Teacup Classic Race Report

 Jane Ritchey was a big-time ski racer back in the day, and now in her 70s, she’s been bitten by the racing bug once again. She headed down to the Teacup Classic last weekend with Rob and Suzanne and sends us this report. Sounds like we can expect to see her on many more start lines!

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(Rob Corkran photos)

The Gunnar Hagan 7.5 K was so exciting for me at 77 years old, I couldn’t wait to go race again. Suzanne and Rob Corkran, my sponsors, invited me to join them at the 2nd classic race at the Teacup Nordic Center near Mt Hood Meadows, following the Virginia Meissner Classic race near Bend that Suzanne raced and reported on for KSC. I had raced in Oregon around the Mt Hood area in the 1960’s and 70’s before the Teacup area was established, so after looking at the trail map and reading about the course, I decided it would be fun and a perfect reintroduction to travelling to an event. I am grateful to Suzanne and Rob, without whom it would have been a big stretch for me. Being part of a team is so rewarding, sharing stories, dining, driving, waxing, gear advice, meeting their friends and Sophie (their niece who was crowned Queen of Classics after winning both Classic events) plus seeing Joy Cordell and Jeff Clark there, who were introducing the younger generation to events and skiing, all made me feel at home and part of the racing scene again. 

I stayed with Rob and Suzanne Friday night in anticipation of a possible local snow event early Saturday morning, which would have been stressful to me driving at 5 am from Hood Canal to meet them. We left Seattle early to get to the Teacup Nordic Center in time for a ski and review of the course. Arriving Saturday after lunch, it was possible to get a parking spot in the snow-park as some early birds were already leaving. It was snowing and blowing, but warmer than I thought it would be so my hopes of smooth blue kicker working well were not realized. I learned about a cushion layer of VR45 underneath the VR40. Suzanne and Rob’s wax worked better than mine for a while, but by the time the new snow was accumulating in the track as it blew around, we were all icing up. Still the scenery was to die for, and the terrain for me was ideal. 

My brother, the navigation and map guru of our family, had supplied me with Google Earth maps with course lines and elevation lines and views from all directions to give an idea of the course. Suzanne and Rob had skied there before, so were also a great asset in learning what to expect for Sunday. I was not trying to memorize the course because the day was so beautiful and I loved being out there in stormy weather with no one else in view but the three of us. 

We stayed at the Best Western in Hood River and ate right there, too. I was surprised at the hotel staff telling us to just wax in your own room. After dinner was wax reeducation time for me, absorbing all I could from Rob’s wax technique and suggestions for Sunday. The Teacup Nordic Club had suggested wax options the day before and also said their expert Karl would give advice the day of the race. What a treat. I think I was too conservative on the kick wax, and had to add more layers just before the start. Rob is the best in calming nerves and coaching how thick to apply the wax. I need to get one of those felt-sided Swix pocket corks.

The 5 K race was just my speed. A mix of youngsters, hot dog teenagers, parents and at least a few over 60-year-old grandparents and old timers. There were skiers in colorful tight team suits and others in mountain parkas and baggy pants. Every ski variety could also be seen. If Ben Husaby wants a family event for everyone, this definitely qualifies. I felt right at home. I think I was the oldest at 77 and I even came home with a medal.

It was such a treat to be part of Team KSC with Rob, Jeff and Joy cheering on the hills. I got to cheer on the 15 K racers after my race and was amazed at how they took the hills. I asked the wax specialist Karl what he used on Sophie’s skis and didn’t recognize half of the wax names. So much more complicated with so many more choices than in the 1960’s.

Sophie Corkran was the star of the event, winning the women’s 15 K and being crowned Queen of Classic. 

The drive home was a recap the whole way of all the events of the weekend. I got home by 8:30pm to Hood Canal, which was amazing, too. Rob may not have gotten enough skiing in but he gets the MVP award for driving, organizing and coaching and cheering. I think I’ll give him my cowbell from the Alps.

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Rob, head waxing coach and chief cheerleader, adds this extra color on the day:

Conditions were about as good as possible for a Cascade venue. Swix 40/45 or Rode Super Blue. Sophie had a great race. She was ahead of Ben Husaby for several kilometers! Ben finished fourth, 59 years old and not having raced for several years. Sophie finished eighth overall. Ben from Meissner formed a partnership with Teacup to promote a combined champion of the two races and Sophie is the classic queen! Participants in both races were eligible for a weekend of food, lodging and skiing at a new xc area on a ranch deep in Eastern Oregon near Burns!

Joy and Jeff were there. Jeff had had a hockey accident and did not race and Joy was taking care of her grand niece! I had a blast cheering all contestants up the long herringbone out of the central nordic area.

The racing Lemieux family lived up to their French name, “The Best”. Mom Rachel was slowest with a 22 minute 5k.  Caitlyn and Rogan, 13 and 10, were third and fourth in around 20 minutes. Jayvin,  15, won the 15k in just under 47 minutes with Dad Jason in third place just over 47 minutes.  They live in Parkdale just north of Teacup in the Hood River Valley.  Sophie Corkran, 20, and living in Bend, was eighth overall and first female in the 15k category, finishing in 52:35.

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Photo from Joy: the littlest skier (her grandniece) heading toward the lollipop reward at the finish line.