Jordan wins Chequamegon Short and Fat

Photo by Darlene Prois

Jordan won the Chequamegon Short and Fat race, held in Cable, WI yesterday. He did so in dominating fashion, attacking the 900 racer field just a mile or so into the race as the surface changed from pavement to gravel. Only Ian Haupt attempted to follow, but was soon reeled in by a front group of chasers. Jordan finished nearly 4 minutes clear, in the 2nd fastest time in the 29 year history of the event. Ian Haupt 2nd, Nate Labecki 3rd. Conditions were dry and fast, as indicated by Jordan's winning time of 48:41, averaging 19.7mph over the 16 mile off-road course.

The Chequamegon has a rich history. With that legacy in mind, Jordan decided last fall he would set a goal of winning the Short and Fat. There are 2 races held at the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. The Chequamegon 40 is a 40 mile race starting in Hayward, WI finishing at Telemark Lodge in Cable, WI. The Short and Fat is a 16 mile race starting in downtown Cable, and finishing at the same location as the 40. You must be 18 years old on race day to do the 40. The Short and Fat is typically dominated by teenagers, yearning to be old enough to race the 40 someday.

The first step in Jordan's quest to win the Short and Fat was to get a Mountain Bike. We picked up a Scott 26" hardtail in December, 2010 from Flanders Cycles. Jordan's first prep race was the Freewheel Frolic back in May, where he won the Comp division on an extremely muddy course. He raced off-road twice in August. First was the Border Battle in River Falls, WI, where he found the tight twisty single track unlikeable, finishing 4th in the Elite Juniors. Next was the Pre-Fat in Seeley, WI where Jordan won his age class, and finished 16th overall in the Expert division.

Then MBRC/Flanders teammate, Ed Macholda, generously offered to loan Jordan his Trek Top Fuel 9.9 for the Short and Fat. Jordan quickly leaped at the opportunity, and the rode the full suspension machine in a flawless race to victory.

Jordan was disappointed he had to miss Hudson High's Homecoming, but we all know being a great athlete requires sacrifice.