Jay Richards

A great day for racing at Camp Ripley for the Section 8 Nordic Championships. It was a bit cold but again, with the sun shining all good.



We met Jonell's dad at Wadena where he had stopped in Menagha on the way down and picked up a baker's dozen of monster cookies at the local bakery. Combined with the classic one liners, any nervousness in the car was edged off. Jonell's mom had a old family bell and had Maplelag painted on it and Jonell was ringing the bell nicely. We took Jon out of school so he could watch Jake.

I didn't catch any pictures of the classic race as Jake and I hit the course right upon arrival. I didn't know they had delayed the start so I didn't want to take pictures of just the boys in light of being fair so I waited for the skate race. Summer Ellefson on the downhill. Starting to come around after chicken pox earlier in the year. The Section 8 for girls probably have one of the strongest sections in the state.
Jake had probably one of his best classic races of the year and was fourth after the first race. Kick was right on and glide was good and benefited starting in front of Conrad Roberts who caught Jake about halfway through and then Jake stuck with him most of the way to the end. In the skate pursuit, Ethan Karpinnen of Grand Rapids caught him right away and set the pace and looked like he might pull away.
Jake stuck with him stride for stride though and kept Ethan in check. It was fun watching them ski together.

On the last climb, Jake went to the side....

...and put in a real nice attack to move back up to fourth. He held that and put about 5 seconds on Ethan and punch his ticket to state.
Every time I take pictures of Wesley Rogers of Bemidji, I get his hand covering his face. I felt bad for Wesley. He missed going to state by one spot. He is a SR. He might of made it if it hadn't been for his strap coming un done in the classice race.

Post race Dylan and Charlie talking to Jonell and Rodney. Dylan had a awesome classic race to put him in great position and basically he held it to also qualify for state. Jake and Dylan are the two youngest qualifiers. With the most of the remaining DL skiers in 7-9, the future looks really good. In a few years it is quite possible DL could be the top team which would be incredibly awesome.
The groomer at Ripley. Like most tillers, the actual tiller doesn't cover the entire deck so the edges leave a berm. With two passes, there is a berm on the side which made for interesting passing. Personally I don't like skiing on a powertilled surface and I haven't powertilled at Maplelag for 7 years. Sure, the deck is bomb proof but you don't always get that silky feel, imo It is more abrasive and draggy. I hate to complain about any grooming because I make goofs and mistake and like playing in a old rink or whatever, you get a bunch of hungry skiers and good sportmanship, that is nothing but good.


The photo above you can see this berm I am talking about and see a Ottertail skier playing it smart by double poling in the track to pass the skier in front of him. You can also see the doggy that was running on the course. What another fun day on snow!