Bitter weather shortens, delays Sisu events

IRONWOOD — The Sisu Ski Fest races today were shortened and set for later in the day because of the bitter cold.

Sisu Ski Fest board president Ric Olson said Friday, “The race jury has decided that the 42-kilometer is delayed and shortened to 31K, with a 90-minute delay on all starts.”

The 21K Heikki Lunta Half Marathon was shortened to 17K, with a 30-minute delay on all starts, Olson said.

The races were delayed from 8:30 a.m.

The race jury changed the times and lengths, keeping safety of the racers in mind, and concerns were expressed about the very cold wind chill temperatures predicted for today.

According to the National Weather Service, a wind chill warning is in effect for the Ironwood area until 10 a.m. today, with readings possibly reaching 25 to 30 below.

Times for the Taste ‘N Tour, 1 p.m., and The Nibble, 2 p.m., remain unchanged, he said.

Olson said that there are no changes to the snowshoe events taking place on Sunday.

Sunday’s National Weather Service forecast is for warmer weather, with a high of 12 predicted.

As of noon on Friday, Denise Faunteleroy said registrations were at about 500 for the full- and half-marathons, but she said that number would increase, as registration was open from 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday.

Last year, there were 810 competitors.

There will also be 23 vendors set up in the Memorial Building. “That’s like the most there’s ever been,” said Sandy Lahtinen.

The vendor group includes retail and nonprofit businesses, as well as ski fest sponsors.

Ken Hannula, of Hurley, and Gary Schlais, of Mercer, set up the tables for Little Finland on Friday morning.

They were the first vendors there and were selling a wide variety of Sisu-themed goods.

More information and a full list of events for the 2015 Sisu Ski Fest can be found at sisuskifest.com or on the Sisu Ski Fest facebook page.