Race Division – 5000ft of elevation gain/loss, 10 miles and a three loop race course.
The Venue
The day started with a 10 mile snowmobile ride to the venue. This was the first qualifying event for the U.S. Worlds Team so the competition was stout. All of the top racers in the country were present. A very fast start. I lead until we reached tree-line when Marshall Thomson joined me. Marshall led the first downhill until imploding on a dip ("early season conditions exist"). I came into the transition zone 20 seconds ahead followed closely by Jon Gaston. The three of us stayed in this order until the bootpack. Marshall and Jon caught me at the top as I was struggling to get back in my bindings. I caught back up and led the second downhill until Jon predictably passed me about a third of the way down. Jon took the W and I skated in a minute behind followed by Marshall. It was a great 3 way battle the entire time. Excellent skin-tracks and challenging, soft descents. Had a blast snowmobiling the ten miles out and towing Team Pine Needle Mountaineering at Mach speed behind us.
The Course
The Transportation
(if you don't have a snowmobile)
The Support
Lots of lightweight gear to be found.
Durango's Team Pine Needle Mountaineering
(Jen Gersbach, Miles Venzara & Nick Gould)
Team Pine Needle dialing it all in (pieps, shovel, probe, helmet, skins....).
Giving it!
"Team Mommy" Skins Up
Course Marshal Colby
Feed Zone Colby
Dicing it out with J. Marshall Thomson.
Bootpackin'
Finish Line Chit Chat
1st Place ~ Jon Gaston
2nd Place ~ Scott Simmons
3rd Place ~ J. Marshall Thomson
Why didn't you get first Dad?
Women's Results
1st Place ~ Lyndsey Plant
2nd Place ~ Jessie Young
3rd Place ~ Nikki LaRochelle
Thanks to Elk Mountain Events and Scarpa/Trab! Congrats to all who raced!
Photo Credits:
Quinn Simmons
Kirk Haskell
Kevin Krill
