High School Cross Country Skiing

Michigan's got it. Minnesota's got it. Wisconsin's got it. Why can't we at least have high school XC skiing at a bare-minimum level in Illinois? I realize those other states have much more snow, but when we get it, we know how to use it. My goal is to have a low-key high school division at the Northern Illinois Nordic on Saturday, Jan. 22. If you know any high school athlete who wants to compete on skis at any level, please leave a comment or e-mail me directly at bobnanrun@sbcglobal.net.

King Keyser Wax Clinic/Limestone Loppet 2010

Photos courtesy of David Fyhrie

Winners Repeat at CASCO Limestone Loppet

WARRENVILLE, IL -- In nearly perfect conditions for off-road roller-skiing, Jan Myrda and Kielo Sauvala were repeat men's and women's winners on Saturday at the 8K CASCO Limestone Loppet on the McKee Marsh trails at Blackwell Forest Preserve in DuPage County, IL. The 4K CAT-Ski race was also a repeat as the product's inventor, Dale Niggemann, crushed the field. Myrda, 39, of Palos Heights, IL, won the 8K freestyle in 21:34.6, with Tom Dvoratchek, 40, of Streamwood, IL, second in 22:44.0, and Niggemann, 44, of Stevens Point, WI, third in 23:00. On the women's side, Sauvala, 53, of Glenview, IL, won easily in 31:47.0. Second went to Sarah Hraha, 50, of Clarendon Hills, IL, in 43:57.6, and third was taken by Robin Carlson, 46, of Berwyn, IL, in 49:46.2. A total of 34 skiers completed the race.
The CAT-Ski race, contested shortly after the freestyle race, was won by Niggemann in 23:19.1. Dvoratchek made it two runner-ups for the day with a 25:52.2, and Jukka Lyly-Yrjanainen, 45, of Elk Grove Village, IL, also doing both races, took third in 27:01. Women's winner was Bonnie Perkins, age not available, of Hinsdale, IL, in 29:22. There were 12 finishers in the CAT-Ski race.

Temperatures in the low 30s, and limestone that was dry and firm, made for
a great day of rolling and CAT-Skiing in the events produced by Northern Illinois Nordic in cooperation with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
The next Illinois races will be on snow. They are the Northern Illinois Nordic in Wheaton on Jan. 8 and the Joliet Nordic in Joliet on Jan. 9.
Photos by Bob Richards
Race results:
http://www.racetime.info/2010Results/LIMESTONE%20FREE.HTM
http://www.racetime.info/2010Results/LIMESTONE%20CAT.HTM

Welcome to the NIN Blog

This blog is being formed to post timely news items and photos. Northern Illinois Nordic promotes cross-country skiing across northern Illinois. Events include the Limestone Loppet in November and the Northern Illinois Nordic xc ski race in January.
XC skiing is a great sport. Enjoy it and spread the word to your running, cycling and triathlon friends. I also recommend you get on XCChicago@yahoogroups.com if you're not already a member. See you skiing, if not running!