RESULTS: Wakeley and Callison win Frosty Freestyle

Sat, Jan  9, 2021 - By Mike Muha

The 2020-2021 Michigan Cup Season started with a whimper: the opening two races were cancelled because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, a marathon was cancelled, another turned into a 12 day virtual event, and another turned into a 3 day event. That dropped 5 races off the Michigan Cup race calendar before the first race was even held.

We were not sure if we could hold the Frosty Freestyle or Krazy Klassic this year. We did some initial planning but it wasn't until the State of Michigan's rules for outside events became less restrictive that we decide to bite the bullet and get the final arrangements in place.

And it was not easy: First, we had to determine how best to protect skiers and volunteers. Then we struggled to find a timer because several of the timing companies were not timing races because of COVID. Huron Meadows Metropark locked down the building, making it inaccessible to skiers during the race. Then we were hit with numerous cost increases,  new and unexpected costs, and last minute contract negotiations. We persevered because we wanted to set a precedent for showing that a COVID-19 era race could be safety held, and maybe pave the way for other race directors to feel comfortable holding their own races.

We required online registration. Even after numerous notifications of the policy, a number of skiers missed the deadline. We provided a little flexibility, and we're able to accommodate those skiers.

The course

The weather cooperated. Although we had to race on man-made snow of Buck's Run and not the natural snow course, numerous racers said course conditions were the best in the history of the Frosty Freestyle. There was minimal wind and although it was cold when racers started arriving, the bright sun warmed things up nicely. Adam Haberkorn did an expert job marking the course to ensure no one went the wrong way. There was complete snow coverage and a firm base.

If felt like racing on a World Cup course! Great markings! Photo by Mike Muha. Remaining photos by Karla Cordova

We changed the start format this year, with waves of around 10 skiers starting every 5 minutes. This gave racers plenty of space to social distance. Because the race was chipped timed, racers could start anytime during their 5 minute wave window. Racers wore masks until they started the race, and put masks on after finishing the race.

In past years, the start and finish were in the same place. The longer start waves made it impossible this year since some skiers could still be starting while others were finishing. We created separate start and finish areas and wider outbound and inbound lanes near the lodge. 

Above: New start area for the Frosty Freestyle this year to handle waves that were spread-out time-wise while dealing with laps and finishing skiers.

Skiers on the right of this photo have just completed a lap and are back on the course. Skiers on the left just started and are merging onto the course. 

 

 

End of one lap, start of the next after a hard turn to the right. 

Skiers could race two distances: a 13k race (it was supposed to be 15k but ran a little short) or 5k (which also turned out to be a little short). The race course was a loop about 2.16k long. Skiers did either 6 laps or 2 laps.

The snow conditions, firm with a light cover of softer snow at the start, became more sugary with the passing laps.

So who won?

Full results are further done this article - pop there if you want to see your time!

In the 13k, Jorden Wakeley led from the start and was untouchable. He finished in 34:14.6, almost 3 minutes ahead of Brandon Halcott (37:11.5) and Michael Davis (37:12.7) who had to fight to determine second and third.

Elizabeth Callison pulled ahead to win in 46:00.6. Team NordicSkiRacer's Skye Schultz was second in 48:33.0, with Heather Compton (one of the owners of the Cross Country Ski Shop) in third in 48:45.8. Good last minute decision by Compton to race!

In the 5km, Daniel Castiglioni finished first in 14:03.1, followed by State LaMarra (23:38.1 and Noah Segerstrom (25:01.2). Sarah Cuclos as the top 5km women in 13:53.9, followed by Giulia Castiglioni (17:49.4) and Susan Segerstrom (25:04.7).

Yes, there was an awards ceremony

 

Ken Roth announcing age group awards.

We purchased an FM radio transmitter for the race. It played music and announcements for the event. Since the lodge was locked, racers had to hang out in their cars to change, warm, or test. The transmitter was also attached to speakers in the start area. Radio Free Frosty!

The awards ceremony was held outside, and racers were spread through the parking lot and sidewalks to social distance. Skiers started coming up individually to receive awards...until we discovered errors in the results. The had to postpone awards until we sorted out the results, and awards will be given out as part of Sunday's race (for skiers doing both races) or provided in some other manner. And we had nice awards, especially for the overall top three in each race!

Doug Johanningsmeier readies to handout the overall winner awards

2021 Frosty Freestyle Results 

15km
Female Overall Winners
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Elizabeth Callison	Gaylord MI	361	26	22	46:00.6
2	Skye Schultz	Ann Arbor MI	231	42	29	48:33.0
3	Heather Compton		366	45	30	48:45.8
Female 20 to 29
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Izzy Salley	Ann Arbor MI	360	24	50	1:05:52.9
Female 40 to 49
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Kirsten Hensley	Ann Arbor MI	232	42	43	56:41.8
Female 50 to 59
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Ellie Johnson	--	369	59	36	53:39.9
2	Mary Dorazio	Whitmore Lake MI	42	52	40	55:56.6
3	Kelly Kruper	Jones Mills PA	234	59	45	57:36.3
4	Birgit Sorgenfrei	Northville MI	44	53	49	1:05:50.6
5	Gwenn Stevenson	Oxford MI	233	54	51	1:19:48.9
Female 60 to 69
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Linda Weeks-Kaleita	Grayling MI	343	66	33	50:33.0
Male Overall Winners
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Jorden Wakeley	Grayling MI	345	30	1	34:14.6
2	Brandon Halcott	West Bloomfield MI	29	37	2	37:11.5
3	Michael Davis	Homer MI	349	29	3	37:12.7
Male 20 to 29
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Kevin Vazquez	Novi MI	46	28	24	47:18.3
2	Ian Nichols	Grosse Pointe MI	45	25	26	47:46.2
3	Xander Johnson	Ann Arbor MI	26	26	46	59:03.2
Male 30 to 39
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Dan Polasky	Ann Arbor MI	27	30	7	39:14.1
2	Keith McCaffery	Milford MI	28	37	35	53:05.8
Male 40 to 49
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Scott Ries	South Lyon MI	30	42	6	38:59.0
2	Charles Moore	Plymouth MI	43	46	9	40:05.0
3	Riccardo Monaco	Pittsburgh PA	346	47	12	41:77.0
4	John Hubbard	Ann Arbor MI	48	47	19	44:38.1
5	Jon Williams	Latrobe PA	49	48	25	47:32.4
6	Adam Haberkorn	Pinckney MI	47	45	38	54:53.8
Male 50 to 59
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Stephen Smigiel	Rockford MI	355	54	4	38:42.7
2	Jason Zimmerman	Latrobe PA	59	51	5	38:43.2
3	Yvon Dufour	Fowler MI	353	57	8	39:38.2
4	Allen Sorgenfrei	Livonia MI	67	56	10	40:35.2
5	Dave Hietikko	Ada MI	350	56	11	41:01.1
6	Steven Vreeken	Grosse Pointe MI	31	53	14	42:51.4
7	Mark Smith	Washington MI	73	57	15	43:02.9
8	Mike Temkin	Troy MI	72	57	17	44:16.1
9	John Britton	Zanesfield OH	79	58	23	46:24.5
10	Tim Cook	Freelandeeland MI	365	57	27	48:07.4
11	Adam Danes	Northville MI	64	53	32	50:04.4
12	Tom Wernette	Holland MI	74	58	37	53:49.8
13	Brad Plymale	Northville MI	63	52	41	56:15.9
14	John Dennis	Novi MI	34	56	47	1:00:46.1
15	Dan Brickert	Peru IL	50	50	48	1:04:12.2
Male 60 to 69
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Cliff Onthank	MI	357	67	13	42:40.0
2	Douglas Cornell	Corunna MI	94	61	16	43:42.1
3	Dan Wisneski	Grand Rapids MI	352	60	19	45:16.0
4	Michael Muha	Wixom MI	97	63	20	45:17.0
5	Anthony Percha	Walled Lake MI	84	61	21	45:35.9
6	Jeffois Moore	Northville MI	229	64	28	48:10.0
7	Frank Rynalski	Bay City MI	347	66	39	54:59.9
8	Marvin Boluyt	Ann Arbor MI	230	67	42	56:40.2
9	Cyril Grum	Ann Arbor MI	41	68	44	56:44.4
10	Gary Kaleita	Grayling MI	344	67	52	1:19:54.4
Male Age 70
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Jon Kruper	Jones Mills PA	243	71	18	44:27.9
2	Steve Smigiel	Ada MI	354	75	31	49:19.9
5km
Female Overall Winners
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Sarah Duclos	Ann Arbor MI	363	23	1	13:53.9
2	Emma Jimenez Palos	Novi, MI	240	12	3	14:40.7
3	Giulia Castiglioni	Northville MI	241	17	4	17:49.4
Female 40 to 49
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Susan Segerstrom	Novi MI	358	45	6	25:04.7
2	Marci Ries	South Lyon MI	237	41	8	34:31.0
Male Overall Winners
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Daniele Castiglioni	Northville MI	239	51	2	14:03.1
2	Steve Lamarra	Brighton MI	238	50	4	23:38.1
3	Noah Segerstrom	Novi MI	359	16	5	25:01.2
Male 13 and Under
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Beckham Haberkorn	Pinckney	235	6	9	50:00.3
Male 14 to 16
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Owen Simot	South Lyon MI	236	14	7	30:38.5
Male 80 and Over
Place	Name	City	Bib No	Age	Overall	Time
1	Marvin Stevenson	Rochester MI	348	86	10	59:35.7