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Popular Ski Racing Thrives in New England – Despite Shortened Season

April 6, 2020 by Justin Beckwith

Bretton Woods Marathon
Bretton Woods Marathon. Doucett photo.

Here’s some awesome news – popular cross country ski racing is showing steady growth!

Despite a shortened season, and with a couple of snow related hiccups early on, participation in popular races grew by 48% this winter (full 2019 – 2020 participation statistics here).  Three major changes have occurred over the past two years to help fuel this growth: branding our citizen races as “Popular Races” versus “Zak Cup,” adding more races (including adding “Just Try It” or “Fun” races to existing events), and the inclusion of senior aged skiers (23-29) in our Zak Cup statistics.  The goal is to create a more exciting and inclusive feel to races while honoring the traditions of the Zak and Club Cup.  NENSA also introduced a free “Get Skiing” membership for any first time members this season and scored previous members to our Zak Cup standings beginning with the Craftsbury Marathon this winter.  Competition draws competition and we are so happy our members are responding!

Sara Graves at the Bogburn. Doucett photo

Speaking of competition – the beauty of citizen racing in New England is the robust talent present at any given race – skiers of all ages from youth in Bill Koch, to novice adult racers, junior athletes and their coaches, parents, and elite skiers past and present (including many of our ageless masters), former National Team skiers and Olympians.  Popular cross country ski racing thrives because of this inclusive and diverse atmosphere.

Our masters men’s age group rankings included 229 individual skiers who collectively completed 628 races!  At the end of the season, young gun, Chris Burnham (NWVE) became the first senior skier to become the Zak Overall Men’s Champion at the age of 27.  Burnham and 2018 and 2019 Overall Champion, Eli Enman (NWVE/Rossignol) raced head to head 6 times this season each taking three victories in this duel – in the end Burnham prevailed, partly by completing more total races.  Adam Terko of the Mansfield Nordic Club had a strong master’s career debut, and was able to secure third place overall while balancing his full time coaching responsibilities with MNC.  Other notable finishes to mention: David Johnston an M8 from Mansfield, placed fourth overall, beating out 2017 Champion, Neal Graves (Stowe), and won his age group in all ten of his races!  M6, Tom Thurston (NWVE), was also undefeated in age group competition winning eight of eight competitions.  Also of note, the M5 and M6 categories included over 30 skiers making for deep competition.

The overall women’s field is also showing fantastic growth with 90 individual skiers who completed 220 races!  These numbers are more than double those in recent history (2017 – 38 individuals, 2018 – 45 individuals, 2019 – 48 individuals).  Sarah Graves of Stowe Nordic was able to regain her Zak Overall Women’s title for the first time since 2017 – completing nine races and scoring a perfect 175 points (7 best).  M7, JoAnn Hanowski a perennial strength from Mansfield, was also able to sweep victories in all eight races she competed in – securing her the second step of the overall podium.  Senior skier, Emily Stitt of Mansfield, reemerged on the scene this year taking multiple overall race victories and third place overall for the season.

Larry Berman (M12) and Jody Newton (M8) at the Bretton Woods Marathon. Doucett photo.

In another measure of strength – our Marathon Challengers came out in record numbers this season – with 24 skiers completing four or more marathons.  Marathon hats will be delayed because of our current situation – but have no fear you will receive them!

As we continue to weather our current health crisis we want to celebrate these incredible athletes.  All of the podium position skiers listed below will be presented with a NENSA mug and our overall champions will receive Swix klister as prizes in the coming weeks.  We will also be opening bids for the 2020 – 2021 season soon – giving us all something to look forward to!!

In the meantime, be well, stay safe and enjoy working out in your backyards.

If you have specific feedback please reach out to [email protected] with “Popular Racing” in the subject line.

Also if you haven’t been looking already Jamie Doucett has awesome photos from Bretton Woods, Freeman Frost White Mountain Classic, Geschmossel, Race for Snow, and the Bogburn.

Women

Senior (23-29 years old)

1 115 Sara Falconer Mansfield Nordic
2 105 Melissa Manning NWVE
3 100 Emily Stitt Mansfield Nordic

M1 (30-34)

1 65 Jessica Marion Dirigo
2 50 Ida Sargent Craftsbury GRP
3 25 Robyn Anderson

M2 (35-39)

1 175 Sara Graves Stowe Nordic
2 120 Elissa Bradley Ford Sayre
3 50 Jessica Snyder CSU

M3 (40-44)

1 165 Jessica Bolduc NWVE
2 120 Cipperly Good NWVE
3 95 Michele Smith CSU

M4 (45-49)

1 95 Tristin Adie Mansfield Nordic
2 70 Rosalie Wilson Ford Sayre
3 50 Holly Macy Dublin XC

M5 (50-54)

1 127 Katie Hill Mansfield Nordic
2 124 Karen Alence MNC
3 105 Sarah Pribram NWVE

M6 (55-59)

1 175 Amy Gunn Black Water Nordic Ski Club
2 150 Ellie Bouffard MNC
3 52 Renate Adamonwicz Mansfield Nordic

M7 (60-64)

1 175 JoAnn Hanowski MNC
2 105 Ann Burnham CSU
3 75 Kimberly Moody Schussverein

M8 (65-69)

1 125 Carrrie Nourjian Stowe Nordic
2 110 Jody Newton CSU
3 50 Carol Fisher HURT

M9 (70-74)

1 75 Trina Hosmer Stowe Nordic
2 25 Rose Buckingham
3 25 Viera Proulx CSU

M11 (80-84)

1 100 Sara Mae Berman CSU
Chris Burnham and Adam Terko on the line at Lost Nation Citizen Race in Craftsbury. Beckwith photo.

Men
Senior (23-29 years old)

1 175 Chris Burnham NWVE
2 137 Dennis Page Nansen Ski Club
3 85 Nathan Moreau CSU

M1 (30-34)

1 170 Michael Millar Mansfield Nordic
2 125 Adam Terko Mansfield Nordic
3 110 Tristan Williams

M2 (35-39)

1 150 Neal Graves Stowe Nordic
2 137 Tyler Magnan NWVE
3 127 Nate Laber MNC

M3 (40-44)

1 175 Eli Enman NWVE – Rossignol
2 135 Eric Tremble NWVE
3 135 Eli Gallaudet CSU

M4 (45-49)

1 160 Eric Darling NWVE
2 120 John Sakalowsky CSU
3 77 Steve Crafts Mansfield Nordic

M5 (50-54)

1 125 Pat Giersch CSU
2 125 Ed Hamilton NWVE
3 76 Emanuel Betz NWVE

M6 (55-59)

1 175 Tom Thurston NWVE
2 104 Christopher Naimie Bow Nordic
3 85 Chris Bean Stowe Nordic

M7 (60-64)

1 165 Robert Bradlee Wide Meadow Ski Club
2 111 Robert Faltus CSU
3 101 Richard Costanza Mansfield Nordic

M8 (65-69)

1 175 David Johnston Mansfield Nordic
2 160 Charlie Gunn Black Water Nordic Ski Club
3 100 Peter Harris Craftsbury

M9 (70-74)

1 145 Donavon Freeman Mt. Washington Nordic
2 127 Perry Bland NWVE
3 115 John Lazenby Onion River Nordic

M10 (75-79)

1 70 John Brodhead Craftsbury
2 55 David Hosmer Stowe Nordic
3 25 Jonathan Chaffee Ford Sayre

M11 (80-84)

1 125 Bob Gray Putney Ski Club
2 45 George Hall Craftsbury Nordic

M12 (85-89)

1 100 Larry Berman Cambridge Sports Union

LINK TO FULL RANKINGS PAGE

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