Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Good Luck at the Birkie!

Best of luck to all the Illinois skiers, freestyle or classic, Birkie, Korte, Hakaan or one of the other races. This is the big weekend, the Super Bowl of Nordic skiing in North America. From all reports, conditions will be good. Now, it's up to us. As the famous Birkie song lyrics go, "Just get me to the start line, I'll be ready to go!"

Monday, February 13, 2012

Myrda, Choate Lead NIN at Pre-Birkie

A full contingent of Illinois skiers ventured to the Pre-Birkie this past Saturday. The 42K saw Jan Myrda place 16th overall in 1:58:47 and Mike Choate 61st in 2:09:08.3. Bill Kopanda of Crystal Lake was third from Illinois, placing 141st in 2:21:00.8. Other big names from NIN-land dotted the results in the 42K and 26K. Check out the results on skinnyski.com. Great job by all!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Nadler, Schisler in Top 5 at Wolf Tracks

The debut Wolf Tracks Rendezvous 42K at Minocqua Winter Park on Feb. 4 was a big success as skiers from snow-starved areas north and south converged on the beautiful trails at MWP. The race was won by Adam Swank, 36, of Duluth, MN, in 1:58:42.2. Second went to Peter Koenen, 26, of Madison, WI, in 2:01:57.2, and third went to high schooler Andrew Nadler, 17, of Chicago, as he continued a strong season with a 2:04:20.4. Fourth was taken by Matt Zak, 38, of Eveleth, MN, in 2:06:44.9. You might remember Matt was the winner of the NIN the year we held it it in Kenosha. And fifth went to Jason Schisler, 27, of Gurnee, in 2:10:17.5. Other Illinois skiers did very well in this race, an interesting sign of what can happen when we aren't the only ones with no-snow for much of the season. And a special hats-off to race director Jim DiDomenico, who just happens to have plenty of Illinois roots himself.