This was a record cold day for a GrizO event. As we drove up from Missoula to set up for the event, the car thermometer dipped down to -27F when we passed Potomac, and our collective resolve was somewhat shaken. But when we got to Lubrecht, the sun was shining, the snow was sparkling, and the Rec. Hall building was waiting for us, and our spirits lifted. Pretty soon everything was ready for the event, the fire was crackling in the fireplace, and water for the hot cocoa was boiling. 

 

We were impressed and humbled that 17 crazy orienteers were willing to head out into the woods to brave the elements with skis, map holders, and nervous smiles today. Thanks to our friends from Truckee Orienteering,we were able to test out touch-free punching, which meant that competitors did not need to stop or even slow down to punch each control.

 

Jan Lauenstein, fresh off his 3rd place finish in the 50km OSCR ski race yesterday, dominated the long course, winning by 17 minutes! Boris Granovskiy was second, ahead of Michael Kelly. A special shout-out to Forrest Boughner, who completed the long course at his first-ever Ski-O event. 

 

A huge thank you goes to Loy Koch for doing all the event administration today! Jan Lauenstein, Chris Caldwell, and Greg Walker picked up controls. Thanks also to Lubrecht Forest for letting us use the heated rec hall, without which we would surely have cancelled the event.

 

Full results are below. Splits are at https://www.attackpoint.org/eventdetail.jsp/event_55049

You can see other competitors' routes and post your own at https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/GrizO-SkiO-Lubrecht-2-01-29-2023/Long?classId=558477

Some photos from the event by Boris Granovskiy and Jan Lauenstein are at https://photos.app.goo.gl/UY49cBWSDb82iCEV6. Feel free to share and add your own!

 

Want to go orienteering? You don't have to wait long: our first ever ski orienteering event at the Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Trails is coming up in two weeks, Sunday, February 12!