In his first skate race, Kaleb Berka powers up the hill, in spite of the soft snow, to finish in the top third of the Junior High boys’ race. Photo courtesy of Jeanne Wright
As the nordic ski team gathered Friday morning, January 24 at 6:30 a.m., gently falling snowflakes muffled the sounds of Grand Marais as it slowly awakened. Quiet, but there was excitement in the air as the skiers worked to fit all their warm clothes, gear and skis into the van. Not much wiggle room, but five members of the nordic ski team, squeezed in and began the 2 ½ hour journey to their first skate race of the season.
When conditions are right, skating can feel like flying; and watching an accomplished skate skier, it looks like ballet on skis – graceful and effortless. But looks can be deceiving. Skate skiing is a challenging workout, and with fresh snow falling, the course was bound to feel like skiing through mashed potatoes, at times.
Over 350 athletes from 10 schools, met at the Snowflake Ski Center for the Duluth East Invite. Over 20 skiers, from our Cook County/Two Harbors combined team, warmed up on the twisting trails with the race beginning promptly at 11 a.m. Music played, people chatted, athletes kept moving to stay warm as they waited their turn to start.
On the last downhill before the finish where other racers have fallen, Naomi Tracy-Hegg steadies herself and carefully navigates through the rough conditions. Photo courtesy of Becky Bartol
Danny Berka was first out of the gates for our Cook County skiers. Fast and furious with hair flying, Danny skied to a 5th place finish, leaving 18 Junior Varsity boys behind. Cece Chmelik, Cook County’s Co-Captain, felt good about her race. She skied confidently and finished the 5 km in 25 minutes flat for 23rd place in the Junior Varsity girls’ division.
The results were equally impressive for Junior High Cook County skiers. Kaleb Berka, Naomi Tracy-Hegg and Olya Wright showed great determination as they powered up the ½ km-long hill that greets the skiers right out of the starting gate. Kaleb skied his first skate race and placed 18th from a field of 60 Junior High boys with a time of 14:25.5. Out of 63 girls in the Junior High division, Olya crossed the finish line in 11th place (14:02.3), and Naomi finished 40th with a time of 16:28.6. This was their first skate race as well.
After cheering on their teammates, taking advantage of an impromptu ski jump, and the awards ceremony, the team headed home looking forward to their next meet, the Ely Timberwolves Pursuit Invitational, on Saturday, February 1 at Hidden Valley Trails.
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