Great weather and fast conditions for Ski Fest
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 - By Mike Muha
The first XC ski race of the winter in North America was held under beautiful sunny skies and a firm but compliant trail. Temperatures reached near 60F with little wind. Racers could be seen in shorts and t-shirts as they skied the Ski Fest course. Mike Wagnar (Swix/Fischer regional rep) spent the entire time racking and packing the snow that had been deposited by many Vasa Ski Club volunteers over the past several days from the Zamboni at the local ice rink.
Mike spent quite a bit of time salting the snow - on old alpine racing trick, especially on the uphills and corners where it took the greatest beating. The salt melts the top layer of snow, which then refreezes from the cold snow underneath, making the trail harder.
In a repeat from last year, Amy Powell and Race Director Eli Brown were the fastest skiers. Michigan Cup points were awarded to all racers.
Qualifier results (best time from two tries. Two laps on the course around 175 meters.)
| MEN | AGE | TIME | AFFILIATION |
| 1. Eli Brown | 39 | 26.59 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 2. David Butryn | 15 | 29.81 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 3. Scott Howard | 42 | 29.87 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 4. Steve Smigiel Jr | 45 | 30.37 | Grand Rapids Nordic Ski Team |
| 5. Ian Durand | 14 | 30.41 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 6. Evan Scheiern | 14 | 30.56 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 7. Curt Peterson | 62 | 30.81 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 8. Chris Weingart | 57 | 30.88 | Straits Striders |
| 9. Tim Jenema | 43 | 30.94 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 10. Glen Goodman | 46 | 32.19 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 11. Mike Muha | 55 | 32.43 | Team Nordicskiracer |
| 12. Pete Skellenger | 34 | 32.62 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 13. Nick Amato | 15 | 32.75 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 14. Don Camp | 59 | 33.63 | Grand Rapids Nordic Ski Team |
| 15. Andy Rockwood | 53 | 34.47 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 16. Tom Sutter | 64 | 34.60 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 17. Alex Vanais | 21 | 35.59 | Cross Country Ski Headquarters |
| 18. Steve Smigel Sr | 67 | 36.44 | GRNST |
| 19. Robin Luce | 61 | 36.59 | Cross Country Ski Shop / Hanson Hills |
| 20. Ryan Durand | 10 | 36.94 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 21. Duane Amato | 61 | 37.25 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 22. Frank Rynalski | 58 | 37.31 | Cross Country Ski Headquarters |
| 23. John Kostrzewa | 59 | 38.16 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 24. Jacob Ellis | 26 | 39.69 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 25. Andrew Amato | 11 | 40.75 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 26. Hap Wright | 65 | 41.78 | Straits Striders |
| 27. Dan Butryn | 10 | 46.63 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 28. Griffin Schwalb | 10 | 48.37 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 28. Randy Smith | 51 | 53.41 | Vasa Ski Club |
| WOMEN | |||
| 1. Amy Powell | 43 | 33.94 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 2. Catarina Gulledge | 24 | 36.87 | Cross Country Ski Headquarters |
| 3. Heidi Schwab | 14 | 37.32 | Vasa Ski Club |
| 4. Gussie Peterson | 62 | 38.93 | Vasa Ski Club |
HEAD TO HEAD RACING (3 loops start opposite sides, whomever is leading at 3 laps or if caught before determined winner)
AGE GROUP CHAMPIONS
- Women 0-29: Catarina Gulledge beat Heidi Schwalb
- Woman 30+: Amy Powell
- Men 0-9: Daniel Butryn beat Griffin Schwab
- Men 10-19: David Butryn bean Ian Durand
- Men 20-29: Alex VAnais beat Jacob Ellis
- Men 30-39: Eli Brown beat Peter Skellenger
- Men 40-49: Steve Smiegel Jr beat Scott Howard
- Men 50-59: Chris Weingartz beat Mike Muha
- Men 60+: Curt Peterson beat Tom Sutter
OVERALL HEAD TO HEAD (race to the "death" whomever catches the other, must hit them with pole or touch them)
- Quarter Final Men 1: Scott Howard beat Ian Durand
- Quarter Final Men 2: Eli Brown beat David Butryn
- B Final for 3rd Place: David Butryn beat Ian Durand
- A Final for 1st and 2nd: Eli Brown beat Scott Howard
