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Aspen, CO -
Unprecedented. Landmark. Historic. Just a few of the words used to
describe the new Owl Creek Chase presented by Rocky Mountain Nordic.
The organizers of one of the premier Nordic events in Colorado are
planning something that’s never been done, a combination of major
events to create a unique “Super Event”, where national level elite
racers will tackle the same course as citizen racers, top juniors
and recreational skiers attracted to a non-competitive tour. For
perhaps the first time in U.S. cross-country skiing history, all
levels of the sport will meet on the same day and at the same time,
no small task indeed, but the Owl Creek organizers are up to it.
Since last spring, The City of Aspen, The Ute Mountaineer and The
Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Council have been working diligently to
prepare for what could be one of the finest cross-country events the
Roaring Fork Valley has ever seen.
For
decades, citizen racers, elite racers, juniors looking to qualify
for the Junior Olympics, and recreational tourists have never been
able to ski together due to the different agendas of each group.
However, on Feb. 10, 2007, that will all change. The USSA SuperTour,
FIS Marathon Cup, RMN Junior Olympic Qualifier, Colorado Cup
citizen’s series and the newly formed Bappa’s Tour will all come
under one roof, The Owl Creek Chase presented by Rocky Mountain
Nordic.
“We
really tried to use our imagination this year and expand the Owl
Creek Chase to include juniors, families and recreational skiers as
well as the top level elite racers. Our goal with this event is to
bring junior racers and citizens together with their skiing heroes,
the aspiring Olympians that come to town for the SuperTour. I think
this is really taking cross country events to the next level and
we’re extremely proud to be the hosts here in Aspen.” said Race
Director Bob Wade this week. “We have picked up a new title sponsor
in Rocky Mountain Nordic, and they have worked hard to bring the new
Bappa’s Tour in line with Owl Creek. This will be our biggest
cross-country event yet and we should really turn some heads this
year. We’re extremely excited.” Wade continued.
SuperTour comes to town. Once again the road to the Olympics
will travel through Aspen, as the USSA SuperTour will make the ’07
Owl Creek Chase its 10th stop out of 12. Formerly known
as the NorAms or Continental Cup, the SuperTour is the national
cross country circuit and this marks the third year in succession
that the Owl Creek Chase has been named to the tour. With cash
prizes and national ranking points on the line, the ’07 Owl Creek
Chase should see its most competitive field ever tackle the 25km
from Snowmass to Aspen.
Citizens race adds 15k option. More and more citizen racers are
finding their way to Aspen, the second week in February as the Owl
Creek Chase gains a reputation as one of Colorado’s finest cross
country races. However, some are a little overwhelmed at the course,
a tough, rolling trail with many vertical feet of climbing. For
those that are looking for a slightly easier course, this year the
Owl Creek Chase is adding a 15k option that offers the beauty of the
Snowmass to Aspen Owl Creek Trail without the level of effort the
25k requires. However, those up for it can still challenge the same
course as the SuperTour racers and compare their times to some of
the best in the country while enjoying the scenic beauty of the
famous Owl Creek trail. Whether one is looking for pleasure or
pain, many citizen racers now make the annual pilgrimage to Aspen
for Owl Creek weekend and with a new 15k option, participation is
expected to grow exponentially.
Junior events added. Juniors, seniors and masters rarely race
together, but this year at Owl Creek, all 3 groups will be on the
course at the same time. Through cooperation between the Owl Creek
organizers, the Aspen Valley Ski Club and the Rocky Mountain Junior
Committee, a new 15k Junior Olympic Qualifier will be held in
conjunction with the Owl Creek Chase. There will also be shorter
junior races held at the Aspen Cross Country Center, site of the
finish of the Owl Creek Chase. This new cooperative will make it
possible for families, coaches, juniors, elites, and seniors to all
come together like never before.
Bappa’s Tour embraces recreational skiers. Cross-country ski
races can be a little intimidating. Lycra clad Uber athletes
running around panicking about wax and spreading anxiety like a
plague can make it difficult to maintain perspective, but this year
the Bappa’s Tour will take the edge off. RMN is promoting their new
Rocky Mountain Nordic Tour series with stops at Summit County and
Aspen for the Bappa’s Tour, a non-competitive, fully supported tour
on the same Owl Creek trail as the big race. Starting at the same
time as the 15k Citizen’s race and utilizing the same feed stations,
the Bappa’s Tour will take in the point-to-point terrain of the Owl
Creek trail and finish at the Aspen Cross Country Center.
Festivities and fun await the participants at the finish with the
post-race feed at the AXCC provided by Dahlia’s Lunch at Schlomo’s.
Friendly camaraderie fills the air and stories of leg burning climbs
and swooping descents are woven between newly formed acquaintances,
just the cure for race day anxiousness, don’t race, just enjoy,
welcome to the new Bappa’s Tour. Proceeds from the RMN Tour Series
will support junior skiing and bring awareness to global warming.
Keep Winter White. With special cooperation between the
organizers of the Owl Creek Chase, The Bappa’s Tour and the City of
Aspen’s Canary Initiative, this year’s event will balance out it’s
carbon emissions by purchasing wind and solar power. 100% of Owl
Creek Chase CO2 emissions from energy consumption including
participant travel, course preparation, shuttle transport and Nordic
center operations will be offset. For more information go to:
www.canaryinitiative.com.
Saturday Night
Thunder at Wagner Park.
Also added this year is a post race fun event scheduled for downtown
Aspen on Saturday night. The Wagner Park Drag Race presented by the
Aspen Valley Ski Club was first tried last season on an experimental
basis and was met with fanatic enthusiasm. Pitted head to head,
racers will drag race 80 meters under the lights and through single
elimination, tournament brackets, winners will be named. Calling
all adrenaline junkies, high speed and excitement is what the drag
races are all about, an event in and of itself that should not be
missed.
Ski with the pros on Sunday. Racing is not the only thing on
Owl Creek weekend; learning from the best is also a big draw for the
Owl Creek Chase participants. Returning again for its third season
is the Ski with the Pros clinic on Sunday, Feb. 11. Free of charge,
the Ski with the Pros is a chance for citizen racers, tourists and
juniors to take a lesson from some of the top skiers in the
country. With elite racers from several teams including; Subaru,
FSX, Rossignol, Alpina, Madshus and Atomic, the Ski with the Pros
continues to grow from year to year and is one of the highlights of
the entire weekend.
So
keep in mind, whether you’re an elite racer, junior Olympian,
citizen racer or recreational tourist, make plans for Aspen Feb.
10-11 2007 and the Owl Creek Chase presented by Rocky Mountain
Nordic, there’s something for everyone.
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