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Teams compete as planned at closed Pahaska - By Amber Peabody
This document was published online on Wednesday, February 07, 2007
The closing of Pahaska Tepee has caused some difficulties, but the Cody High School Nordic ski meet will go on this weekend.
“It's part of the nature of Nordic skiing that we're adaptable and self-sufficient,” coach Marty Stannard said. “We go to some places where there are no lodges to begin with.”
More than 150 athletes, along with parents and coaches, will come to Cody for the meet. Many of those people would have had lunch and gotten warm in the lodge during the day.
“It's a nice feature when hosting a race,” Stannard said. “Now we're dealing with the facilities aspect of things.
Since the lodge closed a few weeks ago, the Park County Nordic Ski Association's portable toilets have seen a great increase in use.
“It's costing the PCNSA thousands of dollars in upkeep,” Stannard said.
The group had to invest in a handicapped portable toilet because one is required by the Forest Service.
The group was concerned with entering race data into the computers, but as of right now there will be access to electricity for the processing and printing of results.
Cabins are still available for rent, so some of the teams will probably stay there including Jackson, which has done so for years.
“He (Jackson coach) jokes that when the cabins close, he'll have to retire,” Stannard said. “He and so many others say this is their favorite place to come and race.”
The Cody scenery, including the river, are part of what makes the trip enjoyable.
The race trails haven't been affected by the closure as the PCNSA grooms the trails.
While conditions have been great for several weeks, warm weather the past few days could impact trail conditions.
“Up until the last three days of this Chinook stuff, they've been good,” Stannard said. “They'll have lost some snow and be icy, but they'll be OK.”
Races begin Friday at 12:30 p.m. with the 3K middle school junior high skate race. The high school boys 5K skate race will follow and the high school girls 5K skate race will end the day.
“It's all coming together,” Stannard said. “There's extra stress, but once Friday comes it will just happen.”
Friday night Cody ski parents will host a dinner for the teams and families.
“It's a nice place to have a get-together for a meal,” Stannard said. “All the skiers support each other, and get to know each other well.”
In Saturday's classic races, the middle school 4.5K will start at 9:30 a.m., followed by the high school girls 9.5K and the high school boys 12K races.
“It's neat to be able to host our own meet,” Stannard said. “We didn't have a race last year, so it's nice to have a race this year for our five senior boys.”
Each year one team does not host a home race. This happens every seven years.
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