The Northwest Vermont Nordic Ski Club turned out in big numbers to compete and enjoy Ichabod’s Revenge at Sleepy Hollow today. This year’s race course was a very challenging 5K loop that took skiers over Sleepy Hollows highest altitude, and down some of its fastest descents, twice. Awards were held shortly after and several club members enjoyed a satisfying lunch at the Bridge Street Café.

Today’s conditions had temps in the low teens, with light wind and bright sunny skies. The perfect early February day for classic skiing. The course was blessed with 3 inches of new snow on Friday groomed Saturday and set-up with a very nice packed powder. The course started out of the stadium, up a hill for almost 2K then turned down a steep twisty hill for 0.5K then rolled downward before a couple of quick climbs then a fast down into the stadium and then repeated. A majority of today’s racers found themselves off course at one point or another, and sometimes in the oddest places.

The race started out fast with skiers charging out of the stadium onto the narrow trail. Many skiers attacked the hill from the start, and the field quickly spread out up the long climb. NWVT had a continuous presence in the co-ed field of 39 with 10 skiers. Leading things out fast in the mass start were Tyler Magnan, Lary Martell and Jake Hollenbach, the next group had Scott Magnan, Perry Bland, Dhyan Nirmegh, followed closely by Ilke Van Genechten and Damian Bolduc, and then Jessica Bolduc and Hannah Barden. As the first lap unfolded, skier’s abilities were tested and many changes in position took place. By the start of the second lap things had pretty much stayed as they were, but not without a lot of hard racing to the end. The nature of the course favored those with power and control with those with control having a slight edge in the final result.

The final finish order for the club was Tyler Magnan, Lary Martell, Jake Hollenbach, Scott Magnan, Dhyan Nirmegh, Perry Bland, Damian Bolduc, Ilke Van Genechten, Jessica Bolduc and Hannah Barden. Many NWVT skiers placed in their age categories and cleaned out the Maple Syrup at the awards ceremony.

This race served as a well timed mid-season change of pace. The small field and the tough course were fun to navigate. No one was a stranger. Hopefully all are pleased with their result. Everyone should be happy to have gotten out and enjoyed a great morning to ski.