This is actually Taylor, I had to post from Paul’s account because Marshall deleted mine. I have to confess that this is my first ever blog post (which is why Marshall deleted my blog account). I usually don’t write blogs because I always assume that some one else will, and that they probably have something more interesting to say. However, considering that I was the only XC Oregon skier at this race there is nobody else to pass the buck to.

Saturday was the 31st running of the Gatineau Loppet (formerly called the Keskinada – why they changed the name is beyond me). The “real” race is the 53km skate race, held on Sunday; I however, opted for the 53km classic held the day before.
It had been warm and raining in the few days preceding the race, so the course was hard and fast. The organizers opted to change the course and cut out several sections that run through narrow, windy, wooded trails, as they thought the conditions were dangerously fast. Needless to say, I was excited to hear how fast the course was going to be. The race loops around Gatineau Park is on a variety of summer roads and contains lots of gradual climbing, kick double pole-grade ascents and long fast descents. My kind of race!

After a nice drive through Upstate New York – I saw more than one horse and buggy on the road – and a massive GPS-induced detour (I nearly threw it out the window and ran over it with my car) I got the venue to late to ski, but got a chance to check out the conditions in the stadium. It was definitely going to be klister, but what flavor was beyond me at that point.

Race morning proved to be cold (10F) but beautiful and sunny. After a little bit of testing I settled on a mix of KR40 and Silver Universal over Chola. And considering that I have never really had to go it alone for klister conditions, I am pretty proud of the fact that I had fast skis and bomber kick the entire race, I don’t think that I slipped once all day.

The race start was a little hectic; they start the first wave of 53km and 29km skiers together so there are lots of people fighting over the tracks. About 600 meters into the race I saw the woman who won last year go down in a tangle of skiers. She managed to catch back up to me around 15km and I skied about 100 meters behind her for a while. I caught her near the 20km mark, but decided that I didn’t really want to play games with her for the next 35km, so I took a ride from the next guy to pass us and skied away from her. That was pretty much it. Probably not a very fun race to watch but it was a blast to ski.

After 53km of uneventful racing, I did however, managed to eat in the ice skating rink of a parking lot, on my way into the awards. I ripped open my finger and dropped my delicious ginger ale into a puddle (this was far more upsetting than bleeding) and then had to assure a nice old man who witness my moment of grace, that I was indeed not hurt, just embarrassed.

Off to the Birke tomorrow, here’s hoping that I feel as good I felt last weekend!

A little stealth waxing in the hotel

As some of you probably heard, Brayton, Evelyn and I got the chance to race in Europe again this winter. I opted to skip the Birkie, getting another weekend of racing in here in Europe. But that means I’ve been traveling alone in a non-English speaking country, definitely a first for me. Of course in Switzerland, everyone is friendly and many speak English anyway. And even if they don’t, they’re very used to tourists, making a mess of German. (more…)

We woke to find a perfect sunny day on Saturday… not the 2-4 inches on top of transformed that was threatening. We all rolled to the start line hip hop on the radio making us all recall our highschool dances and first cars, Nelly shouts “eeya eeya, uh oh!” and we all join in as back up singers.

Rolling up to Galena, you can smell the lodge, and all that are crammed inside, waiting for it to warm up enough to go see if the meadow is sunny. From here we all separate, but all going to one place. 

The start line is set, all the elite are in their lanes, little flags telling them where to stand, and as if on cue, the tension is broken by, ” Evelyn Dong, to the starting area, Evelyn Dong, 2 minutes to start.” and we are no longer staring in the snow with blank gazes, we are all stretching to see the little pink haired-johnny-cash-all-in-black-energizer-bunny run to the start, having been detained by a whardrobe malfunction. Today is going to be great!

I wish I had had the form that I was willing to be there, I just did not, but Marshall, he did, Evelyn, she sure did. And then there were the kids in sequins, THEY really had it in them. Katie, Hailey, Tara, they were on it! 

(I got the full scoop on the mens race, so Ev, you may have to fill in here a bit on the ladies.)

In the last 5 KM, Marshall Greene (Alpina, Madshus, XCOregon) Zack Simons (Rossignol), Mikey Sinnott (Salomon), Billy Demong (Atomic), Bryan Fletcher, Aunders Haugen, and Carl Swensen, all were flying in, unknown to Greene, Zack and Billy were working together, to try to break down Mikey, and it was wearing on the pack. Demong takes a flyer and shakes things up, Simons and Greene are tucked in, Sinnott takes a beating, the final k’s fall off, and the pack is shattered, as is Demong, Simons digs, goes for the line, lets off and looks right, Greene and all his power is there, Simons lunges, Greene follows, toes parallel, tips lined up….. It is over!

In the end, after reviewing the tapes 5 times, officials rule that Simons is the victor, and Greene is second. All in all a great race!

just chillin, cuz its easy like sunday mornin...

Way to go Greene Machine! (Donger too!

Sunday, we roll out of bed, a little tired, and a little sleep deprived, but ready to check out the nordic center, and do a little Extra Blue skiing. After and hour of solid classic skiing in the most amazing trail network, we all decide that it is time we moved to Sun Valley, and become significant othe

Paul, Tay, and Ev, kicking up Sidewinder

rs of “sugar-momma’s” (or daddies for Tay and Ev) and just be professional coffee drinkers, with skiing habits!

The Crew...

Mid Winter update:

The team is on the prowl. After having weeks of high pressure, and GREAT skiing, in Bend, we are all about to embark on a series of travels that will test our training and preparedness. 

Marshall is going to Europe for a month, Engadin Ski Marathon, Europa  cups, great food, the scenery, man life is tough.

Brayton is back east racing and seeing the fam, before he embarks over the pond, to meet up with Marshall.

Sara Max is actually already over there, racing some very prestigious marathons, and just generally having a good time.

Felice, too is in Europe, racing her brains out, and scoping locations for her upcoming travels this summer with her new job.

Evelyn, Zach, Paul, Taylor, Wes, Stephanie and Jason, are sitting tight, prepping for the next bit of regional races, like the Boulder Mt Tour, and Great Ski Race, as well as some local races like the Diamond Lakes John Day Race.

I have been bugging Marshall for the past few months to give me a blog password, not really sure what the draw is, probably the same that draws me into spending hours on FaceBook, and feeling the need to check the email every few hours. I guess Marshall probably didn't want to give JD a heart attack, because JD, (I think) believes I, like Special Viloett, am a liability and a loose cannon... eh, hm, well.... CANNON BALL! (And now seems like a great time, since JD is in Europe!)