Jay Richards

Saturday was the big Mesabi Invitational Ski meet at Giants Ridge. A beautiful day for ski racing. It is the largest high school Nordic Ski Meet in the country. A few top dogs were missing this year, most noticeable Andy Dodds, Chris Parr, Dylan McGarthwaite, and Ben Saxton. Any skier outside of the Midwest that doesn't comprehend how big high school skiing in in MN should come to this meet. It is also a great meet to see how awesome high school Nordic Ski racing is in MN. It is always fun to go and see all the teams that come to Maplelag for training camps and fellow mountain bikers with skiing interests. Of course I am partial to these teams and skiers. It was a bit hectic than normal trying to get everything prepped before heading over with the weather making it good on the trails but all worked out, thanks to Lee who is helping me out this year with grooming and knocking out a good chunk Friday night.


Kyle Bratrud en route to first place in boys varsity skate. Saw and talked to him briefly before the start, looked nervous but that can be a good thing. He was ready to race. Put in some big k's at Maplelag over break.


Jake nailed down an impressive 2nd place in the skate. He pushed it all the way to the end and said he had nothing left at the line. Looking smooth like always and beating some skiers that beat him earlier in the year at the JO races, giving him good confidence for the rest of the season.
Zach Goldberg probably turned the most heads with his third place finish. Has a great coach in Mike Mason at Minnetonka. Another skier putting in some big miles in early December on the Maplelag trails. Didn't find a picture but 2nd place finish by Ted McKleeven from Edina was solid in the classic who was also at Maplelag in December logging huge classic k's motivated by classic minded coach Andy T.
Eden Prairie skier waving the flag nicely. (skoyles photo)

Mora team leaving their mark in the snow and Wayzata girls on the trail.
Jonell and Jon were nearby in Hibbing for hockey tourney and Jonell was able to sneak away to catch the action.
Ran in to Scott Kylander Johnson who was out on course helping out.

Jens got to use his new skate skis we had in inventory, waxed up by Steve G and was skiing with me on course. Fun having Jens along.
Back home in the evening and back out on the groomer to clean and reset new tracks and dig out middle of the night after after a potential ski team chase down out sledding on Suicide Hill. No pictures of all of that....Sunday morning felt like ran over by the above until a short ski with Jake to take off the edge...whew.