Skiers enjoy near perfect conditions for 2017 Baake Cup

Under the exceptional mix of sunny skies and snow fluries on March 4, a Leavenworth classic and signature event of the storied Leavenworth Winter Sports Club was run. Bakke Cup, which embraces and combines all three facets of Upper Wenatchee Valley ski history and heritage - Nordic skiing, alpine skiing and ski jumping - is open to all comers under age 18. This year had a full range with its youngest ever competitor at three and one of its oldest at 17. Competitors completed two runs on the giant slalom course, two jumps from one of the ski jumps and then, once those times and distances were compiled and the challengers seeded, raced in a Nordic pursuit with the first finishers in their age group claiming the title of Bakke Cup champion. The event, a celebration of the links to and traditions of the past, the advancements of children’s ski abilities, camaraderie and long-lasting friendships gained through skiing and the mixed ski cultures inherent to Leavenworth, ended with a rousing awards ceremony and barbecue on the memorial patio of the historic Ski Hill Lodge. 

With a long history of multi-event races, among them the “Ma Miller” and “Hatmaker,” the Bakke Cup has been running since 2010. The Bakke family, the driving force in the middle half of the last century to transform the Leavenworth Ski Hill into a national ski jumping destination, includes National Ski Hall of Fame members Magnus and Hermond Bakke. Kjell Bakke, son of Magnus and life-long benefactor of the ski club, presided over the event.