The 2022 North American Vasa had plenty of snow and its signature frigid weather to welcome skiers and fat bikers for the 46th edition of the race.
With temperatures in the single digits at Timber Ridge RV Resort and groomers working wonders to tame about three inches of snow overnight, the morning ski races went off and the fat bikers gathered for their late-morning start time. With two Short’s Brewing Fat Bikes Series events in the bag and two more after the Vasa, the 35km and 17km distance races on offer were a big opportunity for the great and the good to create some daylight in the points standings.
Vasa Fat Bike Race Results – Long
Kyan Olshove took a sprint winner over Justin Donahue, with Robert Richardson just a single second back. Jason Johnson outsprinted singletrack master Jay Click for fourth overall and to take the 45-59 age group for the day, plus important points for the Series tally.
That was also on the minds of Eric Langley, Jim Jackovatz, and Kris Sands behind, three riders who have hit all the previous SBFBS races and look to be battling for the final points title. They were all in under 2 hours within spots 6-10 overall.
The Women’s Race
The Women’s Open race came down to an exciting spring as well, with Laura Webb only just inching in ahead of Erin Reicha. Reicha looks a solid bet to win the Series points title, but there is a lot of racing left. Annabel Miller, Allyson Shultz, and other ladies have plenty of time to pocket some points in the next two weeks.
Full Results – Available Online
What’s Next After North American Vasa?
Racers are right back in action at Dogman Challenge back on February 19. It’s the first of two lap-based races and one that has grown into a sort of cult classic here in Northern Michigan.
The Series caps off on February 26 with the Huma Loopa Licious Fat Bike Race in Traverse City right back at Timber Ridge.
Stay in the loop. Plan rides, sell your bike stuff, and talk with other Michigan bike racers on the kolo t.c. Slack. You can also follow us on Instagram. It’s fun.