The Cheri Walsh Memorial: Our Own Minneapolis

This winter has proved low-tide, reinforcing the need for snowmaking and human infrastructure to create large cross country skiing events. We’ve already boasted about Holderness’s Ferarri-like snowmaking system — complete with a new Piston Bully and trails that Mr. Casey has dedicated years-of-his-life to create. What played out at 33 Chapel Lane this past weekend was transcendent — on the shoulders of legends of Hendel, Peck, Cheri Walsh, and Mr. Bruce. There are a lot of cool cats at Holderness.

The Cheri Walsh Eastern Cup Finals was the Minneapolis of Eastern Cups. Complete with perfect tracks, sunshine and having fun with friends.

Despite the associated pressures of Junior National qualification — clubs rallied and danced to the vibe that the Bulls created. Skiing is meant to be Fun — and that was very intentionally broadcast — starting with soft rock on the speakers by 6:00am. Turns out, Fun is Fast. What a weekend — Thank you to the whole Holderness community — The racing speaks for itself.

NENSA is committed to naming the Junior National Team at Eastern Cup Finals — and celebrating the selfless work of clubs that fuel the passion for cross country skiing. Team New England is about to have a lot of fun in Lake Placid at JN 2024. There will be adversity. We will have fun. And We Will Rock You.

Podium Reel

Saturday featured our first true XCX event, which is essentially a sprint race, with the addition of well crafted features. Again, part of Mr. Casey’s vision. Starting at high noon, qualifiers were run. Followed by U16 and then U18/20 heats, a neat schedule scramble that made for the best spectating and aspiring skiers to see the best compete — all while cheering for their peers. It wasn’t to strange to here the overwhelming feedback, “That was just FUN!”

XCX Reel

Freestyle XCX Sprint:
Women:

1. Francis Tucker – EMXC
2. Leigh Niedeck – Stratton Mountain School
3. Maggie McGee – Craftsbury Ski Club

U20:

1. Maggie McGee – Craftsbury Ski Club
2. Greta Kilburn – Mansfield Nordic Club
3. Caroline Tammy – Stratton Mountain School

U18:

1. Francis Tucker – EMXC
2. Amelia Circosta – Craftsbury Ski Club
3. Nyla Scott – Gould Academy

U16:

1. Leigh Niedeck – Stratton Mountain School
2. Lea Perreard – Ford Sayre
3. Mary Harrington – GMVS

Men:

1. Finegan Bailey – SMST2
2. Anders Linseisen – Mansfield Nordic Club
3. Miles Miner – GMVS

U20:

1. Finegan Bailey – SMST2
2. Sage Grossi – Craftsbury Ski Club
3. Joseph Graziadei – GMVS

U18:

1. Anders Linseisen – Mansfield Nordic Club
2. Miles Miner – GMVS
3. Ellis Slover – Gould Academy

U16:

1. Ivan Ivanov – Stratton Mountain School
2. Jonah Gorman – Mansfield Nordic Club
3. Timothy Craddock – Stratton Mountain School

Sunday the flavor returned to the old fashioned way, classic interval starts on the inter loop of the renovated Cheri Walsh course. Mr. Peck honored Cheri, and all the participants with a wonderful tribute to start the day. It was really an electric day of skiing, with what Chief of Course, Frosty Whitworth, described as, “big kid skiing.” Perfect tracks laced the trails that Casey, Morton and Bailey worked so hard to create. Klister rose from violets to universals — just how they are supposed to on a perfect day.

Hat’s off to Holderness for pushing the sport forward so beautifully, while respecting the roots of the sport. We will all remember that one for a long time!

10km Classic

Women:

1. Adele Horning – Dartmouth College
2. Greta Kilburn – Mansfield Nordic Club
3. Annelies Hanna – Ford Sayre

U20:

1. Adele Horning – Dartmouth College
2. Greta Kilburn – Mansfield Nordic Club
3. Caroline Tammy – Stratton Mountain School

U18:

1. Annelies Hanna – Ford Sayre
2. Amelia Circosta – Craftsbury Ski Club
3. Francis Tucker – EMXC

Men:

1. Finegan Bailey – SMST2
2. Aaron Power – Dartmouth College
3. Joseph Graziadei – GMVS

U20:

1. Finegan Bailey – SMST2
2. Aaron Power – Dartmouth College
3. Joseph Graziadei – GMVS

U18:

1. Aidan Jacobus – GMVS
2. Anders Linseisen – Mansfield Nordic Club
3. Oliver Wilson – Dublin XC

5km Classic

U16 Girls:

1. Lea Perreard – Ford Sayre
2. Elli Englund – Holderness Nordic Club
3. Olivia Hanna – Ford Sayre

U16 Boys:

1. Matthew McIntosh – GMVS
2. Jonah Gorman – Mansfield Nordic Club
3. Samuel Fontaine – Orford

Sam Geissinger Photos
Full Results
Rankings
NENSA Instagram