The latest news, results, standings, and gossip
Locals Eli Brown and Amy Powell dominated the weekend, winning both the 50K Freestyle at the North American Vasa, then topping the podium at the 16k Gran Travers Classic.
I headed up to Timber Ridge and caught these just before the finish line.
Eli Brown held off Michael Brothers and Matt Zak to finish first. Amy Powell had a bit bigger margin over Susan Vigland and Laura Web.
AXCS Master Championship director JD Downing from Bend, Oregon showed he still knows how to race by winning the overall 27K North American Vasa freestyle in 1:11:39. In the women's 27K freestyle, Traverse City skiers filled the podium. Judy Vajda was firs
No details, but Eli Brown and Amy Powell won the North American Vasa / AXCS National Masters Championships 50K.
Peter Burning took a great shoot of Christian Byar at the Occupy Winter cross country ski race in Traverse City, MI on the last day of 2011. The photo was so good, that Hammer Nutrition made it their cover photo for their most recent "Endurance News".
All races schudeduled for the 36th Annual North American VASA and the AXCS Masters National Championships will be conducted at their full designated distances.
Thank you for coming north and participating in the Michigan Cup Sprints. You certainly exhibited a leap of faith with the recent weather conditions and believing that we actually had decent snow.
"Ya, the women's final sprint finish was just as exciting as the men's. It was a drag race between Sue, Amy, and Laura. You girls rock!"
The Vasa board president led a fired-up group of 250 VASA volunteers in the Heikki Lunta Snow Dance. It was truly a sight to see and the participants did a great job as it was snowing within minutes.
EARLY NEWS: Milan Biac outsprinted Dan Yankus to win the 2012 Michigan Cup Sprints. John Goble took third, followed by Cligg Onthank, John Gravlin, and Scott Howard.
The Sprints are still on for Sunday! The snow coverage at Timber Ridge is great, sprint course is fun and fast, custom medals are super cool and the food will be tasty and nutritious!