2009 Equinox Oosik Classic Ski Race/Tour
Saturday, March 21, 2009
" A 25k & 50k xc race and tour through the lakes, rivers, and woods of Talkeetna "

RACE RESULTS POSTED - updated!

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2009 REGISTER ONLINE | Current Entries

Download the Equinox Oosik 2009 Details

2009 Mail In Registration Form

Hosted by Denali Nordic Ski Club

RACE INFO:

Race Starts: High Noon Saturday, March 21st, 2009

Race Course:

The 2009 Oosik Classic Ski Race offers an entirely new course that starts in Beautiful Downtown Talkeetna. The course starts at High Noon on Saturday, March 21st at the historic Village Airstrip across the street from the Fairview Inn and adjacent to the Sheldon Community Arts Center.

This year’s course is a Wilderness Experience  with no place to bail if you bonk. The course will be SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER THAN 50/25K ! Skiers wishing to ski the 50K loop must reach the second feed station by 2:00 pm. Any skier reaching the second feed station after 2:00 pm will be directed on to the 25K course. Skiers unsure of their ability to ski the “25K” course may opt to do the “Oosik Lite” - ski to Mike and Molly’s and back on the Susitna River. Please assess your abilities wisely!

Skiers will gain the Susitna River immediately after the start and head north for approximately 10 kilometers before reaching the first of three Feed Stations at Mike and Molly’s House. At that point the trail turns generally west to cross the Susitna River before turning north to wind through the forests and muskegs of the Susitna Valley. The second Feed Station is reached several kilometers from here. At the second feed station 25K skiers split off to the east and a loop that returns to Mike and Molly’s House. 50 K skiers continue north for 8-9 K to a Feed Station before looping back to the second feed station where they will rejoin the 25K course described above. Once returning skiers reach Mike and Molly’s House they ski the river again back to the start on the Airstrip.
Start to Mike and Molly’s (First Feed)	8.5K (5.3miles)
M&M’s to 2nd Feed ( 50K-25K split)	7.2K (4.5miles)
2nd Feed to M&M’s 25K loop	5.4K (3.4miles)
2nd Feed to 3rd Feed on 50K loop	6.4K (4 miles)
3rd Feed back to 2nd Feed	6.7K (4.2 miles)
3rd Feed to M&M’s on 50K loop	12.2K (7.6miles)
Everyone skis upriver to M&M’s and then across the river to the 2nd Feed where the course splits. The 25K skiers return on a loop to M&M’s, the 50K skiers continue north to the 3rd Feed then loop back to the 2nd Feed. The 50K skiers will have two miles of two way traffic on a trail that is sometimes narrow and winding through the woods. There is one hill immediately adjacent to the 2nd Feed that rises to the level of a “Watch Your Ass” spot- it’s narrow and steep with two way traffic. We will be cutting some firewood from this hill during the next few days. At the 2nd Feed the 50K skiers join with the throng on the loop back to M&M’s and then down river to the Finish. Although there are no big hill climbs on the course the potential for a vicious headwind for skiers is very real.  Snowpack is deep this year and the trail may be soft or drifted over in places; we recommend large baskets.  Moose on the trail may present a real hazard. If you encounter a moose on the trail you may be forced to leave the trail and detour around it! Don’t mess with moose!  Some areas of overflow may be encountered. Hopefully, it won’t be too deep.  Other hazards may be encountered including: trees and brush encroaching into the trail, icy spots, other trail users, stumps, and who knows what else. Please ski carefully and in control. The snow is fantastic. If the weather trend continues this will be the best snow yet-hard wax all the way. (as of 3/18/09)

Download the Equinox Oosik 2009 Details

WAX: Toko will have a wax tent set up at 9 AM Saturday on the airstrip.
Wax Recommendations - PDF

Parking:

Parking will be available at the Talkeetna Christian Center located on the Talkeetna Spur Road about one block east of the Village Airstrip.

Village Airstrip:

We would like to thank the Talkeetna Airmen’s Association for their help and cooperation in bringing the start to Downtown. The Airstrip will be open for skiers on race day only! Please respect private property.

Support:

Support for this event comes, in part, from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Parks and Recreation Department.

How to get there:

It takes about two hours from Anchorage; a little more from Fairbanks. If you travel with the right people, it’s fun! Everybody’s doin’ it!
 GOOGLE MAP DIRECTIONS

CONTACT:

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