Racers propose Michigan Cup Championships

Thu, Aug  22, 2019 - By Jay Woodbeck

A group of racers, including recent Michigan Cup Champions Kyle Hanson and Sam Holmes, and myself are proposing that one weekend a year is designated as the Michigan Cup Championships. Our proposal is:

• One weekend consisting of a classic race and freestyle race is designated as the "Championship Weekend" each season.
• The Championship shall not take place during the American Birkibeiner or World Masters in order to accommodate high-level skiers who have these races as their season goals.
• The races shall not be marathons, in order to accommodate all levels of racers.
• The Championship Weekend is worth more Michigan Cup Points than other races.

Some proposals for points:

• Double Points (scored out of 400; men decrease by 2, women by 8)
• Extra 50 Points (scored out of 250, men decrease by 1, women by 4)
• Other ideas from the MI Cup Committee??

Benefits of a Championship Weekend include:

• Having a known race on the schedule where most, if not all, competitors will participate
• Extra points will draw more participants
• Encourages a weekend where we all ski against each other, not just a patchwork of high and low competition races
• Racers have a goal to work towards during the season

The weekend we have identified is the Forbush Freestyle/Hanson Hills Classic race. It fits well in the calendar - not too early in the season, but not conflicting with other big races. Both venues have proven they can handle a large field. Race distances are moderate and appropriate for most racers. Forbush's addition of snowmaking also adds appeal.

[Editor's note: This proposal has been added to the Agenda for Sunday's Michigan Cup Committee meeting]