Seconds separate top skiers in Oosik Classic 50-K

TALKEETNA — The annual Oosik Classic ski race isn’t intended to be a hotly-contested affair, though Saturday’s finish of the men’s 50-kilometer race in Talkeetna was as close as they get.

After more than two hours on the trail, three skiers — Thomas Oyberg, Dylan Watts and Raphael Wunderle — crossed the finish line on Fish Lake within seven seconds of each other.

“We had a nice ski, the three of us. We were pretty much trading leads the whole way,” Watts, who skis for Alaska Pacific University, said after narrowly losing a furious sprint over the final two hundred yards.

When the snowflakes settled, Oyberg, a Norwegian who skis for the University of Alaska Anchorage, had his first Oosik title, beating Watts by three seconds to the finish, with Wunderle — an All-American at UAA who hails from Germany — following closely behind in third.

Wunderle’s time of 2 hours, 5 minutes and 13 seconds was more than 15 minutes faster than last year’s winning time, a testament to the flat, fast trail conditions.

After taking turns in front all race, Wunderle said he tried to make a move near the home stretch, but couldn’t pull away from the other two.

“I knew that I’m not fast on the finish, so I tried to break away,” the German said.

But it didn’t work, and Watts — the lone American in the bunch — and Oyberg easily reeled in the German.

“We slingshotted around him coming around the last corner, and Thomas made a good jump and we couldn’t get back up to him,” Watts said.

Racers said the fast, flat course made it difficult for any of the top three skiers to pull away.

“Everyone just kind of settled in for the siege and brought it into the end to see who could make the dash,” Watts said.

All three of the top finishers in the race know each other well from the college racing scene, and after the race they took turns congratulating one another on a good run as they stood smiling at the finish line. The good vibes among the three competitors is typical of the Oosik, a relaxed event that’s equal part ski race and social event.

“This is the high point of the winter for most of us,” Watts said.

More than 200 men, women and children took part in this year’s race, which included both 25- and 50-K races on trails beginning at Fish Lake and winding through windy, narrow trails around Talkeetna before returning to the start/finish line near the Talkeetna Spur Road.

APU’s Kate Fitzgerald won the women’s 50-K race, adding the longer-distance title to her win in last year’s 25-K race.

UAA’s Andy Liebner won the men’s 25-K and Angela Conroy was first in the women’s

25-K.

Following the races, participants were invited — or expected — to attend the annual post-race banquet and dance in Talkeetna, an event that typically lasts well into the night. This year’s festivities included a live band (“Slick Willie and the Swinging Chads”), along with food from local vendors and refreshments supplied by the Midnight Sun Brewing Company.

“After all the college racing where you are more focused, here you want to win but you are not too serious,” Wunderle said. “It’s more socializing and meeting other people that are in skiing.”

Though most skiers said they planned on making a night of things in Talkeetna, Oyberg said he, regretfully, would have to skip out on the festivities.

“I have some homework to do,” Oyberg said. “I heard it’s going to be a good party, too.”

Full results were unavailable Saturday night. For complete race results, visit www.anchoragenordicski.com

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@frontiersman.com

Oosik Classic Ski Race

Saturday, Talkeetna

(Top-3 finishers only)

Men’s 50-Kilometer

1. Thomas Oyberg, 2 hours, 5 minutes, 14 seconds; 2. Dylan Watts, 2:05:17; 3. Raphael Wunderle, 2:05:21

Women’s 50-Kilometer

1. Kate Fitzgerald, 2:38:17; 2. Erica Downs, 2:46:44; 3. Rachel Steer, 3:12:50

Men’s 25-kilometer

1. Andy Liebner, 1:04:21; 2. Gary Snyder, 1:06:24; 3. Espen Haugen, 1:08:02

Women’s 50-kilometer

1. Angela Conroy, 1:23:53; 2. Tina Devine, 1:21:55; 3. Gretchen Flora, 1:23:43