Craftsbury, VT (October 25, 2020) – If there is anything 2020 has taught us – it’s that we need to focus on overall development and every competition we pull off will truly be a blessing. Three short days ago skiers from across the region competed in the second rollerski race of the summer – the Lost Nation Roll – on the Craftsbury Outdoor Center‘s new rollerski track. The anticipation of winter racing was palpable and this event was a great way to prepare, especially in light of many pandemic-related changes to our race season.

“It feels great to put a bib on, it really gets me excited for the season to come.”
– Julia Kern, SMS T2/US Ski Team

“It’s fun to be here with the team, we get to put on a bib, it is timed, and there are splits. It just feels very real, this is the best way to get ready for the season”
– Jessie Diggins, SMS T2, US Ski Team

Teams competing at the event included the Craftsbury Nordic Ski Club, Craftsbury Green Racing Project, Stratton Mountain School T2 Team, Dartmouth College, Ford Sayre, Mansfield Nordic, and the Fort Kent Outdoor Center. While we would have loved to have more teams and individuals represented at this event and missed your presence, we are grateful that this crew was able to come out for a closely controlled, responsible day of racing.

The newly paved course with a fresh surface made zipping through the Craftsbury hills as fun as it gets. Both the men’s and women’s fields were quite competitive with multiple Olympian and World Cup athletes competing from both biathlon and cross country.

Women’s top-3:
1. Jessie Diggins, SMS T2/US Ski Team
2. Julia Kern, SMS T2, US Ski Team
3. Evelina Sutro, UVM/Craftsbury GRP

Men’s top-3:
1. Adam Martin, Craftsbury GRP
2. Ian Torchia, SMS T2
3. Akeo Maifeld-Carruci, Craftsbury GRP

Junior Women’s top-3:
1. Quincy Massey-Bierman, Craftsbury
2. Nina Seemann, Craftsbury
3. Maggie McGee, Craftsbury

Junior Men’s top-3:
1. Finn Sweet, Craftsbury GRP
2. Brian Bushey, GMVS
3. Bjorn Westervelt, Craftsbury

Full results from Bullitt Timing can be found HERE.

And a wonderful photo gallery from the day by John Lazenby.

NENSA is honored to be hosting a season long club-based challenge, the Hall Mark of Excellence. Current Standings.

Thank you to the Craftsbury Outdoor Center for hosting and to all the staff, athletes, volunteers, and coaches who made this event possible by following all necessary safety measures. NENSA is committed to creating safe competitive opportunities for our population – look forward to a Racing Primer on November 1 that will address developments in the Eastern Cup racing schedule.