Yes, it was cold . . but some thermometer reached the magical minus 20 mark and the races were a go, with only a half hour delay. The Ski Barn was overflowing with racers, volunteers, and parents, and I tried to picture how this event unfolded not that long ago before the Ski Barn existed, and the smaller cabin Johannsenshus was the race headquarters. Yes Nakkertok has come a long way, with a stadium, new race courses, and bright yellow racing suits that are more often than not in the front pack of most races.
As Nakkertok typically does, the race organization was top notch from start to finish. The format was freestyle, with mass starts by category. The paranordic athletes left first, followed by the younger categories, with the open men and women finishing off the race day. Top 3 in each category were awarded ceramic medals crafted by a local potter.
XC Ottawa athletes had a good day, and an opportunity to refine the art of dressing for cold races. Karl's warrior-style taped face looked the most vicious, and hopefully he didn't scare off too many little kids. My new strategy was placing a headband over my nose and cheeks so I wouldn't fog up my glasses. It sort of worked. . .
Karl won the open men's 15km event, followed by Aidan Lennie (Nakkertok), with XC Ottawa's Justin Demers in 3rd. Megan won the open women's event, with Sheila in second, followed by the talented Michelle Workrun-Hill (Nakkertok).
Check out results for other Nakkertok Invitational categories here.
And for pictures, check Jo-Ann Holden's Musician on Skis: Race photos are here, here, here, and here (4 sets: paraskiiers, then youngest to oldest). Now she should get medal for taking such great pictures in the cold!
All in all, the race was a great tune-up for the Eastern Canadian Championships to be held on Gatineau Park trails next weekend, hosted by Club Skinouk.
Here are some pictures of the team taken by Jo-Ann.
Sheila
Karl
Justin
Megan
Megan, Sheila, and Michelle
Wayne Dustin
Craig & Gilles Berubé
Karl
As Nakkertok typically does, the race organization was top notch from start to finish. The format was freestyle, with mass starts by category. The paranordic athletes left first, followed by the younger categories, with the open men and women finishing off the race day. Top 3 in each category were awarded ceramic medals crafted by a local potter.
XC Ottawa athletes had a good day, and an opportunity to refine the art of dressing for cold races. Karl's warrior-style taped face looked the most vicious, and hopefully he didn't scare off too many little kids. My new strategy was placing a headband over my nose and cheeks so I wouldn't fog up my glasses. It sort of worked. . .
Karl won the open men's 15km event, followed by Aidan Lennie (Nakkertok), with XC Ottawa's Justin Demers in 3rd. Megan won the open women's event, with Sheila in second, followed by the talented Michelle Workrun-Hill (Nakkertok).
Check out results for other Nakkertok Invitational categories here.
And for pictures, check Jo-Ann Holden's Musician on Skis: Race photos are here, here, here, and here (4 sets: paraskiiers, then youngest to oldest). Now she should get medal for taking such great pictures in the cold!
All in all, the race was a great tune-up for the Eastern Canadian Championships to be held on Gatineau Park trails next weekend, hosted by Club Skinouk.
Here are some pictures of the team taken by Jo-Ann.
Sheila
Karl
Justin
Megan
Megan, Sheila, and Michelle
Wayne Dustin
Craig & Gilles Berubé
Karl
Interesting Reading. . .
"Heat Recovery Formula!"