“It seems like all you need to do to make it snow in the WoodRiverValley is run a classic cross-country race. Who knew!” said Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation head coach Rick Kapala about Saturday’s annual Christmas Classic Nordic event.
A total 82 skiers were greeted with really good classic ski conditions—cold and fresh snow. Kapala said, “Thanks as always to the Blaine County Recreation District for its amazing efforts at getting the Lake Creek race venue in shape after the big Christmas snowfall.”
There was a good mix of young and older and new and more experienced skiers at Lake Creek Saturday.
Dominating the women’s 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) event were three skiers tuning up for next week’s U.S. Nordic Senior National Championships at Anchorage, Ak. Women’s 5k winner Morgan Arritola (15:19) was followed by Alexa Turzian (16:53) and Mali Noyes (16:57).
Hometown boys leading the 10k men were winner Mike Sinnott (27:40) and Reid Pletcher (27:45), who was home from his first semester skiing for the University of Colorado. SVSEF J1 junior Max Durtschi (28:32) skied to the bronze.
Snowmaker arrives at Prairie Creek Saturday, Jan. 3
The next local Nordic race is the Snowmaker Classic on Saturday, Jan. 3 at Prairie Creek north of Ketchum in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. It is sponsored by The Elephants Perch of Ketchum.
Registration at the race site is from 9-10.30 a.m. with the race start at 11 a.m. Distances are 2k for kids, and 7.5 or 15km for juniors and adults. Call the Perch at 726-3497.