Category Archives: Sonot Kkaazoot race organizers

Troyer skis 50+ km virtual Sonot Kkaazoot

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Eric Troyer, head media volunteer for the Sonot Kkaazoot, skate skied his 50+ km virtual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot on Sunday in corrected time of 4:40.22.

Eric writes (at 4:53 p.m.): “I did my 50k Sonot today, completing the Sonot Hat Trick (10, 30 and 50k versions). My time was 5:14:22. That has got to be one of the toughest just-shy-of-50 50k races out there! I was darn happy to see the 48, 49, and 50k signs right there at the Timing Building. Another 3k, especially if it had gone down into the Black Loops would have killed me. I tried to convince myself that the last 10k was flat, just like in the original Sonot, but my legs and lungs argued otherwise. Thanks to everyone for putting this on, especially to those awesome groomers (tracks and trails were outstanding!)!” 

At 5:53 p.m. Eric adds: “Whoops. Corrine pointed out that I screwed up. I did the Black Loops twice! I just checked and I actually did 53.5 kilometers. Corrine checked my stats and says I spent 34 minutes in the Black Loops on the second round, so I guess I’ll take that off my time.” 

Eric never responded in my request that he submit his final official 50 km time so this current English major will do the math for him getting a final adjusted time of 4:40:22.

Eric Troyer is still smiling after skiing the black loops twice during his virtual 50+ km Sonot Kkaazoot

“Kneed to Ski” members complete all 3 virtual Sonot Kkaazoot courses

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By finishing her 30 km virtual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot today, Susan Sugai joined her “Kneed to Ski” teammates Bill Husby and Byron Broda in completing the Sonot Kkaazoot hat trick (all three of the official 2021 virtual Sonot Kkaazoot courses). When Bill, Byron, and Susan skied in the 2015 Turkey Day Relays, “Kneed to Ski” had the oldest skiers with the youngest knees because all three skiers have had bilateral total knee replacements. (https://www.adn.com/commentary/article/kneed-ski-team/2015/11/28/)

When Bill and Byron completed the 10, 30, and 50 km virtual courses, some of them more than once, the pressure was on Mother SCUM to ski the 30 km this weekend. She skate skied the 30 km virtual Sonot Kkaazoot in two segments, 15+ km on Saturday and the remaining trails on the 6 deg snow this morning. Her combined time was 3:18:51.

On Saturday, temperatures warmed from 22 to 26 degs as Susan skied the start loop of the South Tower and Roller Coaster Bypass, then completed all the black loops, blue, Outhouse, Tower and Medevac trails:

On Sunday, temperatures were in the low single digits so Susan utilized some of Christina Turman’s power hour training to doublepole in the tracks when it was faster than skating on slow snow:

Photo by Bill Husby

Norma Haubenstock, who wisely chose to classical ski, motivated me to ski faster and more efficiently so I wouldn’t lose the distance I gained on the downhills and graduals quite so quickly on the steep uphill sections. Watching younger skiers ahead of me pause on Heartrate Hill and in Moilanen Meadows convinced me that my pain was real.

However, once the finish line was in sight, I knew I could doublepole across it. The pain of having to doublepole and single stick uphill in subzero new snow at UAF in Christina’s power hour FXC Masters class made my finish today possible. My legs thank you Christina! (However, my wrist is complaining).

Mother SCUM (left) and Norma,awesome motivator after Sunday’s ski–photo by Don Pendergrast

Dr. Don’s 10 km skate ski & excuses

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Don Pendergrast, who was Sonot Kkaazoot organizer for a number of years, skate skied the 10 km virtual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot today. Don’s official time was 54:00 after subtracting time spent chatting with friends after starting his watch, but before he started skiing.

As a former Sonot Kkaazoot organizer, Don is entitled to excuses, which he shares below:

“Upon reading the glowing reports from Saturday, I figured I’d skate, and picked out two sets of skis waxed for warm and warmer conditions.  I did not check the temperatures. Don’t trust antidotal evidence, check the facts.  Major error.

In the same vein, I dressed for warm spring skiing. When I arrived the temperature was 10 F. Plus there was new slow snow on the ground.  

The combination of cold snow, improperly waxed skis, and new sharp snow, made for a slow, not much fun ski.  

At nearly 75 I don’t expect to ski fast, but I could ski smart.  Not today.

After those excuses, I do want to say a BIG THANKS, to Bob the Bad, Mother SCUM, the fabulous groomers, and all my skiing cronies. I have managed to ski a total of 50K this week, 10K classic, 30K classic, and today 10K skating. In spite of today’s whining it’s all been good.”  

Within a couple of hours, Sonot Kkaazoot organizers and skiers over 70 years old always forget why they swore that they’d never do this race again. So, they continue to volunteer for this event and ski in it because the Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot is part of our spring ritual in Faribanks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, being able to participate in the virtual Sonot Kkaazoot and safely socialize with other skiers has been an awesome piece of normality in these uncertain times.

Hannon skis virtual 30 km after three tries

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Robert Hannon, a local journalist and radio broadcaster, is somewhat geographically challenged so it took 3 tries to finish the 30 km virtual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot in 3:21. In between the start of his virtual 30 km and his finish, he probably skied another 30 km. His virtual 30 km Sonot Kkaazoot was done on his classical skin skis.

Robert explains in his Sunday email: “Here is the hopefully last leg. Just over ten minutes, plus the 1:10 from yesterday and the 2:01 from last week make it something like 3:21 for 30 K.”

On Saturday at 12:14 p.m., Robert wrote: “Well, the attached image tells the tale. My watch paused seven minutes in. But you can see the start time and end. My route was as we discussed: the blacks, blue, relay and all the warm up.”

On Saturday at 2:05 p.m., he wrote: “Yikes. Spaced out the South Tower RC Bypass, but I did do all of the Warm-up. Oh well. If I make it tomorrow.”

 On Sunday, March 21, Robert skied the 20 km Sonot Kkaazoot loop with the SCUM, and wrote: “My watch is wacky. My time was 2:01:07”

Congratulations, Robert! Your persistence paid off and you’ve finished the 10 and 30 km classical Sonot Kkaazoot courses.

Husby skate skis 30 km virtual Sonot

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Bill Husby skate skied the 30 km virtual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot in a time of 2:31:29.

Bill writes:

Started at the beginning of the Blue loop where I had left off yesterday with intentions of adding that portion to today’s efforts. When I got the finished I still had some gel blocks in my pocket and the trail conditions were great, so started the watch headed out to repeat yesterday’s first leg and improve on the time. 

19.37Km +9.54Km = 28.91 Km

1h 38m 46sec + 52m 43sec = 2h 31 29sec“

Brophy and Carter ski modified 10+ km virtual Sonot

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Margaret Brophy skated and Debbie Carter classical skied a “modified” 10 km virtual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot in 1:40:40.

Margaret writes: “This morning Debbie Carter and I started out on the 10K course with the firm plan to ‘see how it goes’.  Deb was on classic skis and I made the dubious decision to skate, my longest skate this season being less than 10K, I’m pretty sure. In any case, with South Tower behind us, we were feeling pretty cocky. So upon arrival at the Coronary Bypass we decided to extend our ski by completing all of White Bear. It appeared we were the first skiers to descend the hill, although some unrecognized spandex clad racer did pass us before we reached the bottom (21F there, yes, we took the time to look). As mentioned by numerous skiers, the grooming was impeccable and it was a perfect Sonot day.  My final distance was 13+K, some of which represents skiing back to my classic buddy on occasion.”

Margaret and Deb are overachievers who probably should have been skiing the 30 km course. 

Hemming classic skis 30 km virtual Sonot on JJ’s skis

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Carl Hemming managed to classic ski the 30 km virtual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot today in 3:06.28 in spite of ski gear incompatiblity.

He writes: “I skied the 30 km sonot on freshly groomed trails that were a joy to ski. When I was getting my skis on I realized my skis were not compatible with the boots I put in my bag. Luckily Jerome Jackson lent me some skis that I used. They performed wonderfully and I finished in 3:06.28.”

Although Eric Buetow mentioned that he and Mike Schmoker provided Carl and Jerome some supervison on the trails, it sounds like Jerome was in charge of outfitting Carl.

Buetow and Schmoker skate ski 30 km virtual Sonot Saturday

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Eric Buetow and Mike Schmoker skate skied their virtual 30 km Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot in 2:53.

Eric writes: “Eric Buetow and Mike Schmoker skated their 30K March 27, enjoying the fabulous trail conditions and perfect temperatures. Their time was 2:53, which included a brief visit with a young bull coming out of Black Hole, doing East Ramp (not following directions very well), appropriate stops to reflect on the beautiful day, and occasionally providing supervision to 30K classic skiers Jackson and Hemming.”

I’m glad to see that some SCUM are overachievers by not following directions. Congratulations to Eric and Mike. I’m sure JJ and Carl appreciated your supervision.

Dan Johnson skates 30 km virtual Sonot

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Saturday morning, Dan Johnson skate skied his 30 km virtual Denal State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot in an official time of 2:43:38.

Dan writes:

“What a beautiful day to ski the “30 km” Sonot Kkaazoot! Perfect weather and beautiful grooming.  

My Strava said my moving time was 2:40:42, and only 28.54 km I’m almost certain I didn’t take any shortcuts, but I’ll trust the Race Director to decide if this is an official time. 

I’m not sure exactly how and when it stops timing when I stop, but I stopped a couple of times to take a drink and catch my breath. I also used the stop watch on my phone – It gives 2:43:38, so that’s what I’ll call it.

Not to brag, but in addition to several 2nd and 3rd bests, Strava says I set PRs on:
North 40 A Climb, Blue Loop, Tower Loop, Medevac, White Bear from Suicide Cutoff, White Bear Hilltop B Climb, “Saddle”, Terminator.

I have no idea which segments some of these are. I also wasn’t aware that Strava knew so much about me and the details of the Birch Hill loops!  I’m afraid of what else my phone knows about me.

Thanks to to groomers for making this such a great ski.”

I agree that trail conditions today (Saturday) were awesome. We’ll let your phone brag for you since your son-in-law will still make you work to keep up with him and Mara on the trails.