In the weeks leading up to the Roy Varney Eastern Cup Memorial all was cool and collected — allowing for the organizing committee to focus on creating an exceptional event. Despite one, (five inches of rain) weather event, it seemed like Quarry Road Trail had cracked the code of community, volunteerism, and creating artificial snow — and indeed they have. However, for the fourth week in a row, a wet and warm storm cycle ravaged the East the evening after Sunday’s events, damaging not just Quarry Road’s race track — but threatening roadways and communities across our region. Hard work makes good luck — how more properly could we summarize the 2023 Roy Varney Memorial Eastern Cup. #forroy
How exciting to start the Eastern Cup season with a classic sprint! Clubs and skiers, with varied amounts of on-snow preparation, showed not only the technical skill of skiing needed to compete, but more importantly, the mantra of having fun with the process. The 2023 Varney attracted record participation with nearly 300 finishers each day. The field, fueled by a strong collegiate presence, was exceptionally strong, yet there was an air of levity and excitement — especially for young skiers — as we all reunited with peers for the first time this season.
Throughout the day 30 heats were conducted allowing for spectacular racing with moves being made on Hero’s Hill and the flats near the finish alike. It was comforting to see fast skis and good kick were readily available in the fluoro free era — techs and teams are encouraged to simplify their approaches to waxing and ski preparation. This seemed to be the case this weekend with most coaches out on course rather than over focus on the wax bench.
Classic Sprint
Open Women:
1. Lucinda Anderson – UNH
2. Jordan Grialou – Bowdoin
3. Amelia Tucker – Dartmouth
Open Men:
1. Tabor Greenberg – GMVS
2. Benon Battebo – UVM
3. Joe Graziadei – GMVS
Full Results
Individual Sprint Podiums
Rankings
NENSA and Bullitt Timing have been making concerted efforts to efficiently update not only the Junior Ranking List (which serves as the qualification for the New England Junior National Team and other development opportunities), but also the Overall Club Cup scoring — which encapsulate all open NENSA competitions and the Eastern Cup Team Score — which represents specific Team and age group placings at EC races.
Eleven teams have competed in five or more (of the seven) races on our calendar! That shows depth of the club structures in New England, but also how lucky we are to have fired off seven events at the beginning of winter without a weather glitch. As we head towards the end of 2023 one race remains (the Jackson Jaunt) which will be hosted at JacksonXC on New Years Eve day. At this point it is Mansfield Nordic Club out in front with a 191 point lead over the Green Mountain Valley School.
After the races on Saturday, the Ski Club and Trails, organized a meticulous preparation for Sunday’s Freestyle races. The Open courses brought new terrain into play that had yet to see final grooming after Herculean Quarry efforts in the proceeding week. There was also tying together of old and new artificial snow. Consistent temperatures and hard work made for a fantastic surface that was both easy to hold an edge on and fast!
Flying Point Road Photos
Sam Geissinger Photos: Day 1, Day 2
Anyone in attendance will likely remember Michael Collin’s voice — but undoubtably the feel of the festival atmosphere he helped create with upbeat tunes and stories, all while honoring the memory of Roy Varney so wonderfully.
Acclaimed music, commentary — and easy shuttle access — set the stage for a exceptional Freestyle races on Sunday. All skiers utilized three laps races with the U16’s covering 5km while the Open competitors raced 7.5km. These multi-lap races maximize cheering and spectating opportunities and Quarry Road provided corridors and welcomed access throughout the trail system. Participants were also encouraged to utilize a warmup track with awesome terrain features, which was utilitarian but also heartwarming to see youth, families and racers getting light over rollers. Adding to the festive scene clubs to set up ever evolving tailgate camps near team trailers and wax benches.
Freestyle 7.5km
Open Women:
1. Lucinda Anderson – UNH
2. Hattie Barker – UNH
3. Amelia Tucker – Dartmouth
Open Men:
1. Jack Lange – Dartmouth
2. Tabor Greenberg – GMVS
3. Joe Graziadei – GMVS
NENSA is thrilled by the continued development of Quarry Road Trails and the Quarry Road Ski Club — just before the Eastern Cup we received an exciting Press Release which will reward and continue to bolster the developments of the venue and opportunities for cross country skiing in Maine.
Merry Christmas all — look forward to seeing you out there!