NENSA News

By Jim Fredericks

Ninety very eager cross-country skiers took to the ski trails of the Northeast Kingdom on Saturday, Feb 10th to participate in the non-competitive 2024 Tour de Greensboro. Participants included a strong contingent of local skiers along with others from CT, ME, NH, MA, and NY. They all had one thing in common, to challenge themselves by skiing a full 25km loop on some of the most beautiful ski trails in the Northeast while enjoying the comradery of fellow skiers. For those skiers not quite up to the task, they could opt out to do the 15km loop. Demographics included 90% over 40 years of age and 64% women.

A sunny spring-like day with temperatures in the 40’s welcomed skiers as they gathered for the pre-tour instructions in the Highland Lodge field. Event organizer, Jim Fredericks gave the pre start briefing before everyone departed on their leisurely but somewhat demanding journey, which included 2200 feet of climbing for the 25km. The course layout was a combination of some of the Highland Lodge trails combined with those of private landowners. Expertly groomed classic track conditions were provided by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center and private landowners to the delight of participants. As skiers reached the midpoint of the Tour, they were treated to hot cider and donuts, and some opted for a break around the fire before continuing their journey.

As the day progressed and the clouds rolled in, the sky turned an ominous shade of gunmetal blue. For the more leisurely skiers who were still on the trail, some thunder and a few bolts of lightning motivated them to pick up the pace and head for home at the Highland Lodge. Even though some people experienced a little rain near the end of the tour, smiling faces were abundant with a sense of accomplishment for going the distance. All skiers were treated to cornbread and chili along with Jasper Hill Farm cheese to accompany the many tales from their journey.

The Tour de Greensboro would like to thank all its volunteers and sponsors who made this event possible. Toko US, Lumi Experiences, Highland Lodge, Willey’s Store, Jasper Hill Farm, and Connie’s Kitchen.

All proceeds from the Tour de Greensboro will be donated to the the Greensboro Association, whose mission is to conceive, advance and support village initiatives and organizations that enhance the Greensboro community and protect Caspian Lake and its surrounding environment. The Greensboro Association took a very active role in helping other organizations and businesses who experienced hardships during last summer’s flood. Click HERE to find out more about the Greensboro Association or to make a donation.

The Bethel Outing Club, Gould Academy, and Nonstop Nordic teamed up last weekend to put on the 33rd edition of the Flying Moose Classic, which took place at Inland Woods + Trails’ Bethel trails. The weather conditions leading into the event were tricky, and klister could be found on every wax table. By the time the 12.5km/25km race had started, there was very little cloud cover and made for some classic Spring Skiing conditions. The decision was made shortly before race start that a section of the course would be removed due to snow conditions and wet trails. Brian Beyerbach, the Winner of the Men’s 25km, took advantage of the cut-out uphill section and doubled-poled the entire course, racing in short sleeves and shorts. Over 100 racers came out to participate, making for an exciting mass start, including a large group of youth and middle school aged racers, who participated in the 1Km and 3Km options. Following the conclusion of the racing action, there was a very fun post-event gathering at Carter’s XC Ski Center for all who had participated. Results and photo libraries from the event can be found below.

Sun Journal Article

Darryn Slover Photos

3Km/Middle School Results

12.5Km Results

25Km Results

The third Eastern Cup of the year was designed to overlap with the Harvard Carnival as a FIS race. The overlap between junior and collegiate racing is an amazing development opportunity — and a sure fire way to have BIG fields. Indeed on Saturday there were 441 racers on the Start List. The weekend was also unique in that both races were freestyle to complement the classic Lake Placid weekend.

On Saturday all competitors raced a 7.5km course — which was also a neat concept — it was at least the first time in a long time that U16 Boys competed in the same distance as the Open field. Craftsbury created a beautiful surface for the races and first thing in the morning the single digit temperatures reminded us of winter. As the day went on the temperatures rose as the racing kicked off.

Tapping into the amazingness and full circle community here in New England — current World Cup standout, Ben Ogden joined the field. It’s hard to sum up how proud we are of all of our Eastern skiers — but to have an athlete like Ben attending a regional race because he loves the environment so much speaks volumes. That impact will ripple for years.

7.5km Freestyle – Podium Pictures

Women:

1. Lucinda Anderson – UNH
2. Elizabeth Tuttle – UVM
3. Annie McColgan – UVM

U20:

1. Maggie Wagner – Middlebury College
2. Jordan Grialou – Bowdoin College
3. Hattie Barker – UNH

U18:

1. Annelies Hanna – Ford Sayre
2. Beth McIntosh – GMVS
3. Addison Englund – Holderness Nordic Club

U16:

1. Lea Perreard – Ford Sayre
2. Brooke Greenberg – Mansfield Nordic Club
3. Mary Harrington – GMVS

Men:

1. Ben Ogden – SMST2
2. Remi Drolet – Harvard University
3. Finegan Bailey – SMST2

U20:

1. Finegan Bailey – SMST2
2. Joseph Graziadei – GMVS
3. Owen Young – UVM

U18:

1. James Underwood – Ford Sayre
2. Aidan Jacobus – GMVS
3. Anders Linseisen – Mansfield Nordic Club

U16:

1. Orrin Slover – Quarry Road Ski Club
2. Matthew McIntosh – GMVS
3. Jed Bentley – Dublin XC

Sunday dawned again with cold temperatures, but the sun made a grand appearance, making for a special day of pursuit style racing. With most collegiate skiers leaving after two days of racing it was a more typical junior centric field — with 276 skiers toeing the line. With Swiss precision, Bullitt Timing and the organizers of Craftsbury expertly put the skiers on the track.

NENSA Pursuit Reel

Besides amazing competition — and artful skiing by many club skiers — perhaps the best moment of the day was when the Bill’s Blastoff Races went off. The Bill Koch event named in additional honor of Bill Henchey attracted nearly 100 local youth who chased after costumed rabbits. This is the root of New England skiing.

Congratulations to all of the competitors and a special thanks to the robust and innovative Craftsbury community.

7.5km Pursuit

Women:

1. Greta Kilburn – Mansfield Nordic Club
2. Annelies Hanna – Ford Sayre
3. Beth McIntosh – GMVS

U20:

1. Greta Kilburn – Mansfield Nordic Club
2. Emma Page – UVM
3. Margaret Voisin – Craftsbury Ski Club

U18:

1. Annelies Hanna – Ford Sayre
2. Beth McIntosh – GMVS
3. Kiera Stabile – Stratton Mountain School

Men:

1. Finegan Bailey – SMST2
2. Oliver Swabey – Prospect Mountain Ski Club
3. Abraham Geissinger – GMVS

U20:

1. Finegan Bailey – SMST2
2. Joseph Graziadei – GMVS
3. Luke Rizio – Prospect Mountain Ski Club

U18:

1. Oliver Swabey – Prospect Mountain Ski Club
2. Abraham Geissinger – GMVS
3. Micah Bruner – Stratton Mountain School

5km Pursuit

U16:

1. Lea Perreard – Ford Sayre
2. Mary Harrington – GMVS
3. Brooke Greenberg – Mansfield Nordic Club

U16:

1. Matias Citarella – GMVS
2. Ivan Ivanov – Stratton Mountain School
3. Jonah Gorman – Mansfield Nordic Club

Team Scores

In the age group team scoring there were very competitive podium challenges, with many separated only by a handful of points. The closest competition being between Mansfield Nordic Club and Ford Sayre in BOTH of the U16 Girls races. Super exciting to see so many different clubs in the mix!

U18/20 Women Freestyle:

1. Bowdoin College – 257 points
2. Dartmouth College – 251 points
3. Mansfield Nordic Club – 236 points
4. Harvard University – 230 points
5. UNH – 229 points

U16 Girls Freestyle:

1. Mansfield Nordic Club – 102 points
2. Ford Sayre – 101 points
3. Stratton Mountain School – 89 points
4. Holderness Nordic Club – 71 points
5. Craftsbury Ski Club – 63 points

U18/20 Men Freestyle:

1. Dartmouth College – 388 points
2. GMVS – 376 points
3. Colby College – 367 points
4. Prospect Mountain Ski Club – 345 points
5. Mansfield Nordic Club – 340 points

U16 Boys Freestyle:

1. Ford Sayre – 67 points
2. Quarry Road Ski Club – 64 points
3. EMXC – 62 points
4. GMVS – 60 points
5. Mansfield Nordic Club – 56 points

U18/20 Women Pursuit:

1. Mansfield Nordic Club – 168 points
2. Craftsbury Ski Club – 145 points
3. Ford Sayre – 142 points
4. GMVS – 135 points
5. EMXC – 128 points

U16 Girls Pursuit:

1. Ford Sayre – 104 points
2. Mansfield Nordic Club – 103 points
3. Stratton Mountain School – 93 points
4. Craftsbury Ski Club – 72 points
5. Holderness Nordic Club – 71 points

U18/20 Men Pursuit:

1. GMVS – 288 points
2. Prospect Mountain Ski Club – 282 points
3. Mansfield Nordic Club – 251 points
4. Dublin XC – 232 points
5. Gunstock Nordic Association – 221 points

U16 Boys Pursuit:

1. EMXC – 63 points
2. GMVS – 59 points
3. Mansfield Nordic Club – 58 points
4. Stratton Mountain School – 55 points
5. Ford Sayre – 54 points

Phil Belena Photos
Sam Geissinger Photos
Full Results
Rankings & Team Scores
NENSA Instagram

In the first edition of the Dublin Winterfest: Ski Your Heart Out skiers were treated to fun vibes, quintessential New England skiing, lots of sun, and a hint of firewood fumes. The day kicked off with a mass start race for high school and master skiers. It was a four lap affair on an uphill/downhill course with a mix of snowmaking and natural snow, winding through the beautiful Sapporo and Placid trails at the Dublin School Nordic Center.

As the snow changed from hard granular to soft corn, the races transitioned to a stadium loop for the Lollipopers, complete with name-sake lollipops. The lollipop skiers were led by Dublin headmaster Brad Bates in a fantastic all Green suit. The lollipop race was followed by a single lap of the adult course for the older BKL skiers, in mass start fashion. The BKL skiers raved about how fun the downhill was! Up next was the awards ceremony, where all the age group podium skiers received gigantic cookies. The day was concluded a few more laps of easy skiing by many of the competitors and a round happy birthday for the whole field for one of the local masters skiers. A big thank you to the Dublin School and Dublin XC for hosting an awesome event!

Results
Rankings
Thaddeus Rogers Photos
Staff Photos

Carter’s XC Ski Center hosted the second edition of their Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe guided tour for the season. Taking place 4 weeks after the first event allowed for this event to be on snow this time around. This event was part of NENSA’s Community Tours and Events series. The February event had some in common with the January edition, as we learned about the Carter family’s connection with the land, which is home to their ski trails. We skied out to a yurt in the forest, and took some fun trails back, which became more challenging with the sun setting, to a warm bonfire at the lodge.

The next stop in the Community Tours and Events Series is a satellite Women’s Day opportunity at Black Mountain of Maine on March 9th.