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Leg 1/Cross-Country Information for 2008 

 

Updates made in 2008.  New and Former Racers: Please Read.

 

REGISTRATION:
A designated team representative must pick up the team’s race packet prior to the race.  Please refer to procedures at the front of the race guide or on the website SkitoSea.com for pickup times and location.  The packet includes the team timing chip, racing bibs & t-shirts. The designated team representative must distribute items to team members. There will be no racing bibs at the exchange areas. Be sure the team representative gives YOU the timing chip before Race Day as you will be the first team member to carry the chip.

 

PRE-RACE MEETING:
There will be a meeting at 7:45am on Race Day at the Ski Shop for all cross-country and downhill skiers. The meeting will give the latest updates of the race courses.  It is important that all cross-country skiers ATTEND this meeting.

 

EQUIPMENT:
Only cross-country equipment is to be used in the event. Either skating or classic equipment is recommended for competitive skiers, touring equipment for recreational skiers.  Telemark skis are allowed but not recommended.

 

ROAD CLOSURE:
The road will be closed at 8:30 AM at Canyon Creek Road, Glacier, going east towards the mountain. Any viewers, participants or additional support vehicles who want to go to the top of the mountain must pass Canyon Creek Road prior to 8:30 AM. The road will be closed westbound at 8:30 AM at the Mt. Baker Lodge and will not reopen until 10:00 AM. No vehicles will be allowed to travel down the mountain prior to 10:00 AM. After 10:00 AM and for the duration of the race, vehicles traveling down Mt. Baker Highway (west) will be dispersed in groups of 5–7 to ensure the safety of the participants. Dispersal is based upon the flow of the race. Team members, spectators and fans should plan accordingly.

 

COURSE:
The race starts at 8:30 AM. Don’t jump the start! If you jump the starting gun, a one minute time penalty will be assigned.  If you break a rule once underway, you risk disqualifying the entire team.  No skating is allowed for approximately the first 100 yards. The cross-country skier with the timing chip will ski from a starting line next to the Ski Shop up the Seven Hills Valley to near the top of Chair 2, then down Home Run to the start area. The course then diagonals up and over to the mid station of Chair 1, down the Valley of No Return which runs parallel to Chair 2, around the base of Chair 2 and back to the starting area near the Ski Shop. The cross-country skier then continues back up the Seven Hills Valley until reaching Home Run where the skier goes straight across Home Run and continues south across Home Run and beyond the Austin Pass Warming Hut before making a loop and returning to the Day Lodge area via the valley that runs east of the Ski Patrol Hut. The cross-country skier then continues to the hand off area beyond the original start area beyond the rear of the Ski Shop, where he/she will swipe the chip to create a finish time, and then pass the chip to the downhill skier. This is the basic course which has not changed for 15 years.

 

Course length is approximately 4 miles. The cross-country course is usually groomed late in the week for the two weeks leading up to the race. Racers are welcome to pre-run at anytime, but the course will not be marked until the Saturday prior to the race and there is no guarantee that the course will be groomed or skiable prior to the actual race.  Participants may not cut the course and should follow proper race etiquette throughout their leg (yield to faster skiers, don’t interfere with or endanger another participant). Racers violating these basic rules will bring time penalties or possible disqualification to their entire team. Some conflicts with downhill skiers/snowboarders are possible near the end of the course as they speed toward the finish.  Please comply with all directions given by race officials and volunteers to ensure the safety of all racers. When you cross the finish line, you must be in a position for the timekeepers to see your team number.  The course is subject to last minute changes depending upon snow conditions. The actual course for both skiers will be shown and discussed at the skiers’ pre-race meeting at 7:45 AM on Race Day.

 

INFRACTION OF RULES:
Infraction of the rules by one team member will disqualify the entire team.

 

RESULTS:
It is important for all racers to show their bib numbers when crossing the exchange areas. Timing of individual legs may vary based upon exchange area layout. Therefore personal time kept by racers may not correspond with official results.

 

If you want to volunteer for the Cross Country Ski Leg of the race, please click on the link at the left side of this page titled: Volunteer.  You will be contacted by the Leg Chair.