How about a story in five parts to set the scene?
Back during a December rainstorm, the organizers of the Eastern Cup made a decision to switch out a Classic 10 k mass start in Craftsbury to a Sprint Race. That decision was based in practicalities, of course – safety first. But it also sent a metaphor far out into the winter; a long track ahead until skiers in New England would cross a finish line together, head-to-head. A blank page on which the contents we did not yet know.
When the first race of Sunday’s 10 k Classic Mass Start crest the little valley that led to the Quarry Road stadium then, the metaphor was set to resolve. Beth McIntosh (Green Mountain Valley School) and Amelia Circosta (Craftsbury Ski Club) set for a final sprint. McIntosh gained an inch, then Circosta, then it was even again, until a boot throw and Circosta took a win in the closest margin that Bullitt timing’s system will allow – all of that months wait to have the Women’s race be decided by 0.1 seconds.
It had been a push to get there. A long road for every skier to weather the freezes and thaws of a winter and of a season. There was a collapse to the ground, then McIntosh gathered herself, Circosta too, and they collapsed together. They had pushed against each other, but in doing so, they had also pushed together too.
It was a scene repeated throughout the day. Coaches and athletes, parents and sons and daughters, and most figuratively and importantly, the dedicated group of New England skiers and the ever-growing, ever-dedicated group of volunteers that have pushed Quarry Road to become a best representation of what the Maine nordic community can aspire to and be. It was a weekend where that old NENSA tagline, skiing better, together, hung warmly through some very cold air.
Thanks to Daryn Slover, who captured it all! His full gallery is HERE.
Roy Varney Memorial Eastern Cup at Quarry Road RESULTS
The Roy Varney Memorial Podium
This weekend’s Eastern Cup at Quarry Road was held in honor of Roy Varney, with the top Maine high school skiers combined from both days recognized as the Roy Varney podium winners. This year’s winners: Clara White (Orono High School) and Beckett Cote (Quarry Road Ski Club/Waterville High School Nordic Team).
Roy Varney was a champion high school skier who loved Maine, and loved the sport of nordic skiing. Quarry Road, and the Quarry Road Ski Club that has breathed life into skiing in central Maine over the past decade, is tinged with the values that he approached our sport with – a pure love of doing the sport for the sake of doing it, in community, and for the community.
Roy Varney passed away in 2019, but the commitment, passion, and sheer joy he took in skiing continues to emanate out from the farm fields and forests he used as his training ground in Turner, Maine. On a set of cold, sunny days with perfect Maine winter weekend, it was appropriate to hold a ski race in the spirit of Roy Varney – a young soul who shined so bright that you couldn’t help but be better around him.
Roy Varney Girls Podium:
1st) Clara White – Orono High School
2nd) Nora McCourt – Mt. Blue High School
3rd) Maya Kellett – Mt. Blue High School
Roy Varney Boys Podium:
1st) Beckett Cote – Quarry Road Ski Club
2nd) Henri McCourt – Mt. Blue High School
3rd) Lucas Barstow – Gould Academy
