Mike Huerbin
www.minnesotafinlandia.com

February 16, 2006

The 25th anniversary Finlandia will go on.  The Minnesota Finlandia Community Health Sports has decided to continue preparations for this Saturday's races with an hour and a half delay.  After deliberating for many hours and researching weather predictions we feel that temps should be within acceptable ranges.  Our first concern is obviously for our racers and volunteers but as it looks now, temps should climb to around 0 degrees by noon.  It is a fact that temperatures have been the same if not lower in prior years.  This year it feels cooler because of an unusually warm January. 

We encourage all you hardy skiers to come to Bemidji and ski the last race of the Minnesota Skinnyski Series and the last warm-up before Birkie. Friday nights events however have been scrubbed.  The sprints at the Bemidji waterfront have been cancelled.

Schedule as follows:

Friday (Feb 17th) Race Registration Day - Keg & Cork (Downtown Bemidji )  

        4:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.  Race registration, bib pick-up.

        5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.  Spaghetti Feed.

        6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.  Downtown Street Sprints and other fun activities (cancelled).

Saturday (Feb 18th) event start times are as follows:

        9:00 a.m. - walk-on Northwoods Tour Registration only, bib pick-up in Main Chalet (all other races)

        11:00 a.m.- Paul Bunyan Telephone /Buena Vista Classic 25km Wave one start

        11:15 a.m.- Minnesota Finlandia 50km & 100km (first half) elite wave start

        11:20 a.m.- Finlandia 50km and Homeplace 25km Bemidjithon

        11:30 a.m.- 1st National Bank/ Northwoods Tour 10km start

        11:00 a.m.- Hall of Fame Hospitality Feed - skiers and volunteers

        6:00 p.m. - Award Ceremony, Elks Club (Downtown Bemidji) 

Sundays event will continue as scheduled.

Sunday (Feb 19th)100K Finlandia and Family Funday ( Buena Vista Ski Area)

        10:00 a.m.- 100km Minnesota Finlandia (second half)

        10:00 a.m.- Registration opens in Hall of Fame

        11:00 a.m.- Babe's Tour -1/2km & 3km kid's tour (free)

        1:00 p.m. - Hiihtolakki "Ski Cap" 3x4km Relay (free)

        Awards and refreshments in Hall of Fame follow each event.