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Who’s competing in Ski to Sea?

From marathon runners to hobbyists, racers take their marks

By Andy Bronson Staff Photographer

The cyclocross course is built, the cross country ski route now groomed and racers are getting ready for Bellingham’s biggest event: Ski to Sea.

Cascadia Daily News sat down with a handful of racers to find out why they’re competing, their experience level and more.

photo  Kayla Kaiser is the cross-country skier for the Bellingham Firefighters. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)  

Kayla Kaiser

Leg: Cross-country ski

Team: Bellingham Firefighters

Experience: Fourth time; first time in cross-country ski leg

Personal goal: Do well and have fun

Team goal: Make the corporate podium

Team fact: Bellingham Firefighters have competed for more than 30 years.

“It’s kind of a celebration of where we live — we can get up and go skiing, and you can go mountain biking and then be out on the water.” — Kayla Kaiser


photo  Alex Honn is the snowboarder for The Tall, the Short, and the Ugly. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)  

 

Alex Honn

Leg: Snowboard and sea kayak

Team: The Tall, the Short, and the Ugly

Experience: None

Goal: Have fun and move the team relay standing forward


“It’s a great way to connect with a lot of people that I’m close to already, and to get to do all the stuff that I enjoy doing throughout the seasons all put into one day.” — Alex Honn


photo  Derek Thornton is the runner for Beaver’s Tree Service. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)  

Derek Thornton

Leg: Running

Team: Beavers Tree Service

Experience: Fourth time

Personal goal: Break 40 minutes, average a 5-minute mile

Team goal: Win the Whatcom County Open

Fun Fact: Thornton is a longtime runner and has competed in many marathons, including the Boston Marathon. 

Team Fact: The team has placed in the top five every year since 2013 and won in 2016 with a time of 6 hours and 22 minutes.  

“We’re just a bunch of old guys, but we like to win.” — Derek Thornton


photo  Haley Peters is the road biker on the team For the Girls, Gays and Theys. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)  

Haley Peters

Leg: Road bike

Team: For the Girls, Gays and Theys

Experience: None

Goal: To finish and have everyone’s equipment work

Most nervous about: Logistics and getting cars to the right places

“I never saw myself as a very athletic person, so it’s exciting to do it leisurely but also for fun and to challenge ourselves.”          — Haley Peters


photo  Sam Rice and Madeline May are canoeing for the TOKU-E Bobcats. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)  

Sam Rice and Madeline May

Leg: Canoe

Team: TOKU-E Bobcats

Experience: None

Personal goal: Finish the leg 

Team goal: Complete the race with an average time

Most nervous for: Sitting in a canoe for 2.5 hours

“It’s always been on my Bellingham bucket list and now we’re finally doing it.” — Madeline May


photo  Charles Linneman is the cyclocross biker for the 2009 Jr. Ski to Sea Runners-Up. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)  

 

Charles Linneman

Leg: Cyclocross

Team: 2009 Jr. Ski to Sea Runners-Up

Experience: Seventh time (plus six times in Junior Ski to Sea)

Personal goal: Be in the top 100 for cyclocross

Team goal: Be on the Recreational Open podium

Team fact: Members of the team have competed together in each race since they were in the third grade.

“It’s a good way to reconnect with friends who don’t live in Bellingham but grew up here. A lot of people consider it the best weekend in Bellingham.” — Charles Linneman


photo  Bethany Anderson is the kayaker for the Leisure Sportsmen. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)  

 

Bethany Anderson

Leg: Sea kayak

Team: Leisure Sportsmen

Experience: None

Goal: Crossing the finish line

Most excited for: Ringing the bell

“One person on our team did test positive recently … We had a virtual team meeting on Zoom and we’re hoping everyone can be better by the race.” — Bethany Anderson

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