The first-ever Capitol Square Sprints drew world-class and citizen skiers to a one-of-a-kind classic course in downtown Madison, Wisconsin on Jan. 15-16. Photo by Stacey Meanwell
From joke to master stroke
Inaugural Capitol Square Sprints a sight to behold
By Stacey Meanwell Madison, Wisconsin's crown jewel, the state Capitol, has served as a unique background for cycling and canoe races. The newest and most
unusual event around "the square" showcased Nordic skiing. 
| Having collapsed at the finish line, Zach Simon of Park City, Utah, (left) looks back to confirm he out-lunged a dejected Sean Crooks of Canada for first place in the men's finals. Photo by Stacey Meanwell |
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The Capitol Square Sprints, held this past January 15-16, offered unique opportunities for everyone. I was able to
participate in the open ski with my son, ski in two citizen races, watch Olympic-caliber races, and volunteer as a photographer. Each opportunity generated its own excitement.
But the question that begs an immediate answer is, "Where did the idea for the Capitol Square Sprints come from?" Yuriy Gusev, chief of
competition for the sprints, answered with a chuckle. "It all started as a joke," he said. The first seed was planted when Gusev's mentor, Sepp Candinas, described the Roller Ski Tour he organized in 1982. The tour took place in cities such as Boston, Las Vegas, Chicago and Madison. To provide some perspective of the tour's prestige, Columbus Drive was closed for
the Chicago race. Similarly, State Street and the Capitol square were closed for the Madison race.
The second seed was planted after Gusev, in the winter of 2003, grew tired of shoveling snow onto the Elver Park pond with his Russian Style Ski School students. Consequently, Gusev went to Don McKay, owner of Tyrol Ski Basin, to make a plea for manmade snow and a Nordic ski course on which to race. Don agreed on a trial basis. Things turned out
so well for both parties that Tyrol Basin subsequently expanded the Nordic opportunities now offered there.
After earning the respect of USSA Nordic Director Luke Bodensteiner, Gusev was invited to make a bid for Madison to host a Super Tour. Gusev said he responded to Bodensteiner with an off the cuff remark: "We should make it a race around the Capitol square." They laughed, neither guessing that the joke would become reality.
But after sleeping on it, Gusev decided the joke was a vision in disguise. Although the idea was initially met with doubt, and many doors were closed in his face, Gusev was undeterred.
Recruits make sprints a reality
Gusev's first challenge was to come up with snow. He went to McKay once again to ask for manmade snow some 80 truckloads worth. McKay, according to Gusev, "needed time to think that over." But just
45 minutes later, Gusev's phone rang. McKay was on the line to say, "You have your snow." McKay, too, wanted to help put Madison on the map as the first city in the United States to host Nordic ski races in the heart of its downtown.
With snow on board, Gusev's next challenge was to figure out how to get the snow to the Capitol. He and Candinas convinced Verona-based construction contractor Hammersley Stone to come through with all the
heavy equipment needed to transport the snow and make the course.
Many other sponsors came forth, such as Unity Health Care and Lands' End. I heard Gusev make his pitch at a Madison Nordic Ski Club board meeting hosted at my house. The board agreed Gusev would need the help of most of the MadNorSki members to pull off an event of this magnitude.
Gusev enlisted Candinas as chief of course, Duncan Bathe as his assistant chief of competition and Dirk Mason to handle technique
control and security all MadNorSki members. A call for volunteers also went out to the club's other 350-some members.
You might wonder how one builds an Olympic venue in a single evening. It certainly isn't easy. It takes machines, money and bodies. For the Capitol Square Sprints, it took 80 dump-truck loads of snow, two bobcats, two front-end loaders, one bulldozer and a Pisten Bully 100 groomer. Also needed were more than two kilometers of fencing, 500
concrete block fence posts, 100 bales of hay, timing equipment and over 100 volunteers.
A tunnel was constructed out of hay bales and I-beams to withstand the weight of the full-size Pisten Bully. (The hill over the tunnel proved to be particularly challenging for some of the citizen skiers who participated in the open ski event.) Volunteers worked tirelessly through through the night in below zero temperatures to prepare the course.
When asked what they felt when they first saw the course set around the square, Gusev and Candinas both replied, "We did it!"
Race weekend
Various events were held over the course of the weekend. An open ski, Wisconsin State High School Championship races and relays and a citizens 5K race were all held on Saturday. Sunday saw Junior Olympic competition, a U.S. Ski Team Olympic qualifier, an Olympic disabled team and a citizens sprint race.
The Capitol Sprints finished with a star-lit open ski before weary volunteers and Hammersley employees focused on taking down the race course by deadline.
While the Olympic cache was certainly impressive, it was the open ski that left an indelible imprint in my mind. Seeing a swath of groomed snow around the square for the first time made me giddy. Skiers ranging in age from 2 to 92 were out enjoying themselves despite the frigid temperatures in the single digits.
Out of the attics of many Madisonians came an eclectic mix of cross-country ski equipment and clothing. In the latter category, Lycra and lederhosen to wool knickers and even a bridal gown were on display.
Madison resident and novice skier Marilyn Townsend took part in the open ski on Sunday night. "It was absolutely spectacular skiing around our beautifully lit Capitol on Sunday night," she said. "I enjoyed the
camaraderie with the other skiers who were of all ages and skill levels."
Proceeds raised from the open ski were donated to the UW Children's Hospital.
Olympic presence
Seeing Olympic skiers race was a first for me. Canadian, Russian, Swiss and Australian skiers competed with Americans. It was mind boggling to witness their speed. I tried to pick up technique tips to aid my upcoming race, but the racers went by so fast that all I could do was marvel and
try to capture their energy by photographing them.
The Capitol Square Sprints served as a reunion for the impressive team of technical delegates that participated in the 2002 Soldier Hollow Olympics. Scott Wilson, Dennis Kruse, Terry Tansey and Ken Lambrecht assisted Mason and Bathe by keeping an eye out for technique infractions (one skier was disqualified for skating at the all-classic skiing event), relaying timing information, and advancing
racers with the correct bib numbers. They proved to be an efficient team which allowed many heats to be spaced just three minutes apart.
I felt such pride while watching my fellow ski club members and others volunteer to keep the race running smoothly. Many danced in the snow to keep warm during their full day shifts. Clair Sequin, for example, put in 34 volunteer hours, leaving her with no energy to participate in either citizens race for which she had signed up.
From a citizen racer point of view, I can say this was the most unique course I have ever raced. But in many ways it was like approaching the finish of the Birkie on Hayward's Main Street with everyone cheering for you. There, too, volunteers give you a hand as you gasp for air.
For me, to ski around the Capitol in a minus two-degree weather on a January evening contrasted dramatically with portaging a canoe around the square in the 90-degree heat of July for the annual Paddle and
Portage race.
But on this particular January weekend, it will be the image of the late afternoon sun lighting the Capitol's dome that I'll always remember.
I applaud Gusev, Candinas and their multitude of volunteers and supporters for pulling off a fabulous Nordic weekend in downtown Madison.
I second the assessment of Central Cross Country Race Director Scott Wilson and CXC President Dennis Kruse who wrote this in a letter to
the Capitol Square Sprints' organizers: "It was a truly world-class event. The exposure our sport enjoyed is unprecedented in this country."
This skier's Phantom encounter
I did not have much time to bask in the glory of the event upon finishing my last race at the Capitol Square Sprints. I realized only then that I had but 12 minutes before the curtain would rise for a performance of the "Phantom of the Opera." I had tickets to the show but not enough time
to drop my skis off at the car.
Fortunately for me, the new Overture Center in Madison takes cross-country skis and poles at the coat check. But take it from me: If you must arrive in your race tights, be prepared for many stares from those dressed up for the theater. The flaming red, white and blue MadNorSki ski suit stands out amidst the black evening dresses and tuxedos of the other patrons of the arts.
If you follow my lead, be prepared to overheat in your long undies and
wool socks. But the good news is you needn't worry about those nasty high heels. Just remember: As in racing, confidence counts.
After the show on the way back to my car, I walked around the square in time to see the operator of a front-end loader hauling away the race course snow. I smiled, waved, and mouthed, "Thank you" to him. The driver stopped, opened his door and kidded, "Don't you know that the open ski is over?"
I told him I had just been to "Phantom." He asked how it was and I told him it was "an amazing ending to a perfect weekend."
A man walking just behind me on the square said he was glad I liked it because he played the part of Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny. I walked with "Raoul" through the Concourse lobby and he said a friendly "hello" in passing to another gentleman. I asked that man if he, too, was in
"Phantom," and he said, "Yes." After I complimented the marvelous performance, he asked me if I went "looking like that?" I sheepishly admitted I had. He then tilted his head back, laughed deeply and said, "I LOVE it!" When I got back to my car I looked up this actor's bio in the program.
It was no wonder I didn't recognize him. Gary Mauer, seen there unmasked just as I met him, was the Phantom himself.
It was one of those "only in Madison" weekends.
Stacey Meanwell
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