2009 SSC Cross Country Skiing Championship RESULTS
SWEDISH SKI CLUB
M E M O R A N D U M MARCH 23, 2009
TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE SWEDISH SKI CLUB
FROM: SSC CROSS COUNTRY SKI COM. (T. JAHN/JUSTIN MORRISON/ANN JOCHNICK)
SSC X/C SKI CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 REPORT
COURSE: In the Skibo area East of the Winhall Hollow Road, a 3.5 km loop meandering on the field in sight of Start/Finish with loops in the upper areas of the woods reentering the field twice. Men skied the course twice; Ladies once.
CONDITIONS: SATURDAY: Old soft snow mixed with a few days old new snow with high humidity. Temperature: At start 45F, and rising fast.
WAXING: Preferably Yellow Klister; Alternatively Red Klister. Glide: Poor. Kick: No problem. Pretty much “lika for alla” (Same for everyone).
SUNDAY: Warmer; temps around 50 F some sun periods, enough to cause "thaw".
WAXING: Same as Saturday.
INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP ON SATURDAY.
Anders Jahn had thought that he would have good chance to defend his Championship from last year against many past years' champions, such as Hans Tuneblom, Robbie Clark, and Carl Jahn, and against challenge from Vasalopp skier (-08) Martin Simonsen. But there was a “ringer”. Christer Pehrson came out from nowhere and dusted off the whole field of 16 (!) racers, and won the race by 74 seconds at 32:41, beating Anders. He also had the fastest lap time of 16:16; and this on his second lap. Good Show! Maybe we shouldn’t have been surprised. We have learned that Christer is a former High School Champion. Carl Jahn took the Bronze, very happy having beaten wife Petra this year! Generally the quality and the fitness of the participant racers seem to improve over the past years. The time difference between the racers has begun to tighten up. Robbie C, Hans T and Martin (aka Simon) S occupied the second tier this year, and could with some extra training next fall challenge the medalists next year. In the epic rivalry between Justin M and Christian B the result reversed. Justin came in 10 seconds ahead of Christian. Last year Christian was ahead by seconds. Pelle Tuneblom continues to improve and was now only a few seconds behind Justin and Christian. Wait until year!
Among the Ladies Petra Eldh defended her championship from last year, but was indeed challenged by another ringer. Eva Bruno turned out to be quite threat ending up only 13 seconds behind her. Nina J took the Bronze. Unfortunately other potential “challengers” among the ladies could not make it up to Skibo this year because of injuries.
The SSC Youngsters, 11 of them 5-7 years old, raced a shorter loop on the field and through part of the woods. This year we started the racers with a time lapse between each starter in the traditional way. Oskar Jahn eager to defend his Championship from last year found himself beaten by much improved (like her daddy) Sammy Tuneblom by 12 seconds. New-comer Folke took the bronze, but I think there is a “protest” to be resolved, since Axel S seemed to have a few seconds better time. Will see! Elsa T was ahead of Charlie M by 10 seconds, who in turn were ahead of Sophie and Sophia by more than 2 minutes.
TEAM RELAYS ON SUNDAY.
Based on individuals lap times of yesterday racers were paired so that the participating teams theoretically would finish as close as possible based on a Mass Start Format. But no matter how the puzzle was designed there would be pairs with more than slight differences in theoretical times. And then of course the waxing of the day could make a big difference. Anything could happen, really! Seven teams started. The firs lap was exiting. Three racers, Anders, Robbie and Spence, could send away their mates, Nina, Eva and Olof, within 18 seconds of each other. Carl and Martin were about two minutes behind, sending away Pelle and Justin, resp. Most improved skier of the year, Pelle T passed the three racers ahead of him and finished first for his team. Good Show! Olof was able to pass Eva and finish second. Eva’s team finished third, easily holding off Justin. A good and fun race! Everybody was happy and each had his or her "explanations". Christian felt somewhat vindicated having a better lap time then Justin!
A good and complete X/C Weekend. Unfortunately no teenagers could come up this year, but the re-growth of the club seems satisfactory – 11 children racing, and a few babies right behind them were present.
Chief Starter/Finisher/Time keeper Leslie Simonsen managed the boisterous racers and helpers with an iron fist, supported by General Race Manager Justin M. Thanks!
Pictures will be posted on the SSC Website, as well as detailed result lists.
On Saturday evening winners and all racers were celebrated with dinner and dance and a number of limericks and other poetry, such as this one authored by Anders:
THERE IS A NEW CHAMP NAMED KRISTER
IN THE WAX ROOM A MASTER WITH KLISTER
HE SKIED IN A TRANCE
I DIDN’T HAVE A CHANCE
HE POPPED MY EGO LIKE A BLISTER
Tom Jahn, SSC X/C Ski Chairman
SSC CROSS COUNTRY SKI CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT REVIEW. For detailed lap times, etc. see the excel file.
INDIVIDUAL RACES, MEDALISTS. SATURDAY 3.07.09
PLACE & NAME FINISH TIME
MEN
1. CHRISTER PEHRSON 0:32:41
2. ANDERS JAHN 0:33:55
3. CARL JAHN 0:35:16
Best Lap Times: 1. Christer 16:16
2. Anders 16.57
LADIES
1 PETRA ELDH 0:20:30
2. Eva Bruno 0:20:43
3. Nina Jonsson 0:23:24
YOUNGSTERS
BOYS
1. SAMMY TUNEBLOM 4:48
2. OSKAR JAHN 5:00
3. FOLKE 6.46
GIRLS
1. ELSA TUNEBLOM 08:02
2. SOPHIE 10:21
3. SOPHIA 10:28
TEAM RACES, MEDALIST SUNDAY 3.08.09
1. CARL/PELLE 0:39:44
2. SPENCE/OLOF 0:40:07
3. ROBBIE/EVA 0:40:17
4. SIMON/JUSTIN 0:41:33
5. HANS/CHRISTIAN 0:42:02
Etc.
(Copied from Emails from Tom Jahn, Cross Country Chair and Justin Morrisson, XC Race Coordinator )
Justin, ( and the Board,)
Perfect! I have gotten lots of pictures from "everyone". I suggest that the X/C-COMM prepare a REPORT for publication long the lines of the "formats" of the past. Will come back on this in a day or two. (Full snow storm here. Already 6" on the ground!!)
In the meantime your email below will serve as report to the Board, which will meet tonight.
It should be noted that we found a new X/C Star in Christer Pehrson, who left previous champion (several years) in the snow dust. A stellar performance. And Petra easily took the Ladies trophy, in Ann's absence because of her foot injury. (I think I have heard the Christer is into "Orienteering" too, which we must discuss with him soonest.)
It seems as there is an interesting "rivalry" developing among several of the racers. Christin beat you by 1 sec on the first lap, but you came back and beat him by nine secs on the second lap. Atta Boy. Didn't Christian beat you by 5 secs last year. (I noticed that kept up the pace also in the relay, succeeding in beating him by 2 (!) seconds on the lap. (Christian, we will have to take a look at your wax technique. I am sure I can help you to improve a few seconds!)
Also note the "duels" between Robbie and Petra (and Spenser) - and Carl, and as I understand it, which resulted in a formidable Limerick duel at the Saturday dinner and before the dancing.
We (incl. Jossie, of course) really did miss being up there (and so said old-timers Adolf J and Allen C too).
Cheers,
Tom
----- Original Message -----
From: "Justin Morrison" <Justin.Morrison@nike.com>
To: tfjahn@comcast.net
Sent: Sunday, March 8, 2009 9:53:55 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: 2009 X/C Ski Race Results
Tom,
As the acting X/C ski leader of this year’s race I can say this one is in the books. First of all, thank you for all your help. Your email and your prep work made it very simple. I think we had a very successful event. As you will see in the attached spreadsheet we had 16 participants in the individual races and 7 strong teams in the relay race. The kids race was fantastic as usual. The future of X/C racing at the club looks bright with this crowd. I have attached all 3 spreadsheets (Individual, Relay, Kids)
Saturday was over 50 degrees and sunny. A few of use came back sunburned! Over night we had some rain, but by race time on Sunday the temperature was in the mid 40ies with some sun poking through. Everyone involved was very helpful and joined in to make this thing a success. Everyone loved the course.
I was intrigued by the number of questions that people had about the teams and rules, etc… I guess everyone has an opinion! I was particularly happy with how the relay teams turned out. It is hard to make perfect matchups, but the 1st 4 teams were really evenly matched. We had 3 lead changes within the first 10 minutes of the race.
We had a crew of about 9 of us that did the outer loop out behind the Alpine Rose in the afternoon. Is was hard to get people out of the house after lunch, but for those of us that went, we got our fill of XC skiing for the day. That is one thing I will say, everybody this weekend spent a lot of time skiing. I guess that’s the point right.
Dinner on Saturday was a screaming success due to Richard, Nina and all those that made bits and pieces. The party afterwards was one that will not be forgotten for a while.
One of the best lines of the weekend came from your grandson Oscar. When asked how he finished the kids race so fast, he said “I just like the speed”.
If you have any questions please give me a call. Thanks again for all the help.
-Justin Morrisson