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  • Denny Paull prepares to take off from the starting line Saturday during the 2011 North American Vasa at Timber Ridge Resort. Paull won first place in the in the 27 km freestyle men's 45-49 division.

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February 3, 2012

Vasa still planning on race

Warmer weather could threaten the Feb. 11 event

BY MIKE ECKERT meckert@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — A little more than a week out, plans are pushing forward for the North American Vasa.

"There won't be any major changes," Vasa board president Pete LaPlaca said. "We're not about to cancel the race at this point. We're going to be working on it every day and over the weekend. Right now, it's very skiable. A number of our guys did the 25K this morning."

After unseasonably high temps and lack of canceled Saturday's White Pine Stampede, Vasa is still in line to run on Feb. 11.

"Right now, it's all systems go," LaPlaca said. "But like all races, it's a day-to-day thing. It looks like we've got warm temps coming in on Monday. Highs of 41-47. As long as we don't get rain, we'll be okay. We have a good base and we've been grooming right along."

Helping the Vasa's case is having cover in the woods, while the White Pine's course ran over open ground.

This year's Vasa is also hosting the AXCS Masters National Championships. Because skiers will be traveling from across the country, LaPlaca said they will make final decisions about the race by Tuesday.

But for now, it's all systems go.

On Saturday, Vasa will host a "work bee" to help get the course ready for the following week's race.

Volunteers should be able to ski or snowshoe. They should bring snow shovels, as well as light plastic sleds with rope.

For more information on the "work bee," visit www.vasa.org or call Jim Woodburne at 632-6282.

LaPlaca said they're also asking for courtesy from those going out on the trail.

"We're asking skiers to stay off it once temperatures get above freezing," he said. "We don't have that much of a base and that will cut in and start destroying it. TART Trails put out that notice and we're asking people, if they want to ski, to go out early in the morning when it's cold and set.

"They've got to be careful as well, because there is some ice out there and the downhills are very fast."

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