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I’ve been in Grand Rapids for just over a week now, though I took a break for the weekend while the NorAm XC was in town. Last week, it snowed just about every day, including a sizeable storm of 10” on Friday. This is the first time that I’ve been in Grand Rapids that there has been real natural snow on the ground of a sizeable amount! (Granted, I’ve been here only in late December.)
The venue in Grand Rapids is great with the natural snow. From past experiences here during leaner snow years, I remember sacrificing a pair of skis in order to train and race on the trails. It was quite impressive that for three years straight, the volunteers here organized competitions here despite the non-cooperation of the weather. Each year they both truck snow in and made it on location. They are one of only a few venues that I know of that have a snowmaking system, which is remarkable, considering that Mt. Itasca is only a few years old.
In terms of topography, Mt. Itasca is challenging. There is a series of climbs, but the major hill itself is difficult more because it flows unevenly. It is neither incredibly steep nor extraordinarily long. But it is challenging. Imagine it as a staircase that winds back and forth and has short flat sections in between each series of stairs – difficult to get into a rhythm. Nevertheless, it is a fun course to ski, with interesting downhills and corners to keep the mind occupied.
The second World Cup that I am planning to do is in Pokljuka, Slovenia. It features a steep and long climb in the middle. Every loop goes up the hill, so I figured that I better be prepared. Mt. Itasca is similar to that course, so it is a pleasant coincidence that I find myself here in Minnesota.
I’m looking forward to this opportunity to test myself against the best on the World Cup. Though it is unlikely that I’ll win, it is certain that I will learn a good deal about what it will ultimately take for me to win in the future.
On Friday, I fly to Munich, Germany. The team is currently training in Ridnaun, Italy, until the World Cup in Torino (Cesana-San Sicario), Italy. I’ll join them on Saturday.
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