Jay Richards

Incredible past week. Jake's second place finish at the State Nordic Ski Championships at Giants Ridge didn't really sink in until a few days later. On paper, I knew he was capable of finishing in second having beat everyone in the state except for defending state champion Ben Saxton. Some people were surprised by that but if you look at the 2010 results, Jake was 8th in the skate as a sophomore second to only Ben Saxton by 7 seconds! Going in to state, is always an unknown as the top skiers only ski against each other a few times in high school and the JO racing involves longer distances of 10 and 15 km where as state is two 5km races.

The way things were going in to the week, I just had a feeling it was going to go well. It was emotional looking back the past 17 years of skiing (photos below) starting when Jake first learned how to ski the years we lived Essex, MT., while working at the Izaak Walton Inn, until, what has been labeled this year as a "non" winter, skiing pretty much daily since November 18th.

Jake was fortunate to have skiable snow in his backyard since November 17th and use that to his advantage. There were days it was sketchy, but the workouts got done with hard work, smart training and focus on the little details. Jake started a weight training class the second semester which turned out to probably be the biggest advantage. Most skiers back off on the strength training during the season. Even though you are fit from training and racing, you lose strength, especially the core muscles and can affect late season racing. The program at school was good and he learned what worked well blending in to racing during the month of January.

The skate race started out the day and being in the middle of the top 10, I would know how things were going early on. I was at the first major hill, about 1.25km in. When he came up and over, he was looking good and I knew he was on with the time checks against other skiers good. At that point Saxton only had 8 seconds on him but Ben would eventually catch up to Jake to put on the 30 but Jake stuck with him until the end, only losing two additional seconds after the initial 30. The effort, which probably pushed Ben as well and those two put time on the field to lock in first and second. Second place after the skate made for excellent position going in to the classical pursuit. The Detroit Lakes coach, Dan Josephson waxed Jake's skis and had them dialed in not only for max speed on skate but perfect kick for the classic and lightning speed descending. Jake was caught early on by Ryan Davis and Jan Ketterson but totally expected that would happen. He let those two skiers do the pacemaking, eventually conceding some seconds near the top but it was the downhill he made his move, using the fast skis to catch both the skiers and put 7 seconds on third and gaining 30 seconds on Saxton from 3km to the finish. It really didn't sink it for all of us initially as Jake approached the event as just another race which is what you have to do to avoid the nerves getting the best of you. Being at the finish line was amazing seeing him across second.

Cranking it in the skate race. Bruce Adelsman/skinnyski.com photo.

Friday found Jon and his Bantam A team in Brainerd for district tournament play. It was a successful weekend as the team advanced to the final by beating Alexandria in the semifinals and a berth to regions. The played the top 10 ranked Moorhead team in the final and just couldn't match their depth and skill level. We lost a couple players to injury along they way but they played the best they could with all their heart. Nothing to hang the heads about with the trip to regions cashed. Possibly the first Bantam A team from DL to do it in a very very long time.

Facing off vs MHD. Jon played with five of the players during the summer and was pumped to play them in the final. I couldn't stand the spuds playing vs them in hs but I have to say they are one of the more classier teams we have faced this year. I am good friends with some of the parents and communicate weekly on hockey related matters. Would not be surprised if they finished top four in the state this year.

In the double ot game with Alex, Jon scored the winning goal. After what happened on Thursday, it was unbelievable. Jon wasn't able to make it to state as he stayed back to practice with the team on Thursday but texted Jake before the classic pursuit telling him to fight for every inch. After the game I asked Jon what he was thinking when he rushed down the ice and he said he was not going to let the defenceman beat him, fighting for every inch to get around him and get the one on one vs the netminder.

State champ Ben Saxton talking to Bruce Adelsman of skinnyski.com post race, giving props for the great work Bruce does.
Jake and Ben post race. Jake is hoping to do well the first races at JO's to be on the same relay team with Ben.
Family and friends showing support. Great memories.
DL coaches Nikki, Jim, and Dan helping take care of the details. Dan totally nailed the wax. Jake said he had the fastest skis on the day. Pretty sweet when you can catch people on the downhills just because you have faster skis.
Super proud parents.
Starting the on snow season, November 18th, 2011. Like every year, Suicide hill up on through the skinny field was the first areas to have skiable snow. I went through photos on my current laptop, which has photos dating back to 2006, reflecting back on the years of skiing. There have been hundreds of photos taken and below are just a handful that highlight just a little bit of the amazing journey.
Easter 2006, April 8th. All the snow was gone, the dirt jump track was rideable but we still had a small strip of snow I had built up with the Pisten Bully leading to a gap jump.


Hitting the gap jump. Mom and Grandma watching in the background.
April 27th, 2008. We had more snow in April of 2008 than the five snow months before, combined! Whenever there was snow, we were skiing no matter the time of year. Three feet of snow made for soft conditions making the driveway good for hard and fast skiing!
Getting ready to hit the trails at Bohart Ranch. West Yellowstone ski trip, Fall 2010.
Jibbing at Mt Maplelag.
Back-country crust cruising with the jibs.


Hill repeats on Suicide October 30th, 2010. Funny how people get picky when the snow gets good but I always say any day there is at least an inch of snow on the ground is a great day to ski. Might just have to make adjustments with skis or wax. The skiing is only bad unless there is no snow at all. Times up Suicide over the years easily in to the 100's.

Riding out to Suicide. I had a great discussion with Pat Lanin the night before Sections this year. He is a supporter of mixing it up during the year and keen on mountain biking in the summer. Skiing has become so competitive in the cities, that the pressure to do well finds kids doing ski specific training year round, which I feel, can be detrimental to some kids, when the season ends.

Even when there is no snow, a hard frost can make for some adequate glide before the snow flies for real. October 13th, 2009.

Intervals on Twin lakes this past December. The skiing was better on Suicide but the hill more gradual on Twin lakes.







Nicely done Jake.