Minnesota Skinnyski Series

Mark Twain famously quipped, “St. Paul is the last great city of the East, Minneapolis is the first great city of the West.” East versus West. Battle Creek versus Theodore Wirth. Is there really any way to compare?

Why not? We looked to last year’s SkinnySki series points list from the Twin Cities Championship for an answer. Splitting point-winners who listed addresses in the metro area into an East group and a West group provided some intriguing results.

Total scoring skiers: East – 43, West – 52
Point totals: East – 2038, West – 2340

This breakdown includes, among other anomalies, the fact that Vakava stalwarts Kevin Ivens and David Christopherson end up on the West side geographically. It’s also interesting to note that, while the West has higher numbers, the East scores better per skier. Quantity versus quality? Nature versus nurture? The debate rages on. Perhaps this weekend’s races will prove more definitive…

Get your boards waxed up! Handicaps for this year’s Skier of the Year award have been calculated.

Anyone who completed three events – either in the Series or any of the shorter City of Lakes Loppet, Mora Vasaloppet, or Minnesota Finlandia races – over the last two years is automatically included. Slower times in those races give you a higher handicap and a bigger leg up in the scoring. The bottom line is that the skier who improves the most and does the most Series events will win free entries to all 2012 Minnesota SkinnySki Series events!

This format makes it almost impossible to win twice in a row, but last year’s winner, John Lavelle, has vowed to go down swinging. Check the list for your name:

2011SkierOfTheYearHandicaps

In its sixth year, the Minnesota SkinnySki Series has become a tradition in Minnesota ski racing – seven events taking us from New Year’s Day to Valentines Day. Everyone has a shot at the title and everyone has a great time!

At the heart of the series is an age-handicapped points system. Each racer’s time is modified to reflect their performance relative to their age. Skiers are ranked and given points based on their modified times. Overall male and female winners – who represent us at the Fossavatn ski marathon in May – are the top point-scorers over the entire series. Age-group winners are the top point-earners in their five-year age groups. The team championship goes to the twelve-person team whose top three men and three women in each race score the most points by the end of the season. And, if you’re not a top dog yet, you can win on your way up: the skier whose performance improves the most from the previous year is named Skier of the Year – and gets free entries to all of the next year’s events! Everyone has a chance to win.

Our races will take you across the state and treat you to a wide range of terrain and scenery. Sign up for any race and you’re automatically scored in the Series. Sign up for four or more on the Minnesota Skinnyski Series registration site and you’re in for some great discounts. See you on the trails!

Twin Cities Championships – Jan 1-2, 2011
An old tradition re-born! The Twin Cities Championships is two days of racing the premiere ski courses in the metro. Mass start classical on Saturday followed by a skate pursuit format on Sunday.

Boulder Lake – Jan 16, 2011
Experience the Northwoods: the Boulder Lake Race provides beautiful scenery and fun competition on flowing trails just north of Duluth.

Mayor’s Challenge – Jan 23, 2011
The Mayor’s Challenge brings elite racing to the Twin Cities and you’re invited to participate. It’s an NCAA regional battle, it’s a USSA Junior Olympic qualification race, it’s a Super Tour throw-down, and now it’s your turn to step up to the starting line. You don’t need to be a superstar to join in the excitement of this marquee event, just wear your loudest lycra. It’s time to shine.

Nordic Spirit- Jan 30, 2011
The Nordic Spirit Ski Race winds through the majestic woods of Spirit Mountain with breathtaking vistas of Lake Superior and the St. Louis Bay. Skiers will be treated to some of the most challenging terrain in the region on a superbly groomed course.

City of Lakes Loppet – Feb 6, 2011
The City of Lakes Loppet is the largest urban ski race in North America. Combining the hills and woods of Theodore Wirth Park with views of downtown Minneapolis and a finish on the streets of Uptown, Minneapolis, the Loppet is a unique event with something to offer to skiers of all abilities.

Mora Vasaloppet – Feb 13, 2011
The Mora Vasaloppet is a special race in the hearts of thousands of skiers who have experienced it. The blueberry soup, the wooded trails, and the exciting finish line in downtown Mora are reasons why the race is the largest in Minnesota.

Minnesota Finlandia – Feb 19, 2011
With a grand setting at Buena Vista Ski Area, just miles from the headwaters of the Great Mississippi River – in the land of Paul Bunyan – lies the Minnesota Finlandia. The 25 kilometer pursuit format race gives skiers an opportunity to ski in Paul and Babe’s footsteps through the old growth woods of northern Minnesota.

Nearly 70 skiers descended for the second year in a row on the small town of Mora for the 2010 Minnesota Skinnyski Series end-of-year-banquet, Metro Youth Super Series awards ceremony, and the Minnesota Nordic Ski Association Lifetime Achievement Awards. The beautiful Vasaloppet Nordic Center served as the host to a night of fun, food, and camaraderie. Continue reading →

Kim Rudd recently traveled to Iceland to ski in the Fossavatn Ski Marathon.   Rudd was awarded the opportunity after series champion Mary Beth Tuttle was unable to attend due to a family emergency.  Rudd provided a pre and post-race recap while traveling in Iceland. Continue reading →