The latest news, results, standings, and gossip
Due to the very late start of the 2014 - 2015 Cross Country Ski Season here at Higgins Lake we have decided to change the date of the 22nd Annual Muffin race from February 8, 2015 to Sunday March 15, 2015.
Straits Striders Andy Liebner held off Alex Vanias to win the 26.4k men's freestyle , 1:10:42 to 1:10:44, while Kaitlyn Patterson took her second freestyle win of the season, finishing the 13.3k women's freestyle in 43:20.
The 6th Annual REI Frosty Freestyle lived up to its name, with temperatures just above zero and a bit of a breeze blowing. Racers bundled up in extra layers and balaclavas. Course conditions were excellent.
The first real points race for the new season is coming up on Saturday, December 20 with Lakes of the North, followed the next day by Wintersonnewende at Michawye. New this year is the Michigan Cup Fun Series, where racers can earn 10 participation points
Michigan Cup teams have challenged each other to significantly to the White Pine Stampede donation to Children's Hospital of Michigan.
In March of 2015 I will retire and in April will hike the Continental Divide Trail to raise money for an organization called Big City Mountaineers. They work with under-resourced urban youths, inter-city kids raised by single parents...
Skiers enjoyed a 62 deg sunny day to race. Overall winners were Steve Smigiel Jr. and Heidi Schwab. Particularly noteworthy was the performance of Ryan Durand, age 12 who finished 3rd overall besting the times of many seasoned Michigan Cup racers.
Once again, the Vasa Ski Club presents the USA's first Nordic ski race of the season and first Michigan Cup race of the season.
Former Michigan Cup Masters Champion Helga Hoover recently passed away in Ann Arbor.
In a tight race, Erin Lipp claimed victory over Sarah Goble for the junior women. Iann Durand took the Junior Men's championship. Also, overall freestyle, classic, and combined Michigan Cup standings!
This is the Michigan Cup Cross Country Ski Racing Series cream of the crop: the Top 10% of cross country ski racers of each age category. To get in the Michigan Cup Top 10% you have to maximize your points against your competitors.
The conditions were quite possibly the best they have ever been for this almost-springtime race, and skiers enjoyed fast, plentiful snow without any rain, bare spots, or sunburn!