Crisp temperatures and scenic Yellowstone trails brought 547 cross-country skiers including 34 from the Wood River Valley to West Yellowstone, Mt. Saturday, March 7 for the 30th annual Yellowstone Rendezvous races at four distances.
Wood River Nordic skiers did particularly well earning 25 podiums. There were 11 gold medals in age classes, five silvers and nine bronzes for third place during the American Ski Marathon Series event.
Gold medalists in the 50-kilometer (31-mile) race were Jon Engen, 51, with a fourth-place overall and a victory in the Men's 50-54 class in 2.30:59, and Muffy Ritz, 51, with a 30th place overall and fifth among women. Ritz won the Women's 50-54 age class in 2.50:41.
Kris Thoreson, 51, was 22nd of 147 finishers at the long distance in 2.48:21, third in 50-54.
Racing among skiers anywhere from 17-41 years younger in the 25k classic race, ageless Del Pletcher, Bob Rosso and Rick Knoebel cracked the top 10 out of 95 finishers. Pletcher, Knoebel, Mike Wolter, Gabriele Andersen and Charley French all won classic gold.
Hailey's Jim Santa finished sixth overall of 141 finishers in the 25k skate race, and Heidi Ward Watanabe won the women's 25k skate, in 10th place of all skiers. More gold at the 25k skate distance went to Andy Andrews and Katherine Sheldon.
In all, there were 547 starters and 490 finishers. Results by race for WRV racers:
50k freestyle: 1—Michael Brothers, 36, of Monument, Colo. 2.30:04. 4—Jon Engen, 51, 2.30:59 (1st 50-54). 22—Kris Thoreson, 51, 2.48:21 (3rd 50-54). 30—Muffy Ritz, 51, 2.50:41 (5th female, 1st 50-54). 48—Jim McClatchy, 56, 2.57:01 (3rd 55-59). 59—Jon Holmquist, 55, 3.02:35 (5th 55-59). 61—Kelly Allison, 47, 3.03:20 (10th female, 2nd 45-49). 76—Tricia Swartling, 43, 3.10:18 (3rd 40-44). 89—Anne Marie Gardner, 45, 3.17:01 (4th 45-49)—147 finishers.
25k classic: 1—Chad Andersen, 34, of Bozeman, Mt. 1.28:14. 5—Del Pletcher, 64, 1.33:57 (1st 60-64). 7—Bob Rosso, 61, 1.34:37 (2nd 60-64). 9—Rick Knoebel, 55, 1.37:45 (1st 55-59). 12—Mike Wolter, 43, 1.39:14 (1st 40-44). 20—Gabriele Andersen, 63, 1.43:34 (2nd female, 1st 60-64). 28—Michael Dunham, 59, 1.45:46 (4th 55-59). 33—Susan Thoreson, 47, 1.49:15 (5th female, 3rd 45-49). 38—Jeff Ford, 43, 1.52:20 (3rd 40-44). 50—Dick Andersen, 61, 1.58:12 (3rd 60-64). 72—Joni Cashman, 54, 2.14:21 (3rd 50-54). 75—Charley French, 82, 2.17:07 (1st 80-84). 82—Karen Simpson, 57, 2.30:09 (3rd 55-59). 91—Francette Labatut, 55, 2.54:33 (5th 55-59)—95 finishers.
25k freestyle: 1—Jon Filardo, 29, of Victor 1.14:03. 6—Jim Santa, 48, 1.21:37 (1st 45-49). 10—Heidi Ward Watanabe, 45, 1.24:47 (1st female, 1st 45-49). 12—John Tormey, 42, 1.25:54 (3rd 40-44). 14—John Seiller, 42, 1.26:12 (4th 40-44). 19—Andy Andrews, 67, 1.26:46 (1st 65-69). 22—Jeffrey Roth, 43, 1.28:29 (6th 40-44). 46—Darlene Young, 49, 1.36:42 (7th female, 2nd 45-49). 48—Bob Closser, 53, 1.36:51 (5th 50-54). 60—Katherine Sheldon, 51, 1.39:53 (13th female, 1st 50-54). 72—Matt Gervase, 59, 1.42:57 (4th 55-59). 77—Peter Maier, 68, 1.43:34 (3rd 65-69). 91—Carol Rank, 51, 1.48:34 (2nd 50-54). 101—Nathan Fierman, 61, 1.50:54 (9th 60-64)—141 finishers.
10k freestyle: 1—Lander Karath, 17, of Bozeman 33:56. 22—Sam East, 68, 48:46 (2nd 65-69)—62 finishers.
