Ski to Sea 2005
This year "Team Cherry Hill" participated in the Ski to Sea race from the top of Mt Baker to Marine Park in Bellingham, Washington.
An 85-mile marathon, Ski to Sea is "Grandaddy" of all races with racers from all over the world. The seven legs of the relay highlight some of the most popular outdoor recreational activities in Washington state: DownHill Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Running, Bicycling, Mt. Biking, Canoeing, and Sea Kayaking.
Team Cherry Hill came in 238th overall, beating the First Hill Resident Team by a margin and getting totally smoked by the First Hill Faculty.
Ocean Williams (R2 Cherry Hill) led the team off at the chaotic mass start of the DownHill Leg. "I just tried to keep Mike Tuggy (First Hill Family Medicine Program Director) behind me the whole way." Ocean said. "Overall I think there more more people behind me than in front of me."
This year the cross-country leg was shortened by more than half due to poor snow conditions, but that didn't stop Kate Sykes, Program administrator, from taking just as much time to finish. (Kate gets good Samaritan points, however, for helping an injured skier on the trail.)
Kate tagged off to Sara Ann Fleming (Class of 2005), who ran the 9-mile (entirely downhill) running leg without passing out, throwing up or otherwise embarrassing herself. Sara Ann declined comment after race, mumbling only, "where's the Ibuprofen? Has anyone seen the Ibuprofen?"
Sara Ann's boyfriend, Brendon, took up the paddle for the Kayak leg, and reliable sources allege that Ben Guiney (R2 Cherry Hill) raced the bicycle leg, but he was traveling so fast no one actually saw him.
Julian Perez (R2 Sea Mar) picked and portaged his way over 9 miles of treacherous mountain terrain on the Mt. Biking leg, handing off to the canoe team in their solid-lead super-tanker that reached record speeds of .000001 MPH along the 15-mile stretch of river.
Program Director, Sam Cullison met the team on the beach and cheered them to the finish line. Overall the race was a lot of fun, bringing residents and faculty from the Cherry Hill and First Hill and programs together. Team Prov, the New Generation is already training for next year. Watch out, First Hill Faculty!
For Faculty