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Greetings! 

We're super excited for the second running of the Wolf Tracks Rendezvous, and we look forward to seeing those of you who are already registered.  Those who aren't signed up, you've still got plenty of time.  Here's the 
"One Week to Go!" Race update; Early this morning we received about 5-6 inches of snow!!!  At this point, here is our current best and worst case scenarios.  Best case (75% chance of this); Race is ON as planned with a good to very good skating deck and good classic tracks with occasional fair stretches.  Worst case; The race is still ON with a modification in the course that would mean the 42k racers would be skiing a 38.6k race (24k will stay the same) on a good skating deck with fair to good shallow classic tracks and a few more sketchy spots.  Either way, WE'RE ON!!!  Snow (with moisture in it) is predicted for Tuesday of next week which would really set us up great!  So, if you're not already on board, click the link to the left to register and read below for the full race shakedown.  Ski you soon!  Ahhhh-oooooooo!!! 

 

We're super excited for the second running of the 42K Wolf Tracks Rendezvous ski race and then first running of the WTR 24K race.  Those who competed last year commented on the how fun and challenging the 42K course was, and we've laid out a very nice, and slightly more tame, 24K course for those not inclined to go the 42K.  If you're already registered, we look forward to seeing you soon!  If not, click the registration link and get on board to come ski with the pack!  
 
 
 
WTR Wave StartAs it did last year, the course (see the detailed description and map below) will start and finish right outside our Chalet and be one scenic 42k or 24k loop with no repeating sections.  The Wolf Tracks Rendezvous will also serve as an American Birkebeiner qualifying race for both skate and classic skiers.
 
There are also a number of changes in store for racers this year.  First, we've improved our race course by improving or eliminating narrow and/or two way dangerous sections.  No, much to some folks chagrin, we did not bulldoze out all of the challenging hills.  We also improved our race 'schwag' from last year.  Quite honestly, we weren't too happy with the mugs.  They weren't bad, but they weren't good either.  We think (hope, anyway) you'll really like this year's give away.  The first 200 registrants will receive a race logoed fleece blanket with a nylon back on it that's great for picnics, hockey games, or to wrap around you when the
This year's race schwag!
weather gets nasty.  It's a great 'keep it in the trunk for when you need it' item.  Ahhh!  Something from a race that you might actually use!  We've also improved our age group and overall winner awards and those awards will be presented in five year age groups vs. ten year age groups.
     

Late Registration and bib pickup will take place at the Winter Park Chalet on Friday from 1pm until 8pm and then on race day Saturday morning as well.  A pasta feed will be going on in the Winter Park Chalet on Friday night (4:30-7pm) for racers and their families to enjoy.   $8 gets you meat or veggie pasta, salad and bread from Chef Rick's Hardwax Cafe'.

 

From a planning perspective, we prefer pre-registrations, but we realize you can't always do that, so we will be accepting registrations up until 30 minutes prior to your start on Saturday morning.  Our slick new Chronotrack registration process allows us to do this.  Again, keep in mind that we have 200 blankets to give out.  As of this writing about 100 of them have been claimed so don't miss out on these cool items.  

 

To sign up for the Wolf Tracks Rendezvous, CLICK HERE.

 

Dr. Mullen Driving the Train Up the first of many hills!  
 Race Weekend Schedule  
FRIDAY - 
1pm - 8pm Late Registration and Bib Pickup at the MWP Chalet 
(7543 Squirrel Hill Rd., Minocqua, WI 54548)

 

4:30pm - 7pm - Pasta Feed at MWP Chalet - $8, includes spaghetti (meat and/or veggie), salad and bread from Chef Rick in his 'Hardwax Cafe'. 

 

SATURDAY - The race will be chip timed (Chips on the race bib), and, similar to the Birkie, your chip will be triggered when you cross the chip start line about 100 meters into the race (*see stadium plan below).  Therefore, no sweat on when you actually start, but here's the plan.

 

6:00 am - Winter Park Chalet Opens for bib pickup and late registration.
 
START TIMES -
42K  - BLUE BIB #'s 
8:15 am - 42K Freestyle Elite Men Bib #'s 1-30 (*please stay off classic tracks!)
8:17 am - 42K Freestyle Elite Women Bib #'s 31-45 (*please stay off classic tracks!)
8:20 am - 42K Classic Wave 1 Men & Women Bib #'s 101-120
8:25 am - 42K Classic Wave 2 Men & Women (self seeded; suggest Wave 2, 3, and 4 Birkie
   skiers or similar)
8:30 am - 42K Classic Wave 3 Men & Women (all other classic skiers)
8:45 am - 42K Freestyle Wave 1 Bib #'s 46 -  73
8:50 am - 42K Freestyle Wave 2 Bib #'s 74 - 100
8:55 am - 42K Freestyle Wave 3 Open - self seeded
9:00 am - 42K Freestyle Wave 4 Open - self seeded
9:05 am - 42K Freestyle Wave 5 Open - self seeded
9:10 am - 42K Freestyle Wave 6 Open - self seeded
-----
24K  - RED BIB #'s
9:45 am - 24K Freestyle Wave 1 Bib #'s 360 - 385
9:50 am - 24K Classic Wave 1 Bib #'s 386 - 410
9:55 am - 24K Freestyle Wave 2 Open (Wave 1-5 Birkie/Korte skiers or similar)
10:00am - 24K Classic Wave 2 Open (Wave 1-5 Birkie/Korte skiers or similar)
10:05am - 24K Freestyle Wave 3 Open (Wave 6+ Birkie/Korte skiers or similar)
10:10am - 24K Classic Wave 3 Open (Wave 6+ Birkie/Korte skiers or similar)

 

10:15 am(ish) - First Finishers 42K
11:00 am(ish) - First Finishers 24K

 

12:00pm - Overall (Top 3 Freestyle & Classic M&W 42k and 24k) Awards 

 

12:30pm - Age Group Awards

 

1:00pm - 6:00pm - Snow Tubing Hill/Lift Open - Free for all racers (discounts for the fam.)

 

Sunday - Wolf Tracks and Nekoosa (trails normally reserved for classic skiing only) will remain open for both classic and skate skiing.  Many of our non-classic skiing skiers have never seen Wolf Tracks.  Racers can go back and take the time to look for the actual wolf tracks of the North Willow Pack of wolves that we often see out on this trail.  
Wolf Tracks Rendezvous Course Information
Click on the above link for a pdf version of the course and elevation profile

Click on the above link for a pdf version of the course 

Click on the above link for a pdf version of a written 42k course description
 
Click on the above link for a pdf version of the start finish area 
*Start line note; all skiers will double pole and stay in their set of tracks (no lane changing) until the chip start trigger line.  The start will be similar to a 'waterfall' track start with no advantage to any particular set of tracks.  Also, keep in mind that very few ski marathons are won at the start, many of them are lost though - relax!

 

Water and GU energy drink will be provided at all of our aid stations.  The GU drink will be in GU logo cups, while the water will be in plain cups.  GU energy gels will be available at the 27k (17k for 24k skiers) aid station.  
MWP Sign
Directions to Minocqua Winter Park
7543 Squirrel Hill Rd., Minocqua, WI 54548

 

 

From Hwy. 51 in Minocqua - travel west on Hwy. 70 for 6.8 miles, turn left on Squirrel Lake Rd., travel 4.5 miles and turn left on Scotchman Lake Rd. travel 1/4 mile and turn right on Squirrel Hill Rd.

 
Squirrel Hill Pursuit Logo
Don't miss our other big race(s) this year - 
The Squirrel Hill Pursuit
On Saturday, March 2nd, we will be replacing the long standing Lakeland Loppet with a new race with a new format.  The Squirrel Hill Pursuit (SHP) will be a continuous pursuit style race similar to those held at the Olympics and on the World Cup.  Essentially, skiers will ski a loop using classical technique, then ski into an exchange zone where they will quickly swap out their classic skis and poles for skating equipment, and then they will take off on a loop using skating or freestyle technique.  Racers can also partner up with another person and ski the race as a 2 person relay with each person skiing one of the loops.  There will be two different distances to compete in.  The 24k race will feature a 10k classic loop and a 14k skate loop.  The 10k race will feature a 4k classic loop and a 6k skate loop.  After the big pursuit races, there will be a 2k 'Beat the Bunny' kids race.  
For more information and/or to register for the SHP 
CLICK HERE!
 
Also, the day after the Squirrel Hill Pursuit (3/3), we will be hosting the first annual Moose Tracks 5k/10k Snowshoe Race.  Check it out, and register for this one by CLICKING HERE.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
 
Gold Level - 

Kozeluh Dentistry  -  Marshfield Clinic   

Excel Rehab & Spine Center  -  Ministry Health Care

 

Silver Level - 

GU - Design Solutions - The Pointe Hotel

Pisten Bully Goomers - Northway Communications

Save More Marketplace - Paul Bunyon Restaurant

Lakeland Lawn & Tractor - Lakeland Rental 
We look forward to seeing many of you next weekend (Feb 2/3)!  We're honored to have you as Wolf Tracks Rendezvous racers!  Should you have any questions please shoot us an email.   If you're not a racer, we always need more volunteers.  Use that email link above to let us know if you're willing to help out.  We'd love to have you be a part of the race this way too!   

The Skiers
Have fun, and we'll ski you soon,

Jim DiDomenico
WTR Race Director and
Executive Director
Minocqua Winter Park & Nordic Center