Sanctioned races in the East started, thankfully, without-a-bang in Lake Placid, last weekend. There have been so many recent positive changes in US cross country skiing — extensive club development, associated international success, elimination of fluorocarbons, and for the first time officially in Eastern events #equaldistance. However, the reality of climate change continues to play out, with the longstanding forecast of the East being, “warmer and wetter.” All these factors set the stage for The Miracle on Snow.
While originally slated to be hosted at the Rikert Outdoor Center in Central Vermont, one week before the competition, the Jury and the venues of Rikert and Mt Van Hoevenberg made a nimble and collaborative decision to move the first Eastern Cup to Lake Placid. The decision was based on snowmaking windows and highlighted by the fact that there were less than eight kilometers of skiing on the entire East Coast at the time. There was no insight into the most beautiful snowstorm we have seen in the past few years. The decision was made with the mantra that we are all in this together.
And how did Frost Mountain Nordic and Mt Van Hoevenberg shine, coming together to create a spectacular weekend of racing without a hitch. Well, there was a hitch — that was luckily overcome by the candor of an exceptional organizing committee. Before the dawn on Saturday there was an extensive propane leak at Mt Van Hoevenberg that halted not only our event, but also a World Cup Bobsled and Skeleton competition. The strength of our community could not have been illustrated more clearly — while there was concern and questions — there was never more than a flicker of doubt the events would go off.
Although delayed, on Saturday at 1pm, the classic interval races got underway on perhaps the most demanding course in the United States. In two hours and forty-three minutes, 356 competitors left the starting gate on a course that was expertly prepared despite nearly two feet of recent snowfall. The pictures tell a tale of yesteryear, with the gray-snow-filled skies hovering over the Adirondacks. Despite tricky waxing conditions, the field, supported by skilled and collaborative ski service, displayed a dazzling depth of skill and love of sport.
Sunday dawned a new day, with midwinter temperatures and a fast firm surface. The format for the weekend was a pursuit — with a 5km drag race schedule for all four competitions. Racers were aligned in four lanes with digital readouts of start times to hunt the competitors who had bested them in the classical event. While ranking points, both U.S. Ski & Snowboard and NENSA Junior Ranking List, will be assigned by time of day — the added excitement of a pursuit start with skiers flying out of the Cabot Lanes was made for TV.
On Sunday we witnessed exceptional efforts by all competitors, however the future and the foundations of our community were highlighted. In the Open Men’s Race, Tabor Greenberg, a GMVS skier, and first year U18 was able to defend his Saturday lead for the Overall Men’s victory. In the Open Women’s event Alexandra Lawson, a professional from the Green Racing Project was handily the class of the field. The Open Flower Ceremony also highlighted two pillars of our community and a rising force in club and collegiate skiing: Rosemary Shea-Cobb was awarded the Bill Koch Leadership Award, John Ogden with the John Caldwell Award and Paul Smith’s College with the NENSA Rollerski College Cup.
Never before has it been more apparent that we are community that loves sliding over snow. With tremendous gratitude to Frost Mountain Nordic, Mt Van Hoevenberg, Rikert Outdoor Center and the countless volunteers who supported this event, we wish you a Merry Christmas and look forward to Skiing you in a New Year!
Saturday Classic Races:
Open Men:
1. Tabor Greenberg – GMVS
2. Finn Sweet – UVM
3. Zachary Nemeth – Colby
Open Women:
1. Alexandra Lawson – Green Racing Project
2. Jasmine Lyons – UNH
3. Ava Thurston – Dartmouth
U16 Boys:
1. David Northcott – Caldwell Sport
2. Henri McCourt – Mt. Blue High School
3. Lucas Barstow – Gould
U16 Girls:
1. Amelia Circosta – Craftsbury
2. Ava Schneider – GMVS
3. Annelis Hanna – Ford Sayre
U18 Boys:
1. Finegan Bailey – SMS
2. Luke Rizio – Prospect
3. Aidan Jacobu – GMVS
U18 Girls:
1. Virginia Cobb – Mansfield/EABC
2. Maddie Hooker – Stratton
3. Julia Thurston – Mansfield
U20 Men:
1. Jack Lange – Dartmouth
2. Aidan Burt – UVM
3. Nathan Maybach – UNH
U20 Women:
1. Quincy Massey-Bierman – Middlebury
2. Hattie Barker – UNH
3. Sofia Scirica – EMXC
Sunday Freestyle Pursuit:
Overall Pursuit Men:
1. Tabor Greenberg – GMVS
2. Finn Sweet – UVM
3. Seve Decampo – Snow Australia
Open Men Time of Day:
1. Finn Sweet – UVM
2. Finegan Bailey – Stratton
3. Jack Christner – Middlebury
U18 Boys Time of Day:
1. Tabor Greenberg – GMVS
2. Luke Rizio – Prospect
3. Micah Bruner – Stratton
U20 Boys Time of Day:
1. Sam Galludet – EMXC
2. Parke Chapin – GMVS
3. Nathan Maybach – UNH
U16 Boys Pursuit:
1. David Northcott – Caldwell Sport
2. Henri McCourt – Mt. Blue High School
3. Lucas Barstow – Gould
U16 Boys Time of Day:
1. David Northcott – Caldwell Sport
2. James Crowley – Gould
3. Charlie Kehler – Craftsbury
Overall Pursuit Women:
1. Alexandra Lawson – Green Racing Project
2. Ava Thurston – Dartmouth
3. Michaela Keller-Miller – Green Racing Project
Open Women Time of Day:
1. Alexandra Lawson – Green Racing Project
2. Ava Thurston – Dartmouth
3. Michaela Keller-Miller – Green Racing Project
U18 Girls Time of Day:
1. Maddie Hooker – Stratton
2. Beth McIntosh – GMVS
3. Gillian Fairfax – Mansfield
U20 Girls Time of Day:
1. Hattie Barker – UNH
2. Evelyn Walton – EMXC
3. Sophia Scirica – EMXC
U16 Girls Pursuit:
1. Amelia Circosta – Craftsbury
2. Annelis Hanna – Ford Sayre
3. Cate Carlson – Mansfield
U16 Girls Time of Day:
1. Amelia Circosta – Craftsbury
2. Mary Harrington – GMVS
3. Annelis Hanna – Ford Sayre