SuperTour ski races canceled; Madison Winter Festival downsized due to protests

JGreggFebruary 19, 2011

Yuriy Gusev had worked hard on this event.  Here is a local article from the Journal Sentinel discribing the unfortunate situation. 

By Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel

Feb. 18, 2011

A stripped-down version of the Madison Winter Festival will match up with the Hoofers Winter Carnival on the UW-Madison Memorial Union Terrace Friday night, but much of the festival has been lost to the protests on the Capitol Square.  The only event salvaged from the Winter Fest melt-down will be the Jeep Downtown Throwdown, a snowboard rail jam competition.  Organizers had expected 40,000 to 60,000 competitors and spectators for the 7th annual Winter Festival, expanded to include a 5K run, a cyclo-cross-style bike race, sledding, skating and other winter activities.

The thaw wasn’t a problem. Organizers had 90 truckloads of snow ready to spread around the Capitol Square to create the 1/2-kilometer race course for elite and amateur cross-country skiers.

Authorities pulled the permits, however, because of the ongoing protests over a budget repair bill that would strip collective bargaining rights from public workers. Tens of thousands have surrounded the capitol for much of the week and more demonstrations are expected on Saturday.

“State and city pulled away our permit so we cannot have any events this weekend on the square,” said Yuriy Gusev, founder and director of the Winter Festival. ”We might have some events at the other location but all races are canceled.

“It was a long day and we looked in every possible option but unfortunately not much we can do about it.”
 
Gusev confirmed Friday afternoon that no races would be held at Elver Park, as reported by other media sources.



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