Saturday was a blustery cold day with blowing snow and the racer crowd was light. We all prepared for really cold temps but nature relented somewhat for the 30k/15k/3k Skate challenge at SMR presented by Grand Nordic. The long race was two laps of a 15k course that was mastered by Andrew Huck in 1:39:55 in a close finish with Dan Weinburger 1:39:57 and Matt Rossman 1:39:59. What a lead pack and together most of the way! First woman was Scandinavian Stina Boden finishing in 1:54:19 (8th overall) followed by Ella Dewolf at 1:54:27.
The short course 15K was a Mesa University sweep with Iver Skaarseth leading across the line in 47.36 followed by Wesley Sunmer in 51:41, Jack Lackman, Garret Moehring and first woman Jayna Boonstra who finished in 59:20. Patrick Brower was top local finisher in 1:09:07.
Lexi Weinberger entered the 3K race late but surged to the front finishing in 17:17 followed by Scandinavian Gunner Boden, William Weinberger and top female Kit Michalowski from WPCC in 21.09
January 25 is Race 4 in our Grand County Nordic Race Series – 10th Annual Devils Thumb Stagecoach Classic 30k/15k/3k ski race and tour starting and finishing at Devils Thumb Ranch Resort and Spa. An End of Race celebration will be located at Broad Axe Barn with food and beer. Registration closes 12n on Friday Jan 24. For details and to sign up, visit https://www.devilsthumbranch.com/event/stagecoach-classic-2025/
Middle Park High School is hosting a CHASSA race for High School and Middle School athletes on Jan 25 at SMR combined with Collegiate Races on both Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers are always needed for this wonderful event through signup genius. Students can earn volunteer hours by helping with the races. Racing starts at 1030am on Saturday. Volunteers are needed both days – https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040E4AACAF2FAAF94-54416524-2025#/ … or call/text Karen at 970-531-0795. Volunteer or just come cheer our local teams to victory! The Collegiate Races are the next step in competition for the High Schoolers so come see how they compare.
The Grand County Nordic Race Series still has four more races to go – Granby Ranch Feb 15, Latigo Ranch March 1, and Snow Mountain Ranch Stampede Skate March 8 and Classic March 9. Racers – rise to meet the challenge! Volunteers are also needed – go to https://skigrandnordic.org/grand-nordic-race-series/ for all the race series event details-signups-and volunteering, sponsored by Grand Nordic and the Winter Park Chamber. Or go to http://www.grandnordic.org/volunteering
The primary fundraiser for the Grand Nordic Scholarship fund – the 12th Annual Ranch2Ranch Nordic TREK – is Feb 8 and 9 is also available for signup at www.grandnordic.org. Park your car at Granby Ranch Montana Lot, take the shuttle to SMR start. Wave starts every 20 min spread people out over the 11km course groomed for Classic and Skate this year ending at the top of Granby Ranch. Snowshoers stay to the side please. Take the Granby Ranch East lift down, ski down Buckhorn among the Alpine skiers, or ski back to Snow Mtn Ranch at any point. Two aid stations and Bryan Mtn Nordic patrol are on the course for your refreshment and safety.
For something different, try a little light backcountry on the waterboard roads lining each side of the Fraser Valley that are groomed by Grand Adventures for their snowmobile clientele. Their tour leaders are very courteous to Nordic skiers and their dogs. I even use regular Nordic skis but don’t expect any tracks!
