Racing Outlook
January 19, 2007Updates on the upcoming events...
- Jan 19 Montebello Niteski (Bemidji, MN)
- Jan 17 update:
Due to low snow conditions, we decided to postpone the Montebello Nite Ski for one week to Jan 26th.
- Bill Grundy, race organization - Jan 16 update:
We will be meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) night to make a decision., but it does not look good at this point.
- Bill Grundy, race organization - Jan 20 Fridtjof Nansen (Eau Claire, WI)
- Jan 16 update:
The race committee has decided to cancel the Fridtjof Nansen race for safety reasons. Tower Ridge is marginally skiable but not safe for racing because of lack of a base and minimal snow.
- Gale Otterholt, race organization - Jan 15 update:
We have 6 inches of new SNOW!! The Fridtjof Nansen race scheduled for Saturday Jan 20th in Eau Claire is a go!! Final race formats will be available on Wednesday, January 17th in the afternoon.
- Gale Otterholt, race organization
- Jan 20 Pepsi Challenge (Biwabik, MN)
- Jan 18 update:
Spent most of the day marking the new Pepsi Challenge Course with race management professionals John Filander, Ben Kroft and a bunch of great volunteers. New snow was falling all day resulting in at least another inch of accumulation! After course marking, I skied the entire new 25k course. I started in the stadium area to the Gold trail backwards(1.5K) then to the Cedar trail down then up(1.5K) to Gold then down to the stadium to the silver(4.5K)up the Northern Lights(1k) to the Summit trail(4K) up to the Upper Gold(4k) up then down to the Bronze then down to the Oslo trail(4K) then back down to the Bronze(3K) to the finish(timing building)(25k total course). Our 9k race will consist of two loops of the first 4.5k Gold/Cedar for the 7K(9k)race; one entire 25k loop for the 24k(25k); two 25k loops for the 48k(50k). All trails are wonderful with plenty of snow, great grooming, limited tree debris and not a rock in sight.
- Tim Salo, race organization - Jan 18 update:
Explanation on the race distance changes: The beaver dam area on Wynne Creek trail is never exactly what we want it to be. Being it's one of our narrow wilderness out there kind of trail - it has tall grass still, etc. , its in the best of shape. John Filander designed around it and there will be two 25K LOOPS.
Other than that the race course is in good shape and we are getting approx. 1" of fresh snow today. Grooming starts tonight.
- Debi Maki, race organization - Jan 17 update:
The race course is in good shape with a 4" base. The race distances have been changed - 9K, 26K and 52K - are now the estimated distances for the races. Skiers can use their good skis and so far so good. There is only a trace of snow in forecast, so it shouldn't change the outlook much. But, we're still praying for snow for everyone else.
- Deb Maki, race organization - Jan 12 update:
Pepsi Challenge Ski Race is On! Ski course in good to excellent condition. 4" base with 1" of fresh snow last night. Groomed by snowmobile and pull behind groomer.
- Deb Maki, race organization - Jan 20 Seeley Hills Classic (Seeley, WI)
- Jan 18 update:Just a reminder that the Seeley Cheap Skate 18k race is on for Saturday,January 20th. Entry fee is $15 or free if you registered for the SeeleyHills Classic. All racers will participate in the raffle party at theSawmill after the race. Over 70 items to be given away including two pairof Atomic WC classic skis. Registration is Friday night at the Sawmill from5 to 9 or Saturday morning at the Sawmill from 7 to 9.- Dennis Kruse, race director
- Jan 17 update:
Seeley Hills Classic-off / Seeley Cheap Skate-on: The Seeley Ski Club would like to inform skiers that at this time it would appear that the Seeley Hills Classic will be cancelled. After using a couple of different track setters it has been determined that snow depth is inadequate to set track for a classic race. Conditions are adequate to hold a quality skate race. Therefore the Seeley Ski Club will hold an out and back skate race on the Birkie trail on January 20th. The Cheap Skate will be from OO to the gravel pit road and back, a distance of approximately 17K. Entry fee will be $15 and you can enter Friday night from 5 to 9 or Saturday morning from 7 to 9 at the Sawmill saloon in Seeley. If you are reregistered for the Seeley Classic entry is free. Following the race a raffle party for a all entrants will be held at the Sawmill Saloon.
- Dennis Kruse, race director - Jan 16 update:
They are doing some test grooming today and hope to have an update on the race status later today.
- Bruce Adelsman - Jan 15 update:
Sorry, we've received no update yet. Recent trail reports indicate improving conditions on the Birkie trail. We'll post a race update as soon as it comes in.
- Bruce Adelsman - Jan 20 Heartland Nordski (Stevens Point, WI)
- Jan 16 update:
Skied Standing Rocks today and the snowcover is too thin to support racing, not to mention lots of unsafe spots. Not much forecast here, so no go. The race has been cancelled.
- John Bailiff, race organization - Jan 20 Snekkevik (Wausau, WI)
- Jan 19 update:
Trail conditions at 9 Mile are in very good skate condition. A large high school contingency is expected with a good outlook for adult race participation. Ski sleeves to the first 50 registered adult skiers plus a chance for everyone to win merchandise in the after ski drawing.
- Rachel Kresse, race organization - Jan 17 update 2:
Details on conditions: We had a solid ice base throughout the course. We received 4 inches of new snow on Monday and it was groomed. It adhered very well to the base and groomed out well across the whole trail. Do we have spots where the groomer dug in - yes, but we will shovel to cover. The reason we cannot cut a "classic track" is that we run into the ice base, therefore only a skate race will occur.
- Rachel Kresse, race organization - Jan 17 update:
Snekkevik Ski Event will be held. Course is in good skating condition. ALL races will be Skate; the classic race is cancelled.
- Rachel Kresse, race organization - Jan 16 update:
Officials will review the course first-hand on Wednesday morning and an update is expected Wednesday afternoon.
- Bruce Adelsman - Jan 20 TalviTohinat (Houghton, MI)
- Jan 16 update:
With our skiers' dream lake effect snow falling again over the last few days, conditions at the Michigan Tech trails are looking great for this weekend's race! The skate lane is in very good condition and tracks are fair to good. The Talvi includes 5K and 10K freestyle races and a 4-mile skijoring race. Registration is from 12:00 to 1:00.
- Ann Mayo Kiely, race organization
- Jan 20 Lapham Loppet (Delafield, WI)
- Jan 17 update:
After a successful Wed Nite Series, we have decided to hold the Loppet on Saturday. Yes, the race is on. We have a hard packed base and have made snow to use to cover thinner spots, but the course is expected to hold up. High school starts at 10:30 and the freestyle 11K at 11:15. The race is limited to the number of bibs we have....about 215 as we are timing it like the Wednesday night series. Chili and refreshments will be available at the shelter after the race.
- Kris Maki, race director - Jan 16 update:
As far as the Loppet is concerned, we will see how it goes Wednesday night and make the call after the Wednesday night races. The 24T race was not cancelled until Thursday at 10a.m. and we are in a similar snow condition...just not the warm temps.
- Kris Maki, race director - Jan 20 Northern Illinois Nordic (Wheaton, IL)
- Jan 17 update:
The race has been postponed again, tentatively to Sat. Jan. 27 at Arrowhead because of insufficient snow. We also are exploring other venues and dates. Details will be at www.signmeup.com/54944.
- Bob Richards, race director - Jan 20-21 Mt Itasca SuperTour (Coleraine, MN)
- Jan 15 update:
The cool temps and occassional light snowfalls have kept Mt. Itasca's 3+K of trails in excellent condition. The 12" to 18" man made base is grooming beautifully with the piston bully and skiing very fast. There is no ice, rock, grass, or other debris .... just great conditions for both classic and freestyle.
- Ken Patzoldt, race organization - Jan 20-21 Lappe Invitational (Thunder Bay, ON)
- Jan 18 update:
Trail conditions are excellent at Lappe for the 28th annual Lappe Invitational. Individual start classic races go Saturday Jan 20, with mass start free technique races on Sunday Jan 21.
- Paul Inkila, race organization - Jan 21 Double Pole Derby (Hayward, WI)
- Jan 18 update:
We have decided not to hold the classic 5k as part of our Best of Both competition. We keep bringing up dirt with out tracksetter. We will still hold the 10k freestyle race and 5k high school race this Sunday, January 21. Times, fees, locations, all remain the same. It's snowing now, so the skate race should be quite good.
- Steve Morales, race organization - Jan 16 update:
The race is on, and will be held on the Birkie trail at the OO trailhead. If there is enough snow to set tracks, then the classical event will be held. The 10K freestyle race is definitely on. More details.
- Bruce Adelsman - Jan 21 Aurora Health Care Nordic Challenge (Greenbush, WI)
- Jan 16 update:
The Aurora Health Care Nordic Challenge is being postponed until Sunday, March 4. Greenbush did receive 4" of snow on Monday, and we do have good rock skiing on about a 1" base. However the race course is not ready for a race. Hope to see many skiers the weekend after the Birkie.
- Brian Henriksen, race committee - Jan 21 Graystone Challenge (HS) (St. Cloud, MN)
- Jan 17 update:
Due to lack of snow, the Graystone Challenge High School Invitational has been canceled for 2007.
- Phil Rogosheske, race organization
- Jan 27 Governor's Cup (Camp Riley, MN)
- Jan 17 update:
As of January 17 there is no snow on the Governor's Cup trail at Camp Ripley. A final decision on the race for the 27th will be posted on January 24th. If the race is unable to be held on January 27th it will be rescheduled for March 3.
- Jeff Thielen, race director