Brown and Webb and Williams and Pflughoeft win MI Cup Sprints
Michigan Cup
Sun, Feb 6, 2011 - By Mike Muha
Eli Brown made up for his third place finish in the 40k White Pine Stampede by winning the Michigan Cup Sprints at Timber Ridge Lodge in Traverse City, Michigan on Sunday February 6, 2011. He was seen furious waxing up skis just moments before the the race was to begin. Secret formula?
Eli Brown on his way to a first place finish
(All photos by Amy Powell)
Other high place finishers from yesterday's White Pine Stampede also did well in the Sprints. Jeff Koch, second in yesterday's 40k race, took second again in the Sprints. Dan Yankus leveraged his fourth place yesterday to take third today.
Laura Webb beat White Pine 20k winner Amy Powell in the women's sprint. Susan Vigland, who raced the White Pine 40k was third.
Semi final heat
In the junior division, Ross Williams made it a two win weekend. Williams won the 20k Freestyle at the White Pine. Ryen Keenan and Josh Lance were second and third.
Coming off her 10k win at the White Pine, Lauren Pflughoeft also doubled her victories, winning the junior girls Sprint. Alyssa Padden and Heidi Schwab were second and third.
Men's heat
The race moved from Hanson Hills in Grayling to Timber Ridge Lodge this year, and was well organized by race director Steve Westphal and the Vasa Ski Club. The course used the Vasa "parade loop" which included a hill. The temperature was around 28F and it snowed throughout the race. The course was "just right" at the beginning according to one racer but softened with the new snow and racer traffic during the race. Timing was done by Nick Baic.
Results: