Sunshine, temps in the teens, fresh snow groomed to near perfection, and a group of talented skiers eager to experience "The Beauty", set the stage for the Black Mountain Classic Race on Saturday. The course lived up to its nickname with firm, fast, tracks and beautiful vistas for skiers as they raced around the Black Mountain trail system.
Jordan Wakely took an early lead and did not look back as he recorded a blistering 1:41:01 on the 31km course. Denny Paull, the race creator, finished 2nd even though his damaged pole basket could be seen right near the 2nd kilometer mark of the race! Mike Davis would round out the podium by winning a close sprint with Stephen Smigiel and Sean Newmister.
Denny Paul on his way to second overall. No basket on that left pole! (Photos: Rick Kaai)
Rebecca Davis continued her amazing comeback year by winning the women's top spot with a 2:09:54 time and 15th Overall finish. Heather Compton, who said that her ski on the Black Mountain trails was great and incredible fun, was 2nd and Sarah Newmister was 3rd.
Is that a smile on Ann Wagar's face?
Smiles on the faces and comments from the racers, along with their Facebook videos and posts, allows us to say with confidence that the Black Mountain Nordic Races were a huge success.
The return of the Chateau Restaurant complex and the addition of Cheboygan Brewing as a major sponsor added to the enjoyment for the skiers.
A few more photos from Rick Kraai can be found here: 2022 Black Mountain Classic photos.
2022 Black Mountain Classic
Saturday, January 29, 2022
| WOMEN | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Bib | Name | Age | Time |
| 1 | 6 | Rebecca Davis | 32 | 2:09:54.4 |
| 2 | 16 | Heather Compton | 46 | 2:31:37.7 |
| 3 | 22 | Sarah Newmister | 39 | 2:35:51.9 |
| 4 | 28 | Wendy Anderson | 60 | 2:37:31.1 |
| 5 | 12 | Ann Wagar | 56 | 2:47:16.3 |
| 6 | 40 | Isabel Carr | 21 | 3:11:42.8 |
| 7 | 15 | Tauni Camilli | 20 | 3:29:19.7 |
| 19 | Cigderm Kokenoz | 26 | DNF | |
| MEN | ||||
| Overall | Bib | Name | Age | Time |
| 1 | 4 | Jordan Wakely | 31 | 1:41:01.5 |
| 2 | 1 | Dennis Paull | 57 | 1:46:38.4 |
| 3 | 5 | Michael Davis | 30 | 1:50:25.0 |
| 4 | 9 | Stephen Smigiel | 55 | 1:50:32.4 |
| 5 | 23 | Sean Newmister | 36 | 1:50:37.5 |
| 6 | 18 | Samuel Fay | 20 | 1:52:32.7 |
| 7 | 32 | Ryan Harris | 31 | 1:55:13.5 |
| 8 | 3 | John Gravlin | 67 | 1:55:20.7 |
| 9 | 10 | Allen Sorgenfrei | 57 | 1:59:13.4 |
| 10 | 8 | Ricardo Lung | 51 | 2:00:06.1 |
| 11 | 31 | Yvon Dufour | 58 | 2:00:46.4 |
| 12 | 7 | Glenn Goodman | 55 | 2:05:07.3 |
| 13 | 41 | Randy Smith | 60 | 2:06:49.0 |
| 14 | 33 | Doug Heady | 64 | 2:07:55.3 |
| 15 | 11 | Jim Anderson | 67 | 2:11:46.1 |
| 16 | 42 | Robert Smith | 48 | 2:16:41.2 |
| 17 | 38 | Steve Seager | 63 | 2:16:47.0 |
| 18 | 39 | Kevin Vazquez | 29 | 2:16:52.2 |
| 19 | 2 | Don Camp | 69 | 2:18:11.0 |
| 20 | 30 | James Bebee | 61 | 2:18:16.2 |
| 21 | 17 | Doug Cornell | 62 | 2:20:54.6 |
| 22 | 37 | David O’Neal | 53 | 2:21:25.5 |
| 23 | 25 | Tom Wernette | 59 | 2:24:52.8 |
| 24 | 35 | Nicholas Johnson | 39 | 2:26:32.0 |
| 25 | 34 | Alan Hough | 60 | 2:28:55.7 |
| 26 | 13 | Mike Bourassa | 67 | 2:34:19.9 |
| 27 | 21 | Rick Neier | 64 | 2:34:22.4 |
| 28 | 20 | Robin Luce | 70 | 2:38:22.1 |
| 29 | 14 | Ernie Brumbaugh | 75 | 2:43:06.8 |
| 30 | 26 | Zbigniew Zlobiki | 71 | 2:57:59.5 |
| 31 | 43 | Mark LaMareaux | 64 | 3:00:45.5 |
| 32 | 27 | Christopher Anderson | 47 | 3:02:03.0 |
| 33 | 36 | Peter Johnson | 76 | 3:03:34.7 |
| 34 | 29 | David Barkhausen | 71 | 3:35:49.9 |
| 35 | 24 | Spencer Ruffner | 70 | 3:58:48.5 |
