Matt Zak of Pewaukee, WI and Kielo
Sauvala of Mt. Propsect, IL were the winners in arctic conditions on
Saturday, Feb. 3 at the Northern Illinois Nordic 16.5K race held at
Petrifying Springs County Park in Kenosha,
WI. Skiers braved winds gusting to 30 m.p.h. with temps around
6 degrees F.
The race had been postponed three times at its home location at
Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton, Il, west of Chicago, before the move to Kenosha.
The three-lap race was held on a 3.4-mile loop with one long climb on each
circuit. Seventy-three skiers finished the 16.5K, 11 the 5K, most having driven
more than hour to get there on snowy roads. A few skiers dropped out after two
laps because of the severe conditions or equipment problems.
Special thanks to
the Kenosha County Park Dept. for hosting this transplanted race.
--Bob Richards, race director