Something for everyone at the 2009 Aspen Parks and Recreation Owl Creek Chase

ASPEN, CO- “Something for Everyone” is the theme for the 22nd Aspen Parks and Recreation Owl Creek Chase, which is moving to January 17, 2009, its original date on the calendar. Since 1985 the Owl Creek Chase has been one of Colorado’s favorite Nordic events, drawing hundreds of Citizen racers annually, and has since grown into the largest multi-day event in Colorado, the Aspen Nordic Festival. With the Owl Creek Chase, the 21km freestyle race on the legendary Owl Creek Trail, as the centerpiece of the multi-day event, the Aspen Nordic Festival features races and activities for all ages. Events included are; Junior Olympic Qualifiers, Citizen level Colorado Cup racing and a free clinic, Elite level events in the USSA SuperTour, Sprint racing at Wagner Park, and for the first time this year, the University of Colorado NCAA Invitational.

The Owl Creek Chase and Aspen Nordic Festival is organized by a small, but enthusiastic group of local Nordic entities including representatives from; The Ute Mountaineer, The City of Aspen, The Aspen Valley Ski/Snowboard Club and The Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Council. These groups have come together to organize and steer The Owl Creek Chase into the future as one of the top events in the country, and are leading the way in an ongoing effort to bring various elements of the Nordic community together. 2009 will be the first year to see all of Colorado’s Nordic racers together at the same time.

“This year we are really excited to have the college kids coming to Aspen for the first time to join us here at the Owl Creek Chase, for many years we’ve invited CU and DU and the other schools but this year is the first time they’ve been able to make it work with their complicated schedule.” said Mike Trecker, one of the organizers of the Aspen Nordic Festival. “The NCAA racing is at a level just below the World Cup, and that, combined with the large number of Citizen racers and juniors, really brings the energy levels up to the maximum. For the last couple of editions of The Owl Creek Chase, the atmosphere and the energy here have really fostered a greater sense of community for Nordic skiers around Colorado as well as those who have traveled here from around the country. Our mission is to provide a quality event for everyone and to be a part of a greater developmental mission for the U.S. Nordic scene, and that is something we are tremendously proud of.”

The USSA SuperTour, the leading FIS sanctioned series in the United States, is again the major draw for the Owl Creek Chase, and Aspen is the 6th stop on the 14 event Tour. In addition, The Owl Creek Chase is the 2nd of 5 Colorado Cup events, the top series in the state for Citizen racers and also the opening event on the FIS North America Marathon Cup. The AVSC will host Junior Olympic Qualifying races as well as a youth festival, and everything kicks off Friday, January 16th.

Aspen Nordic Festival set to host NCAA collegiates
The AVSC will play host to the SuperTour racers on Friday, Jan. 16th, with a 5 and 10km classical race. The event will take place at the Aspen High School trails and will also play host to the Rocky Mountain Division junior racers. The NCAA collegiates will come to Aspen for the first time this year as the University of Colorado will stage their invitational meet here in association with the SuperTour events. Citizen racers will also be welcome to challenge themselves in the classic race on Friday. After the race, the AVSC will host the RMN Junior Festival with games and fun in the afternoon. Racers from 6 to 60 will be on hand to really experience Aspen's signature in-town trail network the Aspen High School trails.

Owl Creek Chase presented by the Aspen Parks and Recreation Department
The 22nd Owl Creek Chase will be held on Saturday the 17th with a new, later start time, 11am at the Snowmass XC Center. The event has been shortened slightly to 21km to accommodate the back-to-back racing for the SuperTour as well as those who wish to do the race but felt 25 or 30km was a little too much. In addition to the Owl Creek Chase, Saturday will also see Junior Tryout and Citizen races at the Aspen XC Center, the finish venue for the Owl Creek Chase. Junior and Citizen racing at the AXCC will start at 8:30am on Saturday.

AVSC Elite Sprints at Wagner Park Saturday night
The Aspen Valley Ski Club Elite Sprints will take place Saturday night under the lights in Wagner Park, downtown Aspen. Festivities and racer introductions will begin at 5:30 with racing starting at 6. 16 of the fastest men and women will compete head to head for cash prizes in a single elimination tournament format. Bleacher seating, music and play-by-play announcing will highlight the action and there are also plans for a food tent and beer garden. The AVSC Elite Sprints are the perfect kick off to a Saturday night on the town after a hard Owl Creek Chase.

Skate with the Pros on Sunday
Another tradition with the Owl Creek weekend is the Skate with the Pros clinic on Sunday morning at the Aspen XC Center. Citizen racers can join several of the pros from Saturday's Owl Creek Chase for a free skating clinic. The session will be broken down into small groups of various ability levels in order to accommodate everyone, and it is a fine way to wrap up a full cross country ski weekend in Aspen. Go to the host website for all event details and information. www.owlcreekchase.com


Aspen Nordic Festival / Owl Creek Chase event schedule

Friday, Jan. 16th -AVSC SuperTour, 5/10k Classic, Aspen High/AVSC Trails, USSA SuperTour, RMN JOQ, CU NCAA Invitational, Citizen Race, 9AM, RMN Youth Festival races and activities, 12:30PM

Saturday, Jan. 17th -Aspen Parks and Rec Owl Creek Chase, 21km Freestyle, Snowmass XC Center to Aspen XC Center, USSA SuperTour, CU NCAA Invitational, Colorado Cup Citizens Race, 11AM

Saturday, Jan. 17th -AVSC Junior Olympic Qualifier and Citizens Race, 5/10/15km Freestyle, Aspen XC Center, RMN JOQ, Citizens Race, 8:30AM

Saturday, Jan. 17th -AVSC Elite Sprints, 80m Freestyle, Wagner Park Downtown Aspen, Elite head to head tournament format, 5:30PM

Sunday, Jan. 18th - Ute Mountaineer Skate with the Pros, instructional free clinic for citizen skiers, Aspen XC Center, 10AM

Colorado Cup Nordic Series 2008-09
Dec. 20 - Steamboat Springs, CO, 10k classic
Jan. 17 - Aspen, CO, 21km freestyle
Jan. 31 - Crested Butte, CO, 42km freestyle
Feb. 7 - Tabernash, CO, 15km freestyle
Feb. 28 - Fraser, CO, 21km class

Rocky Mountain Junior Olympic Qualifiers 2008-09
Dec. 19-20 - Steamboat Springs, CO
Jan. 16-17 - Aspen, CO
Jan. 30-31 - Soldier Hollow, UT
Feb. 13-14 - Eldora, CO


USSA SuperTour 2008-09
Nov. 28-29 West Yellowstone, MT
Dec. 2 Bozeman, MT
Dec. 6, 7 Soldier Hollow, UT
Jan. 3-8 Anchorage, AK
Jan. 16-17 Aspen, CO
Jan. 24-25 Mt. Itasca, MN
Jan. 28 Duluth, MN
Jan. 31-Feb. 1 Telemark, WI
Feb. 4 Rumford, ME
Feb 7 – 8 Stowe, VT
Feb. 14-15 Madison, WI
Feb. 21 Hayward, WI
Mar. 27-29 Fairbanks, AK

FIS North America Marathon Cup 2008-09
Jan. 17 - Aspen, CO, Owl Creek Chase
Feb. 23 - Hayward, WI, American Birkebeiner
March 28 - Fairbanks, AK, National Pursuit
March 30 - Fairbanks, AK, National Marathon


Owl Creek Chase 2008 results
Men
1. Noah Hoffman, USA, SVSEF/AVSC
2. Tad Elliott, USA, Durango Nordic
3. Zack Simons, USA, Rossignol
4. Andrew Johnson, USA, Fischer/Craft
5. Lars Flora, USA, Saab

Women
1. Evelyn Dong, USA, Saab
2. Kristina Strandberg, SWE, Saab
3. Abigail Larson, USA, Saab
4. Sarah Konrad, USA, Madshus
5. Karin Camenisch, SUI, Rossignol

Owl Creek Chase / Aspen Nordic Festival website: www.owlcreekchase.com

For media information: contact Mike Trecker at The Ute Mountaineer, (970) 925-2849 x17 or trecker@utemountaineer.com

UCI to initiate 4 year bans in '09

Pat McQuaid, president of the Union Cycliste International, the governing body of the sport of cycling, has announced plans to bring in 4 year bans for riders who willfully participate in doping. I, for one, think this is a fantastic idea, it seems the 2-year penalties are simply not enough deterrent. I'm not the biggest fan of McQuaid and the UCI recently, however, this is a good step forward in the battle against cheating. My only frustration with this is it's just a little too late to ensnare the Cobra Ricco, I really don't need to see his return in a couple of years. One of the loudest squeaky wheels in the bunch, Ricco displayed all the cockiness of a peacock while pretending he was pure and clean. Ricco has been handed down a 2 years suspension, but 4 seems like so much more.

AMIGO DI BIRILLO IS FRANK SCHLECK

Cyclingnews.com is reporting that Frank Schleck is being investigated for a 2006 payment to Eufemeniano Fuentes, the central character in the Operation Puerto. Schleck is also being identified as "Amigo di Birillo" or friend of Birillo whom we already know to be Ivan Basso, Schleck's former teammate at CSC under admitted doper Bjarne Riis. This is devastating news for Schleck and Team Saxo Bank - CSC. It remains to be seen if Schleck will still race this Sunday's World Championships as co-leader of the Luxembourg team with his brother Andy.

Julich retires, brings end to Roaring Fork cycling's "glory days"

Former Tour de France 3rd place finisher and Olympic medalist Bobby Julich, originally from Glenwood Springs, has retired from bicycle racing, and thus, brings an end to the 'glory days' of the Roaring Fork Valley's biking scene. The late 70's, 80's and early 90's saw a tremendous display of talent in cycling in the Roaring Fork, the Coors Classic was raging and the Grewal brothers were dominating, Tom Hayles was racking up national titles in cyclocross. The spirit was strong and inspirational and part of the result was Glenwood's Bobby Julich ascending to the top of the sport as well.

Times have changed however, the Coors is long gone, as are such races as the Munsingwear Classic in Crested Butte and the Tour of the Alpine Banks in Glenwood Springs. Gone also is a development system to help inspire the next generation. Sure, Alex Hagman just finished in 21st place at US Pro road nationals, and Max Taam's 4th and 6th places in the Leadville 100 show some solid talent here in the valley, but it really has been a long time since Alexi won gold and brother Rishi dominated on the road and then the mountain bike, and, it has been a decade since Bobby took third in the Tour. It's not as if there is a void of talent in the valley either, a long list of junior talent has come and gone without grabbing ahold of cycling. Nathan Waldron, Simi Hamilton, Noah Hoffman, Brandon Cooper and many others might have taken up cycling a little more had there only been a junior development system here in the valley that other sports have like Nordic racing and running.

The Aspen Cycling Club is in a perfect position to take up the cause, but alas, "It's all about the points" at the ACC, masters points at that. Come on Aspen Cycling, pick up the ball that has been fumbled over 15 years ago, and lead the way for western slope junior development, it's about time to make it more than just the points.

Day 17 Whitefish Bay, Series finals

From reports, Day 17 was a bit anti-climactic after the showdown the night before at Downer. Rock's Magnell repeatedly attacked with Jittery Joes defending Cantwell's lead and chasing him down every time. Magnell tried one last time on the last lap but that too was neutralized as the Columbians took first and third on the stage. Cantwell finished in 13th, locking up the overall title as Magnell finished in 25th on the stage. Jittery Joes also locked up the red sprint jersey with Chad Hartley. Other notable finishers in the series; Johnathan Page in 8th overall, Cole House in 28th overall, Max Taam 48th, Steve Tilford 58th, and Kip Spaude did not score.

Superweek '08, the 40th anniversary was hard fought all the way, one of the most competitive editions I've seen and I've seen alot. It was tough to come to Superweek underprepared and I had to live with that, but it was a great competition and I'm psyched to have seen the battle between Rock Racing, the Columbians, Jittery Joes, Virgin Blue, KBS/Medifast, Texas Roadhouse and all the other top teams. Max raced quite well and looks to improve quickly over the next few years.

Up next, not really sure yet, but for Max, he looks to defend his 4th overall at the Leadville 100 MTB race in a couple of weeks, against last year's champ Dave Wiens and non other than Lance Armstrong himself. Good luck Max, take down the champ.

T

Day 16 Great Downer Ave. Bike Race

After the fireworks from the night before in Kenosha, and with the extra incentive of the "Super Prime", the Downer Ave. stage was shaping up to be a barn burner. The Super Prime reached $7,000 and the Columbians were in full flight trying to get their hands on that cash, but Justin Williams of Rock Racing got the better of them and took the money just before the finale of the race itself. There was some debate about the KBS/Medifast leadout train and if they were going fast enough to do a proper leadout, and I guess not, because Rock's Sterling Magnell took a flyer with 3/4 of a lap to go and gave it full gas. The Jittery Joes boys, trying to defend the lead of Johnathan Cantwell, deferred to the KBS leadout hoping that they would pull back the former yellow jersey. However, the leadout fizzled and Magnell soloed in for the victory, perhaps the biggest of his career and he was reduced to tears afterwards. The strain of over two weeks of racing was showing through and the battle lines have been fierce. Rock Racing came out on top tonight but it still looks to be Jittery Joes in control of both the red and yellow jerseys with one day left, the Whitefish Bay Criterium.

T

Superweek Distractions and other Photos

Marlboros are still more than gas and somehow Goth is still around on Milwaukee's East Side. This girl had her corset tied so tight it seemed like a straight jacket.

Rock's Sterling Magnell and Rashan Bahati held the yellow and red jerseys for over 13 days until Australia's Johnny Cantwell took yellow at Whitnall Park. Superweek announcer for 30 years, Eddy van Guys who played the bad Italian from Team Cinzano in Breaking Away.


The women's podium from Shorewood, one of the biggest Superweek stages. Founder Otto Wenz with registrar Kris Franklin. Otto started Superweek in 1969 with one stage and it grew and grew.


Souvenirs available from the International Cycling Classic, otherwise known as the Superweek Pro Tour or just Superweek. 90/90, heat and humidity meant that the outfits were small and many cold beverages were needed at Shorewood. Here the local barkeep serves up the cold ones and of course, Brats.


Shorewood also has a public beach nearby, clearly a distraction. The House of Guiness right on the course at Waukesha.


The view from inside the House of Guiness where I sampled a nice black and tan while the action heated up out on the street.

The peloton climbs to the feed zone at The Tour of Holy Hill, one of the classics in American bike racing. Canadian Ryan Roth jumped away from a 10 man break with only 2 miles or less in the race to take the stage and the title, King of Holy Hill.

Rock Racing's Ashley Diamond was quite distracting. Clearly we're in farm country, the men's podium from Holy Hill, L to R, Ben King, Ryan Roth and Frank Pipp.

Brat Fest '08, Tom Schuler's annual party on Milwaukee's west side. Former US Pro Champ and 7 time Bastille Day's Champ, Tom Schuler and yours truly. I met Tom when he broke into Nordic racing in the late '80's.

Max Taam from Aspen getting ready to race the Whitnall Park RR in his new kit from The Hub. Series leader Sterling Magnell talks with legendary 2-wheeled warrior Steve Tilford.

Ashley Diamond, training for road nationals later in the year, held her own for 50 of the 60 miles at the Whitnall Park Road Race against the men, while many had dropped out. SRAM neutral support follows the field up the final hill at Whitnall.

The Jittery Joe's team with Johhny Cantwell on the right, were ecstatic having lifted the leader's yellow jersey off of Rock Racing. Eddy van Guys uses a local Columbian as an interpreter to interview the winner of the Whitnall Park stage.

Today is Racine but Max is taking the day off and we'll go to Kenosha tomorrow. Then Saturday is the big one, the Great Downer Avenue Bike Race with thousands of fans and a all day long Belgian Beer Fest, should be great. We'll skip the final stage in Whitefish Bay in favor of going back down to Chicago on Sunday for the first ever Chicago Criterium with $40,000 in prize money for the Pro, 1/2 race. Then it's back onto I-80 and homeward bound. Look forward to seeing you all again when we get back. Stay tuned. Trecker.