BOYLSTON, NY – The deep, frozen forest came alive with the sight and sound of cross-country ski racers as they celebrated the tradition of the Walter Chapman 50k Tourathon on yesterday, February 6, in Winona State Forest.
Utilizing a staggered start and other modifications to the events designed to meet COVID-19 protocols, the Winona Forest Trail Association put on a well-attended series of races of varying lengths, accommodating skiers of all fitness levels.
The lake effect snow machine has been active within the last few weeks, laying down several layers of fresh snow, creating an excellent base on the trails and allowing for grooming operations to prepare for the events. The race day weather posed a challenge to the racers and grooming team, with wind and lake effect snow squalls rolling over the course.
“We finished grooming at 5 a.m. and then we were hit with a fresh several inches, which requires us to go out and re-groom the trails,” WFRA President Matt Westerlund said as he climbed out of a track setting machine prior to the start of the day’s racing.“The course is pristine, and I think people are just going to love the conditions.”
Allowing for 50 skiers to enter each distance of the events is just one of the many adjustments the WFRA put in place to encourage safety during the current pandemic situation. All entrants were required to submit a completed health screening document, and all participants were required to wear a mask while congregating at the start area. Skiers brought their own food and drink for the race, as no aid stations were set up on the course, and all post race social activities were cancelled.
“This is my first event in nearly a year now, and I think it’s really meaningful for people to be able to come out and do this” said Jon Cyganik, a 50k entrant from Fayetteville, New York. “This last year has been just crazy for people’s mental and physical health, and just getting lost in the woods for a few hours is a way to get away from all of the politics and problems.”
Skiers waxed, brushed and scraped their skis hurriedly as the countdown to the start began. Veteran Tourathon skier and youth skiing coach John Cheney of Redfield, New York, hoped he had the perfect combination of grip and glide waxes to match the day’s conditions.
“Depending on the snow conditions and temperature, you need to have the proper wax applied,” Cheney said. “But if you get it right, it’s very, very fast.”
The current technology in grip and glide waxes utilizes a color coding system to help skiers repeat a speedy setup.
“Today I’m using LF6 as a glider and blue extra as a grip.” Cheney said.
A feeling of excitement and anticipation gripped the athletes as the starting sequence began and the countdown to each skier’s start time approached. Jessica Northan of Guilderland, New York, was all smiles as she lined up to start her journey through the freshly frosted forest.
“It’s just great to be out here today and to have the opportunity to race,” Northan said. “50k is a long race, so I’m just making a day out of it, and I’m really happy to be here.”
As the last entrant crossed the starting line and disappeared into the swirling flakes of lake effect, organizers and volunteers knew that their efforts to provide a great racing opportunity within the confines of the COVID -19 protocols was a huge success.
“We have about 150 racers spread across the different events, and people are excited for these opportunities to compete on a beautiful day,” said WFRA Director of Skiing Paula Yerdon.
The winners were as follows:
Walter Chapman 50K
- Top Male – Tom French
- Top Female – Ashley Peacock
25K
- Top Male Peter Newell
- Top Female Emily Flynn
12.5k
- Top Male Ben Grodner
- Top Female Gaetane Pererault
