SSC CROSS COUNTRY SKIING CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
Click here to see the times
Date: February 26, 2005
Conditions: Temperature about -5C; Dry new snow, ab. 15 cm deep on top of old snow layer, track reasonably firm, pole "grip" sometimes too deep. Partly cloudy. No "dagsmeja" (sun-thaw). Wax condition — easy.
Race Start: First start 11.00AM; 2 min. intervals; Last start 11.40
Course(s): 3.5 + Km with the start as usual at the stonewall corner of the field west of the tennis court, looping around the field towards the main road, looping through the woods before hitting the field again, with a longer wood loop to hit the field again via the pond south of the stonewall corner, finally to curve some 200 m on the field to finish at the start. Men raced two laps and women one lap. The course was fairly flat, but with "wilderness" type undulating in the woods, with a couple of sharp turns in a mildly downhill situations. Easy course! The Juniors competed on a shorter "modified" loop.
Birgir Nilsen dethrones Anders Jahn & Ann Jochnick regains title.
Birgir, THE WINNER THIS YEAR, has bettered his championship positions every year during the last four years, this time beating the two past years’ champion Anders Jahn by 28 seconds. Anders did not offer any excuses, but seemed happy to have beaten his father, Tom, who came in third less than four min. behind. Tom was challenged by Chris Jochnick, who just staved off his father, Adolf. Quite a battle! Some 12 men skier participated, and every one finished the race. It was heartwarming to see so many so called Alpine Experts compete, including Anders Hebrand and Mikael Ugander. Alpine Chairman, Rolf Klaeboe, also a good X/C Skier, was legitimately absent being knee-operated on, and so was Claes Holm, not a bad X/C skier, due to duties at Bromley prepping for the next day’s SSC Alpine race. And Matt Connery, always a valiant race participant, was home in bed in the Flu. Nonetheless the Swedish Ski Club should be able to muster more participants. (There were a few more beds available at Skibo; and at Alpenrose!)
In the absence of last year's champion, Petra Eldh, Ann Jochnick could easily regain her title from 2003. She was mildly challenged by Alison Jahn, and her own sister Daphne. Margareta Ugander, as usual, finished her lap with great vigor. It should be mentioned that Ann continued the "race" with a second lap directly after finishing the ladies’ only one lap. She finished the two laps at 34min. and 8 seconds, which beat men’s third, Tom J, by 18 seconds, and ahead of both her brother and father. Good! Sister Daphne also completed a second lap at a total of 39 min. 45 sec. not quite reaching Pelle Tuneblom, but edging Justin Morrison. Good! Only four Ladies showed up to start. The Swedish Ski Club could do better, and we will work on this for next year.
Nine boys and girls came to start the Junior Race. And the Club was able to outfit 7 of them with shoes and skis. Not bad! Rebecca J (13) won the Girls’ Race (on only her second time on skis) at 13 min. and 10 secs edging the younger Kathy by 29 secs. Liam Nilsen won the Boys’ Race at 10 min. 10 sec, edging brother Ingmar by 3 secs. A good race.
Comments on the weather, snow, course and waxing was generally favorable. Some of the older Nordic classic purist skiers were complaining a bit on the too deep ski pole grip due to the deep loose snow, which made it difficult, they said, to utilize their superior technique, slowing them down, in their opinion, at least some five minutes on this type of course. Can one believe that?!
Tom F. Jahn
SSC Cross Country Ski Chairman