SISU Ski Fest General Race Information

Registration/Race Packet Pick-Up

Race registration and bib pick-up will be from 3-7 pm on Friday, January 8 at the Memorial Building in Ironwood (View map). Same day racer registration and packet pick-up will be available from 7-11am the Memorial Building auditorium. Please be aware that the timing company, itiming, can only accommodate racers up to one half hour before the race starts. Racers are responsible for getting themselves to the start on time. See busing schedule below. All skiers will be required to sign a waiver at bib pick-up.

Ski Expo

A Ski Expo will be held during registration from 3-7 on Friday, January 8 at the Memorial Building. The Expo will continue on Saturday, January 9 from 12- 5p.m. The expo showcases event sponsors and local businesses and non-profit organizations.

Clothing Bags

Clothing bags will be provided to each racer at registration. Skiers are responsible for getting the bags to the start at ABR Trails and into the truck that will bring them to the "Finnish" line. Bags can be picked up at the Memorial Building. Bib number must be presented in order to pick up your clothing bag. Race officials are not responsible for lost or stolen property.

Changing Facilities

Heated changing area and showers will be available at the Memorial Building and Main Street Fitness. Bring your own towel. Sauna is also available at Main Street Fitness. See map for location.

Food and First Aid Stations

Six Aid Stations are located approximately every 5-8 km of the race course length and are available to all skiers of SISU Ski Fest. They will contain water, HEED energy drink, bananas, cookies and donuts. All aid stations are manned by local volunteers and service club members, please thank them as you pass by. The three Taste N Tour food stops are for Taste N Tour registrants only: all other skiers may enjoy the delicious aromas only.

Finally, food will be available for all skiers of the SISU Ski Fest at the Memorial Building following the events. Food at the Memorial Building is for volunteers and skiers of all events only. Come and enjoy some hot Mojakka (Finnish Stew), pasties, and beverages.

Awards and Award Ceremony

Awards for the top 3 finishers in the 21K and 42K races (classic and freestyle) will be presented immediately following the 3rd place finish for each race. Top 3 awards will be presented at the Finnish Line. Top finishers are determined based upon gun start and first across finish line. The jury's decision is final on determining the winners.

Awards for all other age groups and places will be presented at the Historic Ironwood Theatre from 5-7 p.m. The award ceremony will include live music and door prizes. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The Top 3 and all Age Group winners will receive unique trophies of stainless steel skier cutouts. Other door prizes will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Parking and Busing

Parking is available throughout the downtown Ironwood area (see maps). If you park downtown before the race, you will need to take the shuttle bus to the start at ABR trails. Limited parking is available at the race start. It is strongly recommended that you park downtown and take the shuttle to the race start.

Shuttle Bus Schedule

The shuttle bus will run from 8am to 5pm, and will pick up skiers approximately every 15 minutes at 235 E McLeod Ave. The bus route will run from the Gogebic County Transit Company building (see maps) on McLeod Ave to South Range Road and will drop skiers off at the ABR ticket booth and return to the bus company building on McLeod Street in Ironwood.

Cancellation Policy

In the event of extreme weather conditions, check the SISU Ski Fest website at www.sisuskifest.com or listen for updates on local radio stations. A voice recording will also be available at the Convention for Visitors Bureau (906) 932-4850. Race policy states that extreme weather may force delay or cancellation of the event. The decision of the race jury will be final. In the event of race cancellation, racers will receive $25.00 off of next year's entry fee. Racers will receive their hydration pack, if picked up in person. These will not be shipped.

Changing your Distance or Event

No changes will be allowed for your event or distance after 8pm January 8, 2010. There will be a $5 fee for changes made 2 weeks prior to the event.

Chip Timing

Every participant (except for Taste n Tour) must wear the itiming timing chip on their left ankle. This chip will be picked up at the Start. Skiers are responsible for returning the timing chip at the finish line. Volunteers will be available to help you remove your chip. A $100 fee will be charged for timing chips not returned.

42/21K Wave Starts

Start times listed are approximate and are subject to change.

42K Classic (Elite) - 10:00am 42K Classic (Wave 1) - 10:02am 42K Freestyle (Elite) - 10:30am 42K Freestyle (Wave 1) - 10:32am 42K Freestyle (Wave 2) - 10:35am 42K Freestyle (Wave 3) - 10:40am

21K Classic (Elite) - 11:00am 21K Classic (Wave 1) - 11:02am 21K Freestyle (Elite) - 11:30am 21K Freestyle (Wave 1) - 11:32am 21K Freestyle (Wave 2) - 11:35am

Taste N Tour- 12:30pm

Placement decisions for the Elite wave are determined by race officials based upon qualifying times submitted by the racers prior to the race. Remaining waves will be self seeded. Skiers are asked to seed themselves appropriately depending on their skiing ability and distance entered. It is recommended that participants double pole the first 100 meters of their event and use caution when rounding the first corner.

On the Course

Course: All courses will be set with classic track for the entire length. Please honor the tracks. Skiers should anticipate a variety of skier ability throughout the course and respond accordingly.

Taste N Tour: Taste and Tour skiers will begin at ABR trails at the start area and follow the race course for approximately 2KM and then will use the River Trail to ski north toward Norrie Park/The Finnish Line. Taste N Tour is approximately 13KM and will be well marked. A map of the Taste N Tour course will be in the map packet at registration.

Warm Up and Wax Testing: The Cherry Dairy Trail, the 1st KM of Blueberry Bluffs Trail, and 1st KM of Peltonen will be available for wax testing and warm-up prior to the races.

Aid Stations: Check the course map for locations of Aid Stations. All Aid Stations will have access to First Aid and portable or pit toilets. In case of emergency, Aid Stations are manned with National Ski Patrol and are in communication via radio.

Cut-Off Times: All skiers who do not reach the Norrie Park Aid Station (approximately the 31K mark) by 2:30pm will be asked to leave the course and will not receive a finishing time.

Drop Outs: Individuals who are not able to complete the course for whatever reason must inform the volunteers at the aid stations or at the finish line and provide them with their bib number. Chips must be returned to finish line volunteers.

Races

There are 3 races - a 42 Marathon, a 21K Heikki-Lunta, and a 13K Taste N' Tour. All races start at ABR and "Finnish" in downtown Ironwood:

Cut-off for all racers is 14:30 at Norrie Park.