All a flurry
Minneapolis snowmaking project gets boost
from first ever City of Lakes Tri-Loppet
by John Munger 
| Photos by Steve Kotvis and Rich Spielberg
Masters athletes Jan Guenther and Kate Ellis were among the first to finish the paddling leg of the inaugural City of Lakes Tri-Loppet. Photos by Steve Kotvis and Rich Spielberg. |
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Over the past 15 months, the City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation has led efforts to raise money for snowmaking at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis for use by
cross-country skiers. The effort has been remarkably successful. The initial campaign push occurred last summer when the foundation raised over $50,000. More than 400 individuals made direct contributions. The foundation raised additional funds through events such as the Run for Snow (150 participants), Run for Snow II (180 participants), and the Roll for Snow (over 100 participants). Ski shops like Gear West and Hoigaard's,
local ski teams and clubs including the St. Louis Park High School ski team, Ride and Glide, National Masters, the Minnesota North Stars and many others contributed to making snowmaking at Wirth a reality. With the funds raised last year, the foundation was able to convince the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to upgrade their water delivery system, purchase a Pisten Bully Snow Cat and two new snow guns. In turn, the foundation
purchased a mobile booster pump that it loaned to the Park Board for optimum snowmaking. Unfortunately, all of the equipment was not ready and installed until just before Christmas 2005. With the unseasonably warm weather from Christmas through the end of January, no real snowmaking for cross-country skiing happened last winter. However, Park Board employees were able to make snow in abundance for their snowboarding operation.
Chief groomer John Gronquist said the new snowmaking equipment is "far better than anything we ever had before. We are really looking forward to a full season with the new equipment." Fund-raising for future phases
While the improvements to date are certainly nice, the foundation recognizes that additional improvements are necessary. The foundation has put together a plan for a second and third phase of construction. The
second phase would include the addition of two or three booster pumps, additional water delivery systems (buried pipe and hydrants), and additional snow guns, as well as the construction of a 2K-lighted loop. The third phase, which would likely require state or federal funds, includes a new maintenance building, a holding pond, a new pump, additional water delivery systems, and an additional 1K to 1.5K of lighted trail.
The goal now is to complete the second phase of construction in time for the 2007-08 ski season. In order to accomplish that goal, the foundation successfully requested that the Minneapolis Park Board match any funds raised by the foundation over the next year, up to $150,000. Once a final agreement with the Park Board is completed, the foundation will begin seeking major grants and contributions for this community
project. In the meantime, the foundation has begun to raise funds and awareness for its campaign through events like the Run for Snow III and the City of Lakes Tri-Loppet.
First Tri-Loppet a success
The Tri-Loppet in particular was a very successful event. Held June 24, the "urban mountain triathlon" was a first-time paddling, trail running and mountain biking triathlon and attracted more than 200 participants. The foundation raised over $2,000 for snowmaking through the event.
"What we found out is that there is a large group of people who want to do triathlons but are intimidated by the idea of swimming in open water with hundreds of other people and with the notion that it is necessary to purchase a specialized bicycle for thousands of dollars in order to be competitive," said Andy Turnbull of Hoigaard's, who directed the paddling portion of the event.
Turnbull continued, "With a mountain-style triathlon people from all walks of life can have a good time and even be competitive without fearing for their lives in the swim and bike portion of the events."
Just about anyone can be successful at the paddling, participant Bill Dossett pointed out. "Young or old, male or female, even overweight, if you know how to paddle, you can go with anyone."
The results appear to bear this out. Bill himself finished fourth overall in the doubles category (which involved paddling with a partner but running and biking as an individual), by paddling with really too-busy-to-train Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. The first three boats out of the water, in fact, included a 45-year-old solo paddler, a canoe with two women, ages 47 and 50, and another 50-year-old solo paddler.
The distances are right for most people as well. The 5-mile paddle and no portages made it easier for kayakers. A hilly 3-mile trail run and a 7-mile mountain bike course on varied terrain – all with views of the Minneapolis skyline – rounded out the event.
The mountain bike segment did not go off as planned, however. Rain the morning of the event necessitated a change in the course. Scott Finne, who directed the biking portion of the event, has changes in mind that will
make the mountain bike route safer next year.
"We are going to have a course that is primarily double-track ski trails or on asphalt," he said. "This should make for a challenging trail for those who want some tough hills, but a course that is not technically difficult for those new to mountain biking."
Tri-Loppet volunteer coordinator Peggy Galvin expects more families will participate in the event in the
future. "Think about it: Mom and Dad paddle, their son runs and their daughter bikes. How many activities are there for the whole family to get to work together like this?" Galvin said. "Our top prize goes to the top family team. I think a lot of families will be out next year for this event."
For more information about the City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation's efforts to bring snowmaking to Theodore Wirth Park, visit www.wirthwinter.com.
For more information on the Tri-Loppet, visit www.tri-loppet.com.
John Munger is a Minneapolis attorney and executive director of the City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation. He is an avid skier and runner and attempts mountain biking on occasion. | 
