| Mendon Ponds Park Winterfest Ski-O | ROC |
| January 18, 2015 | created by Ór |
A week before the Winterfest meet the ground was bare, with no substantial snowfall predicted. It
looked as though it would have to be a foot-o, but then a little snow started falling each day. With the
uncertain future, we decided on a score-o that could be done on foot or skis depending on conditions
(or snowshoes, as had been advertised.) We were excluded from most of the groomed ski trails because
of dogsled, snowshoe, and cross country ski races. Controls were set around both ponds either on or not
far from trails or open fields, though some bushwhacking could save considerable distance.
On the day of the event the temperature rose, as predicted, and there was a little rain later in the
afternoon. The bushwhacks to controls and ungroomed trails seemed to favor going on foot. The fastest
times, led by the three Borden brothers, were on foot. Several people managed to get all 20 controls
well within the 90 minute time limit. Twenty groups, including a number of newcomers, did the white
course on the esker north of the lodge.
One group lost a finger stick, and were charged $40 for replacement. By some miracle, it was found by
skiers who ran into Gary Maslanka with his ski-o map holder. They asked him about it, and it was
returned. It’s surprising that we haven’t lost these more often.
-Rick and Dayle Lavine
53 starts
Meet Directors & Course Setters: Rick & Dayle Lavine
Greeter: Carol Moran
Registration: Don Winslow, Patty Borden
Start/Finish/E-Punch: Tyler Borden, Stina Bridgeman
Food: Dayle Lavine
Flag Pick-Up: Gary Maslanka, Zak Borden, Olga Huber, Mark Wade
Instruction: Rick Lavine, Jim Borden
Stewart Lodge: Nancy Burgey, Sandra Lomker
Score-O