NCAA 15/20K SKATE

This past Saturday the 15/20K NCAA Championship skate races were held at Soldier Hollow in Utah. Friday night the temps dropped down to around 24, which hardened things up nicely. The race starts were also moved to 9AM and 10:30AM from the original start times of 10AM and NOON in hopes that the track wouldn't soften up too badly in the forecasted 55 degree temps. We had been testing wax all week and the conditions were as expected on Saturday morning. By 9AM the final college men's race of the season was underway. We were ecstatic to see Will and Eli mixing it up in the top half of the field right from the get go. Will worked his way up quickly through the field and was solidly in the top ten before too many k's clicked by. At one point Will was in 2nd place! Eli was consistently in the upper teens during the first 10K.  Thanks to Peter Hoenig (once again) I have a few pictures of the race!

Eli early in the race

Men's Field climbing Hermod's 

Will leading on a ripping downhill

 If you block out the snow below Will's skis it wouldn't be hard to imagine roller skis on his feet!

At about 12.5K Will crashed hard in the feed zone and instantly went back to 25th place right as the lead pack started to break apart. It was unfortunate timing, but Will got back on his feet and managed to pass a group of skiers on Hermod's on the last lap to secure a couple of points in 29th place. Eli hung in the lead pack for almost the entire race and finished in 17th, only 25 seconds from 3rd place! It was a great race for Eli and an excellent way to wrap up his Freshman season.

The women's race started at 10:30 and the trail was starting to show the effects of the Utah sunshine. Everything stayed relatively firm, but the snow slowed considerably throughout the race. Hannah fought hard for all three laps and battled the tough uphills and slowing snow all the way to the finish. She finished in 33rd, just 24 seconds out of the points wrapping up an outstanding freshman season!!

Hannah working the flats with Isabell Caldwell behind

It was a beautiful day with bluebird skies and everyone enjoyed the post race activities.

Trailside on Hermod's

Eli making sure our wax cabin sign made it home

Hannah, Matt Cole and Peter Hoenig
discussing the race

 The team then headed down to Park City for the awards BBQ at the finish of the slalom event. Peter Hoenig, Cathy Schen and I went looking for some fish:

I saw a fish, but didn't catch one. It was
BEAUTIFUL WEATHER!

We said our goodbyes to folks in Utah and packed our bags for morning departure. Between our Suburban and the Alpine team minivan we managed to get our 18 bags and 6 people to the airport.

BAGGAGE FEES? Yep.

 We arrived home late Sunday night. It was an awesome trip with some great racing, beautiful weather and excellent company. It's hard to believe the college racing season is over. Luckily we have our trip to Sjusjoen, Norway coming up in less than two weeks!!!


Back home in Williamstown, we found mid-winter conditions at Prospect. Here are Jayvin, Caitlyn and I enjoying the Lollipopper's Ice Cream social!

Caitlyn getting the hang of it

This weekend is a BIG ski team reunion to celebrate the careers of Bud Fisher and Ed Grees. The weekend is kicking off tomorrow night at the Purple Pub at 8PM. There will be a nordic race at Prospect on Saturday at 11AM and an alpine race at Jiminy Peak at 11AM. 6pm Saturday night the reception and dinner will start.....ending time? Who knows! We're all looking forward to celebrating the careers of these two outstanding coaches!