The Trail Meister of Talkeetna’s 2019 Oosik Classic Ski Race and Tour held has a big job in preparing 25 and 50 kilometers of trail to be in prime condition for more than 700 hundred skiers on Saturday, March 16th. This year’s Meister, Tim Buechle, has spent his early Alaskan spring navigating new trails while also incorporating existing ones. The Denali Nordic Ski Club attracts a hard working group of volunteers for the creation of a unique course that varies from year to year. Starting this Friday, a ‘circus-like’ atmosphere will arrive in Talkeetna for Saturday’s High Noon Start at the Mile 11 Gravel Pit.
Warm temperatures have challenged organizers in trail selection due to fast-changing conditions. This year’s Oosik Ski Course travels thru the familiar terrain of Talkeenta Lakes Park, Inlet Lake and the Glacial Erratic, a landmark known from previous Oosik courses.
While there are many people involved in the trail blazing efforts, it’s hard to say just who may be looking at weather conditions more frequently, the racers or the organizers. Getting the wax right for the temperatures is important on how easily skiers will glide along those trails. If one applies the wrong wax, the bottom of their ski skis can feel like velcro.
Perhaps the festive St. Patrick’s Day weekend connection will keep it fun, as the Oosik attracts both the recreational skier and the hardcore racer. With the US Junior National Championships being held in Anchorage this weekend as well, there is no shortage of Nordic talent in Alaska to celebrate the spring.
As of March 11th, 2019, 86 racers have signed up for the 50 Km race and 650 for the 25 Km race. For more information or to volunteer, visit the web at: www.denalinordicskiclub.org.
