Uhlfelder News

I don’t know if this group just doesn’t include anyone over 60, but not only was I first in my age group at about 2:45 but I beat the second placed guy by 15 minutes or so. I also beat some pretty fast people, with slow skis (which everyone had and the race was a lot slower than the last two years).

Another beautiful day here in Seefeld. After the Americans had such a great day with the sprints, everyone was excited to see how they do in the distance races. In addition to combined (jumping, then skiing, which is not a strong sport for the Americans), there was a men’s 15K and a women’s 10K. Part of the course took place on the same sprint circuit with some addition distance to make about a 3.7K loop with four passes through the stadium each loop.

Given the beautiful morning and knowing we’d be watching the races at 11 and 2 (men’s then women’s) I went off to explore some trails and go to the cabin at Wildmoos, about a 3K uphill ski one-way from the hotel.

I went with a couple from Jackson Hole, who are super into skiing (like me). Once we got going, I pushed the uphills just to get some intervals in. I’m feeling really strong and in shape so why not. Just about then, some Swedish men’s team guys passed by and I skied behind them. There were three other fast skiers who did the same thing. Who wouldn’t want to watch these guys ski and see what they do that normal people do differently. I’ve decided it’s the balance, smoothness and fearlessness on the downhills.

Anyway, the Jackson couple and I ended up skiing another loop that was flat or rolling and ended up after skiing about an hour back at the Wildmoos cabin.

It’s a pretty colorful place. Here’s a video of the inside.

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After that we went back to the races, skiing down to Seefeld, and I changed quickly into some dry cloths and saw the start of the men’s race. Then, with my incredible credentials, I walked around in places that I would have normally not been allowed, right up and onto the course, to watch the race in a few different points. Simi Hamilton from Aspen had an incredible race and ended up in 8th place after starting in 73rd place! CONGRATULATIONS Simi!!

Then the women’s race, where American Jessica Diggins was in the first two or three places throughout the race and then won! In addition to that, the American girls had other great placings.

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The group met again after an incredible day for Austrian curling, with Gluwein. which is more or less bowling with a huge weight that doesn’t roll or curling with a stone but no broom. Amusing but I won’t be pursuing it.

The Lumi Experiences website has tons of group photos and Garrett had just done a fantastic job all around. He gave us a parting gift of a book hot off the press about the women’s XC team (!!!) and a race jersey signed by the entire team and their coach, suitable for framing. I cannot imagine anyone could do a better job!

Final dinner and good bye to a few of the group. Tomorrow 5AM bus ride.

Thanks for reading!

Again thanks to Garrett, our group leader, and his pull as a former US Olympic team member and all-around good guy, we get to ski the World Cup sprint course before the racers to forerun the course. A small group from our group has volunteered.

It’s another beautiful morning, with the sun shinning and temperatures around 0 or so (32 degrees F).

We got bibs that said Vorläufer and forerun both the women’s course and the men’s course. The women’s course was shorter and much less steep. The men’s course was not only longer but it had a hill in it that even one of the men fell on. It wasn’t that it was steep (it was); it was that it was piled about six inches high with loose corn snow (it’s warm here). You had to step through it and step high enough to clear what was there.

As “volunteers” we got a free lunch, which was fine. I waxed about Aspen since people were interested and one of our guides and her son are planning a trip to Vail.

Our passes were amazing and we had access to all the usual off-limits parts of the course. Since so many in the group know the athletes personally, there were a lot of hugs and enthusiastic encouragement (screaming) to be sure. Here’s a short clip showing some action.

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After lunch we went back for more forefunning and were told our services were no longer needed. I was pretty moist from forerunning three times already so went back to the hotel and changed into dry clothes and went back out. I watched a bunch of heats and the finals. One of the American women, Sofia Caldwell, was considered the co-winner in the women’s race and Simi Hamilton from Aspen was in the men’s finals (fifth place). Great results for the Americans!

Anyway, spending the entire day in the sun was getting to me so I went back to my room for break. More racing and skiing tomorrow.

Originally, tomorrow we were to ski the 3.7K loop that is used a number of times for the longer races (10K and 15K). We were politely invited not to forerun that race because they have too many forerunners and logistics made it difficult. We do keep our badges so we can get anywhere on the course, including very select areas!