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Fwd: Finns Rule
This was posted Sunday on the Madison Nordic Skiers (Danenet) mail
group. MadNorSkis, We have just completed day 2 of the Rajalta Rajalle-hiihto, the 444K ski tour across Finland. Our group has about 30 Finns, 10 Americans, about 12 Germans, some Swiss, Swedes, and French. The Finns have been very gracious and warm, not the stereotype of great reserve. Ned must have scared them when he was here. We skied 67K yesterday, 65K today, with 54K tomorrow, followed by the big kahuna, 84K across the fens. I´ve eaten everything they have here and feel no ill effects. We have met some real characters so far. Paavo is the self-styled King of the tour. He shared his wax bench with us so his is our King too. He doesn´t like "Mr. Booooooooosh" and went on for some time about concerns the Finns have. The country has been occupied or dominated for most of its history so they are tuned in to world politics. Our favorite Swede is Lars, who comes from the sister city to Madison, which I cannot spell. He´s a least 60 and skis like a maniac. He has made sure he finished before us. Anyway, we are having a great time and I hope you all come to the Monday night club meeting to vote in some new blood. See you soon. Jimmy VandenBrook |
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Finns Rule
RR Update
today was a nominal 54k but had á couple of surpises. right out of the gate, some screaming downhills. we were supposed to wait til 8.30 to start but the euros all took off early. they show up early for everything. so we had to sweep the course. brilliant sun, -12 celcius, pretty fast. Lilli, a later 50s Finnish woman looks like she's slow but she's always at the rest stops somehow. Most folks don't dally at the rest stops like us. Today included three interesting climbs. They were a little later in the day and the temps warmed so our wax was not as effective. the first climb was about 7 minutes in length and we didn't think much about it. then the mother of all climbs stared at us. our wax was thin, the pitch was pretty steep, but doable if you were waxed right. we were'nt. 25 minutes of steep climbing with 35k already in. then the cherry on the sundae. we finished with a 4k nasty climb up to the base of the ski mountain where we are staying. One of our group admitted to having run out of sisu. then a t-bar ride to the top, which i dorked, to the amusement of gathered Finns. The hotel is very nice and now we get to gather ourselves for the 84K day tomorrow. Supposedly it is flat. We'll see. General concensus is that this is a fabulous event. We're a little tired but i think we're getting used to the steady skiing. i just wish i could ski flats as well as the Finns. they are very efficient. Wish you were here.' Jimmy VandenBrook |
#3
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Fwd: Finns Rule
We did our big 84K day (day 4 of the ski across Finland) yesterday and
it was long but beautiful, and mainly flat. All the USA skiers (12) made it in though some just after dark. it took us just over 8 hours to get it done. On a plateau we saw huge flat crystals of hoar frost almost a centimeter long covering everything. The sun made the landscape almost unnaturally lovely. Sparkling like nothing you've seen. Anyone would love this skiing. Lot's of time with no one else in sight and a track that goes forever. Today was a short day of just 46K but included a stop around an open fire near a little shelter where we roasted big sausages. Very cool. At the next stop, Finnish grade school kids welcomed us in from the top of their snow castle with bells ringing. We signed their book. We are meeting lots of Euros and most are very friendly. A real treat occurred today. After skiing and a shower, my new friend, Jean Paul, took me to meet his Finnish farmer friends who let us ride out on a sled to feed the reindeer! Then we were invited in for coffee!!!! Very friendly, lovely people. Their son ski races behind reindeer!!! It's ski-jouring with reindeer. Can't wait for tomorrow. Jimmy VandenBrook |
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