2017 Junior National Championships in Lake Placid.
Bill Rattunde has been coaching for the Madison Nordic Ski team since 2007. He is a USSS/USSA Level 200 Coach. He has been an active world loppet participant with over 35 US and international races. Bill believes that living the Nordic lifestyle is a great way to stay fit through life and a focus on technique and efficiency makes for both a faster and happier athlete and skier. Of course you only get out what you put in, but make sure that you get out ALL that you put in! Keep it light, keep it fast, keep it fun!
Brenda Baker, US Ski and Snowboard level 100 certified, has been a life-long skier and silent sport athlete. She has extensive background in childhood development and previous experience coaching youth swimming and soccer. The parent of two skiers, she is thrilled to serve as assistant coach on the Madnorski Junior Team.