The BUNNIES ARE BACK!!

We have SNOW! So we are bringing the bunnies back!! Come to the HURT Easter Scramble, on Saturday, April 4th. We will aim to race at Saratoga Biathlon Club in Day, NY.  The event will begin at 10am. Here are the rules of the game:

All skiers will ski a 4K-5K loop.

Along the trail there will be 4 baskets of Easter Eggs. You have the OPTION to collect 1-3 Easter Eggs at each basket. 

Each egg has either a time bonus OR a time penalty. You must carry your eggs in someway over the whole course. If you bring and use a traditional wicker Easter basket to carry your eggs you will subtract 3 minutes off your 5K time. 

For every Spring/Easter themed item you wear on your body you will be able to subtract 10 seconds off your race time. “Easter themed items” will be determined by the event officials.   

The race will be FREE! but you can make an optional donation that will be donated to the Saratoga Biathlon Club to thank them for grooming, preparing the course and supporting nordic ski racing in the area. 

For every dollar you donate you can subtract an equal number of seconds off your race time. 

This is NOT and NYSSRA sanctioned race.  This will be a unsanctioned-ski-at-your-own-risk family fun club event. Bring your kids and family! 

Winner will receive a prize pack and chocolate-bunny-shaped-prize! 

Stay tuned to the HURT facebook/twitter accounts in case conditions deteriorate quickly and we are unable to host the event. 

History made over Championship Weekend

It has been a week since the NYSSRA Championship weekend and it has taken that long to recover from the nail-biting, suspense filled race weekend that saw HURT nordic squeak out a team points title for the sixth straight year.  In years past, HURT has been able to lean heavy on huge team turnout and and a massive points lead heading into the final relay and distance championship.  This year they had no such luxury on either account.  Most of the junior field and HURT laydz were off to sunny Cali for a week of Junior National racing and vitamin D replenishment and the race team in Lake Placid was truly skeleton.

Facing the massive Peru Nordic contingent on both Saturday and Sunday was a lot like the Battle of Rorke's Drift depicted in the epic 1964 movie "Zulu".  And while HURT's official organizational position is considerably less-colonial than the British Empire's, the battle on snow was equally lopsided at the onset....and very nearly as bloody.

Picture from my obscure movie reference

Appearing leaderless (both Directresses were not in Lake Placid) HURT looked to its once ruthless Dictator, Aaron Huneck to shoulder the burden and lead the team to victory.  It was reminiscent of Napoleon returning from Elba after his exile.  Aaron and DPK skied into a 3rd place finish in the men's relay and a he followed it up with big podium finish in the Sunday classic race behind Douglas and Wellford.  Perhaps the biggest effort of the day came from Emma Huneck who dusted off her race boards to join with her mom to score some all important women's relay points.  In year's to come, 2015 will be remembered as the "year of the Huneck."

Visual approximation of A. Huneck pre-race. 

On a weekend where every point mattered on Sunday there was some great skiing by Chris Y, DPK, Bob and Heidi, Tim, Adam and Cameron and despite being outnumbered 2-1 by Peru the lead going into the race after a season of racing was just enough to grab the win....by 2 points.

HURT train rolls out at the start of Sunday's race

Huneck battles with Douglas early on. 

So...HURT nation....celebrate now, for we once again reign champs....but "Winter is coming"....and so is Peru.

Sorry, No historical reference here.....just looking forward to the next season of "Game of Thrones"....I mean "NYSSRA racing".

Hurt rides podium wave into Championships

Last weekend's Lake Placid Loppet and Tourathon saw some awesome racing conditions and some great race performances by Hurt nation. Overall podium spots were grabbed by Bob "still got it" Underwood in the 25 k classic and Dave "baby, what baby?" PK in the 25k skate.  Aaron "first 50" Huneck skied to a strong 2nd place in the Tourathon as well.  Check the full results to see all the great times posted by the big green.

Peak form seems to be found by many skiers.... just in time for the season closes in three days up at vanho.  NYSSRA champs is here and it is going to be a battle for the team title.  You've seen the hype from the talking heads and word is out the Peru is hungry for a comeback win....and have the ranks to be a real threat.  The Directresses are counting on you to sign up today and stem the black tide.

Underwood looking forward to his waffles

Pete Pedrotty storms his way to a solid finish in the 25k skate

Junior crew plus PK hanging around after Loppet-ting

PK's maple dance after 3rd overall in the 25K skate

Age group winner S. Duclos prefers pancakes. weirdo. 

They certainly help her ski well, though.