Notchview and Alumni Race Reports:

It was another exciting weekend for NWVT. Several athletes competed both days in some very fun and unique skiing events. The weather held out both days providing the best conditions considering the possibilities. This has been the best December for skiing in recent memory and it is good to see some many taking advantage of it and the great opportunities out there.

The first race of the weekend was the Notchview Berkshire Trails Criterium Classic. This was a first for everyone and the only skiing Criterium I know of. It was a mass start race on a short loop pitting a menagerie of skiers against each other for 35 mins. The winner was determined by who completed the most loops in 35 mins. The rest were scored according to time and number of loops completed. So the winner completed 8 loops, followed by several others who finished 8 loops, then those who completed 7, 6…
It was actually quite genial compared to some racing situations I have been in especially when compared to a Road Cycling Criterium, or Cycle Cross Race. The conditions had temperatures in the high twenties, with little wind, and cloudy skies. This made the waxing situation easy once we figured out what was working; it worked the rest of the day without the sun changing the snow conditions.

Five NWVT racers made the trip to the race. Scott and Tyler Magnan left early spending the night at NWVT member Jeremy Gibbon’s residence, while Ilke Van Genechten, Eric Tremble and Damian Bolduc left early traveling the day of race. It was a small but strong contingent of racers with all placing in the top 3 of there respective divisions, and Ilke placed 3rd overall among the women. It was a great day for all, from staking out the perfect indoor waxing area with a private bathroom, to the group cool down. Of course during the race it was go time with all participants putting forth their best efforts. From the start NWVT seemed to merge together through the chaotic staging area to the top of the hill about 1k into the race. At this point the field began to spread as did the club. Eric maintained pace with the elite men while Tyler lead the charge for the bulk of the field and Damian and Scott carried on in the front of the pack. Ilke was in a tight race for second for the entire time, while the lead woman was in a league of her own threatening Tyler Magnan. All finished in that order with Eric on the lead lap and the rest -1 lap. On the last lap Scott was able to latch onto lapping skier and put some distance on Damian. Ilke was edged out at the line by the 2nd place skier who was using all the tricks she could to keep the advantage. All were happy with there efforts, and pleased with the experience of this being the first classic race of the season.

Day two was the BFA Alumni race. Day one went so well, that all returned and were among the 20+ NWVT members that took on the current BFA ski teams as well as a small delegation from Clarkson. The conditions for the Alumni Race saw temps in the 40’s, sun and strong wind. All were happy not to have the predicted rain. The course was a little slow with then moisture in the snow suctioning the ski bases to the surface of the trail. For the first time in the men’s field no one was able to run away with the race, there were actually four NWVT men in contention that skied almost the entire way together only breaking up with half a K to go with some having more in the tank than others. For the women one NWVT member was able to make a break and gap the next 3 racers, however the top BFA skier mounted a strong countered and gained a lot of time in the final K. It was not enough to overtake the lead, but very respectable effort to close the gap. The day saw NWVT members winning both 6k events, the alumni men crushing the BFA, and Clarkson teams, the BFA women handling the alumni field with a strong fight against NWVT who just barely edged them in team scoring. The 3k event was dominated by smiles and alumni returning to their roots in skiing, some a little out of shape, others a little rusty, but all ready to settle a long running bet or an untold score. In the end it is all about the bragging rights, be the overall Victory, the most new facial hair, the most new waistline, the oldest skis, the oldest wax, or the most over the top signature pants, everyone leaves the Alumni Race a Winner! Great Job to all this weekend!!! Let’s keep it going through the season. Happy Holidays!