For the week of December 19 - 25, 2001

Thunder Springs Sprint Series begins

Today at Bigwood

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Cross-country sprint racing is becoming more and more popular, according to Sun Valley Junior Nordic ski team coach Rick Kapala.

Well-known international Nordic competitor Alison Kiesel of Ketchum agrees. "Sprint racing is fast and furious. And now it’s an Olympic event."

Fueled by Bigwood Bread, the 2001-02 Thunder Springs Sprint Series of racing is a way to capitalize on the new trend in the world of Nordic racing.

Kapala said, "The Thunder Springs Sprint Series is a way of introducing skiers to sprint racing, which is becoming a big thing in international racing."

Kiesel and Kapala are co-organizers of the winter series of three monthly races, open to all male and female citizen racers. It begins today, Wednesday, on the Bigwood Golf Course trails, just down the slope from Thunder Springs.

"This is the first time we’ve done it in our town," Kiesel said. "It’s an easy course, anybody can do it."

Kapala said, "You can show up anytime between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to put in your preliminary time on the course, which will measure about 800 meters, a little less than 1k."

Based on their preliminary times, skiers will be seeded into semi-final heats. The finals at 6 p.m. will match the fastest two skiers. "And we’re lighting the course, too. It should be fun to watch," Kiesel said.

Entry fee will be $10 per skier, paid at registration. Be sure to park at the Ketchum Park & Ride and walk up to the course, Kiesel said.

The other Wednesday afternoon sprints are scheduled for Jan. 16 and Feb. 20.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.