A bunch of Cowgirls and Cowboys are in the chase for a championship, and they're inviting Wyoming's legion of Nordic skiers to join the pursuit.

Cross-country skiers from across the Cowboy State converge on the Happy Jack Nordic Trails near Laramie this weekend to participate in the Cowboy Chase Nordic Pursuit Race.

Proceeds from the annual race pay for the University of Wyoming Nordic Ski Team's trip to Sugarloaf, Maine, in March to compete in the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association championships.

Christi Boggs, who shares coaching duties with Rachel Watson, said a banquet Saturday night at Laramie Junior High School also gives racers and team supporters a chance to have a convivial evening, while adding more dollars to the travel fund.

"It's an open race to the public so anyone can jump in and race, and we make money with entry fees," Boggs said. "We also have a dinner with a big raffle with over $1,000 worth of merchandise donated from around town."

UW's Nordic teams have rewarded supporters with championship performances. The women's team earned national championships in 2003-04.

The Cowboys and Cowgirls both finished second in 2005.

Overall the Nordic club has produced five individual national champions, "and that doesn't include Jen Kinner who won it several times herself," Boggs said of the Casper native who led the women to back-to-back titles. "And we've had a lot of All-Americans."

Boggs said the Cowgirls graduated three of their top five skiers last year, and are in a rebuilding mode. The men's team, however, is in a position to compete for a title. Boggs said seniors Joe Howdyshell and Riley Hopeman, each of Lander, and Justin Daraie from Casper are skiing well. Hopeman will defend his championship at 8.5 kilometers.

"This is definitely the strongest men's team we've ever had," Bogg said. "We're hoping to take the first men's title this year."

Now if the state's cross-country skiers will show up this weekend and offer support. Saturday's freestyle races cover 7.5 and 3 kilometers. Skiers go classic on Sunday for 15k and 5k pursuit races.

The racers should find the Happy Jack trails covered with some of the best snow of the season, according to Matt Troyanek of the Cross Country Connection.

"Last week we had three snowfalls up there. …" Troyanek said. "The week before the UW ski team and the high school team showed up with shovel crews and shoveled in snow from the trees on the trail. … Things are real nice up there."

Assistant features editor Willy Zimmer can be reached at (307) 266-0524 or William.Zimmer@casperstartribune.net.

If you go …

*WHAT: The Cowboy Chase Nordic Pursuit Race

*WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. Sunday

*WHERE: Happy Jack Nordic Trails

*RACES: 7.5k/3.5k freestyle (Saturday); 15k/5k classic pursuit (Sunday)

*ENTRY FEES: Early registration - $15 per race, or $20 for the entire weekend. Registration opens Saturday at the Tie City parking lot at 8:30 a.m. Registration begins Sunday at 8 a.m.

*INFORMATION: Call (307) 760-7150; e-mail uwski@yahoo.com; or go online at www.uwyo.edu/ski.