Idaho Nordic

Teton Ridge Classic ?��Ǩ�� Post Race Report

Posted on January 29th, 2007

?Ǭ�?Ǭ�?Ǭ�?Ǭ�?Ǭ�?Ǭ�?Ǭ�?Ǭ�?Ǭ�?Ǭ�?Ǭ�?Ǭ� Park City?��Ǩ�Ѣs Josh Mullin and Idaho Nordic?��Ǩ�Ѣs Becky Bjork claimed victories in the Jan. 20 Teton Ridge Classic with times of 1:14:46 and 1:45:10. Rounding out the top four men and women were Jason Ray, 1:16:22; Michael Myers, 1:16:58; and Barry (The Lung) Makarewicz; and Mitzi Bowen, 1:46:08; Laura Howat, 1:48:12; and Kate Burnaby Wright, 1:48:52.For Mullin, it was the second consecutive triumph in as many weeks and came in the third event of the Winter 2007 Idaho Idaho Nordic Race Series. Bjork?��Ǩ�Ѣs 1:45:10 was good for 32^ndoverall in a highly competitive field of 76 skiers from Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. Other Idaho Nordic finishers included Liz and Clyde Cody, first and second respectively in their age groups, and Mike Weber and Ralph Comstock, third and second-place age group finishers. Liz skied 2:07:43 and 62^nd overall, while Clyde, Mike, and Ralph finished in 1:43:02 for 29th, 1:45:33 for 33rd, and just before nightfall?��Ǩ��but well within the 24-hour limit.

Other notable times in the 28k were recorded by Bob Rosso (55-59 age group), 8^th overall in 1:27:18; Del Pletcher (60-64 age group), 21^st overall in 1:35:36; and Charley French (80-84 age group), 64^th overall in 2:18:18.

The event featured three distances, including a 14k (34 racers), won by Mike Wolter in 0:46:00 and Jane Linville-Wiens in 0:58:31, and a 5k (8 racers), won by Cole Hammond, 0:26:00, and Taylor Graue, 0:27:28. Temperature at the start was near 0-degrees Fahrenheit; and though brooding, overcast skies were gray, the kick wax was blue. Conditions were fast with LF4 glide wax and VR30 kick wax, finished with VR40.

Flakes that began falling as the last racers were completing the course became a serious storm during the award ceremony and drawing that followed; but the following day dawned crystal clear and bright, providing magnificent views of the Grand, Middle, and South Tetons for those fortunate enough to ski the perfectly groomed course again Sunday. The Teton Ridge track and trail system is on the Idaho ?��Ǩ�� Wyoming border and within the 4,000-acre Teton Ridge Ranch, owned by Microsoft entrepreneur Paul Allen. The terrain provided incredible views, long uphills, technical downhills, and a final steep descent one kilometer from the finish that rightfully belongs in a county fair; but the event came off without a hitch, with kudos due to the various sponsors and especially to Race Director Dan Streubel, who finished 7^th overall in 1:23:04.