Citing concerns about COVID-19, the Denali Nordic Ski Club has canceled the 2020 Oosik Classic Ski Race and Tour less than twenty-four hours before it was scheduled to begin. As of yesterday, the race was still a go, although with additional precautions put in place. This afternoon, the DNSC board released a statement saying the event, which brings hundreds of participants to Talkeetna each March, has been canceled. The statement followed similar Oosik-related event cancellations.
Friday’s statement reads, in part, “We feel that despite this being an outdoor event and our efforts to minimize the risk of potential transmission of illness at registration and the aid stations this would still be a large gathering of folks.”
The statement canceling the 2020 Oosik also says that the event relies heavily on the work of volunteers, many of whom decided that being part of this year’s race was not in their best interest.
The statement ends by saying that the trails are groomed and ready to be used, but there will not be aid stations or support of any kind provided by the ski club. Those trails are open for use at the individual discretion and risk of skiers.
