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Bellingham : SKI TO SEA RACE
The Ski to Sea race is one of the most talked about events in Bellingham, Washington. With the accessibility of outdoor activities in the San Juan Islands and the North Cascade Mountains, this race takes place in one of the most beautiful parts of Washington. The Ski to Sea race is a team relay that consists of eight people who complete seven legs in this unique race. Each team member can only participate in one leg of the race. The seven legs of the race consist of the following sporting activities: cross country skiing, downhill skiing or snowboarding, running, road biking, canoeing, mountain biking, and sea kayaking. One member from each team must complete each leg with the exception of two members competing in canoeing. The race begins at the Mount Baker Ski Area and finishes in the Bellingham Bay. This year’s race will be held on Sunday, May 26.
HISTORY:
In 1911, the Mount Baker Club developed an idea to race from the city of Bellingham to the top of Mount Baker and back. This was known was the Mount Baker Marathon.
In that year, twelve competitors raced through 116 miles of rugged terrain, treacherous roads and trails to the top of the mountain. The winner of the marathon, Joe Galbraith, completed the course in 12 hours and 28 minutes. The Mount Baker Marathon ended in 1913 after a competitor fell into a crevasse. Victor Galbraith was racing down the glacier and fell 40 feet into a hidden crevasse created by harsh summer storms. He was found nearly dead six hours later. Due to this nearly catastrophic event, the Mount Baker Marathon was postponed until 1973 and was recreated into the Ski to Sea race.
The first Ski to Sea race consisted of downhill skiing, bicycling, and canoeing. As the race became more and more popular, the race was slowing adding additional legs to the race. Within twenty years, the committee added runners, sailboats, cross country skiers, mountain bikers, and eventually replaced sailboats with kayakers. Since 1992, the race has always had seven legs to this exhilarating race. However, the committee has the authority to cancel a leg of the race if weather conditions provide a dangerous environment for the competitors.
by: Michelle Ireland