Slow, smooth and with perfect technique!

The title is the description of the winners of the annual Zone 1 Race held at Happy Jack this afternoon.

Every year we have a race to see who can ski a loop the fastest while staying in Zone 1. If an athlete has a heart rate monitor, 90% of them do, then they ski with their HR in Zone 1 and have to show their watch at checkpoints on the loop. If they do not have HR monitors then they have to stop at the check points and take their Heart Rates. If their HR is above Zone 1 then they have a penalty, they have to perform "I'm a little teapot" with all the motions or various other serious penalties.

The purpose of this race is to show who has done the best job training appropriately and it is truly amazing how the Zone 1 race mirrors the actual races showing that the fittest athletes have trained the most in Zone 1 AND can ski the fastest in that Zone. It is also a test of technique since you are able to ski faster at a lower HR if you are more technically sound.

AND THE WINNERS ARE: For the second time in his illustrious career Joe Howdyshell finished first, despite skiing an extra loop! Joe was followed by Brian Sebade and Justin Kinner neither of whom had HR monitors so had to stop at all check points for HR checks!

Finishing first for the women the amazing Kari Boroff! Kari has won every, single Zone 1 race since the very first one! She is one quick-slow skier and always amazingly fit. Her hours of hiking, running, skiing, etc. have really paid off over the years and she just pulls further and further ahead of the competition. Kari outpaced Erin Hammer and Marie Cartwright for the win. Marie had an astonishingly good finish for a freshman and Erin only had to do the chicken dance twice!

Congratulations to all the athletes who finished this grueling competition. Watch out world we are ready for Nationals!