The Classic is a fund raising event for the North End Ski Club in Cable. The 23 kilometer event started at the Cable Union Airport, the same site as the start for the American Birkebeiner. It followed the exact same course as the new Kortelopet race course and finished at Telemark Resort. Due to cold weather conditions at the planned start time, the race start was delayed one hour to 11:00. By that time the temperatures had climbed to above zero and the race was run without injury or other logistical problems.

The cold temperatures, generally a detriment to fast skiing, did not pose a problem for the first North End Classic champion Ben Lund of Delafield, Wis. who thoroughly dominated the men�s field, finishing in an astounding time of 1:08:03 for an average of three minutes per kilometer. Over three minutes back in second place was Joe Gerard of Duluth at 1:11:16 followed by Chris Dums of Hayward in third at 1:13:31; and Jim Mullen, Hazelhurst, Wis., 1:14:14; and Jesse Crandall, Drummond, Wis., 1:14:37 in fourth and fifth place respectively.

For the women, it was a familiar face, Brett Elizabeth Schulze of Minnetonka, MN and Seeley, Wis., who also turned in a commanding performance outdistancing the women�s field by over five minutes finishing in 1:25:11. Other familiar names in the top five women�s places included Cindy Storm of Savage, MN at 1:30:23; Michelle Flanagan-Haag of Seeley at 1:30:23; Cindy Swift, Hartland, Wis (formerly of Cable), 1:33:38; and Cindy Bijold of Savage, MN at 1:35:07.

On a sadder note, the North End Ski Club mourns the loss of two of its members on Saturday night before the race day. Preston and Dottie Morrel of Cable died at their home, apparent victims of carbon monoxide poisoning. The Morrels were integrally involved with the North End Classic and had been handling registration duties for the race. "The loss of Preston and Dottie comes as a tremendous emotional blow to our 'family' of silent sports and outdoor enthusiasts" states Ron Bergin, North End Ski Club president. "They were the nicest of people and always eager to help out. It was extremely difficult to press on with the race when we learned of their deaths early Sunday morning, but we felt they would have wanted us to do so" he added. A moment of silence in honor and memory of Preston and Dottie Morrel was observed prior to the start of the race.

The North End Classic rounded out a full weekend of ski racing in the Hayward and Cable area with about thirty percent of the North End Classic racers also racing in the Pre-Birkie on Saturday. Complete overall and age class results and photos can be found on the internet at www.itiming.com.