Preparations Underway at Backup Sites in the Event No Natural Snow is Available
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Tour de Twin Cities host organizations, the SISU Foundation (SISU) and City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation (COLNSF), today announced that they have begun preparations in the event there is not enough natural snow to host the races as planned.
Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis is the host venue for the first weekend of skiing and for the mid-week sprint race. The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board recently completed a 2.5km man-made loop at Wirth Park, and, if forecasts hold, is planning to start blowing snow for additional .8km, making for a total of 3.3km. The organizing committee from the SISU Foundation, responsible for the final two races to be held at Battle Creek has secured a back up venue at Green Acres Recreation in Lake Elmo. The races would be run on their 3km man-made loop.
“Mother Nature is making it tough, but thanks to the staff at Green Acres and Theodore Wirth, the races will be a go,” said Ben Popp, Executive Director of the SISU Foundation. “While Battle Creek has no snowmaking, we have a great option in Green Acres. Not only is it just 10 minutes from Battle Creek, the original venue, but the 3km man-made loop will be a great competition course.”
A final decision on the location of the St. Paul events will be made the week of competition. Registered participants will be updated via email as well as posted announcements on the race website, www.tourdetwincities.com.
“The organizing committees have done an amazing job to ensure the inaugural tour will be a success,” says John Munger, Executive Director of COLNSF. “After this generally dry winter and then two 50 degree days, the Wirth snow is dirty and there are thin spots on the current 2.5km loop, but we are planning to shovel once the snow guns are fired up; we need the additional man-made snow just to have something to shovel . . . But regardless of the warm and dry weather, we expect the venues to be ready and the Tour to be a quality race experience for the participants.”
For additional information including event schedules and registration for the TdTC visit: www.tourdetwincities.com
About Sisu Foundation
Based in St. Paul, Minn., the Sisu Foundation is dedicated to the development, support and promotion of Nordic Skiing and other outdoor silent sports. Through coaching, events, sponsorship and support, Sisu provides participants of all levels with the opportunity to grow and succeed. To learn more about the Sisu Foundation, visit: www.sisuskiers.org , or call 651.964.8442.
About City of Lakes Loppet Foundation
The City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation is a 501c(3)non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and support cross country skiing in the Minneapolis area – especially among inner-city youth. The Foundation has three focus areas: youth programming, events and trails
