Mid-February competition usually means serious NYSSRA Nordic racers are tackling distance events. The first big one of the season, the Winona Forest Tourathon on Feb. 11, brought out nearly 140 classic racers across 12.5K, 25K and 50K distances. Recent weeks of lake effect provided perfect snow conditions.
-50k eventual podium Hettenbaugh, Torneinen, and Seyse at the start
Jason Hetenbaugh set a new 50K course record at 2:52:32.1 with some super double poling the whole race. Alec Davis, M10, won the oldest competitor award with his 4:12:44.5 finish that was above mid-pack. Overall winner of the 25K was Martin Donnelly-Heg at 1:31:58.9. Alex Williams was the overall winner of the 12.5K. See complete 2017 Tourathon RESULTS (via Webscorer).
The other weekend “athon” was the annual HURT-athon XC ski race presented by Hudson United Racing Team at Gore Mountain Ski Bowl in North Creek. It was Wilkinson Cup #4 and attracted nearly 40 classic racers of U16/U18 for 5km and Open/Masters for 15km distances with interval starts. Everyone (racers and volunteers) praised the organizers for choosing slightly shorter course lengths than those advertised. Heavy snows of Sunday’s Noreaster arrived as racers were on the course, slowing up the already tough grunt climbs. See complete 2017 HURT-athon RESULTS (via Underdog Race Timing).
David Paarberg-Kvam, HURT race organizer and MC of awards, recognizes place winners. Racers appreciated the work HURT put into the event — especially in obtaining great place awards and bib number raffle prizes from generous vendors.
See the updated WILKINSON CUP Series Points page.
As for the coming Feb. 18-19 weekend:
It’s been a few years since conditions and organizers have offered up a skiathlon format XC race involving classic and skate technique combined in one timed race. This is the Glenville Hills Nordic-ADK Vauhti Glenville Hills Skiathlon on Saturday, February 18 with guaranteed snow at Saratoga Biathlon, Day, NY. The race will be 5K classic + 5K skate = 10K. The event includes a 4K citizen and BKYSL race: (the plan is a ski your age in short laps race for the kids, prizes are cookies!). The online Skiathlon Skireg deadline is Thursday, Feb. 16 at 5PM.
See event notes at the bottom of the Skireg page. In the case of insufficient snow, the race will relocate to Maple ski Ridge- open for nordic Monday nights 4-7 In Mariaville on Monday night, Feb, 20 at 5 PM and be a skate race.
The other “athlon” is the Feb. 18-19 Biathlon NorAm Cup #5 at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, L. Placid. The event is hosted by ORDA and New York Biathlon with organizers from Saratoga, Syracuse, Polar Bear and Western New York Biathlon Clubs. Online (email) registration closes Thursday, Feb. 16 at 5 PM. See Lake Placid Entry form on the NY Biathlon blog.
On the Ski-Orienteering front, EMPO’s event on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Pineridege XC Ski will be a Ski-O and Snowshoe/Ski Score-O. See Phil Hawkes-Teeter’s posting and EMPO.
Reminder: Registration is open for the NYSSRA XC Champions Cup March 4-5 at Lake Placid. The 20K distance race is on Saturday and 6K club relay on Sunday. See the event notes and discounted fee deadline on SkiReg.
The Mid-A Bill Koch festival is at McCauly Mtn February 25-26. Sign up early Registration closes Sunday February 19th , No Day of race registration.
https://www.skireg.com/mid-atlantic-bill-koch-festival-2017
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