Eight Northwest Vermont skiers left early Saturday morning to compete in the first club and marathon series race of the season, The 3rd Annual White Mountain Classic. Crossing the state we encountered strong winds and heavy snows in central and eastern Vermont . Once we hit New Hampshire we left the snow, and only the wind remained.

The White Mountain Classic was held at the Jackson Touring Center . This years course was 3K out to an 11K loop skied twice, then 3k back to the finish stadium. The 3K portions were in flat open fields leaving the skiers very exposed. Once they crossed into the woods on the loop the course remained relatively flat, with only a few minor climbs. The wooded course paralleled a river bed and sheltered the athletes from the elements that added an extra challenge to the start and finish. The temps were in the low twenties, but the strong wind gusts made things feel much cooler with sub-zero wind chills that could stop any skier in their tracks.

The race was also a master’s team event, and team strategy played a role in NWVT’s club results. Six NWVTers were in the men’s race with 4 competing in the master’s club championship. Leading things out was senior skier Tyler Magnan. Tyler found himself alone in the race early on and pretty much stayed that way for the whole race. This was not the day to ski alone as drafting played a major role in the high winds. The next group of NWVT skiers worked together and had great races. Scott Magnan and Perry Bland found themselves working in a nice pace line eventually breaking out of it and worked together until the last 3K when Scott took found another gear for a final surge to the end Perry was not far behind. Lary Martell worked up to the group that Scott and Perry were in, but got caught up with some of the skiers left behind when Scott and Perry broke. Lary chased as he had the whole race and closed up the gap to Scott and Perry finishing just a few places back. Dhyan Nirmegh and Damian Bolduc found themselves in similar situations as Tyler , skiing by themselves. Damian spent much of the race trying to catch the small group Lary was skiing in. After 20K of going it alone and some feeding issues Damian began to tire and lose ground. This trend continued as a group working together was able to over take Damian. Nirmegh skied steady for the whole race and was able to get by Damian at the line and round out the NWVT Masters team. This years club field was much more competitive as this event grows, but once again NWVT placed 3rd in the Masters Club Championship! It was also the top Vermont team behind only CSU of MA, and Ford Sayre of NH.

On the Women’s side Ilke Van Genechten, and Jessica Bolduc skied very strong races. This was the first time either had raced at the White Mountain Classic. 30 mph winds gusts are not the best way for a race to make a first impression, but after the event both seemed very pleased with their race. For Ilke and the many other athletes in the event this race was a tune-up for next weekends 50K Craftsbury Marathon . She finished well within the top ten overall women and second in her very competitive division. Jessica had a great race as well and took the M1 category all to herself earning the most NENSA points of any NWVT skier for the day!

All racers have their sights set for next weekends Marathon . Winter is here get out and ski while it lasts!