The Saratoga Sun February 5, 2020, Page 11

Schedule of Events Friday - Feb 7th 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Competitor sign up Back Room of the Hotel Wolf or ​Course Design pre-register at saratogaskijoring.com General Race Description Division and Competition In designing our course our main focus is to provide a safe venue for , • Registration Fees by Class Criteria riders, skiers and spectators. We will • Race Fees Due at Sign In have a straight track approximately 700’ NEW FOR 2020 - A team consists of • Open 3-D - $25 per participant ($50/Team) a , rider and skier and will get 1 in length. Our track designers work with • Amateur/Novice - $20 per participant ($40/Team) what mother nature gives us, and typically run each day. i.e. a skier can not includes 3 jumps, Leadville style rings, Youth - Under 18 FREE behind the same horse more than one and multiple ski gates. The skier is offset time per day, a horse may only run to the right of the horse and rider. Horses 6:00 PM till close - Welcome Party 2 times per day and a skier can only run on a prepared dirt track. Horse run a maximum of 4 times per day track safety is our top priority and our Back Room of Wolf organizations have been preparing dirt 7:30 PM Calcutta Skier –Open & Sort Rules horse race surfaces for over 38 years. and Recommendations ​ Back Room of Wolf A skier can choose their division of Horse Boarding competition. Saturday - Feb 8th A skier may compete in only one Division, Thanks to our local supporters and 8:35 AM Race Volunteer Safety unless assisting with the youth division. ranchers we have onsite horse boarding A skier may compete up to four times in at the race venue. All boarding facilities and Rule Meeting a day. have water available, please bring your All skiers must wear approved snow sport own feed. Boarding is at no extra cost Buck Springs Race Track helmets. for participants and reservations are (meet at the timing booth) Any Skiers under 18, must have parent/ made when registering for the event. 8:45 AM Competitor Meeting guardian sign parental consent forms. Proof of insurance for minors is mandatory. Buck Springs Race Track Protective Eyewear and helmet must be Winner Payout worn during competition. (meet near starting gate) It is strongly suggested that bindings be With the support of the Carbon County 9:00 AM Competitor Course tested by a professional prior to . Visitors Council and local sponsors we have raised $6,000 to be used as money Inspection added participant prizes. Winnings 9:30 AM Races Begin Rider –Open 3-D Rules and will be split between rider and skier! Buck Springs Race Track Recommendations Open 1-D with $2,750 Total Money Added (Novice Division will run first) A rider may compete in more than 1st Place: $1,375 plus 25% of Open Class Entry Fees 6:30 PM Concert and Party one division, but must compete on a 2nd Place: $550 plus 10% of Open Class Entry Fees different horse in each Division entered. 3rd Place: $412 plus 7.5% of Open Class Entry Fees Platte Valley Community Center i.e. if a rider has 2 horses they may 4th Place: $275 plus 5% of Open Class Entry Fees 7:30 PM Calcutta be entered in the same or different 5th Place: $137 plus 2.5% of Open Class Entry Fees divisions, a horse may not cross divisions. 8:30 PM Chancey Williams & All riders must be on time for their runs. Open 2-D with $2,250 Total Money Added the Younger Brother’s Band Any rider that cannot be ready on time 1st Place: $1,12 plus 17.5% of Open Class Entry Fees due to running to many horses or horse 2nd Place: $450 plus 7% of Open Class Entry Fees difficulty will be moved to the back of 3rd Place: $337 plus 5.25% of Open Class Entry Fees the order. Second failure to be ready 4th Place: $225 plus 3.5% of Open Class Entry Fees Sunday - Feb 9th on time will result in a DQ for that run. 5th Place: $112 plus 1.75% of Open Class Entry Fees 9:15 AM Race Volunteer Safety Riders have four minutes to begin their ​ run, time starts when the race is called Open 3-D with $500 Total Money Added Meeting by the Starting Gate Judge. If the 1st Place: $250 plus 7.5% of Open Class Entry Fees Buck Springs Race Track rider has not started their run (forward 2nd Place: $100 plus 3% of Open Class Entry Fees progression towing the skier to the 3rd Place: $75 plus 2.25% of Open Class Entry Fees (meet at the timing booth) start line) by the four minute mark then 4th Place: $50 plus 1.5% of Open Class Entry Fees 9:30 AM Competitor Meeting the team will be moved to the back of 5th Place: $25 plus 0.75% of Open Class Entry Fees the order. Second failure to be ready Buck Springs Race Track on time will result in a DQ for that run. Amateur/Novice Class with $500 (meet at starting gate) Recommendations: Total Money Added 9:45 AM Competitor Course Helmets and protective vests 1st Place: $250 are recommended for all riders. 2nd Place: $125 Inspection Any Riders under 18, must have parent/ 3rd Place: $100 10:00 AM Races Begin guardian sign parental consent forms. 4th Place: $75 Proof of insurance for minors is mandatory. 5th Place: $50 Buck Springs Race Track Helmet and protective vests must (Novice Division will run first) be worn during competition. PARTICIPATION WILL BE HONORED ON A PRIORITY BASIS - REGISTER Awards party following the FIRST, RESERVE FIRST. ENTRY FEES Conclusion of the Races on For complete rules, see WILL BE DUE AT SIGN-IN ON FRIDAY. Sunday Afternoon www.SaratogaSkijoring.com Hotel Wolf Back Room $6,000 added in prize money! • General admission is $5 per person • Kids 12 and under are FREE • Concessions and beverages are available on sight for all to enjoy Page 12, February 5, 2020 The Saratoga Sun

Bridge Street Bargains supports the Taking it to another level 4th Annual Skijoring! Saratoga Skijoring enters 4th year Need warm clothes? Come in and look at our gently used winter ware at reasonable prices! 1/2 Price Sale February 5-19! 307-326-3032 114 E Bridge Ave. Saratoga Hours: Tues. - Sat. 10a-5p

Saratoga Sun file photo A skier and rider take to the course during last year’s Saratoga Skijoring race. This weekend marks the fourth year for the races.

WELCOME By Joshua Wood during the slow winter months. attended as all of those,” said As Saratoga Skijoring pre- In the first year, according to Faust. RACERS & FANS pares to enter its fourth year, Faust, nearly 75 percent of This year, one of the factors it is already proving to be the registrations were in the week that seems to be playing into place to be for competition. leading up to the event. Over such an increased attendance In those four years, the event the past few years, that number is the cancellation of a skijor- R.G. Raymer competition has come a long slowly went down. This year, ing event in Helena, . way. In 2016, the Platte Valley however, Saratoga Skijoring Normally scheduled the same Construction Jaycees approached the Sara- had to shut down registration weekend as Saratoga Skijor- toga Lions Club about putting 16 days before the event. ing, the lack of snow in the Remodeling Specialist on a skijoring race. The Lions “We’ve got 100 races each neighboring state kept the Club, looking for something to day, plus the junior division. event from taking place. Vinyl Siding & Windows replace the cancelled chariot We are trying to be very mindful “We’ve had a flood of calls Cement Work - Decks races, were more than willing and respectful of our volun- from Montana. Folks that are Seamless Guttering to help. teers and our snow situation coming down. We’ve got folks “Initially, it was the Jaycees and not commit to doing too from the New Mexico border to New Homes & Additions that had the idea and they said much,” said Faust. Kalispell, Montana coming to Metal & Commercial Buildings ‘We have no idea how to put In addition to shutting down skijor in Saratoga,” Faust said. 307-326-8448 this stuff on. Would you guys registration a little more than Another likely draw is the partner with us?’ We said, two weeks before the event, return of Chancey Williams 1012 Bridge St., Saratoga, WY, 82331 ‘Absolutely, let’s do it over the Faust stated that every hotel and the Younger Brothers chariot race weekend.’ We in the Valley is booked for the Band. Featuring Saratoga’s had, within the Lions Club, the weekend with some of them own Wyatt Springsteen, the history of knowing how to put having been booked months Younger Brothers Band will be on a big event; registration, in advance. playing for the second consec- calcutas, organization, that “It’s doing what we had envi- utive year in a row. Their return sort of thing,” said Will Faust. sioned, which is filling up town marks the third year they’ve Faust, who is a member on what would normally not be played for the skijoring event. of the Lions Club, now also a busy weekend. That’s always “It takes our weekend to an- serves on the Saratoga Ski- been the goal. Push people other level and we know they joring organization committee into the stores, into the shops, bring a crowd,” said Faust. “So, and handles the race logistics. into the restaurants, into the our thought has always been, “In a matter of about four to bars, into the accommoda- even if we can break even five weeks, we threw together tions,” Faust said. “In a pretty on the concert, that crowd is a skijoring event. Nobody in lean time in February, try to still buying a $5 ticket out at Saratoga had really ever seen give everybody a little shot in the track. They’re still having it, outside of a few folks that the arm.” dinner, spending money, that had maybe been to Leadville Despite only having a few sort of stuff. It makes it an even (Colorado) or a couple of the years under their belt, Sarato- bigger event.” other races. Now I think we’re ga Skijoring has already made With 200 races lined up for starting to get a more estab- a name for itself as being a pre- the weekend, 22 teams on lished event,” Faust said. mier race and joining the ranks the waiting list and the return Since then, both the commit- of races in Colorado, including of Chancey Williams it would tee and the races have evolved Leadville which is celebrating appear that Saratoga Skijoring into an established event that 72 years in 2020. has certainly established itself draws people into the Valley “Our is every bit as well as an event to attend. Start the New Year with vision! Subscribe to the Saratoga Sun today! •In County $37 • Everywhere else $47 • Digital $35 The Saratoga Sun February 5, 2020, Page 13

We have a Working Class FULL-SERVICE Liquor Store Waugh to keep you warm during Skijoring! Local artist to show art highlighting the modern west 307-326-8064 1702 WY-130, Saratoga, WY 82331 Monday-Saturday 7am-9pm • Sunday 8am-6pm

Welcome Skijorers! Friday Registration and Calcutta! After race Photo by Joshua Wood Jamie Waugh works on one of her pieces ahead of her party Sunday! Friday art show Hotel Wolf By Joshua Wood Waugh’s art broadens its Thank you for your business! On Friday evening, people focus to the men and women from across the west will be who continue to work in the 326-5525 The Campbell Family pouring into Saratoga as West. Waugh said that she they head to the Wolf Hotel is hoping that the timing of to register for Saratoga Ski- the art show will not only be joring. The two-day event is to her benefit, but will show arguably a new past-time those familiar with her jewelry for members of the modern work that she is adept in other Thanks for reading the Saratoga Sun! working class of the west arts as well. and, just down the street A modern take on the mod- from the historical building, a ern west isn’t the only thing local artist will be highlighting that will be featured at the those individuals. one-night event. Along with Local artist Jamie Waugh, the art, food prepared by who also does business as Edge Powell of the Wolf Hotel After the races Bandita Bones, will be hold- will be provided along with ing an art show in the former beer, wine and cocktails. home of Fishpaw at 120 E Waugh’s show will begin Bridge Avenue. The show, at 2 p.m. and will go until 9 titled “Working Class He- p.m., allowing ample time for roes: Portraits of the Modern those registering for Sarato- West” will feature paintings ga Skijoring and taking part from Waugh as inspired from in the calcutta to attend the growing up in the Valley. show. The art will be available While classic western art for purchase and along with highlights one working class cash and check, Waugh will hero, the American , be able to take cards as well.

Th e Sa r a to g a Su n Email the Sun! News: Platte Valley Community Center [email protected] 8:30pm • Sat., Feb. 8 Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door Sports: Calcutta at 7:30pm [email protected]

Advertising: [email protected] Tickets available at the Community Center Letters to the Editor: Produced in (210 West Elm) cooperation with the Carbon County [email protected] or at pvcenter.org. Visitors Council Page 14, February 5, 2020 The Saratoga Sun

Engineering an accurate time Jon Nelson has been instrumental in Saratoga Skijoring’s timing system Photos by Joshua Wood

The timing system is set-up at North Fork Engineering for a Jon Nelson tests the infrared break beam quick test. sensors for the timing system.

By Joshua Wood human error. Human error on timestamp while another for- Part of the evolution of any behalf of the flagger, human mula subtracts the values of event, especially one in which error on behalf of the timers, the start input and the finish time is an essential compo- human error on my behalf en- input to generate the time. nent, is the timing system. The tering it into the spreadsheet. “It’s consistent for every same goes for Saratoga Ski- Three places you could get it race,” said Nelson. “We do joring, which has gone from an wrong.” still use the stopwatches as analog timing system to one When discussion began backup. So, every race we that removes human error. about improving the timing still have the same protocol While a timing system might system, Nelson briefly con- for using the stopwatches normally set an organization sidered the purchase of timing and, as long as the automated back a few thousand dollars, systems used for downhill ski system functions, we don’t the system used for Saratoga races. With a price tag of ap- use the stopwatches. If we Skijoring comes courtesy of proximately $8,000, however, have an error in one of the Jon Nelson of North Fork En- the engineer began to look for races ... then we’ll use the old gineering. other alternatives. stopwatch system until we get Nelson has been part of the “I started watching some it repaired.” timing for Saratoga Skijoring YouTube videos of people that Last year was the first year since the very first year. For had developed timing systems this timing system was used those first races, three tim- for different purposes,” Nelson and the starting sensors were ers were placed at the finish said. “I just kind of saw stuff welded onto gates. This year, line and they would start online where people were the timing system is much their stopwatch based on the using garage door infrared more portable as both the movements of the flagger at break beam sensors. So, I starting and finishing sensors the starting gate. kind of built on that concept are placed on tripods that will “The first year, all I had was and used two different infrared collapse should they be hit a spreadsheet where you break beam sensors as my by a skier to prevent injury. Th e Sa r a to g a Su n would just manually enter switches.” In addition to the main timing those three times from the The skier breaks the beam system, Nelson has also cre- stopwatches. So, the race of the first sensor when the ated a backup system that can would be over and I would race starts. At the finish line, be transported to other races. say,. ‘Okay Times’ and some- the beam of the second sen- “He’s our own mad scientist. body would say ‘32.21. 32.23. sor is broken. Those ana- I’ve been to races where the 32.41.’ The 32.41 gets thrown log signals are converted timing is a pain and it’s never The staff of the out. Obviously they were late into a digital input through a out on time and, with Jon, you on the finish or they were early USB switch convertor and the never have to worry because on the start,” said Nelson. “We data is entered into a Google he’s smarter than everyone felt like that was fair and con- Spreadsheet. A formula in the else and he can augment Saratoga Sun sistent, but obviously prone to spreadsheet gives the data a that,” said Will Faust. welcomes you Th e Sa ratog a Su n to Saratoga’s Want to keep up fourth annual with the Valley Skijoring while on vacation? event! Check out saratogasun.com!