Jay Richards

Trying to stick a 180 on the jibskates. After about 6 times, I finally clean landed on the last on (reverse tele) Giff came out last night and we goofed around for a couple of hours until 11pm. I was ready to crash before he came but he was heading back to college today so I just had to do it. This was the first time I really put the skis to the test. The skis are twin tipped which is main feature of the ski. I was using Jake's (this is what I do when the kids and wife are in bed!!HA!) and his are 151cm. Giff was using mine and they are 161. They make a 171 as well but those weren't available when I ordered them. We hit this little kicker most of the time then we did some floating 360's on Suicide Hill. In between we were skating on skaters waltz and I was amazed how well they glided. (Jake did a nice job waxing them.) On the way back we cut over to that one section of singletrack that is used in the bike race that has a platform with a log drop. We packed down the snow before it but it didn't have enough time to set up so we couldn't get enough speed. I just went off once before we went back around the lodge and jumped and goofed around the buildings. The skis were a lot better then I expected and look forward to getting on them again. I found this pile of snow that will work as a great jump the south end of the lodge. There is a natural landing that should work nicely. They are designed for terrain parks but to me it will be more fun doing the natural stuff.

Earlier in the day I was at Spidahls for the ski meet. I posted a bunch of photos on skinnyski. It was a great day for a meet. I talked to Wynn a bit and got the run down on his season (he's ranked #1 in the state right now for boys Nordic) Jake got third again for the third time this year (jr high races). Afterwards we skied the varsity course.

Monday I took Jon and one of his friends along with my Dad to the Wild game. We were right behind the net. First Wild game I have seen. Was a pretty good game. The drive home was brutal. We got home about 2am. I don't like pushing it like that but made it home safely. Whew!

Jonell got her skis today. She was pretty excited. Jake will wax them up and hopefully tomorrow she can get on them. Jake likes to wax skis which is a nice thing. I don't like to wax skis so now I can have him wax mine.

Jens went sledding earlier today and blazed a trail, which in Canadian, means, he crashed. The glitch is he crashed on his face and Jonell had scheduled pictures for him. Before supper we all went sledding and just a perfect conditions for sledding. Jack was catching some nice air. This whole winter so far has been just unreal. I know the cities is a bit in the hurt bag which is a bummer but thankfully we have had some good snow and skiing has been great.

I know some guys are liking the weather and getting the miles in. Good. I thought maybe I would start riding the trainer here and there but I just can't get motivated to do that when I could go skiing.

Regarding racing this year. I hope to do the COL and Mora and possibly Bemidji. Birkie is out since we have a wedding going on that weekend. Won't get the chance to race against T-Brown and Ned Overend again. They both raced last year and I am proud to say I beat them both!! I love the racing part of the Birkie but the mad drive over, the logistics of getting to the start and back to the car afterwards is one big headache. Mora has a great atmosphere and the community is fantastic.

Boy, this got long. Back to grooming tomorrow. Three days away. First time this year but I wanted to keep the snow fresh, and the skiing was great as is, but know I can work the fresh on top and the trails will be in top form for the MLK weekend.