Xmas-New Year West Itasca Ski Fest Time Trial Results

Conditions: Temperature: 12F, a little wind at race start/finish trailhead stadium area; no wind in the woods on the race course; the courses for both skating and classic were groomed last night, and about over 1" new crystal snow fell on the freshly groomed trails; the full 5 km JOQ course is being used for the race courses; with overnight colder temperature around 0 F, the condition is slow which makes the uphills more challenging; classic tracks are well set, firm, great kick with colder condition.

Race distance: 1/3 laps of 5km (5K/15K total), classic starts 30 seconds earlier than skating, mass start.

Freestyle(F)/Classic(C) -- 15K
    Steve P. Gromatka        50:01 (F)                  male winner (F)
    Kris Bjerkness         1:06:22 (F)
    Kari Meyer             1:16:39 (F)                  female winner (F)
    Venke Bjerkness        1:45:08 (C)                  female winner (C)

Classic(C) -- 5K
    Jakob Bjorkness          25:59 (C)                  male winner (C)

A small field of hard core racers turned out at this annual time trial event. Skiers and coaches from several ski teams decided to go for their mega Ks training plan and maybe a little "competition" tomorrow.