It’s still warmer than normal

Although two recent Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks events have been postponed due to cold, 2014 was the 4th warmest year in Fairbanks in over a century.

http://akclimate.org/Summary/Annual/Fairbanks/2014

Deviation of  temp means from normalNordic skiers in Fairbanks are just not acclimated yet. Look at how much warmer (red bars) we’ve been than normal this winter. Also, remember we had a cold dip last January as well as a colder than normal February.

We should embrace our cold because our ski trails are snow-covered, and they won’t be melting soon. This cold weather is also good news for skiing on the Chena River this winter and spring.

 

Random shots from the Sonot Connector & Fort Wainwright

All photos by Sam Lamont

2014 Sonot Kkaazoot Event Podiums

Article by Danny Martin, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner w/ photos including female and male winners of 50 km and 20 km freestyle events

http://www.newsminer.com/sports/local_community/priest-konieczny-tops-in-k-sonot-kkaazoot/article_726fd6ca-b7df-11e3-945e-0017a43b2370.html

Present or former Nanooks swept the Men’s 50 km Sonot Kkaazoot podium:

1. Cody Priest in 2:21.55.2Cody Priest_sm

2. Alex Morris 2:22.42.9

3. Isaac Lammers 2:23.11.4Issac Lammers_sm

Women’s 50 km Sonot Kkaazoot leaders were:

1. Rebecca Konieczny 2:33.38.7

2. Shalane Frost 2:37.47.6

3. Melissa Lewis 2:48.46.2

Men’s 50 km CL winners

1. Pete Leonard 3:00.58.4

2. Scott Jerome 3:19.42.0

(See: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=651789528222342 for photo)

3. David Apperson 3:29.4.4

Women’s 50 km CL

1. Lynne Petersen 4:45.11.4Lynne_Petersen

2. Jessie Turner 5:44.01.0

3. Liz Pawelko 5:47.07.2

Men’s 20 km event winners

1. Ti Donaldson 50:21.6

2. Kevin Brune 50:37.6

3. Benjamin Koenig 50:37.8

Women’s 20 km event winners

1. Jenna DiFolco 56:46.0

2. Kriya Dunlap 1:05.01.2

3. Christine Broda 1:08.21.2

Men’s 40 km winners

1. Mark Ross 2:31.08.8

2. Patrick Druckenmiller 2:35.11.9

3. Patrik Sartz 2;37.18.3

Women’s 40 km winners

1. Kristan Kelly 2:38.11.1

2. Robbin Garber-Slaght 3:10.09.2

3. Maria Berger 3:37.35.0

 Photos by Sam Lamont, lead road crossing volunteer 

 

 

Snow haulers and shovelers needed tonight!

Snow haulers and shovelers needed tonight to move snow onto icy sections of the Sonot Kkaazoot trail on the Chena River under the Wendell Street and Steese Hwy Bridges. There is highway gravel embedded in the ice that needs to be well-covered with snow. Park at Graehl Park (#26 on the map below) and bring snow shovels starting at 5:30 p.m. tonight. Groomers will have large sleds for moving snow to where it is needed.

Graehl Park

Fairbanks skiers #1 and #2 for M6 men at 2014 National Masters Championships

Dave Edic and Bob Baker helped melt the trails at Kincaid with their performances in the 10 km classical technique race at the 2014 National Masters last night. Dave, who was 12th in a field of 69 men, was first among M6 men with a time of 33:58. Bob Baker, originator and long-time organizer of the Sonot Kkaazoot, was 20th overall and second among M6 men with a time of 35:12.

National Masters continues with relays tonight and finishes with the Tour of Anchorage on Sunday. At least 2 dozen Fairbanks skiers plan to be at one of the various starting lines on Sunday. Good luck to all of them.

Six Fairbanks skiers at World Masters in Austria

Six Fairbanks-based cross country skiers are in Austria competing in the 2014 Cross Country Masters Cup. These skiers include (in alphabetical order): Bad Bob Baker, Sonot Kkaazoot founder and longtime director; Dave Edic; Owen Hanley; Bruce Jamieson, co-President of the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks (http://www.nscfairbanks.org/); Ken Leary, the only guy to finish all 26 of the Sonot Kkaazoot (long course), and the organizer of the Wednesday Night Race Series (http://www.wnrace.com/Home_Page.html); and Chris Puchner. All these skiers, in addition to being amazing local racers, have contributed countless hours toward improving the nordic ski opportunities in Fairbanks.

Here’s the link to World Masters Cup race results with first event scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, 24 January 2014):

http://mwc2014.com/en/pillerseetal-masters-world-cup/home

Have fun, and ski fast!

 

Fairbanks skiers in Italy at World Masters

A group of five skiers from Fairbanks are currently in Italy competing in Cross Country Masters Cup in Asiago, Italy. Bad Bob Baker, Sonot Kkaazoot founder and longtime director, was 16th among the M5 men (2nd American) in the 30 km classic event yesterday; Dave Edic, M6 was 5th (first American). In the 15 km classic event, Owen Hanley was 30th among M8 men, good for 2nd among Americans. Bruce Jamieson and Chris Puchner round out the Fairbanks contingent, who opted for the freestyle longer distance events. All results can be found at:

http://www.mwcexperience.com/main.php

Ski fast, Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks skiers!

Temporary detours

Successful training for the Sonot Kkaazoot can go astray when an unexpected injury or untimely illness strikes. Thus, luck plays a significant role in making it to the start line on the Chena River on March 23, 2013. However, the celebration of spring that the Sonot Kkaazoot marks is more than just a ski race. For many skiers in the last wave, the Sonot Kkaazoot also symbolizes the return of health and fitness after unplanned detours. To those skiers (including our friend and race volunteer Tobben Spurkland, who is presently recovering from surgery in Anchorage), we give the SCUM salute. May you return to the ski trails soon.

SCUM salute for TobbenPhoto by Eli (the kid) Lyke