Colorado Randonnee Race Series Takes Shape
If you start the day with coffee, finish with beer, and fill the day with the ups and downs, you will be right at home at the Colorado Ski Mountaineering Cup Series (COSMIC). Modeled after European style Randonnee racing events, COSMIC offers race, recreational, telemark, and junior and snowboard divisions.
Promoter and rando racer Pete Swenson says, “I raced a rando World Cup in Italy this past winter and in the World Championships along with six other Americans—we saw how big the sport is in Europe. The sport could be hugely popular in the U.S. once people see it and try it.”
Swenson, who has raced Life-Link events all over the west for the past three years, created COSMIC in response to the demand for more racing in Colorado by veteran racers and to introduce new participants to the sport.
“COSMIC races are an opportunity for someone to try skinning and backcountry skiing for the first time in a controlled environment,” he says. “Also, a skier that's tried xc-skiing but found the technique frustrating or was a little bored will love rando racing; it's cross-country skiing with skis that never slip, spectacular views and fresh tracks. And strong coffee at the start and free beer at the finish.”
For the more experienced participant, COSMIC offers the chance to get in four runs in a couple of hours on a more natural course like a big loop or journey.
Some of the venues for the races include: Arapahoe Basin, Loveland, Sunlight Mountain and Silverton Mountain. Each race will have a post race party and raffle, and points will be collected over the series.
Information will be posted on the new cosmicski.com as it is confirmed, with the final schedule to be done in July. For more information contact Pete Swenson at 720.289.6547 or pete@mayfire.com.
—Aimee Furber |
