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MINNEAPOLIS — In just 10 days, the Loppet Cup will bring tens of thousands of people to Minnesota’s Theodore Wirth Park to watch the world’s best cross-country skiers, including Minnesota native Jesse Diggins, compete in cross-country World Cup events. The audience gathers.
But for all that to happen, organizers need to protect the course from Mother Nature.
“It’s going to be a real race against time,” said Claire Wilson, executive director of the Loppet Foundation, which has spent years preparing for the event.
Loppet closed Theodore Wirth Park to skiing and other winter activities Wednesday in hopes of buying more time for trails that are rapidly melting due to record warmth.
In the morning, teams of volunteers fanned out across the trail on skis, scraping up dirt and debris that could speed up the melting of the snow.
“We’re trying to protect the snow from the next few days of rain and warm weather,” said Scotty Scott, one of the volunteers who showed up to help.
Another volunteer, Mary McKelvey, said: “We’re also creating small channels so that some of the water can flow off the tracks instead of pooling on the trail.”
Another group spent the morning skiing and spreading out large blankets borrowed from Mortenson Construction. The blanket is designed to insulate fresh cement, but they hope it will also help keep snow from melting.
“This was not in our plan, but we have no choice but to take precautions,” said Piotr Bednarski, director of Loppet Nordic Racing.
This additional precaution was taken in response to forecasts that Loppet may not have much time left to utilize the large number of snowmaking machines it has on standby.
Claire Wilson: “Our plan is to get the snow guns up and running as soon as the temperatures drop, preferably on Friday, to make as much snow as possible and strengthen the thin sections of the trail. It was painful to watch the trail get worse.” continues and we are losing our way. ”
Kent Erdahl: “When was the last time you were able to make snow? Do you remember?”
Wilson: “It’s been a few weeks since it started snowing.”
Therefore, transporting snow is part of the preparations.
Highland Hills Ski Jump in Bloomington delivered the first of several planned trucks on Tuesday, with more to come, but the course will come together in some form. Wilson says.
“I want everyone to remember what this is like, because next weekend it will be a beautiful ski course that will be skied by some of the best athletes in the world,” she said. “I guarantee you this will be the most magical place next weekend.”
And she says it’s all thanks to a lot of help and skiers.
“The entire cross country community is coming together for this event, from people in Minnesota and Minneapolis to all over the country,” Wilson said. “Obviously I’m tired, but I’m so encouraged by all the love that’s being poured into this organization and this event.”
Click here for more information about the Loppet Cup.
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