Thunderbolt Ski Race Delayed Because of WeatherStaff Reports
iBerkshires
12:49PM / Thursday, February 02, 2012
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ADAMS, Mass. — This winter's funky weather is forcing the Thunderbolt Ski Race to be postponed to Saturday, March 3.
The race, and an accompanying Thunderfest, were scheduled for Feb. 11, but rain and mild temperatures are forcing the historic race to wait for snow. It's a replay of the race's 75th anniversary — and its first run since 1948 — in 2010 when it was nearly canceled because of unseasonable temperatures. A couple of providential storms had skiers slushing down the side of Mount Greylock in March.
David Bissaillon of ProAdams, a local group spearheading Thunderfest, said the decision to postpone the race was made Wednesday night by the ski club.
"We were simply following their lead in terms of when their event is held," he said. "It gives us four more weeks and maybe we can get some snow but we will have the [festival] anyways."
Bissaillon said Thunderfest organizers are contacting vendors to let them know the change. But rain or snow, race or not, Thunderfest will be held on March 3. "It's coming together nicely," he said. "We're really excited about it."
The Thunderbolt Ski Race has been resurrected by the Thunderbolt Ski Runners club, which groomed and widened the old trail and sparked interest from skiers around the region. ProAdams joined with the ski club and the town Events Planning Committee to create a downtown event with a cook off, beer garden, music, activities and more.
The mild weather has also forced the Adams Outdoorsmen to cancel its annual fishing derby scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 4, because of thin ice.
Update 1:29 p.m.: Rewritten throughout and updated with quotes.
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