Racing Outlook

• Feb 17 Minnesota High School Championships (Biwabik, MN)
• Feb 16 6 pm update:
  Due to the extremely cold temperatures forecasted for Friday, the Minnesota State High School League has decided to postpone the State Meet to next Tuesday, February 21st.  The Tuesday schedule has been modified to start the races one hour later -- starting at 11 am.  Full announcement.
  - Bruce Adelsman
  
• Feb 16 3 pm update:
  The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Warning for NE Minnesota starting 6 pm Thursday through 12 pm Saturday.  Wind chills are expected to be in the -45F to -50F range in the range, dropping to the -60F range on Friday night.
  - Bruce Adelsman
  
• Feb 16 9:30 am update:
  To all state meet competitors and spectators:  Winters wrath seems to be bearing down on Giants Ridge and the MSHSL Nordic Skiing State Meet scheduled for Friday the 17th.  There had been much discussion earlier this week with the looming forecast, however, with the given accuracy of some forecasts the decision was made to not cancel the meet early in the week, rather hope that the forecasters were wrong or hope for a blazing a sun over Giants Ridge.  Well, the forecasters seemingly got this one right. Now we need to ask the sun to do its share.
  All options of a condensed schedule are being looked at with the hopes of being able to find a window of temperatures within the set parameters to run the meet on Friday the 17th. At this time options for condensing the schedule to a very brief break between races and then possibly running the second set of races as interval start to save on time and confusion between races.  As of now, it looks very unlikely that the races will start prior to 12:00 noon.
  - Matt Laue, State Meet committee
  
• Feb 15 update:
  Links for NWS Biwabik weather and forecasted hourly temperature graph.
  - Bruce Adelsman
  
• Feb 14 update:
  Here is the latest word from the MSHSL about the Nordic Ski Meet:
  The State Nordic Meet is still scheduled for Friday Feb 17th.  Historically we have always been able to complete the meet.  Plans are in place for a delayed start if it is too cold.  If it is not possible to meet all of the guidelines (temperature/wind chill) for conducting the State Meet, a determination will be made at that time as to what  will happen next.
  - Bob O'Hara, Meet Manager
  
• Feb 14 update:
  The minimal ambient temperature to hold the race is -4F.   Windchill is a bit trickier, as it depends on terrian, etc.  -40F windchill is the hard limit.
  - Bruce Adelsman
  
• Feb 13 update:
  Current forecasts indicate Friday morning could be quite cold for the State Meet. Here is the general plan for extreme cold weather at the State Meet:
• Delay of up to one hour:
  We move the entire meet back but run it as planned, just a bit later on the clock.
• Delay of two hours (12 noon start):
  1.  We run the first race (skate) as planned.
  2.  We cancel the pursuit start.  We run the 2nd race (classic) as an interval race. Using four gates, one skier every 10 seconds. Starting lists are based on the place a skier finished at the Section meet.  Pursuit medals are given out based on the combined times of the two races.  We have two options for starting:  Start with all of the 7th ranked skiers, then 6th, then 5th etc.  Or start with the 1st ranked skiers, then 2nd, then 3rd etc. 
  We have the start lists already prepared with gate numbers, time out and bib for each athlete. Lets hope we don't have to use it.
• If the delay is longer than two hours:
  We began to run into trouble as our options become very limited.  One option is to postpone the meet and come back the following week, realizing that not all athletes may be able to participate.
- Bob O'Hara, Meet Manager


• Feb 17-19 Minnesota Finlandia (Bemidji, MN)
  
• Feb 16 update:
  The Minnesota Finlandia is still on track with great conditions.  However, realizing this weekend will have some of the colder temperatures this winter, they have decided to announce a delayed start.   The races on Saturday will start at 11 am.  They have also decided to cancel Friday night fun events for the safety of all involved.  Full press release.
  - Bruce Adelsman
• Feb 12  update:
  
  Organizers are reporting some of their best trail conditions in many years and with the 25th anniversary this year, they have a number of special events, including Friday night sprints and 100K event on Sunday.  Note that the 25K race is the final event in the Minnesota Skinnyski Series.
  

  - Bruce Adelsman
  
  
• Feb 18 Inga-lami/Snowflake Races (Maple Grove, MN)
• Feb 14 update:
  Race Course -  To get it to approximately 10k (I think it may be 10.5k) we will start at the base of the sledding hill to break up the pack. Skiers will then complete one lap of the man-made course (I believe we all know that loop) and then ski past the lesson area to the outside loop and over the walking bridge. The entire outside Elm Creek loop is skiable (approximately 6.5k). Skiers will enter back onto the manmade loop and ski a couple hundred yards to the finish which will be at the lesson area. That is my best idea of the course as of today. The women's 10k may start above the sledding hill assuming I have to postpone the race. (Sledders supposedly start sledding at 10:00 am)
  Race Start Times Changed:  As of Tuesday, NEW START TIMES are:  9:30 MENS RACE and 10:30 WOMENS EVENT. Race day registration will begin at 8:30am. TOUR 5k will start at 10:10. Due to the new times, the men's awards will happen after the womens awards. An hour will remain between the two events to give couples with children a chance to both ski! No childrens event will be held, just the 5k Tour. RACE DAY registration for high schools bringing more than 5 skiers/school will be $10.00 each (vs $20.00).
  GEAR WEST encourages ALL WOMEN to come out and SKI! Mostly, the women's event is to promote skiing among ALL abilities. Brave the cold, bring a friend, wear a fun outfit, or a warm outfit or both, burn off some calories, get some exercise and enjoy that Latte afterwards!
  - Jan Guenther, race director
  
  
• Feb 18 Nordic Spirit Ski Race (Duluth, MN)
  
• Feb 17 update:
  The Nordic Spirit Ski Race has been postponed until March 4th due to the forecasted 50-60 below windchill. 
  - Dee Bartlam, race organization
• Feb 14 update:
  The Nordic Spirit Ski Race and Tour is ready to rock and roll Saturday morning.  Bring your heartiest Nordic Spirit for this super cool day that is sure to warm you up on Spirit Mountain's Birkie-worthy terrain. Please note registration and both race starts will take place at the Moose Chalet at Spirit Mountain.  Registration is from 8:30-9:30, classic start is at 10:00 am sharp, followed by the 13k and 25k freestyle starts at 10:10 am sharp.  There will not be a temperature delay for you hearty souls! All races will finish at the warming shack where there will be hot soup and Great Harvest Bread.  Trax for Snax for the kids will start and end here as well. The FireSide Lounge at the Main Chalet will be open for us from 12-3 with Olympic  2006 viewing on the big screen while you wait for great prizes and the coveted True Nordic Spirit Award.  Get Your Nordic On...
  - Dee Bartlam, race organization
  
• Feb 13 update:
  With primo snow conditions, fabulous grooming and an exciting new course, the Nordic Spirit promises to be an event you won't want to miss.  Separate classic and skate courses: the 25k skate is all one loop - using the Spirit Mt 11k and the Magney-Snively full loop. The city groomers worked the connector last week and it is sweet butter. Incredible door prizes from: Midnight Sun, Ski Hut, Continental Ski & Board, Vulpine Adaptive and Mountain Khaki. An exciting new award this year: DXC member, Arvid Brekke has created a very special hand-carved prize for the The Nordic Spirit Award to be given to the skier, volunteer or spectator who epitomizes True Nordic Spirit.
  - Patti Harvieux, race organization
  
  
• Feb 18 Brule River Timber Cruise (Brule, WI)
• Feb 17 update:
  The Race Director feels the race will be held, despite cold wind chill predictions.  There may be a 1-2 hour delay, see cold weather policy below.  To combat wind chill, racers are advised to dress warm and keep in mind that a 16 km option is offered, in addition to the 32 km race.  DNR staff and volunteers are currently grooming, setting up the race course, and preparing the traditional soup luncheon.  Warm shelter is provided in the event of a delay. 
  - Borg Isaksen, race organization
  
• Feb 15 update:
  Conditions at the Afterhours Trail on the Brule River State Forest are the best they’ve been this season and they are ready to host the 2006 Timber Cruise.  There will be 16 K classic and 16 and 32 K freestyle races in seven age divisions for skiers ages 14 through 70 and over.  Registration on race day is from 7:30 until 9:00 a.m. at the Brule Town Hall, which is two blocks north of Highway 2 on Maple St. 
  If start temperatures are below -4 degrees F the race will be delayed one hour at a time, up to two hours.  After a two hour delay, the race will be run unless temperatures are below -13 degrees F.  The race may also be delayed or cancelled if a combination of below zero temperatures and wind combine for unbearably cold conditions. 
  Most of the warming house will be available and a heated tent will be on-site.  The awards will be presented following a soup lunch back at the Brule Town Hall.
  - Steve Peterson, race organization
  
  
• Feb 18 Stump Farm (Green Bay, WI)
  
• Feb 15 update:
  The coming snow will result in an excellent track for the race.  Given our base and the new snow we will be able to set the course with our PB 160.  Pisten Bully grooming!
  - Scott Putman, race organization.
  
• Feb 12 update:
  Conditions look good for this race, held on Saturday February 18.  Real good close in racing opportunity for eastern and southern Wisconsin.
  - Scott Putman, race organization
  
• Feb 8  update:
  
  We will not need to use our alternate site at the Lakewood trails.  We have good coverage and a forecast of at least a couple snow systems and temps below 32 till Wednesday next week.  So we will be racing at the Brown County Reforestation Camp as scheduled.
  

  - Scott Putman, race organization
  
  
• Feb 18 Rib Lake Hinder Binder (Rib Lake, WI)
  
• Feb 17 update:
  
  We are postponing the Rib Lake Hinder Binder ski race that was scheduled to go on Feb 18th.  Details on rescheduling for a March date will be forthcoming.  
  - Cathy Miller-Temme,  race director
• Feb 14 update:
  The Hinder Binder in Rib Lake will also go off this weekend on Sat at 10 am.  The snow conditions there are as good as those on the Birkie Trail.  Races are 22 km skate and classic on a very hilly course. 
  - Mark Parman
  
  
• Feb 19 Ice Age Challenge (Middleton, WI)
  
• Feb 16 update:
  The race will be held at Blackhawk trails instead of Elver Park.  Blackhawk trails will be in great shape as we are in the middle of a large snow storm with 9" of snow so far with more to come. Several races will be ongoing through the day including a biathlon.
  - Mark Torresani