Organizers, Teams Face Problems at Ski to Sea
MONDAY, 26 MAY 2008
Submitted By: katrina principe
Whatcom County, Bellingham's biggest race, Ski to Sea, kicked off with major problems during the seven-leg journey from Mount Baker to Bellingham Bay. The 35-year old event had brought disappointments to organizers, fans, and the players who were expecting a good competition.
One of the major problems encountered was the high and speedy run of water at the Nooksack River which led to the cancellation of the canoe leg. When the weather changed on Saturday, high levels of water were observed which led organizers to cancel the leg. The organizers followed the advisory warning set by the National Weather Services and U.S Geological Survey after the online predictions of continuous rising of river levels in the week. The organizers believed that the call was necessary in behalf of the novice canoeists who would have to take the risk. The news made participants disappointed over the entire race.
Another problem was the strong winds which turned the bay into whitecaps, forcing the kayak leg to a three-mile stretch rather than five miles. The original scheduled distance was not followed to prioritize the different skill levels of the participants and their safety. Wind speeds were reported to be 10 to 15 miles per hour, with gust up to 25 mph that day.
The race also announced a doubtful winner because of the many initial problems experienced during the race. There were problems on several legs such as the mountain bike leg which preceded the kayak leg and confused most kayakers. Proper spacing between mountain bikers was questionable all throughout. The Open Division and Overall Crown was awarded to the Bagelry team, Barron Heating got second place, and Clippercanoes.com ranked third.
For more details on this news, please visit www.bellinghamherald.com.
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