Rainbow Rendezvous

Conditions: Temperature 12F, light wind, hard packed with soft fluffy snow on top of the skating lanes; tracks are very well set for classic skiers -- nice racing condition. The race course is 1 lap of 10K Rainbow Rendezvous race course.

Race distance: 10K, both classic and freestyle, mass start:

10K Freestyle Race Results:
      Matt Liebsch          24:29 (male freestyle winner)
      Luke Novak            32:13
      Luke Gossen           33:48
      Wesley Rogers         34:22
      Ian Frritz            34:45
      Austin Askelson       35:22
      Brian Kaeter          36:30
      Scott Kragerud        37:34
      Nicole Thorndahl      39.31 (female freestyle winner)
      Jeffrey Quam          40:07 
      Anna Larson           43:30
      Kelly Sassi           44:33
      Kayla Nordahl         48:06
      Doug Spies            48:28

10K Classic Race Results:
       Mitch Nordahl         37:00 (male classic winner)
       Ben Koenig            41:15
       Maria Hauer           42:37 (female classic winner)
       David Clemens         53:06
       Kelly Gotfredson      53:15
       Jay Johnson           54:32
       Anne McKay          1:03:08

10K/6K Freestyle/Classic Tour
       Alex Sassi (10K)
       Cole Pfund (10K)      
       John Pfund (10K)          
       Massimo Sassi (10K)
       Samuel Huff (10K)
       Enrico Sassi (10K)

After 16+ inches new snow since last week and the overnight continuing fresh snowfall of 4 additional inches of new snow, Rainbow Resort groomer (Keith Schumann) regroomed the race course at 2am in the morning to get the course ready. After the super performance of American Birkie race last Sat., Team Strong Heart elite skier Matt Liebch came out and celebrated with skiers and Team Strong Heart supporters. While the condition is slow with fresh snow, Matt broke and brought the race course record down by 12 seconds (24:29).

27 xc skiers (ages from 9 to 60) from ND, CO, MN, and WI participated in today's 10th Anniversary RAINBOW REDEZVOUS ski event. At the post race event, Matt Liebsch recapped his 2012 American Birkie race and his Team Strong Heart charity mission to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Dave Clemens also recapped his Vasaloppet International Exchange races in Sweden, USA, Japan and China (2012). It was a beautiful day of skiing and racing with blue sky and little wind. Thanks to all the participants and volunteers. Next year's 11th RAINBOW RENDEVOUS ski event is on March 2, 2013, Sat. See you next year.

--Amy Xu, Race Director