Battle @ Bachelor – Lit up!

Crazy weather at the annual Battle @ Bachelor.

Friday, an afternoon thunderstorm blew in, and a lightning strike within a mile of the course touched off a wildfire we could see from the Nordic Center! Fire crews were able to put it out quickly, but practice rounds were cancelled. An ominous start...

Saturday went off without a hitch, but storms threatened again on Sunday afternoon. It looked like the mountain might shield us, but we had to call a lightning delay around 1:30, and an hour later the wall of clouds came cascading down upon us, bringing lightning and hail. It was scary. Most of the Am divisions had finished before the delay, but MA1, MA60 and MA65 were still on the course, in addition to MPO. Props to everyone for sticking it out.

MPO was able to resume play around 6, and half the field managed to complete their speed round by sunset.

Props to Collin Stetler (pictured in midair) for taking down the win from the chase card, holding off a hard-charging Scott Withers, who had won the Battle every year since 2018.

Full results here.

First round coverage here. Thanks to Marc Diaz at T.N.E. Media for the footage!