Craftsbury Outdoor Center in northern Vermont has been hosting many of the country's best nordic skiers all week — first with the USSA Super Tour Finals and then with the 30k & 50k National Championships.
The Skimeister and I hit the road early to catch today's men's race. The gun went off at 9 a.m. with 90 racers starting because juniors were also racing in the group, although for a shorter 20k distance.
Craftsbury has been creative this season with snowmaking, snow piling, and snow placement. So despite summer temperatures last week, they were able to hold on to enough snow for a loop course. On this cool morning the ribbon of snow looked great. The men would ski 33 laps on this loop!
Toward the end of the race, Kris Freeman and Tad Elliot broke away from the pack and then duked it out for first place. Freeman had enough gas in the end to floor it to the finish. The next two racers skated side-by-side in the finish area to an extremely close finish. Tim Reynolds beat Sylvan Ellefson by about four inches.
These guys skied for about two hours. It was VERY impressive!
Top Five Finishers / 2012 Men's 50K Freestyle National Championships
- Kris Freeman, US Ski Team & Ski Club Vail, Bib 1
- Tad Elliot, US Ski Team & Ski Club Vail, Bib 3
- Tim Reynolds (of Bristol, Vermont), Craftsbury Racing, Bib 16 (beat E by 4 inches)
- Sylvan Ellefson, Ski Club Vail, Bib 4
- Simi Hamilton, US Ski Team & Sun Valley, Bib 17
Friday was a sunny day and as I worked I wished I could be at the women's 30k race. But I did get to see Kikkan Randall in the crowd, cheering on the guys. I congratulated her on a stellar season and thanked her for taking time to do social media so that we could follow her travel and racing.
Friday's Top Five Finishers / 2012 Women's 30K Freestyle National Championships
- Kikkan Randall, Alaska Pacific UNSC & US Ski Team
- Jessie Diggins, CXC Team
- Liz Stephen (of E. Montpelier, Vermont), Burke Mtn. Academy & US Ski Team
- Holly Brooks, Alaska Pacific UNSC & US Ski Team
- Chelsea Holmes, Sun Valley SEF
Today's 20K Junior's Podium
- Patrick Caldwell, Stratton Mountain School
- Jack Novak, Alaska Pacific UNSC
- Tyler Smith, Park City Nordic Ski Club
