The Central Maine Ski Club hosted 86 racers for the Quarry Road Opener on Sunday, December 10th. Although the organizers promote the race as a “low key” event, they put forth great effort with snowmaking and grooming to make this early season race a reality. Racers of all ages flocked to Quarry Road to begin the 2018 ski season — from 8 year old CMSC skier Lex Cote, to Everett Ingalls of Portland, who scored the first Zak Cup points of the season as an M9.
Nate Livingood of the Great Glen Bill Koch Club was the fastest boy in the 2.4km freestyle race. He was followed by Caden and Beckett Cote in second and third place respectively. Emma Charles was the fastest girl in the 2.4km distance with a time that was competitive with the top boys. Naomi Mcgadney and Keya Amundsen placed second and third. Seventeen racers, ages 8 to 13, enjoyed this festive environment.
Elliot Ketchel, a freshman from Bowdoin College, took top honors in the 4.8km male freestyle race with a time of 12:34. He was closely followed by teammate, Christian Gostout, at 12:39 and Colby College skier, Foss Kerker in 12:40. Kirsten Miller, another freshman standout, this time from Colby, took the victory in the female race with a time of 14:37. Her teammate, Claire Waichler, crossed the line just four seconds off the pace and Bowdoin skier, Gabrielle Vandendries, rounded out a competitive top three that were separated by only eleven seconds.
Four masters skiers jump started their season at Quarry Road, which was the first race of the NENSA Zak and Club Cup Series. Marek Skacel, an M4 from Veazie, Maine posted the fastest male time on the day. He was closely followed by M1, Alison Chase, the only woman in masters field on the day. Everett Ingalls (M9) and Daniel Baumert (M7), finished second and third for male skiers. Everett Ingalls deserves special recognition as the first master skier in New England to score Zak Cup points for 2018.
Special thanks to Central Maine Ski Club for hosting this event and kicking off an exciting season of cross country ski racing. Zak and Club Cup Scoring are live at www.nensa.net. Look for a “Zak and Club Cup Scoring Primer” post in the next few days! This weekend attention focuses on the Eastern Cup Opener in Fort Kent and the next Zak Cup race will be held January 6th at Gunstock Nordic (January Thaw).
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