Silverstar report

Mon, Dec  15, 2008 - By Liz Stephen

Liz Stephen tells it...

 

Report by:  Liz Stephen.

(Garrott Kuzzy and Liz Stephen considering an equipment swap.)

Day off after two days of racing. Our first sprint of the season was on Saturday and a 10K skate followed on Sunday. It was great to be racing on a loop again, as West's out and back classic race and point to point skate race made it difficult to have much terrain change. Our coaches dialed the wax both days and worked their tail ends off helping us out. Canada is into getting things done quickly, which is awesome, especially on sprint days. Saturday's race was done in an equally efficient manner, sending all 100 dudes out, one every 15 seconds, and then immediately, with no break, all 50 girls out right behind the last boy starter. If having a girl start 15 seconds behind you when you are a junior boy doesn't get you going, I don't know what else would. As a coach trying to get splits for his athletes, it was a cluster, but as a skier it was pretty fun.

(Morgan Arritola racing in Silverstar.)

Silver Star is beautiful and it is always fun to stay in one of the houses on the knoll whose color is one that your mom would never think to paint your own home. Bright yellows, greens, blues, purples, pinks, you name it, and in many cases the trim is an equally exciting shade, making the house look all the more inviting. After all, anyone who lives in a house whose shade is a bright pink, must be one of the more friendly people you will ever meet.

(Noah Hoffman in the mix up in Silverstar.)

Our races in Whistler next weekend were moved to Silver Star, so we will be here for another week. Thursday will be a mass start 15/20K skate race, Friday will be a classic sprint and Saturday is a 10/15K classic night race. Should be awesome.

(Lindsey Dehlin following Kristina Strandberg of the Saab Factory Team.)

(Kuzzy)