The Cross Country Ski Headquarters snow-moving team worked from midnight until 45 minutes before the race started on March 2nd, preparing the course for the 2024 Michigan Cup Relays. About 75 racers, plus a couple dozen spectators turned out for the last-minute race, which was rescheduled last minute from its original date in order to capitalize on the quickly depleting snow base.
It was an awesome day, with better-than-expected conditions on the ~2km Trapper’s Cabin trail. The overall spirit was highly enthusiastic and positive, and it seemed like everyone who showed up had a great time! Said Sara Cockrell, “The Michigan Cup Relays at XCSH in Roscommon was amazing this morn, a ribbon of snow weaving through the woods, delicious lunch & fun team awards.”
Relay teams had three skiers, with each skier racing two laps around the course before tagging off to the next skier. The first racer in each team skied classic. Some of these classic skiers doublepoled the entire course, including Team NordicSkiRacer’s 73 year-old Zibgy Zlobick. The next two racers on the team could choose wherever technique they wanted and the vast majority skated.
Some great performances were had, with a memorable Ted Roe taking a commanding lead in the classic leg out of the gate. What was really fun was seeing so many different levels of skiers show up and give it their best, including some for whom the Relays are their only race of the season!
The Cross County Ski Headquarters fielded eleven relay teams and won the overall relays with 3,385 points. Second place was the Vasa Ski Club, with 2,242 points and six relay teams. Team NordicSkiRacer took third with 1,990 points and 5 relay teams.
The awards party took place under sunny skies, and was infused with pork BBQ and cold beer. An overall awesome day. The Headquarters crew would like to sincerely thank the trail team of Mike, Tony and Butch, as well as all participants who showed up to make it happen! We were absolutely delighted by the turnout, and also missed seeing the faces of the many skiers who were unable to attend due to the date change. Here’s to the close of a weird but memorable race season, where the mantra of “If there’s snow, GO!” rang more true than ever. Congrats to all racers and teams for making the most of the season we had. We’re excited for next year already!
The Headquarters took first place in the categories of “Mixed 149 & Under” (Team Spencer) and Female “150 & Over” (Friverginnis). Vasa won the “Male 149 & Under” (Vasa Kids) category. Team NordicSkiRacer took first the the “Female 149 & Under” (El Nino Schmino). Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop grabbed the win in the largest category, “Mixed 150 & Over” (Biblical Proportions). The final category, “Male 150 & Over” was won by a relay with members from multiple other teams (Good as Gus).
After the closest race in Michigan Cup history in 2023, the Cross Country Ski Headquarters Team showed up in force in 2024 to stake its claim on the Michigan Cup for yet another year. With the cancellation of many up-North races, the season openers were in Team NordicSkiRacer’s backyard. The Headquarters Team spotted Team NordicSkiRacer a sizeable led after the Frosty Festival of Races and then began their pursuit in earnest. In the end it was Headquarters in first and Team NordicSkiRacer in second some 6,600 points back.
Standings for the Michigan Cup consist of 80% of a team’s total Senior skier points, 20% of a team’s total Junior skier points and all of a team’s Michigan Cup relay points.
The Headquarters team came into the relays with a 5,200 point lead. They outscored Team NordicSkiRacer by almost 1,400 relay points and Vasa Ski Club by over 1,100 relay points to claim the Michigan Cup for the 2024 season.
