Jay Richards

To blog post proper for the weekend, I would have to post a picture of everyone that walked through the door, even the folks that brought dogs. Its all the great people that either race, spectate, volunteer, take pictures, cook food, time the event etc. that make it happen. The list is huge for those to thank but special thanks to Steve Wenzel who organized a crew to take down the fencing post race, Tom and Lori Warner for stepping in here and there doing anything, Matt Johnson bringing up the MNSCS start chutes and columns, Kyia running the skills clinic and my most awesome wife who is simply amazing.

Jack did such an awesome job singing the star bangled banner two times. He was a bit nervous the second time, mainly with all the people but I told him to look up at old glory and pretend there was no one around.

Enjoyed the good conversation with John Sandberg. John pulls some throttle in the winter and didn't quite know what to think of the snowmobile signs. Good stuff.
H-Wood and K-Wood chilling Sat night with Grandma Mary sharing photos. When there is wood, its all good.
Jens racing Kids Comp. Jens had a great race winning his age group which was the largest class of all the races over the weekend and was fourth overall among all Kids Comp which was the largest Kids Comp this year according to head timer Greg Blasko. Jens has the late December birthday so still has a few months at age 6 before he officically is 7.

Having ridden a few laps with Jens, I know exactly where he got off his bike and got back on at Suicide Hill even though I didn't make it out there. Jens rode Jack's bike a few times but he does better on the single speed and smaller bike so that was his choice for race day. Jens would go out and ride laps on his own at times you would least expect so he had the course dialed for sure. Jens has bike handling skills that blow us all away in the fam, whether on the dirt jump track or singletrack.. and make us quiver.
Jake had solid races across the board. Told him that if he drilled it in the tt and st, that is as good as any training you can do as he does final tune up for Cheq. Jake was hoping to crack the ten minute barrier but that is ripping pretty fast and 9 seconds back off the 4th spot is solid. I knew the xc would be long and the focus was just to ride steady and smooth. Nicely done Jake.
Jake cranking it in the short track as the old man dad blares on the megaphone.
Jon didn't race on the weekend, nursing his neck but had a good time playing with Brendan and Jen's Tegan and engaging in long conversation with their parents. Jen's dad came up to me Monday morning and said some nice things about Jon which only made Jonell and I proud.
Race photos by skinnyski.com
The short track racing is always the highlight of the weekend for me and once again Doug Swanson and crew did not disappoint. Thanks again to everyone who made it a great weekend!