Citizen Racing in New England: 2019 Preview

NENSA is pleased to announce the 2019 Zak Cup and Club Cup schedule and the New England Marathon Series. October is treating many of our touring centers with a wintery tease this week and several clubs and individuals are posting footage of their first tracks. We love seeing elite racers being creative in their training – having fun on skis – and hope it inspires you to get out there this winter. Whether you are new to skinny skis or a diehard racer there is an event for you!

We’ve re-titled our Events link to our Zak and Club schedule under Citizen Racing to draw attention to the community feeling that all of these races embody. While you might see Olympic caliber skiers at any given event – you will most certainly find skiers of all ages and abilities pushing themselves and enjoying each other’s company. We hope you challenge yourself to try a few of the diverse disciplines offered by the 19 events on this years calendar, including: sprints, skiathlons, uphill and downhill challenges, a relay or one of the classic distance and marathon races.

This winter is the 40^th anniversary of Vlastimil Zak’s passing, who’s enthusiasm and dedication to our sport lives on in the through the naming of this Series. Each year, hundreds of master skiers enjoy friendly and competitive rivalries throughout the season – vying for placement in both age group and overall rankings. All skiers who belong to a club score points towards the Club Cup for participation in any of these races.

The events of the New England Marathon Series offer a classic cross country ski experience with fully supported courses showcasing some of New England’s premier venues. Come out and test your endurance, or just make the most of a winter’s day on courses ranging from 25 – 50 kilometers. Participants who are current NENSA members and complete a minimum of four races qualify for a Marathon Challenger Award sponsored by Swix.

Join a club, or recruit new members to yours, sign up for your 2019 NENSA membership and join us for the fun this winter!

2019 Zak Cup Schedule

Dec. 9 – Quarry Road Opener
10km Skate, mass start
Waterville, ME

Dec. 15 – Craftsbury Sprint Openers
Classic sprint with masters round.
Craftsbury, VT

Dec. 23 – Craftsbury Eastern Cup
5km women/10km men – Skate mass with masters wave
Craftsbury, VT

Jan. 5 – Gunstock Zak Attack Skate
12km Skate men, 8km women, individual start
Gunstock, NH

Jan. 12 – The Bogburn Classic
13km men, 7km women, Classic, interval start
Pomfret, VT

Jan. 13 – Stowe Derby
20km Skate, wave start
Stowe, VT

Jan. 21 – Geschmossel
15km Classic, mass start
Bretton Woods, NH

Jan. 26 – White Mountain Classic
NENSA 1-Day Club Championship
30km Classic, mass start
Jackson, NH

Feb. 2 & 3 – Craftsbury Marathon
Saturday – 48km for M1-M6, 32km for M7+ Classic, wave start
Sunday – Slightly shorter Freestyle marathon
Craftsbury, VT

Feb. 9 – John Roderick Marathon, Tour and Zak Races 
Freestyle Wave Starts of 50km, 25km, 15km, 5km
Rumford, ME

Feb. 10 – Flying Moose Classic
20km, Classic mass start
Bethel, ME

Feb. 10 – Mansfield Nordic Skiathlon at Craftsbury
3x2km Classic & 3x2km Skate, mass start
Craftsbury Outdoor Center, VT

Feb. 17 – Citizen Skiathlon at Rikert Nordic Center
Junior 2.5 / 2.5 – 5km and Open 5 / 5 -10km (Classic/Skate)
Ripton, VT

Feb. 24 – Cheri Walsh Memorial
Classic Interval Start (10km Women/15km Men)
Holderness, New Hampshire

Mar. 2 – Mt. Washington Cup
10km Skate, mass start
Bretton Woods, NH

Mar. 3 – Bretton Woods Marathon 
21km Classic, mass start
Bretton Woods, NH

Mar. 3 – Ski, Shoe, and Fatbike to the Clouds
Uphill climb
Mt. Washington, NH                      

Mar. 9 – Craftsbury Spring Fling
25km for M1-M6; 12.5km for M7+ Skate, mass start
Craftsbury, VT

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2019 Club Cup

Mar. 10 – Club Relay Championships – Club Scoring only
2 x 5km Classic, 2 x 5 km Skate Relay
Craftsbury, VT

2019 New England Marathon Series Schedule

Jan. 26 – White Mountain Classic
NENSA 1-Day Club Championship
30km Classic, mass start
Jackson, NH

Feb. 2 & 3 – Craftsbury Marathon
Saturday – Classic wave start 48km for M1-M6, 32km for M7+
Sunday – Slightly shorter Freestyle marathon
Craftsbury, VT

Feb. 9 – John Roderick Marathon, Tour and Zak Races 
Freestyle Wave Starts of 50km, 25km
Rumford, ME

Mar. 2 – Rangeley Lake Loppett
50K skate and 25K classic Burt Kettle Classic (scored for M7+), mass start
Rangeley, ME

Mar. 3 – Bretton Woods Marathon 
Classic mass start – 42km for M1-M6, 21 km for M7+
Bretton Woods, NH

Mar. 16 – Lake Placid Loppet
Mt. Van Hoevenberg, NY
50km skate or classic (25km option for M7+), mass start

*dates may be added to this calendar