Sports - Ski to Sea

POSTED: Saturday, May. 23, 2009

Warm temperatures, blue skies are a go for Ski to Sea

Sunday's Ski to Sea race is expected to be one of the best ever - with good snow on the mountain, sunny skies but not-too-warm temperatures, and a cooperative Nooksack River.

"It's not going to be too hot, but it should be sunny and dry. That's what we like," said Mike Green, chairman of the running leg.

Temperatures are expected to hit a high of 65 degrees in Bellingham with light winds for the May 24 race, a 90-mile, seven-leg relay from the Mt. Baker Ski Area to Marine Park in Fairhaven.

"With the course condition, the preparedness and the weather, it will be the best race we've ever had," predicted race director Pete Coy.

That would be different from 2008, when Mother Nature threw in a monkey wrench by way of warm temperatures.

The canoe leg was canceled because warm weather in the week leading up to the race melted late snow, causing the Nooksack River to run dangerously high and fast. It was believed to be the first such cancellation since the race began in 1973.

That's not going to happen this year, race organizers said.

"I expect it to be back to normal as far as water levels," said Thom Prichard, river conditions coordinator. "It's pretty ideal course conditions."

The Nooksack's flow rate was at 6,000 cubic feet per second as of Friday morning. When the leg was canceled last year, it was 10,000 cubic feet per second. The average over the past 10 years has been 4,000 to 5,500, Prichard said.

As for conditions during the kayak leg, race organizers said they will not know until about 11 a.m. Sunday whether there will be too much chop on Bellingham Bay.

The leg was shortened to three miles from its original distance of about five miles last year because winds whipped up whitecaps and created chop.

"Wind is always the question," said Larry Bussinger, co-chairman for the kayak leg.

"The bay can always be challenging so you have to treat it with a fair amount of respect," he added.

With warm temperatures and sunny skies in the forecast, organizers also are warning racers to make sure they're hydrated and to slather on the sunblock.

"It's a miserable day when you get burned and you can't get off that hill," said Marsha Hamilton, mountain coordinator.

Jim Welden, chairman of the downhill ski, said that leg's racers shouldn't dress as warmly because the sun will beat on their backs as they trudge up the mountain.

Warmer temperatures also mean runners could overheat as they race eight miles down Mount Baker Highway, so it's important they pace themselves, said Green, who oversees that part of the race.

The running leg drops 2,200-plus feet, before leveling out and going uphill slightly the last quarter- to half-mile.

"The muscles just don't want to do that after going downhill for seven miles," Green said. "Your muscles just don't react that quickly."

COURSE CONDITIONS

How the Ski to Sea course is looking, as of Friday.

Cross-country ski and downhill legs: Snow will be hard-packed. Expect faster times. Starting the race 30 minutes earlier at 8 a.m., when temperatures are a bit cooler, should help keep the snow firmer. Temperatures expected to be in the 40s Sunday morning. Forecast is for clear skies and west-northwest wind between 6 and 10 mph.

Running and road biking legs: Expect dry pavement.

Canoeing: Nooksack River running at normal levels but slower than 2007, so competitors' times may be slower. (The leg was canceled last year because the river was running too high and fast.)

Extra search and rescue crews will be stationed at two areas on the river - 200 yards from the start line and the area known as the Mixmaster - in case novices have problems navigating a snag near the start or the class II rapids near Noon Road.

Mountain biking: Organizers were putting the finishing touches on a couple spots on the route on Friday, May 22.

Kayaking: Sunny. South-southwest wind around 7 knots becoming west in the afternoon expected for Bellingham Bay. Wind waves 1 feet or less.

Source: National Weather Service, race organizers.

FOLLOW THE RACE

Check TheBellinghamHerald.com on Sunday for race updates, photos from the legs and video.

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