Nordic course shift saves cross-country PPP stage

The weather should be fine for the SELCO Community Credit Union Pole Pedal Paddle competition this Saturday, but until then, conditions don’t look great up at Mt. Bachelor.

The cross-country track, in particular, was surrounded Wednesday by slushy snow.

Just a few years ago, there was not enough snow for the Nordic portion, so there was a replacement event instead. This year, though, that won’t happen.

That’s because parts of the track were pre-emptively moved from open and exposed places to more shaded spots under trees, where the snow would have less of a chance of melting.

“We have some warm temperatures this week, so I think if we hadn’t made the change, we would be in some trouble,” Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation Event Director Molly Cogswell-Kelley said.

So the Nordic portion of the event will go on this year, thanks to the foresight that went into that minor track change.

Cogswell-Kelley also said the level of competition in this year’s event will be greater than ever before.

“Bend is not a normal place, as far as athletes go,” she said. “I could count 15 people I know that have been in the Olympics that live here. So it’s absolutely crazy, the level of athletic ability.”

She pointed out most of the elite performers come from right here in Central Oregon.

“It’s funny: Over half the athletes come from Portland or other parts of Oregon for the most part, but you know who always wins?” Cogswell-Kelley asked. “It’s the Bend locals.”