From the Bellingham Herald:
First two legs of Ski to Sea race could change because of little snow in mountains
The downhill and cross-country ski legs of the annual Ski to Sea race could be canceled this year because organizers of the annual race don’t expect there will be enough snow by race day on May 24.
The snowpack in Washington state’s mountains are near record low levels — ranging from 8 to 45 percent of normal across the Cascade Mountains and 7 percent of normal in the Olympic Mountains.
The race’s first two legs occur at Mt. Baker Ski Area, at an elevation of 4,300 feet.
“We are looking at many different options for the first two legs of the race. These include a mountain trail run, a bike course within the ski area and other options,” announced Pete Coy, executive director for Ski to Sea, on Friday, March 13.
“We want to make sure that these new courses are safe, competitive and that racers will have the necessary equipment. Whatever sports we substitute for the ski legs of the race will need to occur within the Mt. Baker Ski Area since permits to go outside the ski area will take too long to obtain,” he added.
We have participated in this race operating ham radios for the last couple of years - we hand off the road bikes to the canoers. A team of spotters gives us a five minute heads up, they radio the team numbers to my base station where we announce the numbers over a PA system. Lots of fun!
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