DanielT
03-09-2010, 08:59 AM
Too bad I couldn't get other VO2 people out on the start line on Saturday. It was a perfect day for randonee racing! Last year both the Crystal and Alpental races featured warm conditions and very icy snow. This year, it was warmer, but add sun. The spring conditions did impact the race, but mostly for the better. Loved the corn snow on the descent!
Better yet, for the first time ever in the PNW, the race topped 100 participants! This is certain to keep this event going for next year and the race organizers are very happy.
My race went pretty well. I placed about where I expected, just a little off my projected pace, but I had some mishaps and exciting moments:
Just off the start line I found myself in second, just behind a pro from BC, Andy Traslin. Andy's brother and another pro trailed us by about 20m for a while. Loved the look on Andy's face when he glanced back and saw me on his tail rather than his brother.
The two other pros in the race, Mike Traslin and Kirk Turner, passed me about 15 minutes in when I slipped on an icy path on the first steep pitch.
On the second steep pitch I swung wide to the right to take a more gradual and less icy route, but then had to backtrack left to make a control gate. Crossing a steep bit of ice with a meter to go before the gate, I slipped and slid about 20m. Bye bye pros. About 10 people passed me here as I slid and then worked my way back to the gate. Ouch.
The second half of the first climb was great, although it was getting quite soft in the sun. Two boot packing sections worked well for me as fast transitions from skinning to booting and back allowed me to re-pass most of those who got around me when I fell.
Upper International was still shaded and therefore icy. Tough on lightweight racing gear. Snakedance was great.
I passed two more people at the descent to ascent transition to begin climb two. I spent most of the climb alone in the woods. It was simply beautiful.
Back the High Traverse to Snakedance to Sessel and across the line in 2:08:01 and in 6th place in the pro/race division.
Race division results (http://www.randosaigai.com/vertfest030610_mensrace.jpg)
It's SOOOO much fun. Who's in for next year?
Daniel
Better yet, for the first time ever in the PNW, the race topped 100 participants! This is certain to keep this event going for next year and the race organizers are very happy.
My race went pretty well. I placed about where I expected, just a little off my projected pace, but I had some mishaps and exciting moments:
Just off the start line I found myself in second, just behind a pro from BC, Andy Traslin. Andy's brother and another pro trailed us by about 20m for a while. Loved the look on Andy's face when he glanced back and saw me on his tail rather than his brother.
The two other pros in the race, Mike Traslin and Kirk Turner, passed me about 15 minutes in when I slipped on an icy path on the first steep pitch.
On the second steep pitch I swung wide to the right to take a more gradual and less icy route, but then had to backtrack left to make a control gate. Crossing a steep bit of ice with a meter to go before the gate, I slipped and slid about 20m. Bye bye pros. About 10 people passed me here as I slid and then worked my way back to the gate. Ouch.
The second half of the first climb was great, although it was getting quite soft in the sun. Two boot packing sections worked well for me as fast transitions from skinning to booting and back allowed me to re-pass most of those who got around me when I fell.
Upper International was still shaded and therefore icy. Tough on lightweight racing gear. Snakedance was great.
I passed two more people at the descent to ascent transition to begin climb two. I spent most of the climb alone in the woods. It was simply beautiful.
Back the High Traverse to Snakedance to Sessel and across the line in 2:08:01 and in 6th place in the pro/race division.
Race division results (http://www.randosaigai.com/vertfest030610_mensrace.jpg)
It's SOOOO much fun. Who's in for next year?
Daniel