Showing his stamina and skill, Danny Berka raced to a 12th place finish in the Junior Varsity Boys Race at Korkki Nordic. Photo courtesy of Baylee Johnson
The Two Harbors Nordic Ski Team hosted its invite on the beautiful, classic Korkki trails off of Homestead Road near Duluth last Tuesday. Our Cook County skiers enjoyed skiing new trails as well as showing improved technique and endurance. Joining in the fun and sporting retro ski apparel, everyone was in good spirits.
The trails were freshly groomed after a significant snowfall the night before. Unlike earlier meets, the participants were unable to ski the course beforehand.
First out for the Two Harbors/ Cook County team were the varsity boys with two skiers from Two Harbors participating. Ian Thorpe was the top finisher from TH/CC at number 42 out of 49 skiers. Jasper Johnson from Ely won the top varsity boys’ spot.
Out next were three varsity girls from Two Harbors. Eleventh-grader Cedar Gordon was the first in for the TH/CC team and placed 33rd out of 57 participants. Senior Clara Kramer from Duluth East claimed the top spot for the varsity girls.
The Korkki recreation area offers a unique experience for the skiers, as there is only a single track through narrow, wooded trails. Skiers have to look for good opportunities to pass their competition.
Danny Berka (CC) skied a 6K course for the JV boys. Passing another skier at the finish line, Danny placed 12th in 27:46.3 for the TH/CC team. Smiling, he said he had more energy and performed better than in his last race. Sophomore Cecilia Chmelik was the lone TH/CC skier for the JV girls. CeCe also skied a 6K course and showed her consistency as a racer. Despite slower conditions and a longer course than at the last meet, she maintained her number 42 spot with a time of 35:21.5.
Seventh-grader Kaleb Berka was our only TH/CC skier for the junior high boys. Skiers lined up to start every 10 seconds. Kaleb (CC) was ready to go for his 4K race. He passed several skiers along the way to complete a good performance and placed 20th out of 64 racers. Kaleb’s time was a very fine, 19:16.6.
The final race of the day belonged to the junior high girls who also skied the 4K course. Three Cook County skiers joined five Two Harbors’ teammates in this largest field of the day at 82 skiers. Olya Wright had a great race placing 6th for the top finish on the TH/CC team! Passing a competitor at the bottom of the last incline, she still had lots of steam for the finish. Olya crossed the line with a time of 18:52.1.
Martine Redshaw was in next for Cook County at number 21. Martine maintained her composure until the end passing between two skiers, one starting and one finishing, for an exciting finish in 20:28.2. Naomi Tracy-Hegg, another seventh grader on our team, skied her first-ever race at this event. Naomi was all smiles both coming and going and placed 61st with a time of 23:50.1.
Top team awards went to Ely for boys’ varsity and to the Duluth East girls’ team.
Congratulations to all the TH/CC skiers at the Korkki invite for your good humor, team spirit, and marked improvement!
The Cook County Invite, scheduled for January 18, was canceled because of the 18 plus inches of new snow from a winter storm. Thank you to parents, volunteers and groomers for the race preparations. We look forward to hosting a race next year. The next race for the TH/CC team will be in Duluth at Snowflake Nordic Ski Center January 24.
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