Jay Richards

Another great day for Sectional racing. In the past 10 years or so of watching races at Camp Ripley, I would have to say the course was in the best shape yesterday for racing I have ever seen it. The night before the groomers had powertilled the little bit of fresh snow from the days before into the crusty base. Overnight the track and skate deck set up bomb proof. I skied on the lap before the races with Jake and Dylan and knew it was going to be super fast. A recreational skier might think it was icy due to the hardness and speeds but for racing it was ideal, in my opinion.



Jake was in the third group out in the classic race with four skiers in front of him. His main rival, Matt Lee, starting as Bemidji's second skier at 2:30 back. Jake caught the four skiers in front of him by the second long hill and was looking great. At the first check point, he had 12 seconds or so on Matt Lee. Once out in front, Jake had to dictate the pace with no skiers in front of him to catch. At the second check point, Matt Lee had gained back the lost time and actually had put some time on Jake. The last stretch, Jake closed down the gap, gaining back some time and ended up posting the second fastest time behind Matt who won by four seconds.
In the pursuit, Jake caught up to Matt early on and stayed with Matt until the first big hill. Jake put in an acceleration and quickly put 4-5 seconds on Matt. Matt hung tough though and stayed with Jake the rest of the race with Jake putting a few more seconds on by the finish to win the skate and pursuit by 8 seconds. Exciting race! Great job Matt and Jake.
I have watched Cody Gustafson from Deer River since he was in 7th grade. Sr this year. He didn't make it to state but he always tried his hardest and put in a solid effort. Nicely done Cody.
We went back up to the top of the big hill to watch the girls race. Jake cheering on Molly Johnson with the megaphone. The Brazilians working at Maplelag this year were using the phone proper and plan on bringing it to state if rules allow! Fellow DL lakers Ramstad-Skoyles siblings making it to state as well.

Summer Ellefson dominated the girls race to take the win.

At the high point at Ripley, there is a nice long gradual hill that is perfect for ripping some turns. The runs that were not recently groomed but had an inch or two of fresh on top of the solid base was perfect for carving it up.

Fellow Maplelag/Paramount mtb team member Denny Barry checking on the racing action on the day.
Brainerd's bison hat.
Jake had a great support crew cheering him on. All very proud. Jens the lucky duck got to miss school and cheer his bro on.
Made it back in time for Jen's in-house game. Jon has his last home game tonight against Wadena and then final district game with Moorhead tomorrow that will determine their seeding for districts. Season is winding down. One thing about the DL arena, if you are a travel weary parent and have been all across the state over the weekend and find yourself in arena and not sure where you are at, all you have to do is look across the ice!