2nd Annual Barneløpet Cross Country Ski Race a success!

A young member of the Copper Country Ski Tigers rounds a curve at Maasto Hiihto during the 2nd Annual Barneløpet Cross-Country Ski Race, sponsored by the Sons of Norway and the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club on Feb. 7, 2009. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)

HANCOCK -- The 2nd Annual Barneløpet Cross-Country Ski Race, sponsored by the Sons of Norway and the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) on Feb. 7, 2009, attracted over 100 participants including about 70 youth and 30 - 40 adults, according to Sons of Norway volunteer Greg Odegard of Houghton, whose son Leif, 9, participated in the 2-km race.

Barneløpet volunteers Greg Odegard, left, Sons of Norway treasurer, and Glen Archer, Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club secretary, collect signs at the end of the Feb. 7 non-competitive race for youth and their parents.

Sons of Norway Lodge 5-670 President Wayne Stordahl said the non-competitive event was a success, thanks to more participation, good weather and better co-ordination with the Ski Tigers youth skiing group schedule. He noted the Ski Tigers coaches considered the event worthwhile.

Pictured here in the Maasto Hiihto Chalet after the 2nd Annual Barneløpet are Sons of Norway Lodge 5-670 volunteers Wayne Stordahl, president; Eileen Stordahl, right, secretary and hospitality; Karen Johnson, left, trustee; and Patti Milde.

"We appreciated the Michigan Tech cross-country ski team members coming over and skiing the course and cheering for the kids," Stordahl said.

KNSC volunteer Ray Sharp shows some of the youngest skiers how to get in position for the start of the race.

And they're off!

Glen Archer, KNSC secretary, said the ski club members, as stewards of the Maasto Hiihto trails, were happy to co-sponsor this event again this year.

"Part of our mission is to promote cross-country skiing in the Keweenaw," Archer said.

This parent is doing double duty!

During the awards ceremony following the race, young skiers Jay Woodbeck and Kai Sharp received checks for their success in the recent Junior Olympics. Children who finished their course were each awarded a colorful Norwegian Olympic-style enameled medallion.

KNSC members, from left, Sandy Aronson, John Diebel and Maasto Hiihto groomer Arlyn Aronson (on ladder), prepare to take down the Start sign after the race.

The Barneløpet, a Norwegian word meaning, "the children’s race" is open to all youth ages three through 17. In addition to the Sons of Norway Ulseth Lodge and KNSC, co-sponsors also included the Keweenaw Community Foundation (KCF) and Portage Health. KCF provided a grant for the event and Portage Health served hot chocolate and cookies to participants in the Maasto Hiihto Chalet after the race.

Check out our slide show in the upper right corner of this page for more photos of Barneløpet participants in action.

Sons of Norway to hold ski / snowshoe / potluck Mar. 8 at Maasto Hiihto

The Sons of Norway will have a ski-in and pot luck dinner on Sunday, Mar. 8, at the Maasto Hiihto Ski Chalet in Hancock. Ski or show shoe on the trails any time after 2 p.m.. Dinner will be at 5 p.m. Bring soups, crockpots, breads, desserts; if you can bring soup or chili for this please contact Stordahls at 482-0292 so we are sure to have the main dish!

If the full moon is out some could go out after dinner also. Bring the family and friends and enjoy the great outdoors starting at 2 or just bring a dish to pass and join us for the potluck dinner at 5 p.m.

Andrea H. has volunteered to teach beginner skiiers starting at 2 p.m. There is a $5 daily fee required to use the Maasto Hiihto trails if you are not a trail member already.

For more information contact Connie Julien, webmaster and publicity chair, Sons of Norway, Ulseth Lodge. Visit the Sons of Norway, Ulseth Lodge Web site.