Frisco Gold Rush!

So I'm finally home and taking a couple minutes to do a write-up about Sunday's Frisco Gold Rush.

This was a USCSA Qualifier and Western State College and Air Force Academy joined us for the 10km classic. This was a little interesting since we had 20 athletes racing, it was a mass start and it was at 9am! Just in case you don't know that's 42 individual skis (Adam was trying two different pairs) that have to get kick wax for a race where everyone starts at the same time! It was exciting but thanks to stellar help from Liz and Becca we were able to get it done and still get Rachel a warmup for her 5km classic, which started at the same time.

The course was a little confusing. Everyone said it was a two loop course but what they neglected to say was that it was two separate loops. To me that's not a two loop course, just a one loop course that doubles back through the stadium! Anyway, after the first 5km it was a great race with Dan, Joe (AFA) and Eliah working together at the front of the race. They were followed by John and Fitz! Yes Fitz! He actually had a classic race, it was amazing! Kari was leading the women with Gracey and Morgan right on her heals until I told Kari that the first women in the race was right in front of her. Kari took off and beat the woman by about 30 seconds!

The second loop was way hilly and that began to take it's toll on some of the athletes. Dan hit about 3 brick walls but still managed to hold on for 3rd behing Eliah (1st) and Joe (2nd). John just got faster throughout the race and finished right on Dan's heals. Jacob and Matt also made an impressive run to just catch Fitz (still his best classic race ever!) Fitz was followed by Justin, Nicholai and Adam. It was an impressive finish for the men!

The women also did great with Kari taking the first woman and winning the race. She was followed by Gracey and then a little way back Morgan. Marie finished next with a solid performance and was followed by Shannon, Karyn, Cara and Jenny. For a fun and exciting classic race.

The day wasn't over yet though, Zhenya and Ava decided they wanted to try their hand at one of the most brutal 20k's in Colorado. Zhenya started the race in the lead and worked with two other racers for most of the race. Switching leads and waiting to finish hard. Finish hard he did! Zhenya managed to drop both the other men in the last 200m to win the day! Ava also skied extremely well, despite the length and the hills Ava held on and placed 9th in the women, very respectable for someone who wasn't supposed to ever ski again! Also in the race were Josh and Christine who are UW Nordic Team alumn. We were so proud to see them out there!

The day was capped off when Zhenya got a phone call from Russia. His brother had won the Junior World Championship Sprint in France! Wow! Talk about an exciting end to a great weekend!

The results will be up soon at http://www.uwyo.edu/ski/race_results.html

We're so proud of our athletes and are looking forward to the final NCAA race at Devil's Thumb ranch this weekend.