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Show Skiiers Pleased With Cross-Country Tour BRYCE CANYON - Scott Fletcher of Cedar City, set a blistering pace of one hour and seven seconds to become overall winner in the first annual Bryce Canyon Cross Country Ski Tour event, held at Ruby's Inn Saturday, Feb. 16. Although only 25 skiers participated in the first-ever cross country ski race at Bryce, all 25 stated they want to come back again next year. Admitting that the course was difficult and that the course itself could have been smoother, they still counted their experience as outstanding. The explosive finish of the first and second place overall finishers surprised race officials. Divid Knoop of Midvale, the second place finisher with a speed of only three minutes, 48 seconds behind Fletcher, said that he felt if he had used wider skis and a different wax he might have finished first. Knoop said he thoroughly enjoyed the race. He said "because of the roughness of the course, I had to skate it," adding that he felt one of the main reasons other contestants finished so much slower was because "they were all trying to ski." Most participants agreed that there was too much snowmobile activity on the course and that more track discipline was needed. Volunteer helpers Ken Haas, Jackie Bernhard, and Susan Haas who were stationed near the Dave's Hollow Guard Station turnaround said that Fletcher, going through, "didn't stop and didn't even seem to be breathing hard." They said some skiers commented that the 150 (See SKIING Page 4) Contestants push off on the first annual Bryce Canyon Cross Country Winter Ski Tour held at Ruby's Inn, Feb, 16. The 18 kilometer race was a l total success said participants, even though number of participants was less than sponsors had predicted. Skiiing (Continued from Page 1) .contestant limit might have caused some would be entries to stay away. Local participant Shauna Anderson, Ruby's Inn, was overall winner in the women's division and first place winner in her class. Her time was 2 hours, 28 minutes, 14 seconds. First place winners in their class were: Class 1, male, 15 years and under, Alan Buckingham, Bryce Canyon National Park; Class 2, male 16-19, Kent Withrow, Salt Lake City; Class 5, male, 20-24, Scott Fletcher, Cedar City; Class 6, male, 25-34, David Knoop, Midvale; Class 8, female, 25-34, Rose Ann Milano, Salt Lake City; Class 9, male, 35-44, Steve Marshall, Panguitch; and ass 10, female, 35-44, Shauna Anderson, Ruby's Inn. Local participant Roxanna Abner, Panguitch, took second place in Class 8. Other second place winners were, Class 1, David Keir, Salt Lake City; Class 5, Patrick, Gilmore, Logan; Class 6, Kevin Flaherty, Salt Lake City; and Class 9, Matt Kindred, St. George. Steve Oulman of the Five County Association of Governments spearheaded Saturday's effort in the absence of Garfield Travel Council Chairman Bob Benfield who was called out of town on business. The event was sponsored by the travel council. The Bryce Canyon Cross Country Ski Tour, takes its place as one of the annual planned events in Garfield County. The other event thus far is the Bryce Canyon Rim-Run which drew several hundred runners from all over the country. The' Garfield Travel Council is planning a super-event such as the Rim-Run and Cross Country ski event for each of the four seasons. Future ski adventures may bring such events as snow sculpture overnight winter campouts, bonfires, sleigh rides, ice skating and snowmobiling. "Because of the scenic winter of Garfield County," said Benfield, "we are limited only by our imagination and the work and planning we are willing to do." Benfield said, "its a shame to see all the beauty here and know that there are eyes that have never seen it." Among those who helped conduct the race to whom Benfield expressed appreciation are, Oulman and his parents, Rick Swanger, Ken Haas, Susan Haas, Jackie Bernhardt Joe Ott, Wayne Ross, Fred Turner, Rod Syrett, Clair Baldwin, Garfield County Emergency Medical Technicians, Garfield County Sheriffs, Search and Rescue personnel and many other enthusiastic and helpful volunteers. |