5th Annual Desert Orthopedics Great Nordeen- Bend, Oregon
The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation will host the 5th Annual Desert Orthopedics Great Nordeen on January 20, 2007. Grab your registration form at the MBSEF office, local sports shops or online at www.GreatNordeen.com. Online registration closes on Jan 18th. Volunteers are needed for the event and will receive an Alpine day pass or 2 Nordic Day passes for their assistance. To volunteer contact Knut Joslin at 541-317-8202.
This 36 km freestyle cross country ski race was established in 2002 to honor the accomplishments of local ski pioneer Emil Nordeen, who won numerous major Oregon ski races in the 1930s and 1940s. This race has since grown into the premier Nordic ski event in the Pacific Northwest. Sponsors for this year’s event include Bend Bike N Sport, Rebound Physical Therapy, Clear 101.7 FM, Mount Bachelor Village Resort, and Mt. Bachelor. The event is a fundraiser for the MBSEF Nordic department, which supports race-training programs for junior and youth skiers.
Starting at Mt. Bachelor’s Sunrise Lodge at 9:30 a.m., the course descends gradually through scenic woodlands and finishes at the Wanoga Sno-Park. According to MBSEF Nordic Director Ben Husaby, “The manageable terrain and beautiful course makes this a race that everyone can enjoy.†Husaby also notes that the Moon Country Snowmobile Club and Mt. Bachelor play a large part in the success of the event by meticulously preparing the once-a-year course. Information regarding the event’s impact on local snowmobile trails will be posted at local Sno Parks and published a week prior to the event.
A post race banquet is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Bend Armory where top competitors will receive $1,000 in cash prizes and over $1,500 will be awarded in raffle prizes. Awards will go to overall and age class winners. The banquet will feature live entertainment, Deschutes Brewery beer and Pepsi products. Banquet Director, Molly Cogswell-Kelley says, “This is a fun opportunity to get to know the other racers and relive the day’s events. You won’t want to miss it!†Passes for the banquet are $5 for racers and guests pay $15. Tickets are available at the door.
No day of race registration will be available. Please contact the MBSEF office at 541-388-0002 or Nordic@mbsef.org with any questions.
