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BILL KOCH CLASSIC TRAIL REVIVED AT TELEMARK RESORT
Wisconsin Olympic medallist Bill Koch was known as the best
downhiller on cross country skis in his day. In 1980, Telemark's founder Tony Wise hired Koch to design a trail. The result was a single track, classical trail par excellence. The 15 kilometer loop could challenge
anyone's skiing ability, which was what Koch probably wanted it to do.
Under Telemark's previous owner, the Bill Koch Trail was abandoned,
along with many of the other trails. With the current Telemark Interval Owners Association (TIOA) in control for the past three years, there has been an ongoing commitment to revive the resort's great ski trails.
"We brought part of the Bill Koch Trail back several years ago," says Phil Van Valkenberg, Telemark's director of sales and marketing. "The
section that went up over the back side of Mount Telemark was relatively easy to revive. The part that went east into the Bayfield County Forest presented a number of problems however, some of which were
inherent in its design.
"I worked at Telemark when Koch was here designing the trail. To the east of the lodge, he picked out an incredible geographical feature to run
the trail over. It's a steep esker ridge over two kilometers long. Eskers were formed by rivers that flowed through glacial ice sheets. When the
ice melted, rocks and earth that had been deposited in the river bottom became sinuous ridges.
"That part of the Koch was a real black diamond difficulty trail, but it's
been one that many skiers have said they miss most. A real problem with it from the beginning was that once you got past the two kilometer point,
there were no options that would get you back to the lodge without doing nearly the entire distance. People would over extend themselves because
the first 2K were also part of Alison's Trail and were quite easy."
Working with Bayfield Country forester Paul Lundberg, Telemark's staff
were able to find a trail that connected the far end of the esker with Alison's Trail for the return to the lodge.
"Part of the new trail section was one of the challenging side loops Koch
had laid out," Van Valkenberg adds. "It won't be easy, but things will become more tame once skiers are on Alison's Trail. The loop will be
9K from and to the lodge and with the 6K already in place, we'll be back to 15K, 11 of which will be single track."
For information contact Telemark Resort, 877/798 4718 or visit at www.telemarkresort.com.
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MN DNR OFFERS XC PASS ONLINE
Minnesota As the snow begins to fly, the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources is offering yet another way to get the Great Minnesota Ski Pass, according to Paul Nordell of the DNR. The cost is $3 for a daily ski pass, $10 for an annual ski pass, and $25 for a three year ski
pass. Ski passes are available at 1,850 hunting and fishing license agent locations statewide as part of the DNR's Electronic Licensing System.
Minnesota cross country skiers help support the development and
maintenance of public ski trails through the purchase of the Great Minnesota Ski Pass. It was initiated in 1983 by the Minnesota Legislature at the request of cross country skiers to provide funds for
support of trail development and grooming.
A list of Electronic Licensing System locations is available on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us. Locations are also available by calling
the DNR Information Center at 651/296 6157 or toll free 1 888/646 6367. Daily ski passes can still be purchased at most state parks and Twin Cities regional county parks.
This year, for the first time, the DNR is offering the ski pass on line at www.dnr.state.mn.us or by telephone toll free at 1 888/665 4236. Applicants will receive a temporary authorization number to use until the
ski pass arrives in the mail. Internet and telephone license sales are charged an additional $3.50 convenience fee.
Cross country skiers, age 16 and older, must have a ski pass on most public ski trails.
"People can use the ski pass on about 170 cross country ski trails, totaling about 1,700 miles of opportunity," Nordell noted. "Some
additional costs may be encountered at certain ski trail locations, but this is the basic fee that drives the statewide ski trail passport system."
General information about the ski pass is available on the DNR Web site.
Trail snow condition reports, updated every Thursday after 2 p.m., are available by calling the DNR Information Center at the above phone
numbers, or on the DNR Web site.
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RUN ON WATER & ASAPH WHITTLESEY SNOWSHOE RACE IN BAYFIELD
Wisconsin Where on earth can you run on water? One place is Bayfield,
Wisconsin, which boasts an official highway over frozen Lake Superior. The communities of Bayfield and LaPointe (on Madeline Island) are usually a 20 minute ferry ride apart, but when winter freezes Lake
Superior, cars, trucks and snowmobiles make their way across the lake using the "ice road". Recycled Christmas trees mark the road, which is regularly plowed and maintained while in use.
Fifteen years ago, the Chamber decided that if you can drive on water, then why not run on water? This unique race is run from Bayfield to Madeline Island and back. The route is approximately 5 miles the
distance varies slightly depending on the route of the road, as it's laid out based on where the ice conditions are best. This race has been popular;
attracting 100 200 runners. Most runners agree that this is the most unique race they have ever run. The 17th annual Run On Water will be run this year on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003.
As with last year, the Run on Water is teamed up with the Asaph Whittlesey Snowshoe Race on Saturday, Feb. 2, which includes a 5K and 10K snowshoe race, a junior race, snowshoe demonstrations,
snowshoe volleyball, and an Asaph Whittlesey look alike contest.
Asaph Whittlesey landed in the town of LaPointe on Madeline Island in the early 1850's. In 1854 he sailed to the head of Chequamegon Bay,
where he built a log home and co founded the city of Ashland.
In 1860, Asaph was elected the Republican delegate from Lake Superior to the Legislature in Madison, Wisconsin. To reach Madison for the
opening of the Legislature on January 11, 1860 he snowshoed 250 miles alone through the wilds of northern Wisconsin from Ashland to Sparta, the closest railroad station to the upper country.
This unique bit of history inspired Bayfield's Asaph Whittlesey Snowshoe Race a special tribute to Asaph's courageous effort.
For more information on the Run On Water or Asaph Whittlesey
Snowshoe Race, please contact the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce at 800/447 4094, send an email to bayfieldchamber@charter.net or visit www.bayfield.org.
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INSTITUTE FOR ATHLETIC MEDICINE PRESENTS 'ON THE RUN' WITH HAL HIGDON
Minnesota If you're looking for a great way to inspire your running
program, try to attend Hal Higdon's weekend running seminar on February 8 9, 2003, at Bandana Square Conference Center, St. Paul, Minn. Hal Higdon is a senior writer for Runner's World and author or 33
books, including the best selling, Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide . He also serves as training consultant for The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and hosts that race's virtual training online, where
runners who follow his popular 18 week marathon training program ask him dozens of training questions daily.
Higdon attended Carleton College in Northfield and still considers
Minnesota his second home. He will draw on his more than 50 years as a runner and coach of runners to tell you how to achieve peak performance and to instruct health professionals how to improve their care and
treatment of participants in the sport of long distance running.
Here's a preview of the weekend's topics:
Saturday, February 8
Keynote Address
How to Run Forever: A brief historical perspective on running in the middle of the last century, beginning with Higdon's career as a track athlete at Carleton College and competitor in the Boston Marathon,
which had only 150 starters in 1959. How has running changed since then? More important, how has the public's attitude to running as a healthy activity changed since then? What is new about running, and what
is the same? Who are those new runners who have made fields of 30,000 in marathons commonplace? Have training methods changed? How can you train efficiently not only to maximize health and physical
fitness, but also to minimize illness and injuries? Higdon will also address cross training, form, making the most of your training time, and how to train with the best program for all ages.
Building Strength and Speed: A continuation of the first lecture. Minnesota as a leader in long distance running. Success of Grandma's and Twin Cities Marathons. The advantages and disadvantages of winter training.
Periodization: different workouts for different times of the year. The importance of rest coupled with endurance and speed training.
The Perfect Workout Tempo Runs: If you had to pick a single workout
to maximize performance and minimize injuries, this is it, according to Higdon. Tempo runs can be easy or hard, depending on your approach. No other workout does such a good job of building speed and increasing
lactate threshold. How do you do temp runs and how do they relate to other speed workouts, including fartlek, interval training, repeats, hill training, strides and sprints?
Sunday, February 9 (audience primarily physical therapists and certified
trainers).
18 Weeks to Glory: This first session will focus on training. Tens of thousands of runners have followed Hal Higdon's 18 week training
program for the marathon, both online and in a marathon training class he helps supervise that attracts 2,000 runners training for the Chicago Marathon each summer. Higdon claims that he learns as much from these
new runners as they learn from him. Using the same PowerPoint presentation he offers to his classes, Higdon will describe and discuss his program for novice, intermediate and advanced runners. It is as close to
being a fail safe program as any available, but runners still get injured, usually because of inadequate background or overtraining.
The Mind of the Runner: How do you treat an injured runner? Perhaps
equally important: How do they hope to be treated? Runners do not want to be told, "don't run," although sometimes this needs to be said. What
are the most frequently asked questions to Virtual Training's "Body Shop" forum? What are the answers? An overview on stretching and strength training: not how to do it, but why it is important.
Call the Institute for Athletic Medicine to register, 612/672 7272
DATES SET FOR 21st CHEQUAMEGON FAT TIRE FEST
Wisconsin While the heavy snows and chilling winds of winter may be on
the near horizon, it is already time to plan for next fall's fat tire cycling adventures. For fat tire cycling at its best, take note of the September 12
14, 2003 weekend dates of the 21st Annual Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by Trek. On that weekend, a sold out race field of 2,500 riders from across the country will converge on the Telemark
Resort in Cable, Wis. to experience the fat tire racing and fat tire fun of the nation's most popular off road bicycle event.
Since race entry is limited and available by pre registration lottery only,
hopeful participants should make plans to obtain their entry blanks now. The lottery drawing for the 1,700 spots allowed in the Chequamegon 40
and 800 places allowed for the 16 mile Short & Fat cross county events is held shortly after the March 15 postmark deadline for submitting entries. Entry blanks for the 2003 lottery can be obtained by sending a
self addressed stamped business size envelope to the event headquarters between now and March 1. On March 1, entry blanks will be sent to those who have requested them. In addition, from February 15 to March
15, the 2003 entry blank can be downloaded from the event's Web page. Lottery participants must meet the March 15 postmark date for sending in their completed entry forms and payment of fees to event headquarters.
For complete details of the registration lottery procedure and other event information visit the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival Web page at www.cheqfattire.com. For further information about the 21th Annual
Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by Trek, contact CFTF, P.O. Box 267, Cable, WI 54821; 715/798 3594 (phone/fax) or email to cheqfat@cheqnet.net.
THIRD ANNUAL NORDIC SKI RENDEZVOUS IN JANUARY
Wisconsin Members of the North Star Ski Club, Nordic Ski Club of Milwaukee, Madnorski of Madison, the Wausau Nordic Ski Club of
Wausau, and the Nordic Ski Club of Central Minnesota will join in a fun celebration of cross country skiing at Telemark Resort Jan. 25 27. Telemark Resort is a facility committed to keeping their long history of
great cross country skiing alive and well. Skiers will enjoy the over 50 kilometers of well groomed trails at Telemark. There are several other
excellent ski trails in the area including the Birkie Trail, Rock Lake, and Mukwonago.
The weekend offers not only great skiing and good food, but a unique
opportunity to connect with members of other like minded clubs from around the region. This year's price has been lowered for all levels of occupancy and it now includes the weekend trail pass.
North Star skiers can get further details from Fran Howley at 612/869 8971 or franhowley@aol.com. Information is also available at www.northstars.org/announcements/third_annual_ski_trip.htm.
OVER 2,000 MILES OF SKI TRAILS IN MINNESOTA
Minnesota The Minnesota Nordic Ski Association (MNSA) recently
announced the results of their cross country ski trail survey for trails in Minnesota. MNSA worked closely with the Minnesota DNR Trails and Waterways Division to achieve the results. A comprehensive survey form
was sent to all known cross country ski trail managers, whether publicly or privately operated. Over 80 percent of the surveys that were sent out
were returned. Survey results include the length of the trails, grooming information, location of the trails, and fees for their use.
The results of the survey indicate that there are over 3,300 kilometers, or 2,000 miles, of ski trails in Minnesota. In a previous survey conducted by the Minnesota DNR, there are approximately 500,000 people in
Minnesota that have tried cross country skiing.
Many public ski trails in Minnesota receive money from the Grant in Aid program, which is funded from the Minnesota Ski Pass. All skiers 16
years and older are required to purchase a ski pass for the designated trails.
Results from the survey can be viewed on the MNSA Web site at www.mnnordicski.org.
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NORTHWOODS SKILL BUILDER SERIES
Wisconsin Woods many uses will be featured in weekend "make it yourself" projects scheduled throughout 2003 at Trees For Tomorrow,
the natural resource specialty school in Eagle River.
"We're calling the 20 courses offered in 2003 the Northwoods Skill Builder Series because that aptly describes what these sessions do," said
series coordinator Rob Wiener. "For example, at the start of the new year, folks will have an opportunity to learn snowshoe weaving and construction by lashing webbing onto ash or maple frames. Later in the
year, we'll offer sessions on log cabin construction, rustic wood furniture making, hand jointed wood toolbox construction, dog kick sled assembly and others."
Wiener said several new offerings in 2003 should be of interest to those wishing to learn or enhance a skill.
"One interesting new offering is wood furniture painting," he continued.
"This is quite a popular hobby and our Loon Lake Mariners Trunk project is perfect for those just learning the skill or wishing to improve a bit."
"Our new log cabin building class should fill pretty quickly," said Wiener. "We're only accepting 10 students but those individuals will, over ten
days in early August, learn how to build with logs by constructing an actual cabin." He said a course catalog is available by calling 800/838 9472.
The snowshoe building sessions started on Dec. 6 8, with others offered on Jan. 24 26 and Feb. 7 9. Furniture painting is Jan. 24 26 and the wood toolbox course is March 7 9. The dog kick sled project is Jan. 24
26 and log cabin building is set for July 30 Aug. 8.
"Of course, we'll have our full compliment of nonwood skill sessions, too," said Wiener. Classes like quilting, fly fishing, basket making, field
photography, stained glass, Swedish weaving and others are scheduled throughout the year.
He said most sessions in the Northwoods Skill Builder Series run from
Friday evening until Sunday noon and include all meals, lodging and instruction.
Trees For Tomorrow is a natural resource specialty school serving
middle and high school students from a three state area during the week with workshops taught outdoors and featuring environmental themes. Weekends are set aside for the skill builder classes for adults.
Trees For Tomorrow is located on a forested 35 acre campus just blocks from downtown Eagle River. Contemporary education and dormitory buildings are mixed with historic structures like the dining hall
which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Call 800/838 9472 for a course catalog or more information.
WISCONSIN TEAM COMPETES IN NAT'L CHAMPIONSHIP ADVENTURE RACE
Wisconsin Team Enterprise Adventure Racing, captained by Lance Basting of Eau Claire, placed 18th in a field of 34 teams at the United States Adventure Racing Association National Championship held
November 7 9, 2002 at Sapphire Valley in North Carolina. In order for teams to compete in the national event, they had to place third or higher
at one of the eligible qualifying events held around the country. Basting and Team Enterprise placed third in the Subaru/NOC Dawn to Dusk Adventure Race in North Carolina to qualify for the championship race.
Adventure racing is a rapidly growing sport that combines biking, paddling, map and compass skills, rock climbing skills and running in rugged terrain. The number of races being held around the Midwest is
growing along with the number of people participating. Basting notes, "Adventure racing appeals to mountain bikers, rock climbers, and
paddlers because it involves all of those disciplines, in addition to a team component, which is not as prominent in the other sports."
Team Enterprise, comprised of Basting, Melissa Dupke and Keena
Hilsberg of Green Bay, and John Wyrick of Cincinnati, Ohio, finished the national championship course in just under 28 hours.
"We knew this course was going to be tough due to the elevation
changes in the mountains so our first goal was to finish under 24 hours," says Bastings. "We ran into some minor navigation problems that cost us
a few hours, but we were still happy with our performance. Our other goal was to finish in the top 20 and given the level of competition at the event, we were very pleased with our 18th place finish."
Team Enterprise Adventure Racing will be hosting The Northern Route Adventure Race, an 18 hour event on Sept. 6, 2003 in northern Wisconsin. The race will be a great opportunity for people new to the
sport and for experienced racers as well. For more information on the Northern Route Adventure Race, visit the team's Web site at team enterprise.com.
"We are discussing the possibly of racing in some longer multi day races in Canada and throughout the United States next year," adds Basting.
"Eventually, we'd like to compete in some 7 10 day expedition length races."
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TCM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM SEEKS APPLICANTS
Minnesota The Twin Cities Marathon (TCM) Community Contributions Committee is now accepting applications for the 2003 TCM Running
Scholarship. The TCM scholarship program is one of several TCM charity partners selected each year for their ties to running and promoting health and wellness in the community. To learn more about the 2002
TCM Community Contributions Program, presented by Seagate Technology, visit www.twincitiesmarathon.org.
"The TCM Scholarship Program provides a great opportunity to reward and support the great student athletes in our community," says Dan Finanger, TCM executive director.
The TCM scholarship program provides a $1,000 scholarship to one female and one male graduating high school student athlete planning to go to college. The applicants are evaluated on a variety of criteria including
academic achievements, community service, running accomplishments and an essay. The student athlete must be a cross country and/or track and field runner and have participated in distances of 800 meters and
longer. Eligible student athletes must also be students at a high school in the seven county Twin Cities metro area with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Applications for the 2003 TCM scholarship are now available. For more information, call 612/925 3500, ext. 10 or see the Web site. Completed applications and required information must be returned to the TCM office
postmarked no later than Feb. 3, 2003.
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NORTH STAR SKI FESTIVAL JAN. 11
Minnesota Final preparations are being made for the North Star Ski Festival to be held on Saturday, Jan.11 at Hyland Park Reserve in
Bloomington, Minn. from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The North Star Ski Touring Club, along with Three Rivers Park District, Gear West Ski Shop, Hoigaards Nordic and REI will be offering a full day of cross
country ski lessons and clinics for all ages and abilities.
Coaches will offer lessons to kids, families, beginner and intermediate skiers. Advanced skiers will benefit from the clinics offered by Gear
West and Hoigaards using skate or classic techniques.
Preregistration is $15 per person with youth 14 and under half price. Day of event registration is $20 per person. The regisration fee includes a long
sleeved Ski Festival T shirt to the first 250, all ski lessons and free parking at the park. Ski rentals are available at the park for an additional fee.
Registration forms and additional information can be found on the North Star Web site at www.northstars.org.
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PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR BIRKIE'S 30th ANNIVERSARY AND BEYOND
Wisconsin Bill Pierce, president of the board of directors for the
American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF), is deep into planning. With the Birkebeiner's 30th anniversary ski race less than three months away, he and the 13 member board are working hand in hand with the
new executive director, Birkie staff, hundreds of volunteers and race sponsors to plan and pull off the best 51K Birkebeiner and 23K Kortelopet yet. But the planning doesn't stop with the 30th anniversary
races scheduled Sat., February 22, 2003. The board is also looking beyond race day at new events and initiatives for the thousands of skiers who are so enamored with the Birkie trail and the fitness philosophy it
encourages.
Each year, close to 10,000 skiers and 20,000 spectators make their annual winter sojourn to the northland to be part of the American
Birkebeiner, North America's most revered ski tradition. They're supported by race sponsors and hundreds of volunteers who work year round to make race week a positive experience for all involved. Skiers
and spectators say they appreciate the work that goes into race week preparations and that they are looking for reasons to come back to the northland to enjoy the Birkie trail year round.
While staff, volunteers and race chiefs lay the foundation for the 30th anniversary of North America's largest cross country ski race, the board is laying the foundation for supporting additional youth programs,
developing programs for women athletes, and launching events to bring users to the Birkie trail year round.
"The average Birkie participant is a 47 year old male," Pierce said. "We
need to do a better job attracting youth and women and meeting the needs of nonskiers."
Pierce said three initiatives will do that. First, the board will invest in
youth programs which support local skiing programs already in existence. In addition to supporting Hayward Nordic Kids, Hayward, Cable and Spooner High School ski teams, and the Wisconsin State High School
Ski Championship, the board is now looking at ways to grow other cross country ski programs in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
A second initiative, developing programs for women, was met with
overwhelming success when the first annual women's ski clinic was launched in October 2002. A second women's ski clinic is already on the books for October 17 19, 2003.
The third initiative, expanding trail usage, will take the form of the first annual American Birkebeiner Trail Run. Slated for Saturday, August 9,
2003, runners will have two events to choose from a 15K point to point race or a 5K loop race, both on the Birkie trail. T shirts, class awards, and post race refreshments will be part of the package.
Pierce said the board is pleased with the leadership of Shirley Riedmann, the new executive director, the competency of the Birkie staff, and the
ability of the organization to pull off a quality event year after year. He said those factors make it possible for the ABSF board to look toward the future and an expanded role.
"In my travels around the country, I see that the Birkie is looked at as the anchor of Nordic skiing in North America," Pierce says. "I see that the
American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation has grown into a very strong organization with a very competent staff. We are at the point that we can pull off a superior ski race and take a leadership role in giving something
back to the ski community. We need to make sure our skiers continue to have a quality experience on the Birkie trail. We need to reach out to youth and women. We need to look at the Birkie trail as a park that is
used and appreciated year round by many users."
As the board and staff strive to meet those goals, they also have their sights set on making the 30th American Birkebeiner the best on record.
Birkie 2003 festivities begin on Thursday, Feb. 20 and continue through Saturday, Feb. 22. Highlights include Salomon Elite Sprints, Hayward Chamber of Commerce Citizen Sprints, Century Tel Junior Birkie,
Chequamegon Communications 10K, Telemark's Over the Hill race, and the Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, the largest children's cross country skiing event in the nation. Anniversary events culminate with the
51K Johnson Bank American Birkebeiner and 23K Kortelopet.
A 30th anniversary slide show, hot air balloons, American Indian programs and dancers, opening and closing ceremonies and post race
music by Big Top Chautauqua's Blue Canvas Orchestra, sponsored by Leinenkugel's Brewing Company, are also among the many activities planned.
For more information or to register for the Johnson Bank American
Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, Salomon Elite Sprints, Hayward Chamber of Commerce Citizen Sprints, Century Tel Junior Birkie, Chequamegon Communications Cooperative 10K, Telemark Lodge Over the Hill race,
or the Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, call 715/634 5025, e mail birkie@birkie.com, or log on to www.birkie.com.
Birkie 2003 is sponsored by Johnson Bank, Subaru, Murphy McGinnis
Media and other businesses throughout the region and country.
Leslie Hamp
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MIDWEST SNOWSHOE CHAMPION SERIES
The Midwest Snowshoe Championship Series will feature an eight event
schedule this winter. The schedule includes:
Jan. 4, Olde Towne Snowshoe Race, Greenwood, Wis.
Jan. 18, Perkinstown Tramp, Medford, Wis.
Jan. 2, Snowshoe Days, Green Bay, Wis.
Feb. 1, Asaph Whitlesey Snowshoe Race, Ashland, Wis.
Feb. 8, New World Championship Snowshoe Races, Luck, Wis.
Feb. 22, Wausau Snowshoe Races, Wausau, Wis.
March 1, Timm's Hill Trudge, Ogema, Wis.
March 8, Lakewods Snowshoe Races, Lakewood, Wis.
(Event details can be found in the Calendar of Events section in this issue.)
To qualify for series awards, points will be allotted based on an
individual's finish position in their age and sex category. First place in age and sex category gets 50 points, second place 49 points, etc. These
points will be tabulated and totaled after each event, with overall point standings sent via newsletter to each member in the series. Year end
point totals of a participant's four best race finishes will determine the year end category awards.
All events on the series are open events (you do not have to be a
member to compete in them for event awards) but as a series member, participants will compete with all entrants for individual event awards, and also compete for points and year end awards with members in each
age and sex categories in the series. For example, if 10 people in an age category finish ahead of a series participant in the event but they are not
members, the series participant would receive the 50 first place category points for that event.
A year end awards and picnic will take place on a weekend following the
final event of the season. Awards will go down three places (less than 20 in a category), or five places (20 or more in a category).
Points summaries will be mailed out to each member following each event
in a newsletter which will also contain up coming event information etc.
The fees to join the series are $15 before 12 30 02 and $20 after; family fees are $30.
For more information, contact Dar Vollrath, Director, 403 E Begley St., Greenwood WI 54437; 715/267 6266; wisport@tds.net.
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TEAM SKINNYSKI.COM TO ATTEMPT 24 HOUR RECORD
Wisconsin A team of six cross country skiers sponsored by Skinnyski.com will make an attempt at the North American 24 Hour distance record in Cable, Wis., on Jan. 11 12. A team comprised of Ben
Popp, Brian May, Dave Nelson, Grant Nelson, Per Nelson and John Munger will challenge the record of 517.391 kilometers at the third annual 24 Hours of Telemark (24 T).
"It will be tough to reach it, but we'll have a blast trying," says team captain Popp. "We did the event last year with just four skiers and put in
490 kilometers. With six skiers this year, we will have more rest between laps and can make a serious attempt at the record. And if we don't beat the record we'll still get in perfect training for the Birkie!"
The current record was set March 17, 2002 at the Lappe Nordic Centre 24 Hour relay race in Thunder Bay, Ontario, by a team of seven skiers from the Canadian National Team Development Center (NTDC). Kerrie
Fabius, Tara Redpath, Timo Puiras, Riku Metsaranta, Will Fitzgerald, Sean Crooks and Jeff Seguin are the current record holders for the NTDC.
The current North American solo male record is unofficially held by Chris Ransom of Lake Mills, Wis., who posted 321.484K in 24 hours at last year's 24 T (he skied an additional 9K to finish his lap). The women's
solo record is held by Becky Laasko (Can.) with 252.462K and was set at the Thunder Bay race last year. The 370K women's team record was tackled at the 2001 24 T by Team Ski Hut (Kelly Rogers, Sara
Kylander Johnson, Abbi May and Jayme Bauer).
The world solo 24 hour record of 415.5Km was set by Finn Seppo Juhani Savolainen in Sarriselk, Finland on April 8 9, 1988.
Although dozens of 24 hour mountain bike races are held throughout North America each year, currently the Lappe Nordic 24 Hour Relay Race and the 24 Hours of Telemark are the only 24 hour cross country
ski relay races in North America. While the 24 T got its start as an offshoot from the 24 Hours of Nine Mile mountain bike race in Wausau, Wis., the Lappe Nordic Relay has its roots in a Nordic record attempt.
"In 1996, NTDC coach Pekka Kemppi wanted to make an attempt at the 24 hour world record," says Liz Inkila, president of the Lappe
Nordic Centre Ski Team. "Although he didn't break the record, about ten team members followed him along the way."
Instead of attempting the solo record again, Kempi suggested a team
format for the following year and the Lappe Nordic 24 Hour Relay was born. Now it's a tradition!"
Organizers of he 24 T based their decision to begin the race on the social aspect of the race format.
"Everyone has so much fun racing on teams at the 24 9 that we had to bring the format to cross country skiing," says event director Kevin
Eccles of TS Events Inc. "Many of us who put on the 24 9 ski in the winter wanted to have the same opportunity for fun on snow that we have at the mountain bike race!"
Both events offer a variety of 24 hour only divisions. The 24 Hour race in Cable also offers 3, 6 or 12 hour options in 19 categories to allow for personal tests for skiers of a variety of abilities.
Whether you're in it for a North American record, a personal challenge or a social adventure, a 24 hour race on skis or mountain bikes might be a whole new way to enjoy your favorite sport.
More information about the 24 Hours of Telemark and 9 Mile (Aug. 30 31) can be found at www.teamsportsevents.com or by calling Eccles, 262/549 6801 ext.16.
Information on the 24 Team Relay Race at Lappe Nordic Center (March 29 30, 2003) can be found at http://flash.lakeheadu.ca/~lnordic/.
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10K FAMILY FUN RACE FEATURES 'OVER THE HILL' OPTION FOR 30th BIRKIE
Wisconsin In 1976, the fourth running of the American Birkebeiner Ski
Marathon was supposed to trek through the northwoods of Wisconsin from Historyland on Lake Hayward to Telemark near Cable as it had the previous three races. Then two weeks before the race, Tony Wise,
Telemark's owner and the event organizer, had a brainstorm. Wise looked out on the steep downhill ski slopes of Mount Telemark and imagined a new skier challenge and a fantastic media coup. Why not turn
the race around and send the skiers up the ski slope at the start? Wise thought? That would end any talk about cross country being a wimpy sport and photos of hundreds of skiers charging up the slope like a
Siberian prison break would be splashed across the pages of newspapers all over the country. Wise was right on both counts.
On Friday, Feb. 21, this year, skiers will have the chance to relive those
glorious days of yesteryear. As in the past, the popular 10K freestyle (your choice classic or skate skiing) Chequamegon Communications Family Fun Race will be held at 2 p.m. And, special for the Birkie's 30th
anniversary, there will be a unique 12K classic technique race and tour at 1:45 p.m. and these classic skiers will go over the hill, just as in the days of the Birkie's infancy.
The 12K race will start with a full scale assault on the slopes of Mount Telemark, followed by a swift downhill to rejoin the traditional 10K course. Over The Hill classic skiers are encouraged to cover the distance
on wood skis if possible. Start rummaging though your garage now. Woodies will rule again.
In keeping with the Birkie tradition, all first time skiers in either the 10K
or 12K will get a special medallion. Returning skiers will receive commemorative pins. Skiers can register for either race in advance or on race day. Race day registration will be in the lobby at Telemark. Fees
will be $10 for individuals and $25 for families in advance or $12 individual and $30 for families during race week.
For information or entry forms contact 715/798 3303 or visit www.cheqtel.com.
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WINTER ENTHUSIASTS DISCOVER SNOWSHOEING'S MAGIC AT THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT'S SNOWSHOE & FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL
Minnesota Set against the cozy log cabin backdrop of the Baker Near
Wilderness Settlement in Medina, Minn., Three Rivers Park District's annual Snowshoe and Family Fun Festival is fast becoming a tradition for hundreds of folks eager to discover the simple magic of snowshoeing.
This year's festival runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, and features a variety of activities for snowshoers of all abilities and interests.
The event is free and parking fees will be waived. Participants will have a rare opportunity to try out more than 200 pairs of snowshoes from eight manufacturers including Glacier, Instep/Optima, Atlas, Red Feather,
Sherpa, Little Bear, MSR, Crescent Moon and Tubbs. Participants also can learn how to build traditional snowshoes from a kit.
Other activities include retailer displays of all the latest clothing and
snowshoeing equipment available at Gear West, Hoigaard's, REI, Galyan's and Midwest Mountaineering. Retailers also will lead informational talks on everything snowshoeing, from how to get started to
how to survive harsh winter weather. In addition to snowshoeing, families can enjoy a free 1K kids' fun run at 1 p.m., snowshoe lacing, old fashioned ice harvesting, quinzhee snow fort building, winter games, kick
sleds, snow snakes, snowflake making, ice candle making and a skijoring demonstration. Three Rivers Park District will give away more than $2,000 in door prizes during drawings throughout the day.
Tim Anderson, Three Rivers Park District's recreation supervisor, urges families and individuals to take advantage of this unique opportunity to give the sport of snowshoeing a test drive.
"This is your chance to try every style, size and shape of snowshoe on the market before you buy. Snowshoeing is one of the fastest growing sports
because it has low start up costs, is easy on the knees, and anyone can do it with no training. All you do is walk."
The Baker Near Wilderness Settlement is located in Baker Park Reserve
in Medina. From I 494, take Highway 55 west about 2.5 miles, turn left on County Road 24 and proceed about 8 miles to the entrance. Free parking and shuttle service will be provided from Baker Park Reserve's
main recreation area. The main recreation area is located less than 1 mile west of the Near Wilderness Settlement, just south of the intersection of County Road 24 and County Road 19.
For more information about the Snowshoe and Family Fun Festival, visit www.ThreeRiversParkDistrict.org or call 763/559 9000.
Snowshoeing in Three Rivers Park District
Located in the suburban Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area of Minnesota, Three Rivers Park District is a natural resources based park district that
manages more than 27,000 acres of park reserves, regional parks, regional trails and special use facilities. The park district provides numerous snowshoeing trails and areas in its regional parks and park
reserves. Rental snowhoes are available at some locations.
Snowshoe trail/area locations in Three Rivers Park District:
Baker Park Reserve multi use trail, 4 miles, Evergreen trail, 1.2 miles;
Bryant Lake Regional Park: general recreation area, 1 mile;
Carver Park Reserve Nature center trails, 5.3 miles;
Cleary Lake Regional Park ski skate/snowshoe trail,1.3 miles;
Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park Cottonwood trail, 1.5 miles;
Crow Hassan Park Reserve winter horse and pet trail, 1.5 miles;
Eagle Lake Regional Park general recreation area, 1.5 miles;
Elm Creek Park Reserve nature center trails, 2.5 miles, Nature Loop, 4.5 miles;
Fish Lake Regional Park multi use trails, 2 miles;
French Regional Park general picnic area, 11.3 miles, pond loop, 0.6
miles, Gale Woods loop trail, 3 mile, Whaletail trail, 0.5 mile;
Hyland Lake Park Reserve nature center trails, 2 miles, visitor center trail, 2 miles, Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve South Loop, 3 miles.
Snowshoe rentals are available at the parks listed below. The Patron rate is $3 per hour; regular rate is $4.50 per hour, age 8 and up. A driver's
license or photo ID is required for rental, and rentals are for in park use only.Call ahead for availability and snow conditions.
Baker Ski Chalet, 763/473 4114; Eastman Nature Center, 763/420
4300; Eagle Lake Visitor Center, 763/268 3181; Lowry Nature Center 952/472 4911; Richardson Nature Center 952/941 7993; West Coon Rapids Dam 763/424 8172.
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