Odd Makers Odds - Kingston Edition: Gathering Momentum

Welcome to the latest installment of HURT Nordic's race previews! Here we break down what to expect from the HURT Nordic Ski Team’s cross-country athletes on the world-championship-of-kingston-high-school-international-rollerski-stage in 2012.

With the pre-World Cup races in Muonio, Finland kicking off the race season for much of the top talent in the U.S. (and those races being covered by much more capable journalists at fasterskier.com) we here in the HRT newsroom can comfortably set our eyes on the domestic race scene in Catskill region of NY.  Now is a good time to take stock of what happened last season, what might happen this race season and what most certainly will transpire at the single largest rollerski race held at Kingston High school in the country. When it was time to write this preview a year ago, HURT athletes were gearing up for a very different winter. The most hyperbolic thing I could say was that Kikkan Randall’s two sprint wins from the season prior was evidence that the U.S. was carrying “serious momentum” into the season....and HURT nordic was also doing ski related things as well. ****

Well the same is true now... and nothing kicks off the 2012-13 race season like the annual trip to the "flatest-fastest-roughest,-toughest-5K classic-10K skate combo-swag-fest-race" known lovingly as the "Kingston Rollerski Race" (We had trouble coming up with a more creative moniker). HURT nordiques love this race and have consistently brought large numbers of race hungry skiers down to the event.  This year is no different and HURT is looking to bring it's largest, most talented, most heavily wheel doped team in the history of history.  We caught up with just a few of the local HURT talent to interview them about the upcoming race as they work their way through final preparations. 

HRT: So Austin Huneck, You've had some success at this race in the past as well as some legendary technical issues.  Have you worked out those problems and how do you feel going into the weekend?

AH: "Well I think I finally worked out the kinks in my "invisible-no-friction" bearing system that was only in the testing phase last year.  I hope to finish upright and with wheels at the front of the pack."

Odds: 5:1 that A.Huneck finishes with at least one pole and one wheel

HRT: Brian Halliagan, history has shown that you are willing and able to try different race strategies to ensure your success in this race.  Your plan to draft off the fresh, rookie 7th grade-girl-talent at the back of the pack last year really paid off big for you.  Any plans for this race?

BH: I have been experimenting with a parachute drop onto the starting line....thinking it might confuse the competition and give me a quick jump off the line.  I been really into the whole "bond" thing lately and I think he might be on to something.

Odds: 7:1 Brian finds a way to draft Austin's invisible wheels and he'll be on the podium at least once. 

HRT: MDH and Chris Yarsevich, as veteran, highly skilled top performers how do feel about the HURT young studs are following in the fast-wheel footsteps.  Martin, you've been advocating this for years and now it has become the trend and Chris, as a technologies specialist do you have any new race technologies in the works.  

MDH and Chris:     Robotics.  I won't say what or where....but trust me.  robotics.

Odds: 5:1 MDH and Chris will find a way to a) be on the podium b) or use a robot. 

HRT: Seth Mares, you recently finished in a position at the CRNA tune-up race to win the fall rollerski series.  What will this mean for you and the start of your race season?

SM: It is without a question the BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT I will ever have in my CAREER for events held on November 18th in Kingston!!!!!!! I could not be more stoked. 

Odds: 18:1 Seth will get hit by a an errant soccer ball.  

HRT: DPK and Adam Luban...seriously guys....what is the deal with not doping your skis? are you asking to lose? 

DPK and AL: We really liked Brian Halligan's strategy last year of drafting off the back of the field.  I think it will pay off big for us.  dope or no dope we are in it to win it. 

Odds: 6:1 Adam still makes it on the podium ... and DPK finishes in the top 300.

HRT: Ed, Sean and Tim, as veterans of this race, and many race seasons, are there aspects of this race that you focus on that perhaps the younger skiers discount? 

E,S,T: It is all about the final turn around the cone.  If you don't know what we're talking about....you aren't a real veteran.

Odds: 4:1 they make it around the cone.....at least at the start of the race. 

HRT: Duclos Sisters, as the lone representatives of the HURT laydz division how do think this race will go for you?

S.D. and A.D.: Well, you see, we are the two most angry, aggressive, take-no-prisioners skiers on HURT and we have no problem turning this into a rollerski blood-bath.  We plan on taking everybody out and skiing casually and beautifully to the finish.  I expect us to be 1-2 in each race.  or actually 1-1.  

Odds: we have no doubt.

SEE YOU SUNDAY!!!!!!!

*****Thanks to Audrey M. at fasterskier for the inspirato.

 http://fasterskier.com/2012/11/american-world-cup-preview-gathering-momentum/