Today concluded the Tour de Twin Cities a series of 5 Super Tour races right out our back door. Three races were contested at Wirth which really is right out our back door. On a good snow year it is faster to ski to the venue than it is to drive from our house to the race trails at Wirth. The final two races were held just 30 minutes across town at Green Acres Park.
One joy I have in ski racing is getting to know my competitors. As a Minneapolis native Caitlin and I really took the initiative to welcome the skiers from out of A to the Twin Cities. A big thanks to the Handlers, Carters and Kuzzy’s for hosting skiers and to the many others who offered to host.
Leading the train in the 15km Freestyle Race at Wirth Park
Caitlin and I hosted my good friend Sam Naney in the basement of our little house. Sam and I grew up together in the Methow Valley and have been neck and neck in races since we first toed the line together as 10 year-olds. It has been fun to live and train with Sam these past weeks. My cooking skills haven’t grown much since my J3 years, but Sam has come in to his own as an excellent cook. Sam had some great races throughout this week culminating in his first Super Tour distance podium in today’s 20km Freestyle. Recently Sam has been known as a strong sprinter so it is cool to see him establishing his strengths as a distance racer as well. Nice work, buddy.
My first year as a Minneapolis resident worked out well and I started the series off with two solid 4th place races. Unfortunately I struggled in the latter races to match my performances from earlier in the week. I still felt good in the races, but didn’t have the snap to match the pace of some of the other guys. My desire to win is strong, but it is also good to see my friends do well. Congratulations in particular to Sam, Brent and Matt today.
Thank you to the organizers and volunteers for a great week of racing. It has been an exciting week and I am ready for bed and a day off. Check out this video of the crash at the start of Saturday’s 10k Classic race.
