A report from the January 11, 2009 Michigan Cup Race at Champion Hill Nordic Ski Trails. Champion Hill and the Grand Rapids Nordic Ski Team hosted the inaugural “Grand Rapids Langlauf” race. Here’s some photos from John Clement Howe (see his report below)and more from nordicskiracer.com.

Champion Hill Nordic Ski Trails, Beulah, Michigan, 1-11-09 – “Langlauf“ is German for “cross-country ski run”. Top Nordic Ski racers from the state and region converged here to compete in this challenging 15 kilometer freestyle event. Champion Hill Nordic Ski Trails, situated in the highest terrain of Benzie County, is a new venue to the “Michigan Cup” race series this year. Racers called Champion Hill a “world cup level” course that ”flowed like an olympic venue”. Others commented on the scenic beauty of the forested hills and the spectacular views from the higher elevations of the trails here. Junior racers competed on a 5 kilometer race course.