| The Noquemanon Ski Marathon in Michigan's U.P.
PREVIEW:
XC Race Season
By Greg Marr
Welcome to the ski season of 2001–2002.
Before we get to specifics, I need Bruce Adelsman to stand up and take a bow. Bruce is the force behind the Midwest's finest source of online ski information, skinnyski.com. A couple of years ago Bruce and I
decided to team up in the marathon chore of tracking down ski race information. Without his help, I shudder to think how much longer this marathon would have taken. Working with Bruce also allows me to say, "Oh, that came from Bruce," should someone discover a mistake – and he can pass the blame to me if someone finds a skinnyski.com mistake.
Speaking of mistakes, there are bound to be some in what follows. Naturally, we've done all in our power to eliminate the mistakes but I
fear there are some. With that in mind, we ask that, one, you always verify the date and details before trudging off to a race we've listed here. Even if we have it right, weather and other factors can force delays or cancellations. Second, if you know of a mistake, please let us know at info@silentsports.net or Silent Sports, P.O. Box 152, Waupaca, WI 54981. Third, if there is an event out there that we've somehow missed, let us know at the above e–mail or address. We assume, for instance, that there are, again, ski races this coming season in Iowa, but so far, we haven't been able to confirm any.
What follows is a brief, month–by–month sketch of the races; see this magazine's Calendar of Events, www.silentsports.net or skinnyski.com
for the details.
DECEMBER
With Mother Nature at her most fickle, an annoying deer gun hunt in Wisconsin and the crush of the holidays bearing down, December is not awash in ski racing; still, there are a number of fine events. First we'll get the self–serving part out of the way: the Silent Sports–Minocqua Winter
Park Demo Days on Dec. 15–16. Test the latest equipment, talk with manufacturers' reps, attend clinics and more on Saturday with Sunday being a ski "Funday." The reps move up the road to the Cable–Hayward area on Dec. 16 to continue with a demo for the NorAm there.
The first real racing in the Midwest is Dec. 1 in Bemidji, the high school Montebello Relays. Adults will start racing Dec. 6 in the Twin Cities with the kick off of the Elm Creek Relay Series, followed by the
Hoigaard's/Breadsmith Relays on Dec. 9 at Hyland Hills. Travel to Thunder Bay's Lappe Ski Centre Dec. 8–9 for the Cam Am Continental Cup (Sat. 15K duathlon; Sun. 5K, 10K freestyle).
Telemark Resorts hosts the XCX Nor Am Dec. 12–16 with top U.S. and Canadian skiers competing to represent their country at Salt Lake City. Citizen skiers can also join in the races with separate starts (15/30K freestyle Wed.; 5/10K classical Sat.; 5/10K freestyle Sun.).
For some lower–profile fun that weekend, there's the Dec. 15–16 Snowflake Opener (Sat. 10K classical, Sun. 10K freestyle) in Duluth.
High schoolers in Wisconsin start their season with the Dec. 20 Lakeland Invitational at Minoqua Winter Park, followed by the Hopkins Holiday Relays Dec. 22 in St. Paul for both Wisconsin and Minnesota youngsters.
If all your shopping is done, head to Giants Ridge Dec. 22–23 for the Giants Ridge Christmas Classic
(Sat. 10K, 20K classic, Sun. 10K, 20K freestyle).
As the year comes to a close, there's the HASTA Double Pole Derby (10K freestyle, 5K classic) in Hayward Dec. 29. The same day in Manitowish Waters, Wis., the North Lakeland Discovery Center hosts its Winter Biathlon (7K classical ski, 3K snowshoe). Make it two in a row by heading to Eagle River on Dec. 30 for Trees For Tomorrow's Shuffle, Shuffle, Glide (1K snowshoe, 4K XC ski classic).
Back in the Twin Cities on New Year's Eve day there's the Classic Hiihto at Battle Creek in St. Paul (10K classic style).
JANUARY
Wisconsin
The new year's competitive ski season begins Jan. 2 with the Lapham Peak Wed. Night Nordic Series near Milwaukee (3.6K freestyle)
running weekly through Feb. 13. Madison'sTuesday night Elver Race Series (5K and 10K, skating and classic) actually begins on a Thursday this year, Jan. 3, to avoid starting on New Year's Day. Remaining races are Tuesdays through Feb. 12.
Sat., Jan. 5 gives skiers three choices. In the greater Milwaukee area, there's the Waukesha County Parks Citizen Race (5K & 10K adutls, 2K for kids) at Nashotah Park. At the Brown County
Reforestation Camp near Green Bay, there's the Ashwaubenon Nordic Open (10K and 20K freestyle, 5K HS, 3.5K middle school, kid's 1K). In northwest Wisconsin near Trego, the Schwan Shuffle offers a 15K classic and 5K classic high school race.
If I was a race organizer in Wisconsin, know what I'd do? Hold a race on Jan. 6, when the only competition would be the Blue Hills Ascent (14K, 8K, 2K kid's race down the road from the Schwan Shuffle in Bruce, Wis.
The weekend of Jan. 12–13 features last year's surprise hit, the 24 Hours of Telemark, a 24–hour team or individual event at Telemark Resort. Skiers not up for a 24–hour marathon can hang out in central Wisconsin for the Jan. 12 Heartland Nordski, (12K open freestyle, 1K kids, 6K junior) at Standing Rocks County Park near Stevens Point. On Sunday, head up I–39 to Wausau's Nine Mile Forest for the Snekkevick Classic, (12K adults,6K high school, 3.5K junior, 1K kid's race).
Jan. 19–20 is a busy Wisconsin ski weekend. Going around the sate on Sat., Jan. 19, there's the Lapham Loppet (11K freestyle, 4X1K relay, 1K kid's race) near Milwaukee; the Nicolet Norski (30K freestyle and classic, middle school 4.5K, high school 7.5K) at Lakewood; the Seeley Classic (42 or 22K classic only) on the Birkie Trail; and the Balsam Vinterfest (20K Norskalopet, 10K Sjoland Rennet, freestyle
or classic, 6K high school, 2K Barnelopet) in Amery. Ages 3–13, no charge; T–shirts, awards. Balsam Vinter Fest, P.O. Box 192, Amery, WI 54001, 715/268–4070.
On Jan. 20 the Fridtjof Nansen Magic Crust Classic (5K skate high school, 5K skate, 1K kid's race, 15K skate) is at Tower Ridge near Eau Claire. At Greenbush on Jan. 20, the Aurora Northern Kettle Moraine Challenge features a 15K freestyle. Youngsters have their
day on Jan. 20 at Minooka Park in Waukesha with the Sons of Norway Barnelopet.
If I was the Wisconsin ski race director, another weekend I'd take a look at is Jan. 26–27. The only event we could find for that weekend is the Iola Norseman Challenge (18K freestyle, 10K classical, 6K high school, 2–3K kid's races) just a few miles from the Silent Sports office in Iola.
Minnesota
Assuming your revelry of New Year's Eve was held in check, Minnesota opens the year with the Jan. 1 New Year's Day Race (10K freestyle) at the Phalen golf course in St. Paul.
Jan. 5–6 features the Grand Marais Sawtooth Races (Sat. 15K classic, Sun. 15K freestyle pursuit) and the Coca–Cola Classic (10K
classic Sat., 20K skate Sun.) at Andes Tower Hills in Alexandria. High schoolers will be at the Jan. 5 Mesabi Invitational (5–7.5K classic & freestyle) at Giants Ridge in Biwabik.
Hennepin Parks Highland Sprint Series (5K) begins on Jan. 8 at Hyland Park. The following weekend also features Twin Cities racing with the Jan. 12 Baker Shaker (10K freestyle) at Baker Park Reserve and the Jan. 13 La La Palooze Loppet (13K freestyle) at Como Park
in St. Paul. Red Wing hosts the Red Wing Loppet–Uftda Challenge (12K classic,15K freestyl) on Jan. 12.
Up in Duluth that weekend, the Erik Judeen Classic (10K classic) is Sat. at the Korkki Nordic Center, followed by the Twin Ports Nordic Ski Championship Pursuits (10K freestyle pursuits) at Snowflake Nordic.
Sat., Jan. 19 features the Graystone Challenge (10K classic, and 10K skate) near St. Cloud; the Pepsi Challenge (7K skate, 24K skate
and 24K classic, 48K skate) in Biwabik; and the Frostbite Falls Ski Race (10K, 5K and fun ski, skate or classic) in International Falls.
The Twin Cities host two races on Jan. 20. The Phalen Golf Course in St. Paul is the site of the King Boreas (15K or 30K freestyle), while Baker Park Reserve is the site of the Baker Shaker (10K).
Jan. 25 brings the Montebello Niteski (6K classical and freestyle, 2K kids) to the lighted trail in Bemidji.
The new Ski Games at Battle Creek are held at the Battle Creek Ski Area in St. Paul Jan. 26–27. The weekend includes elite sprint racing, 5 & 10K classic, 10 & 15K freestyle, and a 30K freestyle race. Over in the Minneapolis area, the Murphy Challenge (10K freestyle) is at Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve on Jan. 25. Also that day, Grand Rapids hosts the Vinterloppet (12K classical, 12K & 25K freestyle) on the Sugar Hills XC Trails.
The month wraps up with the Jan. 27 Marine/O'Brien Race (10.5K classic, 10.5K skate) in Marine On St. Croix.
Michigan
Venture to lower Michigan on Jan. 13–14 for the Hansen Hills Michigan Cup (6K freestyle, 6K classic), a Great lakes Junior
Olympic Qualifier and citizen race at Grayling.
In the U.P. Jan. 19, the Heikinpaiva Hiihto (1K, 2K, 5K, 22K) is held on Maajto Hiihto Ski Trails at Hancock. Head over to Chassell the next day for the Copper Island Classic (5K and 10K classic only).
Jan. 26 features the Noquemanon Ski Marathon (53K and 23K) point–to–point racing between Ishpeming and Marquette.
Illinois
The skiers of Illinois take another shot at it with the Jan. 12 Northern Illinois Nordic (11K, 3.5K youth) at the Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton. Full refunds if no race. Jan. 20 brings the Joliet Nordic (10K adult, 3K youth) to the Woodruff Golf Course in Joliet.
Canada
Our neighbors to the north invite us up for the Jan. 12 Kamview Classic (5K or 10K classic only) on the lighted trail system at the Kamview Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay.
February
Wisconsin
February opens with the Badger State Winter Games at Nine Mile Forest near Wausau. The weekend features 10 & 20K adult freestyle and classic, 43K freestyle. The games also offer the Quadrathon on Feb. 3, an event that includes a 5K run, 5K mountain bike, 5K snowshoe and 5K ski.
Madison's Elver Park Series continues on Feb. 5, followed by the Lapham Peak Series on Feb. 6.
The weekend of Feb. 9–10 brings the Hayward Lions Pre–Birkie (26K freestyle) to the south end of the Birkie Trail on Sat. and the North End Classic (21K classic only) to the Kortelopet Trail on Sun.
Note to ski race organizers: There are five races stacked up on Sat., Feb. 16 but none on Sun., Feb. 17. In the north country, the Superior Ski Classic (30K, 15K freestyle, 15K classic) is in Superior's Municipal Forest. That evening, skiers can Book Across the Bay
(10K skate or classic) from Washburn to Ashland across the Chequamegon Bay on a trail lit by luminaries.
Feb. 16 also features the Rib Lake Hinder Binder (23K freestyle) on the Rib Lake Trails; the Stump Farm Classic (20K freestyle, 4K and 2.5K youth) near Green Bay; and the Crivitz Colosso (30 or 13K freestyle, 13K classic) near Crivitz.
February closes with the usual slate of Birkie events, including the Feb. 21 Sons of Norway Swiss Miss Barnebirkie
and the Elite Sprints on Main Street in Hayward. Feb. 22 brings the CTC 10K fun ski to Telemark and the Junior Birkie, 2.5K for ages 10–15.
The main events, American Birkebeiner and Kortelopet (51K or 23K) on the morning of Feb. 23.
Minnesota
Skiers can take a tour of the state the first weekend of February with the Feb. 2 Winterfest Ski Races (12K & 5K) at Frontenac State Park; the Governor's Cup (44K, 25K, 12K) in Little Falls; and the two–day Ely Wilderness Trek (15K classic Sat., 15K freestyle Sun., kids races) in Ely.
Feb. 3 offers the Women's Race and Tour (8K race, 5K tour, 2K kids) at French Regional Park; the Lumberjack Jaunt (16K or 6K,
1K, classic and freestyle) at the Northland Arboretum in Brainerd; and the Spirit of Duluth (21K classical and freestyle) at Duluth's Spirit Mountain.
The Highland Sprint Series concludes on Feb. 5.
The Mora Vasaloppet (58 & 35K, 42K classic, 13K) gets underway Feb. 10 with point–to–point race from Warman to Mora.
Kids have their day in Bemidji on Feb. 11 with the Barneloppet Children's Tour (1 to 4K).
Feb. 16 features the
Snowflake Race (10K) at Elm Creek Park in Maple Grove, and the Minnesota Finlandia (50K, 25K, 10K) at the Buena Vista Ski Area in Bemidji.
Michigan
Skiers can go the distance Feb. 2 at the Porkie Classic (21K or 42K
classic only) at Porcupine Mountains State Park or the White Pine Stampede (50, 20 or 10K), point–to–point races at Mancelona.
The North American Vasa Festival of Races (12, 27, 50K) is in Traverse City Feb. 9–10.
Back in the U.P. on Feb. 16, skiers can take the Brockway Mountain Challenge (15K) a ski to the crest of Brockway Mountain in northern Keweenaw County.
Iowa
While we've had difficulty locating adult races in Iowa, we did find two events for kids this winter. There's the Feb. 2 Children's Cross Country Ski Race (1K, 2.5K) on the Oneota Recreational Trail at Decorah, and the Feb. 3 Vesterheim Sons of Norway Barnelopet (2.5K) also in Decorah.
Canada
The Kamview Tour (15K or 30K skate and classic) is Feb. 12 at Kamview Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay.
MARCH
Wisconsin
March is arguably the best month for skiing and people who continue their season after the Birkie will find plenty of action. March 2 sees the Howard Young Cup (25K freestyle, 8K classic, 8K high school, 2K & 4K youth) at Minocqua Winter Park, and the River View Loppet (12 & 24K adults classic and freestyle, 5K youth) at the Afterhours Ski Trail in Brule.
Minnesota
Duluth's Snowflake Nordic hosts the March 2 Samela Cup (5K, 15K classical). The same day, at Elm Creek Park Reserve, there's the Stride, Ride, Glide Tri (5K run, 10K bike, 10K ski), 10 a.m., Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove.
On March 3, Maplelag in Callaway features the Lotvola Cup (12K
classic only).
At Giants Ridge on the 9th, try another tri: the Pole, Pedal, Pant (10K ski, 10K mountain bike and 5K run. Finally, weather permitting, there's the Hoigaard's Slush Runs (10K freestyle) at Hyland Hills in Bloomington.
Michigan
March is marathon month in the U.P. with the Great Bear Chase (25K classic or 25K, 50K freestyle) on Calumet's Swedetown Trails March 10. The Tahquamenon Falls Nordic Invitational (25K freestyle & classical, 50K freestyle) is on the Canada Lakes Pathway in Newberry on March 16. Also that weekend, ABR/American Cancer Society Relay–Marathon (12K X 4 classical, freestyle relay or individual 48K marathon) near Ironwood.
Canada
Our Canadian friends end their season March 2 with the Sibley Ski Tour (10K family fun ski, 20K tour, 50K race) at Sleeping Giant Park, Thunder Bay Nordic Trails.
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