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Written by Mark Strabel -Swix Racing Service
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 SKAGWAY, (AK)This ski race is on the list of �49 things to do in the 49th State�, although, the race is actually in British Columbia, and Yukon Territory, but the race is organized by Alaskans.
It started on a dark and wintery night in a bar (as all great races do!) in Skagway, Alaska, some 21 years ago. Several Skagwiegns wondered how they could bring beautiful, single women to Skagway in the winter. Flipping through a magazine, they came across a picture of an attractive woman cross-country skiing. They thought, why not have a cross-country ski race and invite women from around the area to ski and then have a great party afterwards. Well, after 21 years this race has not let down the town of Skagway. Racers come from all over the United States and Canada including several National Team members from both countries, Olympians, and World Cup Skiers, all the way to the people that have never been on skis before but want to have a great time.
The hardest part of this race isn�t the 50km, its how to get to Skagway. Although it�s a lot easier than during the gold rush days. For me it was 800 miles (one way) of open, snow covered, icy roads with caribou, moose and wolves crossing in front of me. Although this year, traffic was a little heavier than normally, I only counted 50 cars for 800 miles this year, where as last year it was only 10 cars. Along the way I also counted 14 moose, about 30 caribou, and a pack of wolves crossing the road. What else is there to do�.
200 miles down, only 600 to go today, somewhere in Alaska.
This year�s race was by far the best! The conditions were simply unbelievable. There was a base of about 30 feet of snow, with temps about 20F, what more could you ask for.
Hopefully there will be enough snow for the race.
The start area.
Start of the 50km
The main aid station
Adam Verrier, winner of the 50km, drinking the feed of choice for the over 21 crowd
My dad racing the 50km, guess what kind of wax he is using for his 7th place finish overall.
Don�t get Skunked!
There�s also a kids race too.
Put the 3rd Saturday of March on your calendar with the Buckwheat ski race
There is a reason that this race is one of the top 49 things to do in the 49th state, not only for the racing but the party afterwards and during the race. As the locals say � There is the right way, and there is a wrong way, but you can�t go wrong with the Skagway!�
For more pictures and race results check out www.skagwaynews.com
Thanks to: The Mountain Shop, Tim Bourcy, Buckwheat, and the Town of Skagway
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Demong, Newell honored with top USSA Awards |
 PARK CITY, Utah (May 18) - U.S. Ski Team World Championship medalist Bill Demong (Vermontville, NY), two-time Olympian and former U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Chairman Chuck Ferries, and the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club were among the top honorees in the USSA's annual awards recognition dinner May 17 at Deer Valley Resort in Park City during USSA Congress 2007.
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SKAGWAY, (AK)This ski race is on the list of �49 things to do in the 49th State�, although, the race is actually in British Columbia, and Yukon Territory, but the race is organized by Alaskans.
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Read more...
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Mammoth Marathon 2007: The Return of the King: Benes Defends his 2006 Title |
 In a long and arduous cross country ski racing season, there are always a few �bellwether� races that stand out throughout the winter, either because of their uniqueness, their popularity, or their place in the Far West Nordic schedule. The Snowshoe Thompson Classic at Auburn Ski Club is one, as the first �important� race in some of the various race series competitions (Fischer Cup, Masters Team, Junior Olympic qualifier, etc.) and as the first local Classic-style race. The Great Race and the Gold Rush always stand out as well, the former because of its overwhelming local popularity, the latter because of its national-caliber stature and 50 kilometer distance. The Mammoth Marathon has become one of those events, allowing local racers to �wrap up� the season in a beautifully scenic, slightly out-of-the-way race venue. Sure, there are a couple more races on the schedule, such as the popular Billy Dutton Uphill at Squaw Valley next Sunday, noted for its novelty and great cause (a major fundraiser for the local Junior Nordic teams). But as the ultimate wind-up of the regular Nordic season, the Mammoth Marathon�with its incredibly fun course, great volunteers and scrumptious post-race banquet�can�t be beat.
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Freeman, Mannix Repeat Titles |
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (April 1) - Kris Freeman (Andover, NH) and Taz Mannix (Anchorage, AK) each collected their second U.S. titles in 48 hours Sunday, winning the gold medal in the ski marathon - the men's 50K and women's 30K classic technique, mass-start races - as the U.S. Cross Country Championships concluded.
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Freeman, Mannix Win U.S. Pursuit Titles |
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (March 30) - Kris Freeman (Andover, NH) earned his third U.S. title of the season Friday - and his ninth overall - while Taz Mannix (Anchorage, AK) collected the first of her career in the pursuit races opening the last phase of the U.S. Cross Country Championships.
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