
Midwest Divisional Junior
National Qualifier
Mt. Itasca Nordic Ski Association
Coleraine, Minnesota
For Registration Lists, Start Lists, and Results, click Superior Timing button below!
Team Captain/Coach's Meeting:
Click for Slides
Welcome


Welcome to the Event Page for the Midwest Divisional Junior National Qualifier at Mt. Itasca
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January 21-22, 2023
Mt. Itasca Winter Sports Center in Coleraine, MN
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Saturday, January 21: Freestyle Individual Start
Sunday, January 22: Classic Mass Start
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Mt. Itasca is one of the only facilities in the country that maintains venues for cross-country, biathlon, ski jumping, Nordic-combined, downhill and snowboarding all at a single site.
Mt. Itasca hosts events ranging from children’s and high school races through world class biathlon and cross-country ski competitions.
Click on the buttons at the top of this page or menu at right to access race information.


Venue & Course Descriptions
Competitions will be held at the Mt. Itasca Winter Sports Center’s Nordic ski trails. Coach’s meetings will be held via ZOOM. The MINSA headquarters building, directly on your left as you drive into the venue, will house Race HQ. The stadium area—approximately 4 acres—boasts a large staging area for race starts and finishes, a spectator area with multiple views of the action, as well as a top notch timing building with excellent views. Changing areas are available in the lower level of the Mt. Itasca Chalet, although space is limited; change prior to coming to venue if possible.
Mt. Itasca has a total of 17 km of cross-country ski trails. The biathlon trail system--the primary race course--includes 5 km of trails, 6 meters wide. Multiple length options are available via cutoffs ranging from a few hundred meters to 5 km; we have hosted races ranging from short sprints to 15 km in recent years. While the trail system is notorious for elevation changes, there are several options that level out the elevation if a less rigorous sprint course is desired, or to make the course less challenging for younger skiers.
Note that we have full snowmaking capabilities on our nordic trails, which guarantees good race course conditions even in low-snow seasons.
WAXING: Indoor waxing space is not available. Teams and individuals should be prepared to supply their own pop up tent or service vehicle/trailer, irons, tables, forms and extension cords to accommodate their waxing needs. There will be outdoor waxing areas with power available beginning on Friday afternoon. Space will be available on a first come, first served basis. We are trying to accommodate everyone; please email mt.itasca.nordic@gmail.com to inform us of your space and electricity needs.
Distances:
Saturday, January 21 - Freestyle Individual Start​
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10km - U18/20 Males & Females
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5km - U16 Females & Males
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2.5km - U14/12
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1.6km - U10/8
Sunday, January 22 - Classic Mass Start​
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7.5km - U16/18/20 Males
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7.5km - U16/18/20 Females
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2.8km - U14/12
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1.4km - U10/8

Race Organization
Jon Arntson, Race Director
Mt. Itasca Nordic Ski Association President
(218) 259-5489
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Technical Delegate: Mike Bono Assistant Technical Delegate: Craig Hughes
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Race Registration:
CXC Junior Cup (JNQ) Participants (U16, U18, U20, Senior) register at the CXC Registration Website
CXC Youth Cup Participants (U14, U12, U10, U8) register at CXC Youth Cup Registration
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Schedule
On race days, the Race HQ building will open for bib distribution and information at 8:00 am; it will be open and staffed throughout the day. It is recommended that you get to the venue more than an hour before the start of your race/qualifier (1 hour, 15 minutes), get checked in with the secretary, get your bib, get warmed up, etc. More detailed schedules will be available on race day.
Friday, January 20
8:00 am - 5:00 pm Venue open for training
8:00 am Maps & schedule posted/available in HQ building
12:00 pm Courses will be marked by 12 pm
6:00 pm Coach’s meeting, via ZOOM
Saturday, January 21: Freestyle Individual Start
8:00 am Race secretary building open for information and bib distribution
8:00 am Courses open for inspection
10:00 am Race start
For Specific Race Day Schedule Click Below
Sunday, January 22: Classic Mass Start
8:00 am Race secretary building open for information and bib distribution
8:00 am Courses open for inspection
10:00 am Race start
For Specific Race Day Schedule Click Below
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Area & Location
Mt. Itasca Winter Sports Center is located in Coleraine, Minnesota, 7 miles northeast of Grand Rapids, 29 miles southwest of Hibbing, and 21 miles east of Deer River. All three of those areas have lodging and food options, although most athletes find Grand Rapids most convenient. Coleraine and its next-door city Bovey also have eating options.
The nearest hospital and emergency room is in Grand Rapids, 7 miles away.
Grand Rapids Tourist and Lodging Info: Click here
Hibbing and Iron Range Lodging Info: Click here
Deer River’s White Oak Inn & Suites : Click here
Other lodging options may be found through direct to owner sites such as AirBnB, or by exploring local resort options.
Click here for text directions and map on the Mt. Itasca Winter Sports Center website.
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Click here for Google Maps location and directions for Mt. Itasca.

