NWVT proved itself once again at the Bogburn on Saturday. We had eight men and four women competing making up 15% of the field in the family oriented event. Men raced 13k, and women and juniors raced 7k. Our mixed team scoring earned us 79 points! A very good showing, considering not too long ago we could not earn that many in a season.

The conditions at the Haydock residence in Pomfret could not have been better. Event directors worked all week to get the course race ready. The course was a challenging 7k loop with a variety of climbs, descents, and turns. It is one of the more technical races on the calendar, but a low key environment evens things out. The temps were in the low to mid 20s, with a light breeze and bright sunny skies.

NWVT racers arrived early and visited with each other while testing wax. At the last minute they made their final wax changes and started the race. First away was Perry Bland. Feigning injury Perry claimed he was nursing a sore right quad, and that he was going to see what he could do. Starting in sixth position he had a good group to work on plus fresh tracks. Perry worked on keeping his skis light and recovering between the hills. I believe it was his mission to be the first skier to cross the finish line. Once a season Perry shows everyone why he is the most respected skier out racing every weekend, and this year the Bogburn was that race. Perry not only won his division by 4 minutes, but took 11th overall. Many skiers were sent back to the drawing board as others exclaimed that “I guess Perry was on fire today” while looking over the results. Even Perry went back to have a special look at the results on his way out. This being the last classic race of the season we will all have to think about it until next year. Next up was Kevin Bessett. Kevin picked the Bogburn to be his first classic race in a long time, and started out very strong. After about 1k he pulled out of the track to let Damian Bolduc (who started one spot back) by. Damian proceeded to fall into a trench on a plowed out corner, causing Kevin to question his politeness. Both pressed on together for much of the first lap. Damian was coming off one of his best performances ever was eager to continue the trend even though he was feeling a little under the weather. A little further back was Scott Magnan, having just had a stressful week hosting states his mind and focus were not really in the race. Then Lary Martell, Tyler Magnan, and Dhyan Nirmegh got underway in nearly consecutive start positions. Tyler pulled ahead quickly and began picking off the skiers in front of him shortly into the second lap he went by Damian and continued on. Lary was not far behind and kept pace with Tyler for the second lap as worked his way through the field. Many of those got a good look at the NWVT jersey as Tyler , Lary and eventually Damian moved up through the field. Nirmegh skied steady holding his position among the talented field but was too far back in the start order to be able to catch all of the skiers that Tyler and Lary were working on. At the finish all were pleased with their performances, and happy to be done. The Officials were impressed with how the NWVT jerseys just kept coming in.

In the 7k Women’s and J2 race NWVT fielded 5 athletes. First off the line in start position 1 was Jessica Bolduc. Jessica fought hard and held off the best female skiers in the state who started right behind her. She enjoyed the looping course, but could not wait to get to the finish. With 300m to go she had only been passed by 3 skiers, but had a very talented pack of 6 (including a former Olympian) closing in fast right behind her. She held off all but one in a final surge to the line. Hannah Barden came out for her third race of the season, placing 3rd in the senior division and showing much improvement she stated that the Bogburn was the easiest yet. I think someone should question whoever is picking her races. Ichebods Revenge, Maple Onion 15k, Bogburn??? Or perhaps the local Vermont races are just a cut above the others around New England . The other athletes representing the club were Samantha Martell, Evan Martell and Rachel Shepardson-Rudden. These were BFA skiers using the Bogburn as a training race between State meets which conclude on Monday. However Evan took 5th in the stacked J2 men’s field and Sam and Rachel took 5th and 6th respectively in the deep J1 field which included much of the Stratton Mountain women’s team. They also contributed significantly to our Club score.

It is great to see every one place high in their division. As the seasons go by NWVT keeps improving. Let’s keep the pace going as we head into the final club race of the season at Rangeley next weekend!