Rock and Ice Ultra
The Magnificent Eleven
Rob Howard / 19.03.2007
Prelude East camp, a cluster of teepees and green canvas tents, came slowly to life as the 10.00 deadline for the race re-start approached. It was another brilliant sunny day, with not a cloud in the sky and steam rose off the tents as racers and race staff emerged to get ready to go again. Packing didn’t take long, the K-Rock racers put anything they didn’t need back in their race boxes, and the Diamond racers loaded everything onto their pulks.Damien Probst (USA) was one of the first up, standing brushing his teeth, wearing shorts in the -32C temperature. He been in shorts at the start of the race too, and the result was the same this time, someone from the race staff spoke to him. This time it was Race Director Scott Smith, “I don’t normally tell people what to wear,� he said, “but no one can safely wear shorts in this temperature!� Probst was soon more sensibly attired ready for the start … which was now down to just 11 racers, 6 in the 300 class all towing pulks, and 5 in the 160 class, all carrying small backpacks.
Dave Mackey lead the way as they set off, and the two remaining female racers, Shawne Kokelj and Jennifer Stranart were racing together. Damien Panayi was late leaving and quickly skied off to catch up with the pack.
Their route took them North Eastwards to cross Hidden Lake, then southwards to Reid Lake, which is where the Cold Foot Classic racers finished last night. The marshals at the remote Hidden Lake Camp made them welcome with cherry pie and the trail was well used already which helped a little. They still had the wind against them to Hidden Lake however, and the snow was still soft, but not quite as difficult for skiing as on the first day.
First to arrive at Reid Lake Camp was K-Rock skier Phillip Mees, who comes from Edmonton, arriving in at 13.53 … and leaving almost immediately. He didn’t go into the warm hut or sit down even, just asked for food and hot liquids and he was off again! He did say conditions were easier and added; “It was so tough yesterday, I was so close to quitting.�
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