March 9th Updates: Eload XC Ottawa Race Notice - Come Try a Duathlon! - March 10th, 2007
By:  Team XCOttawa   (2007/03/09)

Updates!

March 9th Updates..

We encourage everyone to enter on-line. Online registration will close Friday March 9 at 4:00 PM.

Confirmation List.

Trail Conditions: If you haven't skied at Nakkertok lately you are in for a treat! Everything is mid-winter perfect so get out the good racing skis.

Waxing Suggestion: Waxing shouldn't be too tricky tomorrow morning. Spoke too soon!  We'd suggest Vauhti Carrot as a good starting point for grip but you may need Violet or Pink as it is supposed to warm-up a for the later categories.  For glide, Vauhti Speed Violet will probably do the trick.

Course Maps: The course descriptions are below, and maps are coming soon! They will be posted at the race site in the morning as well. Pay attention to the lapping and exchange areas.

March 8th Updates..

Due to overwhelming requests from many people, we have decided to change the courses to allow younger categories to also do a duathlon.

So PLEASE note the course changes per category below, and PREPARE your skis accordingly!! For the younger categories, this will mean doing a duathlon instead of a planned classic race, and for the youngest category, this is now a FREESTYLE race.

Marshals WILL be on the course directing you; however, pay attention to the instructions issued at the start of the race.

Weather forecast is for the possibility of rain, so be prepared!

• There is some confusion about our categories for Atom/Pee-wee/Midget, they will be corrected shortly and we will double check with every parent on race morning to make sure the kids get in the right race.
• Confirmation List is now on-line.

• We encourage everyone to enter online. Online registration will close Friday March 9 at 4:00 PM. We will still accept last-minute entries race morning, but there will be a $10 late fee ($15 total).
• Trail conditions at Nakkertok South are near perfect - it should be a great race!

On-line Registration is now open.

We are looking for volunteers, if you would like to help email - Tom@xcottawa.ca.

NOTE: Those who register for Midget and younger will ONLY do a classic race, and will do the 3k distance. Midgets are welcome to race up a category and do the 6k duathlon, but they will NOT receive NCD points for doing so.

The distances and categories are modified as follows...

XC Ottawa and Nakkertok will be hosting a race, sponsored by Eload energy drink, on March 10^th. The race format will be duathlon: there will be two continuous portions - one classic leg followed immediately by one skate leg. There will be a transition zone in between, where you exchange your skis and poles.

Duathlon is a relatively new format on the World Cup circuit, but because it's a bit complicated to set up, it is rarely tried in domestic races. Come on out and try it!!! Don't worry if you don't have the special "duathlon" boots - no-one else does either! The best gear to use is skating boots - it makes the classic feel a little bit funny, but it's easily manageable.

Type: Duathlon, Mass Start by Wave. This is an NCD points race.

How a duathlon works: You prepare classic skis and skate skis. Before you start the race, you lay your skate skis and poles in a specially marked "box" for your bib number. You start the race classic; once you are finished the classic portion, you enter the stadium, go to your box where your skis are, and switch gear; the classic gear must stay in the box your skate gear was in. You then finish the race in the skating technique. Still confused? Don't worry - it'll all be clear when you get there.

Location: Nakkertok Nordic Centre (Nakkertok South - directions and maps at http://www.nakkertok.ca/en/roadmap.htm)

Start time: 10:00 am, will start with the youngest categories. Waves will start by category.

Course: There is a classic course and a skate course; they have some overlap. Mass start Classic out of Stadium and straight up Charon Chute. Then down Dave's (trail 10), right onto the Lower Loop, and around that loop for the classic. (6, 10 and 1.) Skate will be Powerline, McCarthy, Sunrise, Ice Storm, Dirk's Dive, then a 180 degree turn just at Charron Junction, then finish with the Jackrabbit Loop into the Stadium. Each loop is approximately 3k; all categories will do one loop of each for a total of 6k, with the exception of Open Men, who will do two loops each for a total of 12k.

NOTE: Those who register for Midget and younger will ONLY do a classic race, and will do the 3k distance. However, Midgets are welcome to race up a category and do the 6k.

Pre-Race Day Registration: On-Line Registration will be available after March 1^st at
www.xcottawa.ca. Resigration closes Friday, March 9, at 4:00 PM. Please try to register online. Payment and waiver signing will still happen race-day morning, but please try and register on-line in advance to make our lives easier (and more organized than last year).

Race Day Registration, payment, waiver signage, and Bib Pickup: Registration will open at 8:30 and close at 9:30. There will be a $10 late fee for race-day registration. Pre-registered skiers need to sign the waiver and pay entry fee at the race-site.

Entry fee: $5 per person before race-day or at the site (proceeds to Nakkertok Nordic Centre). (Plus $10 late fee if you register on race day). You WILL be asked to sign a waiver at the registration. This race is open to everyone who wants to participate.

Prizes: Yes, from our sponsors, including eLoad sport drink and eMend recovery drink.

Distances: