First-ever 'Sven, Olie, Lena Race held in Talkeetna

As part of the Bachelor weekend festivities, the Denali Nordic Ski Club held the first ever “Sven & Olie & Lena Too Ski Race” at Ski Hill outside downtown Talkeetna. Over 20 people participated, including some of the Junior High ski team from Su Valley Junior and Senior High. There were 11 teams in all for the relay race.. Those with “Sven and Olie” jokes received handicaps.

The team of Chris Perry and Chris Mannix smoked the course and came in with a record time. Second place finishers were Joe Page and Art Mannix. Dave Harrell raced both legs of the course by himself and finished third.

Laurel Vincent did not finish the first leg of the race due to a face injury from a fall. Her teammate, Casey Jacobs, went on to compete, but the team didn’t place due to the fall. Vincent recovered and competed later in the day in the Wilderness Woman competition.

The Junior High ski team also participated in the race. First place in the junior division was Kenzie Holbrook and Abbie Borge. They were 4th place overall. Second place junior finishers were Ayla Loper and Lilla Fortunoff. They were 6th overall.

All adult participants received a minute off their time if an Olie / Lena / Sven joke was told at sign-in. Four teams were able to receive a one minute handicap.

Every participant received gift certificates to the recently re-opened Juanita’s in downtown Talkeetna. Beer and canned herring were part of a prize drawing.