National elite and Wisconsin high school racers gathered downtown to compete in the fourth annual Madison Winter Festival Saturday and Sunday, a cross country skiing competition on downtown's Capitol Square.
The event serves as the state championship race for Wisconsin high school students. Winter Fest is also the final event prior to the World Cup competition, which begins next week, for national elite racers who cross country ski full time.
Chris Lawn has attended Winter Fest for four years as a volunteer. As an avid cross country skier, Lawn became involved in Winter Fest because of the high stakes involved for competitors of all ages.
This is the big deal for the high school kids, and for the adult racers. They are the elite, professional class of racers,"" he said. ""They pretty much ski for money and for their sponsors.""
""We had to do a half loop around the Capitol because of a logistical issue,"" Lawn said of this year's horse-shoe shaped track. ""They have to turn around in their skis,"" he said, adding it is an unusual-shaped course.
The skis, which are about five to six feet in length, and the awkward angle of the turn around Capitol Square can cause accidents, according to Lawn. He said competitive skiers must force themselves to adjust to the unique conditions.
Lawn said that the racers have a tough time with the snow around the Capitol, because normally cross-country ski races take place in the wilderness.
""They have to ski on this parking-lot-quality sludge,"" he said. ""In a normal race you have ice and snow pack ... so it's completely different for the racers.""
Yuriy and Irina Gusev have directed and organized the event all four years of its existance in partnership with both corporate and Madison sponsors. Irina said the race is a great community event for families and skiers alike.
""We have a huge turnout and prizes,"" she said.
In addition to the cross country ski races, this year's Winter Fest activities also included snow and ice sculpting, an extreme sports park for snowboarders and skiers and a sledding hill among other events.
