Oosik plans solidified for Talkeetna on Saturday

This year’s Oosik Classic Ski Race will start at the Village Air strip in downtown Talkeetna.

The Chamber of Commerce last Thursday heard guest Arthur Mannix, who gave a history and update on the annual Oosik Classic ski race.

He said race organizers had jumped through all the FAA hoops to close the airstrip for one day. For the past several years, the race start and finish was held at Fish Lake along the Talkeetna Spur Road.

The race grows in participation each year. Mannix said this year, Talkeetna should expect up to 350 skiers from around the state. Bed and Breakfast owners at the meeting all nodded and said they were at maximum capacity for the weekend.

Mannix said the race is in the spirit of small European village style races. It starts at noon on March 21^st at the Village Airstrip and includes a 50 K and a 25 K race. It winds up river, thru trees and around bends and finishes back at the airstrip. Checkpoints along the way have water and sport drink. In the past, some have even served hot dogs and brats on the grill. The race concludes with a banquet, awards presentation and dance at the Sheldon Community Arts Hanger Saturday evening. Racers are encouraged to stay on thru Sunday for a more casual ski on the trails.

The race is non-profit and non-commercial in hopes of preserving its small town spirit. Entrance fees pay for the banquet meal and race organization. Dozens of volunteers help with trail maintenance, banquet preparation and overall organization of the 300 or more visitors descending on Talkeetna.