Myrda, Sauvala Win Limestone Loppet

No strangers to local cross-country skiing's winners' circle, Jan Myrda (top photo) and Kielo Sauvala (middle photo) won the overall and women's titles respectively on Saturday on a soft trail at McKee Marsh near Warrenville. Parts of the trail got pretty mushy but other parts held up. Skiing in northern Illinois, no matter what the surface, can be challening and fun! Twenty-five skiers competed.

8K FREESTYLE TIME TRIAL
MALES
1. Jan Myrda, 40, Palos Heights, IL, 24:01
2. Randal Bladel, 55, Granger, IN, 27:06
3. Mike Choate, 54, Chicago, IL, 27:46
4. Chuck Kessler, 66, Northbrook, IL, 31:58
5. Steve Wikner, 54, Kenosha, WI, 32:05
6. David Fyhrie, 57, Wheaton, IL, 32:14
7. Chuck Zagozdon, 62, Chicago, IL, 32:26
8. Kevin Flowers, 46, Glen Ellyn, IL, 32:58
9. Richard Skibicki, 59, Morton Grove, IL, 33:30
10. Jim Gearhart, 59, Oak Park, IL, 35:18
11. Jerry Pasierb, 51, Downers Grove, IL, 35:27
12. Leif Reditsch, 52, Glen Ellyn, IL, 35:38
13. Roger Dejus, 57, Hinsdale, IL, 35:56
14. Mark Sayers, 50, Shorewood, IL, 36:39
15. Harry Maranowicz, 64, Downers Grove, IL, 37:21
16. Mike Pellikan, 52, Mount Prospect, IL, 38:00
17. Michael Meissner, 61, Hinsdale, IL, 41:26
18. Bary Rotman, 50, Grayslake, IL, 42:38
19. Mike Hickey, 58, Chicago, IL, 47:47
20. John Innocentini, 48, Lake Barrington, IL, 57:40

FEMALES
1. Kielo Sauvala, 51, Glenview, IL, 37:01
2. Sarah Hraha, 51, Clarendon Hills, IL, 53:14
3. Deb Choate, 55, Chicago, IL, 59:37

4K CAT-SKI RACE
1. Abbott Wright, 62, Inverness, IL, 31:44
2. Randal Bladel, 55, Granger, IN, 38:19 (Was leading but made wrong turn)
3. Charles Wallin, 69, Rockford, IL, 40:24



Casco and King Keyser rolled out the banners on what turned out to be a "balmy" day.

Limestone Loppet Nov. 12 at McKee Marsh

The Limestone Loppet 8K and Cat-Ski 4K are set for Saturday morning, Nov. 12, at McKee Marsh, which is the north side of Blackwell Forest Preserve on Mack Road in DuPage County. The main event consists of a time-trial format 8K freestyle race with skiers starting 30 seconds apart on their off-road roller-skis. The Cat-Ski race will start at 10 a.m. with a mass start. We've had generally OK to good conditions over the years with an exception or two, but this event is always fun and is one heck of an early-season workout. We'll have overall results, but no real awards. There will be a raffle with some terrific stuff including goodies from Casco Eyewear, King Keyser, a gift certificate from New Moon, subscriptions to Master Skier and Cross Country Skier, products from Fast Wax and maybe more. I want to thank Bill Weidner and Barry Rotman for all they have done to help get this race to where it is this year. For information (you don't have to sign up ahead of time, but it sure would help), go to: https://www.signmeup.com/79457, Online entry is $15 plus the registration company fee. If you sign up on race day, please bring $20 in a white envelope with your name on it.

King Keyser-CXC, Salomon Weekend

A good time was had by all, including the two bunches who rolled the 9.6-mile limestone loop at Waterfall Glen before many of them headed to King Keyser for the Super Fit weekend. These two photos are courtesy of Doug McClerran. They were shot the morning of Oct. 29.

Dates to Remember, Starting Now!

Sat. Nov. 12 -- Limestone Loppet (Off-road 8K roller-ski time trial and 4K Cat-Ski race), 9 a.m., McKee Marsh/Blackwell F.P., Warrenville. For information and to sign up, go to https://www.signmeup.com/79457

Sat. Jan. 7 -- Northern Illinois Nordic, Arrowhead Golf Course, Wheaton. For information and to sign up, go to: https://www.signmeup.com/79429

Sun. Jan. 8 -- Joliet Nordic, Woodruff Golf Course, Joliet. More info to come.

Myrda, Nadler Shine at Bear Chase

Jan Myrda of Palos Heights took sixth place overall at the Great Bear Chase 50K freestyle on Sunday with a 2:17:13.2. The race was won by Joshua Tesch of Superior, WI (he once won the NIN for anyone with a good memory!) in 2:14:37.4. Meanwhile, in the 26K freestyle, Andrew Nadler, the "kid" from Chicago, had another strong race, placing second overall in 1:17:59.4. The race was won by Christophe Nichols of Wausau, WI, in 1:14:26.1. There were a lot of Illinois skiers in the Great Bear Chase, held each year on the Swedetown Trails near Calumet, MI. Full results are at skinnyski.com. There will be some NINers skiing this week at ABR's finale as well. Great job to all, starting with Jan M. and Andrew N.

Kortelopet Report

Skiers from Illinois did OK in the 2011 Kortelopet, too. Andrew Nadler, a 16-year-old CXC skier from Chicago, placed 18th overall in the skate division in 1:03:00. David Vincent, also from Chicago, was 48th overall and third in the M30-34 category with a 1:08:59, and Stacey Jutila, a Minnesota transplant living in Oak Park, was third in the F35-39 group with a 1:31:17.8. In the classic division, Steve Capps of Wheaton won the M40-44 group in 1:33:25, and Dick Storm of Palatine finished fifth in the M70-74 group in 1:52:52. Way to go to these skiers and the many others who also had great races in frigid conditions.

Top Illinois Birkie Skiers

I'm going at this little by little. Here is our creme de la creme:
MEN 50K SKATE
53. Jan Myrda, Palos Heights, 2:11:40
185. Mike Choate, Chicago, 2:25:07
196. Jason Schisler, Gurnee, 2:26:21
254. Jukka Lyly-Yrjanainen, Elk Grove Village, 2:30:38
271. Andrew Young, Savoy (near Champaign), 2:32:16
274. Roger Prevot, Chicago, 2:32:20
349. David Harkness, Rockford, 2:36:27
422. Jim DiDomenico, Elgin, 2:40:32
436. Brian Kearney, Naperville, 2:41:42
537. Bill Kopanda, Crystal Lake, 2:46:46
WOMEN 50K SKATE
833. (90.) Margie Prevot, Chicago, 2:58:19
1226. (149.) Kielo Sauvala, Glenview, 3:12:47
1977. (274.) Stephanie Hon, Wilmette, 3:39:40
2788. (454.) Christine Palmquist, Geneva, 4:20:06
3075. (526.) Michelle Mathieu, Naperville, 4:40:08
3102. (535.) Elizabeth Gracie, Chicago, 4:42:32
3395. (623.) Barbara Menge, Marengo, 5:18:17
3583. (667.) Mararate Walsh, Chicago, 6:05:27
3621. (679.) Kathryn Dittemore, Chicago, 6:18:05
3659. (691.) Ginny Minch, Caledonia, 6:46:47
3696. (698.) Cheryl Ossman, Downers Grove, 7:59:22

MEN 54K CLASSIC
126. (117.) Tom Dvoratcheck, Streamwood, 3:16:43
223. (201.) John Wherity, Chicago, 3:31:57
254. (231.) Mark Wold, Glenview, 3:36:29
370. (331.) Daniel Henning, Chicago, 3:55:57
396. (352.) Bob Walsh, Crystal Lake, 3:59:18
443. (394.) Tim Dennison, Wheaton, 4:08:15
470. (415.) Robert Ganson, Mundelein, 4:12:50
483. (427.) Jeffrey Scott, Lake Bluff, 4:14:06
513. (450.) Bob Rickert, Aurora, 4:18:29
540. (471.) Mark Meccia, Wilmette, 4:22:12
WOMEN 54k CLASSIC
527. (65.) Sara Conrad, Naperville, 4:20:18
624. (83.) Lisa Nadler, Chicago, 4:33:11
751. (114.) Tracey O'Donnell, Northbrook, 4:52:18
1069. (184) Lise Loberg, Chicago, 5:42:18
1163. (203.) Lynette Carani, Highland Park, 5:59:08
1193. (212.) Leslie Holling, Kenilworth, 6:08:55
1376. (259.) Karen Day, Spring Grove, 7:01:45
1439. (278.) Emma Briggs, Chicago, 7:35:28
1444. (282.) Michaela Havemann, Crystal Lake, 7:38:03
No 10th woman from Illinois

That Was Some Kind of Burr-Kie!

Congrats to all who finished the Birkie, Kortelopet and Prince Haakon 12K in ultra-frigid weather. A lot of Illinois people did very well despite the conditions. We even had some podium skiers in the Kortelopet. More later. I will update when I catch my breath.

Hanging Tough at Stump Farm

Against a tough field that included international skiers who originally were ticketed to compete in Madison, Illinois skiers did well at theStump Farm 18.5K in Suamico, WI, just north of Green Bay, on Saturday (Feb. 19). On a miracle course of pulverized ice/snow and shoveled-in white stuff, Jan Myrda won the M30-39, Jukka Lyly Yrjanainen won M40-49, and Mike Choate (2nd, M50-59), Tom Dvoratchek (3rd, M40-49) and yours truly (3rd, M60-Plus)also picked up some hardware. Dave Fyhrie skied a great race, but was out of the money is his exceptionally tough M50-59 group. Hats off to the Ashwaubenon Nordic Ski Team and the Reforestation Camp for pulling off this race. If you didn't see the results, Norwegians, Russians and Swiss dominated the podium. The Madison races were called off because of the legislative budget standoff/protest at the capitol building.

Myrda 2nd at Pre-Birkie 42K

Defending champion Jan Myrda, 39, of Palos Heights, was second on Saturday at the Pre-Birkie 42K in Hayward, WI. Jan skied a 1:56:16.7, but lost to John Bauer, 43, of Hayward, who won in 1:54:23.5. Illinois skiers did well throughout the results in both the 42K and 26K. Mike Choate, 53, of Chicago (2:06:00.3), and Roger Prevot, 51, of Chicago, placed third and fourth in the M50-54 age group. Chuck Kessler, 65, of Northbrook (3:01:08.7) placed second in M65-69. Check out the results. You'll see a lot of familiar names.

Lyly-Yrjanainen, Nadler Win 27Ks at VASA

Jukka Lyly-Yrjanainen, 45, of Elk Grove Village, won the 27K Classic, and Andrew Nadler, 16, of Chicago, won the 27K Freestyle on Saturday at the North American Vasa races in Acme, MI, next to Traverse City. Jukka (the Finn-Hook guy!) won his race in 1:40:18, nine seconds ahead of runner-up Jim Harrington, also 45, of Petoskey, MI, who finished in 1:40:27. Nadler, a CXC skier and a sophomore at Latin School, won the freestyle race in 1:25:21. Second-place went to Ryan Halstead, 23, of Grayling, MI, in 1:25:39. Ring those cowbells! Two Illinois wins at the Vasa is really something! Congrats to both. 50K and 12K races also were held. Illinois skiers did not win them!

Choate Paces Non-Race Race

The unofficial NIN Non-race Race at Arrowhead drew about 20 skiers to the snowy trail at Arrowhead Golf Club on Sunday. The new snow, about 2 inches plus) was on top of the trailm which was not regroomed. Still, it wasn't bad to ski on and through as we plowed ahead.Everyone had fun while busting their lungs a bit in what officially was an 8.6K. No times were kept. The top five (all I know for sure) were Mike Choate, David Fyhrie, John Chadwick, Robert Nadler and Kevin Flowers. If I hear how more people did, I'll update. Thanks to Kevin for having the idea to have this non-race race after we were told we could not have the official NIN this weekend.

Jan Myrda Wins Badger State 43K Freestyle

Jan Myrda of Palos Heights did us proud today, winning the 43K freestyle at the Badger State Games in Wausau, WI. Jan beat an impressive field (Andy Weddle was second) in a time of 2:04:52. Way to go, Jan!! OK, I'll stop after this. I just noticed that Andrew Nadler was second overall in the 21K freestyle, also at the B.S.G. He is a 16-year-old from Chicago. He lost by two seconds. And finally (I missed this one completely), Tom Dvoratchek of Streamwood won the 10K freestyle . . after skiing the 21K classic! Way to go, Tom!


You can check out the reuslts at:

http://onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php#racetop

Skiing on Lake Shore Drive!

James Johnston of Chicago didn't waste much time on Wednesday morning, getting out for a ski on Lake Shore Drive while cars sat abandoned behind him. Most snowfall totals around the area were in the 18-22 inch range. High winds created huge drifts. When we hear that any ski trail is skiable, we'll let you know. See upper right.

Nadler Wins 21K at Finn SISU Race!

Yes, a Chicago kid won up at ABR today! Andrew Nadler, 16, of Chicago, won the Heikki Lunta Half Marathon (21K) at the Finn SISU race. He topped a field of 117 finishers. Nadler's time was 1:21:58.6. Congrats to Andrew and all of the other Illinois skiers in the 42K, 21K, freestyle and classic. Results are posted at www.skinnyski.com.

Nadler, Carlson Win at Iron County Pursuit

Two Illinois skiers made their trips to Montreal and Mercer, WI worthwhile last weekend, winning their age groups in the two-day Iron County Pursuit. The event consisted of a 9K classic race on Saturday and a 12.5K freestyle race on Sunday with starting position on Sunday determined by Saturday's results. Andrew Nadler, 16, a CXC skier who attends the Latin School in Chicago, won the male 16-18 age group with a 35:05.5 in the 9K classic and 37:25.0 in the 12.5K freestyle. From what I heard ahead of time, Nadler played in a hockey game Friday night before going north. Meanwhile, Charles Carlson, 62, of Rockton, IL, one of the Rockford-area NINers, won the 60-69 group with a 42:21 and 44:51. Way to go Andrew and Charles!

CXC-NIN -- The Inside Edition at KK (With Results)

Mike Choate (top photo) shows how it's done on the SKI-ERG machine on Saturday during the Indoor Northern Illinois Nordic at King Keyser. Kevin Flowers (shirtless) also goes for it during his three-minute stint. Doug McClerran (third photo) has his skis checked outby the experts from CXC and Salomon on Friday at King Keyser. Yours truly grinds out his three-minute time trial (smaller right photo) on Friday night. It was humbling to say the least, and a great little workout! The real NIN is now scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 15. Dicey long-range forecasts leave that feeling of uncertainty intact as the new countdown begins.(Photos by Fred Faller, Me, Doug McClerran)















Here are the results of the Indoor NIN:
Birkie Wave Correlation (from CXC)
Elite Wave 750-850
Wave 1 700-750
Wave 2 650-700
Wave 3 600-650
Guys
1. Kevin Flowers 836
2. Chuck Zagozdon 812
3. Will Kupisch 803
4. Marcus Thymian 796
5. Mike Choate 788
6. Jim Gearhart 771
7. Jostein Alvestad 770
8. Dave Fyhrie 768
9. Jim Nowak 767
9. Steve Capps 767
11. Mark Sayres 765
12. Scott Pederson 761
13. Terry Duke 758
14. Darrel Duchon 755
15. Ken Muszynski 753
16. Fred Faller 742
17. Jerry Pasierb 719
18. Harry Maranowicz 697
19. Bernd Von Sosen 683
20. Dave Vincent 677
21. Kurt Wagner 675
22. Chuck Kessler 652
23. Bob Richards 645
24. Mike Pellikan 580
Gals
1. Kielo Sauvala 712
2. Elizabeth Holland 700
3. Sara Conrad 674
4. Stacey Jutila 671
4. Michelle Mathieu 671
6. Stephanie Wagner 628
7. Robin Carlson 574
8. Sarah Hraha 559
9. Michelle Farr 516
10. Chaya Carey 438

Congrats to all!!
Stay tuned for if and when the real NIN will be held!

Thinking Positive

Yes, there will be more skiable snow in Illinois! Yes, the Northern Illinois Nordic will take place. It's just a matter of time. In the meantime, stay focused and come out to the CXC Clinic this Friday and/or Saturday at King Keyser on Washington Street in downtown Hinsdale. Hours will be noon-8 on Friday and 9-5 on Saturday. Included will be an "Indoor NIN" on a special ski machine provided by CXC. Come in and enter the race! In the meantime, the photo is living proof we do ski here. This shot was taken at Arrowhead on Christmas Eve.