Jay Richards

Today we hosted the DL Invitational. Usually we do this the first week of January but we are just about full on the rezes that coming week in January so we switched with Bemidji. A good turnout with teams from Brainerd, Bemidge, Little Falls, Long Prairie, Fergus Falls, Deer River, Detroit Lakes and Ellefeson Northwest, of course.
Temp stayed below 30 in the 28 degree range with overcast and that funky haze. Skate course was just about perfect and tracks were pretty tight early on but got a bit cheezed out later from the warmer temps and the fact we ran the JV and Jr High on the same course.

2007 definitely goes down as quite the year for events and generally weather with it. Started out the year with the DL invite, not the best of conditions but skiable. Then we did the Bemidji Pursuit races. Conditions bit better, had to shovel a ton of snow to press a classic track. Then we did a Alex meet and a preview for Sections. Bit more snow for Sections and great ski conditions but cold temps. More snow the week before Lotvola Cup and perfect conditions for Lotvola Cup. Soon as the snow melted and frost went out, we geared up for the May UCI race. Weather held for the weekend and was great riding. Next event was Laddies Loppet and the MNSCS and a another great weekend with real nice weather. Pumpkin Run was next in October with frost in the morning but sunny skies and light winds making for a great day. Snow came early December, conditions great for Ski Camp race and then today finishes out the year, thats what, nine events!! Whew. Thanks to everyone who supported any of the events and Bruce and skinnyski for posting all the results and photos. One individual participated in all these events except for that Alex invite so I started award. I gave Lars a hat and started the Lars Ellefson award. Lars was game on today and just drilled it. He was flying out there taking the overall win.



Jake had a good race finishing 12th. A little mixup on a turn for some skiers so he maybe gained a spot or two from that but for a 8th grader, nicely done.


Lars flying up Suicide Hill. Counting the hill workouts, this past year I am sure the times up by bike, skis or running have to number at least a 100.
Wynn Roberts came to watch. He had these funky weights on his legs he was skiing with. Wynn has already been named to the World Jr team for biathlon so he is pumped about that. Three and a half weeks in West Yellow and one week in Canada has been his ski season so far. Nice.