Today is your last chance to register for the 37th Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot at early registration rates. Fees go up tomorrow. Today’s Fairbanks news warned that GVEA electric rates would be increasing this month, and the recent cold spells mean home heating costs will be higher. So, take advantage of early registration fee reductions and commit to skiing the Sonot Kkaazoot today. You can switch events up until early bib pick up on Thursday, 21 March 2024.
The recent chinooks knocked a lot of vegetative debris on the trails and the warm temperatures had compacted the trails. However, last night the groomers worked until about 1:00 a.m. to transform the trails into perfection for the final Town Race of the season and for recreational skiers like the SCUM.
Today we skied Outhouse, Sunnyside and Cliffside to the Fort Wainwright alpine lodge and then skied from this low point on the trails to the high point via Cliffside, Sunnyside, Outhouse, Blue Slot, and South Tower:
We finished by skiing Medevac where we met up with Tom Helmers, head NSCF groomer. We had to take a photo with two of the groomers responsible for our awesome ski. We’ve contributed to the NSCF trails fund because we want the guys to continue their magic through the spring skiing season.
Here’s the URL to make or add to your contribution:
“Pics of Chris and Owen today. 15 degrees and snowing. Owen did three 5 km loops and Chris skied three 10 km. Chris might have gotten lost along the way, as the results DSQed him for going off course? I’m sure we’ll get the story later. The snow conditions were quite slow.” writes Bad Bob
Just one more race and World Masters Cup 2024 will be over. Tomorrow the long-distance freestyle races are scheduled to be contested. Bad Bob and Sharon Baker as well as Bruce Jamieson should be skiing.
Results are available here: https://mwc2024.com/results/
Recently, Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks skiers have gotten a reprieve from the unusually cold conditions of January. However, skiers traveling to Vuokatti, Finland for the 2024 Masters World Cup encountered more cold weather. The race jury canceled the first two days of planned races because of the cold.
Today some of the Fairbanks skiers competed in the relays representing the USA. Sharon Baker (above) skied the scramble leg for the USA F03 (40- to 44-year-old) women’s team.
Bad Bob skied the anchor leg for the USA M08 (65- to 69-year-old) men’s team:
Warmly clad, Bruce Jamieson skis scramble leg in makeup team with the Aussies:
Owen Hanley, like Sharon Baker, skied down a class to scramble for the USA men’s M10 (75- to 79-years old) team:
Meanwhile, back in Fairbanks, those of us pirates who didn’t make the travel team, are skiing at temperatures in the low 40s.
While we enjoy spring skiing weather in Fairbanks, here’s Bad Bob Baker’s report from World Masters in Finland:
“Here’s the pic our friend took near the top of the hill by the ski jump. The hut looks like a sauna setup inside. Temp felt like about +10 up there. Still around zero, or below, at the bottom of the hill, where the races are supposed to be happening this year.
Hoping we get to race tomorrow afternoon.”
What a difference 60 degrees makes! With temperatures at +23 degrees F, it was a perfect day to do the Military Transect from the Sunnyside and Cliffside trails to the Sonot Connector and White Bear.
Lots of lovely fresh snow surrounded us.
The warmer weather should encourage skiers to register for the 37th Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot. With most of the SCUM planning to do the 30 and 50 km courses, you can be assured that we’ll be behind you. We plan to increase our haul of woodels this year over the 12 from last year.
Next Sunday is the final Frank Soos Distance Race, Unpleasantries, which will be classical technique this year. Skiers have a choice of 30 or 10 km distances. You can register here:
Check on the main Sonot Kkaazoot website page for details on registration for the 37th Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot.
Early registration (best deal) is currently open until the end of February. Commit to participating in this spring ritual now and save money.
Sonot Kkaazoot 