2008 Oosik Classic Ski Race Saturday, March 15, 2008
" A cross-country race and tour through the lakes, rivers, and woods of Talkeetna "

~25 and ~50 km Events

Results are in!

2008 ONLINE REGISTRATION | Current Entries

Hosted by: Denali Nordic Ski Club

Once again, it’s getting to be that time of year…  Time for the Oosik Classic Ski Race! The Oosik Classic is scheduled to start at high noon on Saturday, March 15, 2008, at Fish Lake, south of Talkeetna. LOCATION MAP

This winter there’s good snow cover in Talkeetna.  The Denali Nordic Ski Club has been scouting, brushing out, and snowshoe-packing this year’s Oosik course.  We’ll be skiing in the same general area as last year, though we’re cutting some new trails to show you some new terrain.

A FUN INTRODUCTION TO THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENT!

No doubt about it, Alaska has as spirited a nordic community as anywhere on the continent. At race venues in the Lower 48, Alaskans are well known for their tenacity, hardiness and consistently good results. Ironically, in this wild, “last frontier” state, most of the cross country skiing activity - from junior nordic to masters to citizen’s races and events - is urban based; centered around trail systems developed and maintained by large ski clubs and municipalities. Because of the distances between communities in this Great Land, most every ski event has participants who come from hundreds of miles away (over 800 miles commonly separates the hometowns of competitors who see each other frequently throughout the winter). Despite the vast distances that separate all of us, we are still a tight-knit little “society”, with our own winter-oriented knowledge base, our own folklore (who doesn’t have a few crazy tales of out-of-the-norm skier experiences?), and even our own distinct dialect (ever hang out in a wax room?).

Unfortunately for us, nordic events here are often celebrated in somewhat of a “hurried” fashion. Skiers arrive and hustle out to check out the trails to make sure that their wax is dialed-in. They race, warm down, and then scoot inside for an all-too-brief post-race awards ceremony before piling on a bus for the long drive home. To Outsiders, this degree of commitment is mind-blowing. Alaskan skiers truly are an admirable bunch when it comes to their dedication, sense of camaraderie and love of their outdoor lifestyle in the face of conditions far more austere than most anywhere else on the planet. They deserve to celebrate… to celebrate themselves… and to celebrate what brings them together… namely those ridiculously skinny boards that enable them to so delight in moving over the winter landscape that is their home.

The Oosik Classic Ski Race/Tour is one such event from which a skier needn’t hurry away after crossing the finish line. Indeed, the finish line is only HALF of the Oosik.  Everyone’s encouraged to stay overnight in Talkeetna in order to partake in the Oosik Classic’s regionally-renowned Après’ Ski Banquet/Dance. There are lots of places to stay in town.  The locals love the influx of this healthy, energetic crowd of outdoorsy-types, and all agree it’s the best party the town throws all year. They’re astounded that these skiers have so much energy to dance… after touring all day! (Skiers know better.)

All of Talkeetna’s local food vendors “pull out all the stops” and work together to put out a great spread of all kinds of food. The Midnight Sun Brewing Company supplies the beer. And long-time local Talkeetna musicians (“Slick Willie and the Swinging Chads”) crank out so much rhythm, and rock, and blues…that nearly everyone ends up hitting the dance floor. At the Oosik, our “society of skiers” is truly seen in another context: one of revelry, humor, silliness, warmth and goodwill.

RACE DETAILS:

Oosik Masters know is that we like to have a party after the race.  That’s why this race is on a Saturday.  There will be a buffet and party in the evening at the Don Sheldon Hangar in downtown Talkeetna.  Your participation in the race gets you in the door.  We’ll have food, music, and dancing.  This year’s band will be “Slick Willie and the Swinging Chads”.

Because we’d like everyone, including the volunteers, to be out of the woods, rested and relaxed by the time darkness falls and the evening’s festivities begin, we will feature early start times for anyone who thinks they may need a little extra time getting around the course.

On Friday evening before the race, March 14, Trond Flagstad, UAA Ski Team head coach, will host a ski waxing clinic at the Don Sheldon Hangar.  With the support of Swix and Toko, Trond will show you the latest techniques for helping your classic and skating skis live up to their full potential!  Ever wonder how Trond has managed to win four Oosik Classic races?  Maybe it’s the skis!  Please join Trond for the free wax clinic, and feel free to bring your own waxing supplies – this clinic has traditionally provided a lot of people the space and expert oversight they needed to get their skis race-rocket-ready.  The clinic will begin at 7 pm and will continue until the wax fumes get too thick.

The focus of the event is the celebration of our good fortune – that we are skiers in some of the most magnificent country in the world! Hard-core ski racers and nature-loving ski-travelers alike are welcome at the Oosik Classic Ski Race. Winners of the 50 km race get their names inscribed for posterity on the Oosik trophy hanging at Skinny Raven Sports for all the rest of us to admire

Here’s a tip from me: If you have several basket-size options, use the bigger ones. We’ll be grooming the course long before the weekend of the event. But all the same, the snow can be deep and soft in Talkeetna in March.

Entry fee: $30 if postmarked by March 11, 2008. $50 after March 11, 2008, including race day.   Your entry gets you into the party.  Preregistration will only be online this year.  Everybody’s doin’ it!  REGISTER ONLINE

The Drive: It takes about two hours from Anchorage; a little more from Fairbanks. If you travel with the right people, it’s fun!

Supoort Services: Support services for the Oosik Classic Ski Race are provided by   Matanuska-Susitna Borough Parks and Outdoor Recreation.

Please respect the Private Property:

Major portions of the Oosik Classic Ski Race are on private property. In order to ensure future use of the course, skiers are asked to follow these simple rules:

1. Portions of the course north of Fish Lake will be closed except for race day, Saturday, March 15. Please stay off sections marked "Closed" prior to and after race day.
2. No loose dogs! All dogs must be on a leash. Better yet, leave your dog at home.

The Denali Nordic Ski Club, Inc. and local property owners thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy the race!

CONTACT:

More Info: Call or email Arthur Mannix (733-2615) or Email Chris Mannix (733-2427) in Talkeetna or Adam Verrier in Anchorage at 907-569-1666.