Steve Foix of Calumet, left, was one of several parents who skied with their children at the First Annual Barnelopet on Feb. 16 at Maasto Hiihto in Hancock. Steve's sons, Alexander James Foix, 13, and Daniel Foix, 11, skied in the 2 Km event. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)HANCOCK -- Undaunted by single-digit temperatures, young skiers, aged three to 13, and their parents showed up at Maasto Hiihto Ski Trails for the Copper Country's First Annual Barnelopet family ski event, sponsored by the Sons of Norway, the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) and Portage Health on Feb. 16.
Brandy Kinnunen, 11, of Tapiola, heads for the finish line in the Barnelopet 4 Km event at Maasto Hiihto on Feb. 16, 2008. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)Several parents skied with their children in this non-competitive cross-country event. Participants skied 1 Km, 2 Km or 4 Km on the trails, both skating and striding.
Brandy Kinnunen, 11, and her brother, Jack Kinnunen, 9, came all the way from Tapiola for the event. Their dad, Russ Kinnunen, skied with them.
Nancy Imm, right, of Portage Township, language instructor for the Sons of Norway and a member of KNSC and the National Ski Patrol, poses for a photo with Brandy, center, and Jack Kinnunen of Tapiola after their 4 Km Barnelopet event. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)"It was O.K. but very tiring," Brandy said. "It's the first time we skied in a race."
Three-year-old Naomi Hohnholt of Hancock and her dad, Chris Hohnholt, skied the Barnelopet 1 Km event together. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)Volunteer and KNSC member Ray Sharp showed up to help with starting the races.
"It was very well organized for a first-year event," Sharp said. "I hope the participation grows exponentially."
Wayne Stordahl, left, of Hancock, a member of the Sons of Norway, organized the Barnelopet, assisted by KNSC member Jay Green of Houghton, who also made the chili. (Photo © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)Barnelopet is a Norwegian word meaning "kids' ski tour," Sharp explained.
"The Sons of Norway have traditionally promoted youth skiing, so generations of American kids can learn to ski as kids do in Norway," he added.
Grant Haataja and Hendrick Haataja of Calumet pause for a photo after finishing the 4 Km race. At right is (their?) Mom who skied along. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)Sharp noted a similar event -- attended by more than 1,000 young skiers -- is the Barnebirkie, which precedes the annual Birkebeiner races held in Hayward, Wis.* These races are also of Norwegian origin. Birkebeiner means the leggings made of birch bark worn by Norwegian soldiers in the Middle Ages, he explained.
During the Barnelopet, KNSC volunteers, from left, Eileen Stordahl, Sandy Aronson and Bill Marlor offered hours of their time to prepare and serve a variety of refreshments in the Maasto Chalet, including soup, chili and the yummy lemon bars at right. Free coffee, hot chocolate and cookies were also available. Not pictured is Arlyn Aronson, who was grooming the Maasto trails. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)Skiers, parents and volunteers enjoyed free hot chocolate, coffee and cookies while warming up in the Maasto Hiihto Chalet. Soup, chili and other refreshments were also available for lunch.
"Portage Health provided the coffee, hot chocolate and cookies," said volunteer Eileen Stordahl.
She noted the group may consider raising the age above 13 next year to attract more skiers.
Although the Barnelopet is non-competitive, volunteer timers Mary Gardner, left, and Christine Young recorded skiers' times. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)While the Maasto Hiihto Trails are now for striding, groomer Arlyn Aronson put in skating lanes just for this event.
Each skier participating in the Barnelopet received a medal like this one from the Sons of Norway. (Photo © 2008 Gustavo Bourdieu)Editor's Note: The Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) will hold their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, at the Maasto Chalet in Hancock. One of the topics under discussion will be an exciting opportunity to purchase 140 acres of property that are part of the trail system.
* To read about the Barnebirkie, held on Feb. 21 in Hayward, Wis., visit their Web site.
No comments:
Post a Comment