Cross Between Skiing, Fun Twenty-One Years Since He Began, Gee Still Loves Cross Country Skiing

When Bill Gee’s friend coaxed him into purchasing a pair of long, heavy, wide, waxable mountaineer cross country skis in 1975, Gee had no idea what he was getting himself into. More than 20 years later, Gee claims, “I haven’t found one aspect of cross country skiing I haven’t enjoyed.”

And he still uses the mountaineer skis.

“The equipment never runs out if it is taken care of properly,” he said.

Gee is eager to participate in the Wild Moose Cup to be hosted by the Inland Empire Nordic Club and Spokane-based Round & Round Productions at Mount Spokane Dec. 13-15.

This is the second scheduled Wild Moose Cup, but it will be the first to actually take place. Last year’s event fell through because there was no snow. That should not be a problem this year.

In the elite competition, the United States National Ski Team and Canadian National Team are expected to be represented by 200 skiers, plus some of the top junior cross country skiers from around the nation are expected.

An open-citizen category will follow the elite event. That’s where Gee and other local racers will compete.

The primary difference between open-citizen participants and elite racers is the times, said Gee. “The times for elite racers are phenomenal,” he said. “Skiers with that kind of inspiration are fun to watch.”

Gee first started racing in open-citizen events in 1986, two years after he moved to Newport. It took him 1 hour, 10 minutes to complete his first attempt on a traditional 10k (6.1 mile) course. His fastest time is 43 minutes. Gee admits, “As I get older, the times get lower. Maybe I am learning tricks or something.”

Gee’s goal for years was to finish a race in the top 10 of his age group. He finally achieved that goal last year in the Langlof. “I hope to maintain a top-10 (standing) in my age group,” said Gee. “The longer I can ski, the more likely I am to win a race.”

Cross country skiing is a way for Gee to get out and enjoy the weekends. He trains a bit, mostly just to maintain physical fitness, and he really enjoys the people he meets at the races. He is fortunate enough that, when he wants to, he can go for a ski right from his backyard.

Some of his favorite spots are Mount Spokane, Upper Wolf (local ski trails in Newport), and GEO (a longer ski trail outside of Newport).

One of his biggest pleasures in cross country is setting fresh tracks.

“It is fun to be the first person to set tracks in the snow, to come down a hillside and make some nice turns, then look back and think ‘I did that,”’ he said.

Gee, a gifted-education teacher in the Newport School District, has not only become a racer, but has added waxing to his skiing repertoire.

“By learning to wax, you get better performance,” said Gee. In order to support his ski habits, Gee is building waxing benches on the side.

“I am not really a purist when it comes to waxing,” admits Gee. “But when you hit the right wax it is really cool, like the difference between a Model A Ford and a Cadillac.”

Throughout the years, Gee has collected a journal of the races he enters, his times, and the types of waxes he uses.

“What I enjoy most about racing is that you push yourself,” he said. “There is no stopping to rest and you can start concentrating on technique.” Gee is not the only local to enter the Wild Moose Cup. Bruce Utsey, a local competitor in the masters events, is more serious about the competition.

“Cross country is thought of as a sedate activity, devoid of excitement when in actuality there is no room for error,” said Utsey. “When you are going 40 mph down a hill against people you want to beat, it is very exciting.”

Utsey trains 400-500 hours a year in preparation for race season.

“Everyone has a sport they do well,” he said. “It is just a matter of finding what you are good at.”

Utsey has found his niche in cross country skiing. He has placed in the top five of his age group at nationals the last three years.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: WILD MOOSE CUP Interested in skiing in the open-citizen category of the Wild Moose Cup Dec. 13-15 at Mount Spokane? Call Wendy Zupan at (509) 533-9354 for more information.