Nice Job at the Seeley Classic!

Mike Choate and Tom Dvoratchek led the way for Illinois skiers last Saturday at the Seeley Classic 42K on the Birkie Trail. Choate, 54, of Chicago, came in at 2:47:12.8, and Dvoratcheck, 41, of Streamwood, was across in 2:48:48.6. Two other names of interest were Alyson Chapman, 48, of Lake Forest, who finished in 3:12:26.2, and Lynette Crani, 62, of Highland Park, who was second in her age group with a 4:41:22.1 Way to go to all others from Illinois who skied this unofficial Midwest classic championship.

Chicago's Nadler Wins SISU Fest 21K--Updated

Andrew Nadler, 17, of Chicago, topped the field on Saturday in the Heikki Lunta Half Marathon, winning the 21K race at the SISU Fest in Ironwood, MI, in 1:04:34.8.
"Conditions were perfect in Ironwood, Michigan, after receiving over a foot of snow just a few days earlier," Nadler wrote in an e-mail message. "The ABR groomers did a great job creating a fast and well-covered course out of the abundance of snow. I started out the race skiing in a pack with two other skiers, a skier from the nearby Gogebic Community College and my teammate Alex Larson from Hayward. About five kilometers into the race, Alex and I got a gap on the Gogebic skier, and we skied together through the flat section of the course. About five kilometers from the finish, we came to a long, slight uphill where I decided to make a move. I got a small gap that I was able to extend to about 45 seconds by the finish. It was a fun race."
Meanwhile in the main event, the 42K, Jan Myrda, 40, of Palos Heights, finished 11th overall and second in his age group with a 2:15:20.5. Other notable performances in the freestyle race were turned in Bill Kopanda, 60, of Crystal lake, who won his age group in 2:33:05, and Kielo Sauvala, 54, of Glenview, who finished fourth in her age group with a 3:13:18.8. In the 42K classic race, Heidi Schmidt, 55, of Elgin, was third in her age group in 4:24:09, and Mary Callis, 30, of Chicago, won her age group in 6:10:00.1. In the 21K classic race, Art Kardatzke, 70, of Downers Grove, and Peter Turula, 70, of Downers Grove, went 1-2 in their age group in 2:18:12.9 and 2:53:30.1. Awesome job up north! Full results are at www.skinnyski.com.

NIN, Joliet Nordic Races Cancelled

Unfortunately, because of the mild winter with almost no snow on the ground, the Northern Illinois Nordic this Saturday and the Joliet Nordic this Sunday have been cancelled. Neither event has been rescheduled. It is possible the Northern Illinois Nordic will be rescheduled, but many factors that include availability of Arrowhead, getting enough volunteers etc., will be part of any rescheduling decision. As of now, there are no plans to reschedule the Joliet race. Watch for updates. Think snow!

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.