EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a series of weekly stories leading up to the May 25 Ski to Sea that will give a behind-the-scenes look into the largest annual community sporting event in Whatcom County. Each story will be written by a member of the Ski to Sea Race Committee. Secondyear race director Pete Coy, who has been involved with the race for more than 30 years as an athlete and a volunteer, wrote this week’s entry. For previous stories, please visit The Bellingh amHerald.com/ski tosea.

PETE COY

FOR THE BELLINGHAM

HERALD

Maybe one of your friends said at a recent holiday party: “Lets get a team together for the Ski to Sea Race!”

If you are thinking about putting together a team for the race, now is the time to get started.

First you need to find team members who can crosscountry ski, downhill ski or snowboard, run downhill, ride a road bike, canoe down the Nooksack River, mountain bike and kayak across Bellingham Bay.

You should then evaluate just how good your team could be and how much time your team members are willing to train in preparation for the race. Some team members train for months while others may not train at all.

Finally you need to go to the Ski to Sea Web site, start your registration and choose a division at www.skitosea.com. Part of the process is to realistically evaluate your team members and what their goals are. Do you expect to win your division and hear the applause on the stage at the awards celebration, or is just finishing the race reward enough?

Now it becomes time to train. Many of the racers in the recreational divisions do very little training and are pleased to just finish their leg of the race.

Those who do train will see their strength and confidence increase over time and get recruited for faster teams in the future.

For canoeists and kayakers there are numerous training opportunities prior to the race, but one of the best is the weekly kayak and canoe races at Bloedel Donovan Park each Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Training for the crosscountry and downhill ski legs will need to occur in the snow, but keep in mind that part of the alpine ski leg is hiking up North Face at Mt. Baker Ski Area carrying your skis. Preparing for that part of the race doesn’t require a trip up the mountain.

Runners should plan on doing some of their training going downhill to get their legs ready, but do not run on Mount Baker Highway while it’s open.

Road and mountain bikers probably already know where to train, but there are some events held around Silver Lake in the weeks prior to the race that may be helpful.

While canoeists can train on the Nooksack River prior to the race, please be extremely careful for hidden snags and whirlpools. There will be no safety staff on the river until race day.

All racers should know about the hazards associated with their respective legs, wear protective life jackets or helmets and train with a group.

For more information about the race, visit www.skitosea.com.