9k FREESTYLE

Point to point with lots of up. I don't think there was one starter who's back didn't ache from Friday's race but we were out there getting it done.

Nicole, amongst the wooden sticks, pre race.

Today's results:

1. Morgan Arritola 11. Rosie Brennan
2. Shayla Swanson 12. Kate Arduser
3. Lenka Palanova 13. Kate Whitcomb
4. Caitlin Compton 14. Johanna Winters
5. Ma Mo Grevsgaard 15. Taz Mannix
6. Kristina Trygstad-saari 16. Adele Espy
7. Liz Stephen 17. Kristina Owen
8. Evelyn Dong 18. Becca Roraaugh
9. Kristina Strandberg 19. Nicole De Yong
10. Laura Valaas 20. Morgan Smyth

Mens:

1. Babikov 6. Oestensen
2. Zimmermann 7. Golovko
3. Kuzzy 8. Sinnott
4. Southam 9. Flaharty
5. Elliott 10. Gelso

The Bozeman sprints this coming Wednesday have been canceled. The two races in SoHo this coming weekend have been canceled. Tomorrow is Sunday and after a jog, the Sun Valley Olympic Devo team is headed up to Silver Star, BC, CAN to continue skiing and racing. Along with teams such as the US Ski Team, MWSC and CXC, North seems to be the general trend for the next migration.

Super Tour races qualify US athletes for the World Cups in January. With the lack of snow and current cancelations, qualifying is now limited to these past West races and US Nationals (in addition to "coaches discression").

So it is... and so we drive. It is a long way, where we are to Silver Star, BC (764 miles in 13 hours of driving)...

10k CL, aka DP

Back in my hotel room with the first race of the season completed. It was an out and back at high altitude and relatively little terrain. I would guess that I double poled about 60% of it, kick double poled 20%, stride 15% and tuck 5%. It was a tough one and my back is really sore!

1. Swanson, S 2. Strandberg, K
3. Arritola, M 4. Smyth, M
5. Mo Grevs, M 6. Vallaas, L
7. Dong, E 8. Dehlin, L
9. Stephen 10. Brennan, R
11. Arduser, K 12. Fitzgerald, K
13. Whitcomb, K 14. Williams, L
15. Espy, A 16. Mannix, T
17. MacCarthy, S 18. DeYong, N
19. Palanova, L 20. Compton, C

MEN:

1. Babikov 2. Oestensen 3. Nygren 4. Noah Hoffman 5. James Southam 6. Reissmann 7. Brenton Knight 8. Lars Flora 9. Anders Haugen 10. Mark Iverson 11. Chamberlain 12. Pletcher 13. Leif Zimmermann 14. Marshall Greene 15. Joshua Smith 16. Bryan Cook 17. Sletten 18. Gelso 19. Kjoelhamar 20. Blackhorse VJ

THE WORD

Friday’s start time has been moved until 9am (up on the plateau). The classic race will be a point-to-point, starting from the lower parking and ending up at the top gate. Both men and women will race the same course.

Friday evening (5pm) will decide the fate of Saturday’s freestyle race.

All races will be moved back to town and start at original times if enough snow falls by Thursday morning.

Race registration has been extended and is available at the Holiday Inn for both classic and skate races until noon on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Bibs will be picked up at the start of the race (up on the Plateau).

I would suggest bringing lots of warm and dry clothes - It is chilly and relatively shaded up on the plateau until around 10am. Not certain if clothes bags will be moved from the start to the finish so it might be a good idea to stash some clothes and food at the finish just in case.

My connection seems to have slowed enough that I am currently unable to upload images - stay tuned.

LEADING UP

I went for a run this afternoon on the Rendezvous trails. They are not groomed but skiing is definitely feasible as long as you are willing to take your skis off once in a while. They are not far from having conditions to hold a race on the lower trails though. With more than enough cover in most of the woods, they would only need about 4 inches to get the stadium in working order (assuming the temperatures stay low). With snow scheduled for Wednesday and fore cast through the weekend, who knows what might happen...

With the first race 4 days away, I have some intervals and strength on the docket for tomorrow.

They groomed a bit more on the South Plateau and skiing is holding strong up there. The team of workers is really doing a great job here in West to make sure things are up to par. Roads being plowed and ruts being smoothed, dirt being covered and tracks being set - thanks to all out there making this week ski-able!

PLENTY OF SKIING

I had planned to run for an hour this afternoon in West......but was grateful to find the snow plentiful up on the plateau. I skied an hour and a half (out and back) and didn't reach the end of the groomed (with tracks) trail. Snow in town doesn't look very likely but the team here in West Yellowstone are taking steps towards having the plateau as a back-up venue for next weekend's races. Branches are being cut out of the trial and the temps are to stay cold, which means the skiing isn't going anywhere.

With the exception of a 40-meter length of trail, it you keep your eyes open, the snow is good enough for race-skis. I have raced on far worse...far FAR worse!

The drive up is about 4-6 miles, depending on which out-and-back you plan to ski. With a total of roughly 20k groomed, there should be plenty for all. The access road is fairly treacherous, with icy, narrow and blind corners but totally safe if you are careful. My Justy could do it so your rig should be fine.

Parking is along the roadside so it will definitely become jammed, with difficult turnaround options... but all feasible if you are patient. Rumor has it teams are out this evening to widen areas to accommodate the masses.

So if you have plans to come, I would... actually, I did. Bring your rock-skis, but bring the race boards as well - my bets are that we put the bibs on!

Here is a link to the SCHEDULE OF EVENTS here in West, starting Tuesday, November 25th. See you all on the trails and maybe, if I can get out of bed, at the 6:30am yoga sessions.