In Tuesday’s 15 km CL and FS races, NSCF skiers continued to ski well. Donna DiFolco, was first American and fourth overall in the M7 women’s freestyle race with a time of 1:16:12. Mike Schmoker with 7th American, and 27th overall in the M9 men’s freestyle race with a time of 1:30:04. Chris Puchner was first American, and 21st overall in the M9 classical race with a time of 1:28:35.
I haven’t received any recent reports from the SCUM in Switzerland, so I don’t have any photos to post or any firsthand reports on individual races or trail conditions.
Chris Puchner and Mike Schmoker celebrate their 10 km CL finish at Klosters Masters World Cup–photos by Margaret Mannix
Donna DiFolco led the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks skiers in today 10 km FS and CL events at the 2025 Masters Nordic World Cup. Donna was 5th overall for M7 women in the 10 km FS event. Chris Puchner (NSCF President) and Mike Schmoker (head woodel maker for the Sonot Kkaazoot) battled each other in the 10 km CL event for M9 men.
Mike skiing this morning
Mike writes “Chris & I had a 10 K classic race today. Cloudy with a hint of mist which stopped before the race. Truly spring conditions. Wet & a few icy spots, but also a lot of slush. Tomorrow morning Chris will do 15 k classic on a two 7.5 laps & then I will do a 15 k skate on the same 2 lap 7.5 course in the afternoon.”
“Cloudy with possible rain tomorrow. Having a great time. Friday Chis & I will do a 30k skate.”
Mike at finish of race (looks the same as he does in Christina’s Power Lunch workouts)
As the climate prediction center outlook (above) shows, springlike conditions are predicted for race day. However, for the 38th Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot to be a success, we still need volunteers for race day.
Our greatest volunteer needs are for race timers (all day, with greatest need between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.) and for bib distribution volunteers from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. race morning. If you can help out so that our regular race volunteers can ski in the Sonot Kkaazoot, please contact me at: contact@sonotkkaazoot.org
SCUM before starting Frank Soos Distance Race #3, the Unpleasantry–photo by Sarah Jackson
Thanks to NSCF timer, Claire Ferree, the three SCUM signed up to ski 30 km were allowed to start our ski an hour earlier than the rest of the field. This would allow the timers and course crew to head home before dinner. Unlike the World Championships in Trondheim, our trails were awesomely groomed with a trace of new snow. It was 24 deg and snowing lightly when we started and 28 deg when I finished 3.5 hours later. Although I was the red lantern, I was overjoyed because my longest ski this season before Saturday had been 17 km (1.7 x the White Bear course).
Jerome Jackson finished in under 3 hours and Byron was not that far behind him. However, Jerome had Sarah as his support team.
Jerome (and Sarah) and Byron at finish
Thanks to FXC Masters Power Lunch and Strength workouts, I was able to ski 30 km without falling. After dislocating my right shoulder before Thanksgiving, I had to skate ski with one pole for weeks with my physical therapist’s warning not to fall. Knowing that I had skied the White Bear loop with one pole made it possible to ski it the third time yesterday when multiple body parts were screaming.
Finishing the Unpleasantry–photo by Jerome Jackson
Even at 75 years old, you can refine your ski technique and develop strength to overcome the inevitable slowing down that comes with aging. Thanks, Christina Turman!
Mike Schmoker and Chris Puchner carbo load and taper for World Masters–photo by Margaret Mannix
The twice postponed Frank Soos Distance Race #3 Unpleasantries is Saturday, 8 March 2025. Unless you are part of the SCUM travel team in Klosters, participating in Masters World Cup, you should be skiing the Unpleasantries 30 km event.
Fairbanks skiers enjoying the trails in Switzerland–photo by Mike Schmoker
Today Colin had groomed the Black loops so we skied them easily in preparation for tomorrow’s 30 km challenge. However, some of the SCUM won’t be participating in Unpleasantries so they did an extra ascent of the Black Funk today.
David slogs up Black Funk as his kick wax doesn’t work
Bill leads Bernardo up Black Funk
Some SCUM failed to show up today at all:
Where’s Dan, who hammered the inverted double omega yesterday? —photo by Bill Husby
So, enjoy the beautifully groomed White Bear trails tomorrow as we honor our friend and primordial SCUM, Frank Soos. It’ll be >3.5 hours of unalloyed pleasure.
Who wouldn’t want to help out Sonot Kkaazoot race organizer, Bad Bob Baker who has been involved in timing virtually all the major NSCF races this season?
Here’s how:
We need 10 timers for the Sonot Kkaazoot on Saturday, 21 March. Volunteers can work for all or part of the day with the busiest time when the 10 km racers are finishing. Claire Ferree, head timer for the Sonot Kkaazoot will train everyone and Gina Chythlook will have hot beverages and tasty treats to keep you fueled while you work. It’s much warmer now being a timer at Birch Hill than it was during the first three decades of the Sonot Kkaazoot, when the start and finish was on the Chena River.
Please send an email to me at contact@sonotkkaazoot.org if you can help out. We’ll try to work around your availability on race day.
Sonot Kkaazoot 