In 2019, our Bellingham team participated in a Ski to Sea Race. Get to know our amazing participants from our very own Bellingham Fun: Meet Our Ski to Sea Team.
Table of Contents
An Iconic Event
If you’ve been following us for long, you probably noticed that we love Bellingham’s iconic Ski to Sea event. Each year, some of Washington’s best athletes compete in an epic relay race comprised of several challenging legs including skiing, biking, kayaking, and more. Rain or Shine, the event brings the community together and celebrates so much of what makes Whatcom County such an amazing place to live.
In addition to sponsoring the Race (shipping containers are used for equipment storage on each leg of the race), we sponsor a team each year so that young athletes have the chance to participate as well.
Get to know the team
We are so proud of our 2019 Ski to Sea team: Plain and Simple Box. Every athlete from last year’s team of high school seniors has returned, and we’re excited to cheer them on. Here’s a little of what they’ve been up to the past year.
Lizzie Schjelderup
What are you currently up to?
I am going to the University of British Columbia, but back in B-ham for the summer!
Which event are you competing in?
Canoe!
What do you enjoy most about Canoeing in the Ski to Sea?
I love practicing on the river and lake, it is super relaxing and can be very exciting.
What are your goals for this year’s race?
I think just to do better than last year, and to make even more amazing memories!
What are you currently up to?
Flight school in Bellingham
Which event are you competing in?
Canoe
What do you enjoy most about your event?
Paddling with my awesome cousin.
What are your goals for this year’s race?
Read the river and flow with it.
Ben van Veen
What are you currently up to?
I’m working on my pilots license and sticking around Bellingham.
Which event are you competing in?
Cycle cross
What do you enjoy most about Cyclocross?
The jaw breaking fields
What are your goals for this year’s race?
I’m going to try to not miss a turn.
Colin Glaze
What are you currently up to?
Living in Tacoma and going to school.
Which event are you competing in?
XC ski!
What do you enjoy most about Cross-Country skiing?
Skating very fast and the mass starting line with everyone else.
What are your goals for this year’s race?
Honestly, just hoping to finish faster than last time.
Ben van Veen
What are you currently up to?
I’m working on my pilots license and sticking around Bellingham.
Elvis or Beatles?
The Beatles
Ice cream cone or snow cone?
Ice cream!
Which event are you competing in?
Cycle cross
What do you enjoy most about your event?
The jaw breaking fields
What are your goals for this year’s race?
I’m going to try to not miss a turn.
Koal Sebastian River Reyes-Schulze
What are you currently up to?
Living in Bellingham.
Which event are you competing in?
Downhill snowboard
What do you enjoy most about your event?
The sunburn, of course.
What are your goals for this year’s race?
Chuck up and down so fast that no one sees.
Gabriel Sherman
What are you currently up to?
Still living in B-ham.
Which event are you competing in?
Ocean Kayak
What do you enjoy most about your event?
Just being out on the water.
What are your goals for this year’s race?
Try to pass more people than pass me =) .
Ben van Veen
What are you currently up to?
I’m working on my pilots license and sticking around Bellingham.
Elvis or Beatles?
The Beatles
Ice cream cone or snow cone?
Ice cream!
Which event are you competing in?
Cycle cross
What do you enjoy most about your event?
The jaw breaking fields
What are your goals for this year’s race?
Grace Oswin
What are you currently up to?
Studying biology and running track and field and cross country for the University of Portland.
Which event are you competing in?
Downhill Run
What do you enjoy most about your event?
The scenic views and the camaraderie of all the competitors.
What are your goals for this year’s race?
Run it faster!
Claire Campbell
What are you currently up to?
Somewhere in the Salish Sea.
Which event are you competing in?
Road Bike
What do you enjoy most about your event?
Did you see that cute waterfall?
What are your goals for this year’s race?
No road rash.
Ben van Veen
What are you currently up to?
I’m working on my pilots license and sticking around Bellingham.
Elvis or Beatles?
The Beatles
Ice cream cone or snow cone?
Ice cream!
Which event are you competing in?
Cycle cross
What do you enjoy most about your event?
The jaw breaking fields
What are your goals for this year’s race?
I’m going to try to not miss a turn.
**Post-Race Update**
Our team battled from start to finish and the result was a photo-finish that resulted in a 3rd place tie! We are so proud of our team.
Join us Next Year!
Now that you know the team, we hope to see you there! Join us on the last Sunday of May (Memorial Day Weekend) as we cheer on these young athletes at one of the best events of the year.