SVSEF to Host USSA Super Tour Races at Lake Creek

The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation is extremely pleased to welcome an estimated 200 skiers to USSA Super Tour races this weekend at Lake Creek.
SVSEF Cross Country Program Director and race organizer Rick Kapala remarked, “Basically everyone who is not in Europe is going to be here, which is a pretty solid group. From the U.S. Team we have Patrick Caldwell, Ben Saxton, Julia Kern and Katharine Ogden. Our Gold Team will also go against the top skiers from Alaska-Pacific University and the Craftsbury Senior Team. Dakota Blackhorse, the top sprinter in the country is here.”
An Olympic & Paralympic Training Site, the Lake Creek Trail System where the SVSEF Cross Country Team is based, features 15 kilometers of USSA/FIS homologated ski trails suitable for the highest standard of Nordic competition.
“We are very fortunate to have international standard courses right here in town,” Kapala said. “It allows us to train our skiers to the hardest course standards and racing on those same courses can be a big advantage. That said, even with home course advantage, we still have to go out there and race.”
Kapala said a total of 64 women and 84 men will compete in classic sprint races on Saturday, December 5. With the addition of SVSEF junior racers, the fields for classic mass start distance races will grow exponentially on Sunday, December 6.
U14 boys and girls will compete over a 3k distance, U16 5k, and U18 girls will race 10k. U18 boys and seniors will vie for supremacy on a 15k track. Awards will follow the men’s 15k race on Sunday. Racing begins at 10 a.m. on both days.
Despite a light early-season snowpack, Kapala termed the track at Lake Creek “solid.”
“Of course, conditions could be better but we have had a lot of help shoveling up snow on the race loop and the courses will be an excellent early season test,” Kapala said.
Spectators are welcome and encouraged to come out and cheer. No skiing is allowed on course while racing is taking place. Shuttle service is available from the Hulen Meadows parking lot. There is no parking on Highway 75.
“We are really psyched to have Super Tour here to start the season. It helps both our juniors and Gold Team members to get a chance to race on our home trails early in the season,” Kapala said. “This year in particular we are shooting to have our juniors ready for World Junior Selections in early January, so going head-to-head with top level competition is key. For our Gold teamers, we are not chasing races around the West, which really puts a load on our skiers.”
For race details, please visit http://www.svsupertour2015.com/
 

SVSEF Gold Team racer Matt Gelso will be in the mix this weekend.