2010 VASA NEWS #2


The North American VASA Newsletter

VASA 2010 IN EIGHT DAYS
In This Issue

Team Competition 2010

Our esteemed guru on the Vasa team competition, Jim Woodburne stated; "There is nothing like the energy of a team to bring out the best in a group of athletes." Each team must have three athletes and a designated team captain. All of the rules are described on the Vasa website (www.vasa.org). Jim has purchased beautiful beer mugs that will go to the top three teams. For further information you can call Jim at (231) 947-6282 or email your team registration to:  jsw1940@chartermi.net. You can also bring your form to registration.


Register Now and Save Some $$$
Our next price increase is scheduled for Feb. 8th so make sure that you either register on line or have your entry form postmarked by the 8th. The earlier your sign up, the easier it is for us to process your form and the better the opportunity for you to obtain one of our skier promotional skiwear items. Register here.

VASA Sprints Are On
Last year we brought back the Sprints to downtown Traverse City. It was a very exciting event that we staged on a short track oval in the Warehouse District. There were about 50 skiers and several hundred spectators. This year our co race directors, Roger Putman and Steve Brown, have designed a very special course at the Hickory Hills Meadows area (at the west end of Randolph Street). The competition will run from 1-5 pm on Sunday Feb. 7th starting with Junior Boys and Girls, then the high school competitors. Adults will compete around 3pm. There is no charge to compete just sign up on our website, www.vasa.org, or onsite starting at noon. Parking is plentiful and there are many good spectator vantage points. A heated tent will be provided and complementary hot chocolate will be served. Join us to cheer on your favorite skiers as they prepare their speed skills for the 2010 Vasa. For more information, you can call (231) 938-4400.

VASA 50-50 Trails Raffle
You can support the VASA trail by purchasing a 50-50 Trails Raffle Ticket. Every year we have expenses related to either race weekend grooming or trail maintenance. This coming fall we will have a great deal of work to do to repair all the damage caused by the logging efforts on both sides of Strombolus Road on the 50k loop. You have a chance to take home up to $3,750! The other 50% will be used to maintain the trails. The second place award is a Getaway Weekend at Timber Ridge Resort. Tickets are just $25.00 each or 5 for $100.00.

To purchase your tickets contact Judy Vajda at judyvajda@charter.net or call the Vasa hotline at (231) 938-4400. Tickets will also be available from any of our board members or during the VASA registration and pasta feed at Timber Ridge. They will also be available during all races on Saturday at Timber Ridge. The final opportunity to purchase tickets will be on Saturday evening at the VASA awards party at the Hagerty Center. The big drawing will be made at the conclusion of the awards party at approximately 7 pm on Feb. 13th.
Don't miss out! Tickets are limited!

2010 VASA Host Hotel
Our host hotel for 2010 is the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme. They are the premier hotel and spa destination in the Grand Traverse area and are only five minutes from Timber Ridge. They offer all the amenities you can imagine including an indoor water park, tennis, masseuse/spa and excellent dining. This year they are also hosting many of the Traverse City Winter Wonderfest activities including a Beer & Music Festival on Friday night, sledding and cross country skiing, ice skating, a paintball biathlon for kids on Saturday, fireworks and much, much more. If you have not made your room reservations for VASA weekend, call the Grand Traverse Resort at (800) 236-1577 or check their website at www.grandtraverseresort.com.

New Two-Day Stage Racing Award Grand Champions to Win Racing Skis
The 2010 North American VASA is introducing two-day stage racing to the Midwest. In addition to the traditional medals and plaques for Saturday's VASA races and Sunday's Gran Travers races we have added a new and exciting opportunity. The well rounded male and female racers with the best combined time for these select races will win a new set of racing skis:

•GRAND CHAMPION - best combined time for 50km freestyle and 16km classic races wins trophy and Fischer Carbonlite skate skis (male) and Rossignol Xium skate FW skis (female) sponsored by Grayling's Cross Country Ski Shop. www.xcskishop.com

• RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION - best combined time for 27 km freestyle and 16km classic races wins trophy and Salomon Equipe 9 racing skate skis (male and female). This event is sponsored by Cross Country Ski Headquarters of Higgins Lake-Roscommon. www.crosscountryski.com

VASA Valentine's Ski Tour
This year the VASA Festival of Races introduces a new VASA Valentine's Ski Tour. This is an untimed event for those who like to enjoy the beauty of the Pere Marquette State Forest. The tour will take place on Sunday Feb. 14th at Timber Ridge from noon until 4pm.

Skiers with the best red/pink outfits will win a gourmet chocolate basket donated by one our our local Chocolatiers. Awards are for both singles and couples outfits. Chocolates for all as well as hot beverages and snacks are featured at the trail-side snack stop.

You will have a choice of a 6, 12 or 16km loop then enjoy après-ski around a relaxing fireplace with live music provided by T.C. Celtic. More snacks and hot chocolate will be served indoors. The Tour will benefit the new Munson Women's Heart Health Program.
Onsite registration will run from noon to 1:30 on Sunday. Registration is also available at www.vasa.org, or call (231)938-4400.



Pete LaPlaca                                      
VASA Board President                          

Lisa Taylor
VASA Race Director

Jim Datsko
Sunday Events Director