The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks winter competition schedule rings in 2020 with the third race in the 24th annual KINROSS Fort Knox Town Race Series, the Wedgewood Classic, Saturday, January 25, at 11:00am at the Jim Whisenhant Ski Trails at Birch Hill Recreation Area. The race was originally scheduled for January 11, but was postponed due to cold temperatures. 

The KINROSS Fort Knox Town Race Series provides a competitive forum for skiers of all ages beginning with pre-schoolers. Over 150 entries are anticipated.

Elementary races will be held in mass start format; middle school and high school/adult races will be held ininterval start format.  All races are in classic technique. The action starts at 11:00am with competition in the Kindergarten-1st grade-2nd grade classes (1.25km), followed by 3rd and 4th grade classes (1.75km), and 5th and 6th grade classes (2.25km). Middle school skiers will go 2.5Km, Women will go 7.5Km and high school and adult men will go 10Km.

Our temperatures are not expected to moderate significantly between now and Saturday. However, we have been lucky in that there has been a strong inversion many days at Birch Hill.  Below is our temperature policy:

If temperatures are between -5F and -10F, we will evaluate conditions and make a decision regarding holding the elementary and middle school races.  The high school and adult races will be held if temperatures are -10F or warmer. If temperatures are colder than -10F, we will evaluate conditions and make a decision regarding holding the high school and adult races.

Entry is free for all students from Kindergarten through high school. School students who are part of a school or club team or program should be entered through their school club or team. All school-aged skiers must be entered in each race in the series during the week leading up to the race. Individual students who are not part of a program, and adults, can enter online at https://register.chronotrack.com/r/56905.

The entry fee for adults is $10 for members of the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks, and $15 for non-members.  Race entries close at 4:00pm Thursday, January 23.  There will be no late entries or race day entries.

All elementary finishers receive a ribbon recognizing their achievement. Elementary, middle school and high school-aged competitors who finish three or more of the races in the series will receive a free, commemorative t-shirt at the conclusion of the series.

For further information on the KINROSS Fort Knox Town Race Series contact the NSCF Race Program via e-mail at competitionevents@nscfairbanks.org. Any public or private school ski programs, or home school families in the area who would like to participate but who have not received materials should contact John Estle at 347-1061, and request that materials be sent to them.

KINROSS Fort Knox is in their sixth season as the sponsor of the Town Race Series. Wedgewood, a first-year sponsor, is the presenting sponsor for this event.  Kendall Subaru of Fairbanks (20 years with the Town Series) sponsors the final event. Fairbanks Youth Sports, a 23-year sponsor, presents the first two races in the series.  The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks also receives support from Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation and the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District.

The remaining race in the Kinross Fort Knox Town Race Series, the Kendall Subaru of Fairbanks Ski-Cross, will be held Saturday, February 15, 2020. This event was originally scheduled for January 25, but was pushed back when Town Series #3 was postponed due to cold weather.  The format of Town Series #4 is ski-cross in skate technique (mass-start heats with terrain features and many turns) over short distances for all classes.  We are hoping for warmer weather and faster snow by mid-February, to make the ski cross as exciting as possible.