Sisu off to great start

By MEGAN HUGHES

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ERWIN TOWNSHIP - This year marks the 12th year of the Sisu Ski Fest, with participants near and far joining in the fun. Due to COVID-19, the 2021 race is being held differently, relying on individuals to record their times from whereever they ski, and report them instead of gathering for the large race of previous years.

Racers are able to participate from any location, as long as they ski their proper race distance and record their time. This year's race distances are 5K, 15K, and 30K, with prizes to be awarded when the event ends on Sunday, Jan. 17.

Organizer Jackie Powers was happy to talk about the changes the race saw this year on Sunday morning at ABR Trails, from how the virtual races worked to how their turnout was this year.

"We had 388 racers sign up this year" Powers told the Daily Globe. "Our goal was 300 to 400, so to get 388, we are very happy. That is about half of what we had last year, which we expected, between COVID and low initial enthusiasm about a virtual race."

"People really like the in-person races," she added.

Due to this year's event being held virtually, racers are able to participate on any trail they desire, in any location. "We have had people ski their race at parks, on other trails, here at ABR, the list is pretty big," said Powers. "We didn't want to keep people from participating if they couldn't travel."

Instructions to participate in the event are available at sisuskifest.com. Organizers are hoping participants will use an app called RaceJoy to record their race.

"The app automatically records your time when you hit your distance," Powers said. "If you end up off course for whatever reason, then it won't affect your time." The app is not a requirement, and is one of several ways racers can record their times.

One racer, Jan-Petter Lovalv of Hopkins, Minnesota, skied his race on Sunday morning at ABR. "I love this race," said Lovalv, who has been participating the last three to four years. He praised race organizers for offering the different event this year. "They did what they had to."

Racers seem to be taking social distancing to the trails as well as maintaining their distance around the starting line. "Everywhere you look people are wearing face masks. The skiers are wearing them, they are wearing them in the parking lot, on the trail, in the gift shop." Powers said. "People are either skiing in small groups or alone. Which is a good sign."

Powers thanked the community and businesses which sponsored the event this year and in years past, and thanked the community and volunteers for their continued support. Powers said any money left over from the cost of mailings and other expenses will go toward Sisu Grants, which race organizers give in the community.

While registration is closed for this year's event, Powers said they're looking forward to next year's race.