09 Jan Part ski race Part slumber party: T24 is on! – The Joy Trip Project
Cable Wisconsin-
The weather application on my iPhone says it’s 4 degrees above zero. But spirits in Northern Wisconsin are high. With full sun and no wind the “Joy Index” makes it feel like 20 as the 10th Annual 24-Hours of Telemark Cross Country ski race gets underway.
“We won’t have a weather cancellation,” said co-race director Harry Spehar during the pre-race briefing. “But if gets to 20 below tonight we’ll postpone until it warms up. We want everyone to be safe out there.”
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Harry Spehar
Skiing laps around a 5-kilometer course along the Birkebeiner Trail in the town of Cable, 275 participants set off on an overnight adventure that’s become a major highlight of the season. Based that the Telemark Lodge male, female and co-ed teams of individuals, pairs, fours and sixes skate or classic in a timed endurance race. The most number of laps skied in divisions of 3, 6, 12 and 24 Hours takes top prizes.
“There’s also bragging rights,” Shear said.
For most it’s badge of honor just to finish this one. Many racers will ski through the night, snatching what food and sleep they can as the hours drag by. Teams relay their course positions between members to ski as many laps as possible in the allotted time. Individual skiers just keep moving the best they can with help of support crews to keep them motivated.
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