US Nats in Anchorage: Sprint Delayed
The course was set, the volunteers were out there from 8am this morning in anticipation of a potential 11:30 start, the big thermometer on the stadium scoreboard was turned off, and the sun came out... Alaska style... around 11am. The preparation was amazing and everyone was clinging to the hope that the rolling patches of ice fog would cover the stadium at just the right time and warm the air up to the -4 F needed to legally start. As we all hunkered down in the Kincaid Chalet waiting to hear the official word, rumors of -14 F readings and speculations about how long they would be willing to wait before calling the race were floating around the rooms. The call at 11:30 was a delay until 1:00 when they would decide whether or not the race would start at 1:30. A little before 1:00 the girls started warming up for the second time, only to get cut short a bit later as the start was now pushed back possibly to 2:00 pm. By that time it was looking doubtful that anyone would be racing today, as the sun had already passed out of sight behind a hill and the temp was falling again. When the race was finally called at 1:45 and rescheduled for the same time Sunday, there was a sense of disappointment in the air from athletes, coaches, and officials alike. Its unfortunate that so many races have been canceled across the country because of lack of snow this season already, and now the trails are immaculately groomed but its too cold to race! Interestingly enough, the Anchorage old timers can't recall a single race at Kincaid that's been canceled due to the cold. After the race was called we went out to ski the skate course again- brutal. But it should be a blast to race and just as fun to watch. Meanwhile, despite the cold, it was a beautiful day at the stadium so here are a few more pictures from around the sprint course.
The midday sun over Kincaid Park
The course was set, the volunteers were out there from 8am this morning in anticipation of a potential 11:30 start, the big thermometer on the stadium scoreboard was turned off, and the sun came out... Alaska style... around 11am. The preparation was amazing and everyone was clinging to the hope that the rolling patches of ice fog would cover the stadium at just the right time and warm the air up to the -4 F needed to legally start. As we all hunkered down in the Kincaid Chalet waiting to hear the official word, rumors of -14 F readings and speculations about how long they would be willing to wait before calling the race were floating around the rooms. The call at 11:30 was a delay until 1:00 when they would decide whether or not the race would start at 1:30. A little before 1:00 the girls started warming up for the second time, only to get cut short a bit later as the start was now pushed back possibly to 2:00 pm. By that time it was looking doubtful that anyone would be racing today, as the sun had already passed out of sight behind a hill and the temp was falling again. When the race was finally called at 1:45 and rescheduled for the same time Sunday, there was a sense of disappointment in the air from athletes, coaches, and officials alike. Its unfortunate that so many races have been canceled across the country because of lack of snow this season already, and now the trails are immaculately groomed but its too cold to race! Interestingly enough, the Anchorage old timers can't recall a single race at Kincaid that's been canceled due to the cold. After the race was called we went out to ski the skate course again- brutal. But it should be a blast to race and just as fun to watch. Meanwhile, despite the cold, it was a beautiful day at the stadium so here are a few more pictures from around the sprint course.
The midday sun over Kincaid Park
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