Go with the snow — She Can Ski event celebrates winter recreation

By Joseph Robertia

Photo by Clark Fair, Redoubt Reporter. A winged Brenda Ahlberg leads black widows Mary King, left, and SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/jennyneyman/Desktop/Tsalteshi%20She%20Can%20Ski%20Feb2011.doc Patti Berkhahn in the classic race portion of the annual She Can Ski event at Tsalteshi Trails on Sunday.

Redoubt Reporter

Darth Vader is known for heavy breathing, but the Sith lord’s inhales and exhales were sounding downright labored Sunday. Adding to the situation, Vader’s light saber wasn’t quite long enough to use as a ski pole.

“I can see well, though. I popped the eye pieces out,” said Joy Wannamaker, of Kenai, who dressed as the iconic Star Wars villain as part of the eighth annual She Can Ski event at Tsalteshi Trails on Sunday morning.

Wannamaker’s family hummed the “Imperial March” theme as she crossed the finish line of the classic ski event, while moments later several of her friends — Eve Ferguson dressed as a Jedi, Olivia Fair as Darth Maul and Chelsea Springer as Princess Amidala  crossed the finish line of the simultaneously occurring snowshoe event.

Photo by Clark Fair, Redoubt Reporter. Carly “Pea Can Ski” Reimer looks up from pre-race preparation. Reimer won the five-kilometer classic race.

Kooky costumes were the order of the day. There were gypsies, cavewomen, princesses and the “Black Widows,” whose all-black attire was embellished with a red hourglass on their chests and long balloon spider legs sprouting from their torsos.

Just as varied as the costume ideas were the speeds of the participants. Some had no problem setting a brisk pace in their garb, such as Carly Reimer, of Soldotna, who crossed the finish line first in the classic event dressed as a bright green pea pod and touting a sign that read “Pea Can Ski.”

Others, like Johna Beech, were still getting their just-learning ski legs under them, but having a good time doing it. Beech came dressed as nacho sauce as part of a “Girls Gone Mild” team theme, where she and her friends dressed as different Taco Bell sauce packets.

“I feel like I’ve been hitting the sauce early because I just fell down,” she said, while moving toward the starting area prior to the ski race.

Photo by Clark Fair, Redoubt Reporter. From the “Flintstones” are Donna Lester (left) and Lauri Lingafelt (center), along with mustachioed Laura McIndoe (right).

In addition to the five-kilometer classic and skate ski events for women, there was also a five-kilometer “drag race” ski race for men dressed as women, and new this year was a three-kilometer snowshoe event.

“We wanted to add the snowshoe event to draw in more people,” said Robin Nyce, one of the event organizers. “Our goal is to get 100 people, and we’re getting closer each year. This is the first year we held online registration and we had about 60 registered before today and several others signed up this morning.”

If the goal of adding the snowshoe event was to bring in people who might not have shown for a ski event, it worked.

“I’m excited about the snowshoe event. It’s why I decided to come,” said Lauri Lingafelt, of Soldotna, who came dressed as a “Flintstones” character, along with her

Photo by Joseph Robertia, Redoubt Reporter. Dressed as Darth Maul, Olivia Fair, of Kenai, leads a pack of snowshoers at the start of the eighth annual She Can Ski event at Tsalteshi Trails on Sunday.

friends and fellow snowshoers Donna Lester and Julie Williams.

“I’ve been on the Wolverine Trail on snowshoes before, but never this new trail (the Squirrel Trail), so I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a great snow year for snowshoeing,” Lingafelt said.

Tom Seggerman, another event organizer, said that snowshoes were provided for anyone who wanted to participate and take a tour of the new trail loop, but didn’t have their own gear to do so.

“People read in the papers about our races and the Besh Cup, but

Photo by Clark Fair, Redoubt Reporter. Joy Wannamaker peeks from behind her Darth Vader mask.

these are community trails. They’re here for everyone, skiers and snowshoers. We want people to come out and have fun, not just come to compete,” he said.

Hannah Pothast, of Soldotna, agreed that there is more to Tsalteshi than just racing on the trails. She said she enjoyed the fun atmosphere of the She Can Ski event last year, so returned this season.

“I love it. I love to be out here having fun. Being competitive is great, but it’s also great to take a break, too,” she said.

While designed with fun in mind, the event also is a fundraiser, with the proceeds being split between the Tsalteshi Trails Association and the LeeShore Center in Kenai. This is also the reason the event is scheduled to correspond with Super Bowl Sunday.

“This is a great way for women to come celebrate on what is traditionally viewed as a male holiday,” said Soldotna Mayor Peter Micciche, who officiated the event.

Photo by Clark Fair, Redoubt Reporter. Taylor Ostrander (far left) leads this cluster of freestyle racers up the first hill. Other numbered skiers in the photo are Gigi Banas (161), Kirsten Nyquist (164), Madeline Michaud (37) and Alex Bergholtz (163).

“I’ve done this for three years, and each year there are young girls, families skiing together and numerous women who are heads of prominent businesses and organizations in our community that serve as role models to others. Experienced skiers will reach out to the inexperienced skiers, they’re all part of the fold,” he said.

Micciche added that the She Can Ski event isn’t just an alternative or precursor to TV-watching on Super Bowl Sunday. It also is an event that celebrates being active in a northern environment with a cool climate.

Photo by Clark Fair, Redoubt Reporter. KCHS ski coach Brad Nyquist shows his feminine side during the Drag Race.

“We live in a winter community, so we want people getting outdoors and getting healthy,” Micciche said. “And, for football fans, this ends before kickoff, so it’s a great way for people to come get exercise before eating all those chicken wings.”