FIEGL SMASHES WINTER SPRINT RECORD Becomes Favorite to Win Patch Sprint in May

Keeseville, March 20—He did just as he set out to do.  Two-time Patch Sprint Champion Jason Fiegl set a new Winter Sprint record today, finishing the peaks of Bare, Rattlesnake, Sugarloaf and Pok-O-Moonshine in a time of three hours, thirty minutes and eighteen seconds.  The finishing time broke by nearly 30-minutes the old mark set by Fiegl, along with Jim Kobak in 2001.

Racing alongside canine competitor Zoe, Fiegl moved with swift feet and a sense of purpose from the beginning of the race, at the Camp Pok-O-Moonshine pillars, all the way to the steep, icy slopes of Mt. Pok-O-Moonshine.      “Fueled by the sunshine and, of course, Dr.Feelgood's Organic Groovytime Herbal LooseJuice, I felt really good the whole way.  It was a beautiful day!”  Indeed it was, with temperatures in the 40’s and snow conditions such that the use of technical equipment was kept to a minimum.  “I wore running shoes for the fast portions of the course and was also able to ski across the lake (Long Pond) which helped save some time and distance,” said Fiegl.

FIEGL- toasting victory (above); on trail (below)

Acting in support of the race winner, three other individuals also completed the Winter Patch.  For Ed Bunk, it was a first time effort at the Winter Sprint; For Dan Herbert, it was the debut Patch Sprint, any season, while Tim Singer extended his record for official Patch completions to ten.  “We were honored to help support Jay,” said Bunk.  "We saw him for the first five yards, and then briefly for a few seconds on both Bare and Rattlesnake.  Without us, I don’t believe he would have set the record.”      Also offering assistance were Patch Sprint veterans Amy Kobak, Augusta Wilson, and Jim Kobak, who volunteered photography, shuttle and aid station services.

WINTER SPRINTERS Jay and Zoe Fiegl         3:30:18 Bunk, Herbert, Singer 5:31:50

The event was not without some controversy.  In question was the actual date of the attempt.  “I would think a hike has to be finished by spring to count as ‘winter’,” voiced former Patch Sprint race director Mike Daley.   “I need to point out that the vernal equinox is on Sunday the 20th at 7:33 AM ET.  We all know that the exact second the northern hemisphere tilts towards the sun, hiking conditions become cushy.”  Kobak responded:  “The Patch Sprint Policy is in the same spirit of the Adirondack Forty-Sixers.  That is, any climbing done between the dates of December 21 and March 21 count as winter.  If Mikey D actually still lived on the hard side, he’d know all about that.” Daley’s Reply:  “The Patch Sprint policy (and 46er policy) essential gives an extra day of winter. In 2096, the policy gives two extra days of winter. The Patch Sprint policy should be re-evaluated. I argue that for future winters the Patch Sprint adopt the AMC rules and use the vernal equinox time as determined by the US Naval Observatory.”

Dan Herbert:  “When I was on top of Pok-O today, I took a good look at the sun and to the best of my knowledge, it appeared to still be on the far side of the equator.” (see diagram, right) Regardless of the fuss, Fiegl’s impressive effort and Winter Patch victory, along with a new course record are officially in the books.  Next up: the Patch Sprint, May 28.  “I am now feeling really good about my training!”

PATCH BRIEFS: Herbert's debut at the Winter Sprint came one day after he finished his winter AMC/New Hampshire-48 on Mt. Moosilauke.  Herbert, who is also a winter Adirondack Forty-Sixer, becomes the first known Pok-O-MacCready alumnus to climb the New Hampshire 48 in any season.  Joining on his finish were Herbert's girlfriend Beth, and Patch Sprint veterans Matt Elliott, Marc Metakis, Mike Horwich, Mike Daley and Jason Metakis.  In 2006, Herbert plans to finish his winter 111 (The highest mountains in the Northeastern United States.)

See other BREAKING NEWS REGISTER for the 2005 Patch Sprint