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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula Updated March 6, 2002 © 2002 Keweenaw Now

"Great Bear Scat" to kick off Great Bear Chase nordic ski races March 8-10 

CALUMET -- The "Great Bear Scat," a series of freestyle nordic skiing sprint races around a 1 km course encircling the Swedetown sledding hill, will kick off the Great Bear Chase cross-country ski festival at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 8. This newest addition to the ski weekend is open to ages 8 to 60 plus. The 2002 Junior Bear Chase races for ages 0 to 16 will begin at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 9; and the adult Great Bear Chase races begin at  8:40 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, at the Swedetown Trails in Calumet.

Calumet's "Bubba the Bear" waves to skiers on the Red Trail during the 2001 Great Bear Chase at Swedetown. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

The "Great Bear Scat" will offer lung-busting climbs, screaming descents and mad sprints across the bowl. The race starts with a 200-meter wide open uphill section that narrows and flattens before a gradual downhill. A steeper descent follows, allowing skiers to gain speed before a hairpin turn preceding the final 400-meter sprint to the finish. No slalom gates or jumps are in this year's course. The entire race course will be visible from the stadium and chalet deck. Special awards will be given to the top three in each age/gender group. 

Registration for the Great Bear Scat is at 5 p.m. in the chalet. The fee is $10.00. Any proceeds will go towards the Ski Tigers Jr. Olympic Nordic Team. For more information, contact Michael Young at 906-482-1308.

The Junior Bear Chase will have a different format this year. The morning (classic) race, beginning at 11 a.m. EST, is for striding only. The afternoon race, beginning at 2 p.m. EST, is freestyle. Age classes are 5 & under, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-16. The race length varies with ages: 5 & under race approximately 1/2 km.; 6-7 race approximately 1 km.; 8-9 and 10-11 race 2 1/2 km; ages 12-13, 14-16 race 5 km. Terrain mixes flat stretches with moderate hills.

Registration for the classic Junior Bear Chase race is from 9 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. Skiers can register for the freestyle race from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m.

In addition to awards for first, second and third place in each age division, all skiers who finish the Junior Bear Chase receive a participation award. Fees are $5.00 in advance and $7.00 on the day of the race.

On Sunday, March 10, the 21st Annual Great Bear Chase will include 26 Km Classic and 26 Km & 50 Km Freestyle Cross Country Ski Races. The course this year will be the same as last year, making the races 26km and a full 50km. Please note that there is no race day registration on Sunday. Registration is on Friday until 10 p.m. at the Swedetown Chalet and Saturday at Cross Country Sports. Bib pick-up for already registered racers is at Cross Country Sports from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, (as well as at registration). Fees are $40 by March 8 and $45 on March 9.

Entry forms are available from Cross-Country Sports and the Swedetown Chalet in Calumet,  Downwind Sports and Weber's Sporting Goods in Houghton. "The Great Bear Scat" entry form (PDF format) and the Junior Bear Chase entry form (DOC format) are also available online.

For more details and maps see the Web sites of the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club and the Copper Island Cross Country Ski Club.

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