2/07 City of Lakes Loppet Skate

Thanks to Maureen for the GREAT Photos!

Today was the City of Lakes Loppet Skate Race. It was a great day of racing. Conditions were about 22 degrees with race start at 10:30. Everyone was doing it this year - Bill/Eric/Tom/etc. - it was great day, and I pulled off a good race this year.

The grooming was outstanding again this year, and the course turned out to be faster than I expected. I knew from Saturday that conditions on the lake were somewhat slow. In the woods and on the golf course, though, it seemed pretty fast. I'm really liking the Start wax system I'm using - and the na na na "Nano F7" was awesome today. I was outgliding just about everyone, which is always fun!

John/Dave C/Gene Kay/Nicolai Anikin

2/06 City of Lakes Loppets - Sprints

A quick note about the City of Lakes Loppet Sprints. I got signed up for the Sprints in December with my Skate Race registration. Bill Baldus and I had talked about doing it for a few years - I'm glad I participated! However - the result wasn't the greatest. There were only 8 competitors in the Masters (over 35) field. 2 Heats of 4 -- with 2 from each heat advancing. Of course I finished 3rd; just behind Craig Rudd and Piotr B. Craig is a strong Sprinter; I started in 3rd after the initial double-pole section, and could never change up the order. The course was Up and Down on the mall - 3 Up and 2 Down -- for a full 1KM course; it was softish snow, and pretty tiring. Baldus also finished 3rd in his group - so we both left a little disappointed; There was prize money on the line also, oh well! My skis were good - I'm going try it again next year; only try to make a move a little earlier in the race.
On Sunday I talked with Avho - and joked that he didn't call my name off enough to get me inspired! He asked me what I thought about the course as Finn Sisu sponsors the race. I said it'd be great if it wasn't up-down, but otherwise it's a pretty good course; it is cool that Finn Sisu/Avho sponsor the event each year.

2/03City of Lakes Loppet Course

Skied last night on the City of Lakes Loppet course - awesome! The skiing was great - I parked in the 9 hole GC lot; I did the front 9 including the back woods, the lit trail, and then the front 9. Really good skiing, my skis were surprisingly fast. I used my Madshus Hypersonic cold skis. It was my first time skiing at night at Wirth with the new lighted trail. They did a good job, and it's a good mix of hills, flat and transition. Should be a fantastic race on Sunday!

Birkie/Korte Reached Cap-Registrations Accepted Until Feb. 3rd - Birkie.com | American Birkebeiner

Birkie/Korte Reached Cap-Registrations Accepted Until Feb. 3rd - Birkie.com American Birkebeiner

The Birkie Board decided to limit Birkie registrations to 7500 this year; they are full! If memory serves me right - they had over 8000 skiers in the late 80s - and then there was a little slow down (also it didn't cost $130 to register!)