MECCA Trails host Winterfest ski races

By MEGAN HUGHES

[email protected]

MERCER, Wis. - Saturday drew a crowd to Mercer early in the day, as cross country skiers made their way to the MECCA Ski Trails for the annual Winterfest live races.

"It turned out great, about twice as many skiers here than last year, said Mike Shouldice, one of the organizers of the event, "The 30K race that we just added was the most popular race this year, which was great."

The 30K ski race loop involves two passes at the 15K loop, according to Shouldice.

Shouldice explained that there were around 75 people that came out to participate in the races, with a team of around 60 volunteers working the event, and making sure that all trail crossings were kept safe.

"It takes an army to put on something like this," said Shouldice.

Racing still continues as the virtual event goes until Feb. 19.

"So far, we have 30-some people signed up for the virtual side. It flipped from last year, where the virtual side was more popular than the live event," he said.

Volunteers were out from most of the day Friday, as they prepared for the activities of race day, according to Shouldice, with some members arriving as early as 7 a.m. on race day to get to their positions.

"We have at least 25 to 30 volunteers here at the finish line, between the folks serving food out the back window of the chalet, and the folks at the front window helping with registration and prizes," said Shouldice. "We had a half a dozen that worked the start, who shifted to serving food."

The race route skied through moderately hilly terrain, according to Shouldice, "We don't have the giant hills that you might see up at Wolverine for example. We have got a very nice moderate terrain course here," said Shouldice. "We have terrain that can appeal to beginner skiers to expert skiers, and everything in between."

Two of the skiers, Mike Ivey and Pat Conway spoke to The Globe about the event.

"I think I've done it every year, back when it was part of the Stormy Kromer," said Conway. "(They) did a great job keeping this groomed."

"We do the Sisu, as well," said Ivey, "It was a great event, keeps us coming back."

Ivey has a home in Ironwood, and Conway lives in Mercer.

"We are snow birds, come up here for the snow," said Conway.

The two agreed that while it was really cold on Saturday, racers have their bag of tricks that they can fall back on for the weather. "There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad equipment," said Conway.

Top finishers included:

MECCA 30K Classic

1: Michael McPherson of Ironwood

2: George Kraft of Amherst, Wis.

3: Eli Selinger of Fitchburg, Wis.

4: Paul Gabriel of Ogema, Wis.

5: Liese Pfeifer of Waunakee, Wis.

MECCA 30K Skate

1: Finn Ryan of Madison, Wis.

2: Johann Geyer of Columbia, Mo.

3: John Nienstaedt of Iron Mountain, Mich.

4: Aniya Langjahr

5: Mike Ivey of Madison, Wis.

Flowage 15K Skate

1: Jody Arlen of Wausau, Wis.

2: Pat Paulik

3: Pete Anderson

4: Merrick Silvis of Oak Park, Ill.

5: Kaleb Kielisch of Madison, Wis.

Flowage 15K Classic

1: Scott Everson of Rib Lake, Wis.

2: Kyle Orlando of Mount Horeb, Wis.

3: Joanne FitzPatrick of Minocqua, Wis.

4: Mark Mieritz of Ridgeway, Wis.

5: Megan Pease of Rockford, Ill.

Claire D' Loon 5K

Youth females

1: Serena Tauer

2: Marlo Brand

3: Emma Chartrand

Claire D' Loon 5K

Youth males

1: James Cowart

2: Will Lehrkamp

3: Owen Miljevich

Claire D' Loon 5K

Adult females

1: Sue Spaete

2: Mary Ahnen

3: Tami Veldt

Claire D' Loon 5K

Adult Males

1: Kelly Rasmussen

2: Brian Kass

A full list of results can be seen at tandhtiming.com.