Rock and Ice Ultra

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Chill Winds and Warm Camps

Rob Howard / 18.03.2007

The first Rock and Ice Ultra got underway just after 9am when Ray Zahab counted down and set the runners and skiers off across Frame Lake.

There had been a brief delay while everyone registered, but no one wanted to wait around too long in -32C temperatures, so after a quick photo of all the competitors, the race was set off. First to leave were fun runners in the short Frozen Toe Trail Break, followed a couple of minutes later by the remaining racers in the one day, Cold Foot Classic, and the 160km (K Rock) and 300km (Diamond) ultra racers. Most of these were on foot, with those on the longest course carrying most and using towed pulks to haul their food and equipment.

The quicker skiers moved to the front, with a group of 4 staying close together on the early stages across of open expanse of Yellowknife Bay, led by Linda Dufour from the relay team Raucous Rockets. The first solo racer was appropriately number 1, Doug Townson, though I think was only chance he was given that number.

However, it wasn’t to prove an easy day for the skiers as the unseasonably cold conditions hampered progress, making it was difficult to get any glide from their skis. For all the competitors the northerly wind blowing into their faces made life more uncomfortable, especially later in the day, and anyone without a full face mask and goggles was in difficulty.

Adam Chase received some mild frost nip on his cheeks and nose, though he did have a mask and googles on most of the time. Italian racer Pasquale Bondi also suffered some frost bite on his hands, while Karen Haley of the UK was pulled off the course due to early frost bite on her feet. All were quickly assessed, treated and taken out of the race in good time.

Route finding was not a great challenge as the course had been well marked, but the early racers approaching Prelude East Stage Camp reported some confusing markings around an island on Prelude Lake. Fortunately, they were local racers and knew the way, one even found two ice fishermen and asked them directions! The route was quickly remarked by the snowmobile marshals once the problem was identified.See All Event Posts