March 10. 2004 – In contrast to the sunny 60-degree temperatures of “The Great Ski Race”, the Banknorth Rangeley Lakes Loppet started under rainy skies and temperatures in the high 30's in this Northeast ME community. Under the direction of Team captain Marc Gilbertson, the five Team Rossignol athletes ignored the in climate conditions with one goal in mind to pack the podium.

With rain falling over the slick 50km course, Team Rossignol athletes Eli Enman, Marc Gilbertson, and Nick Mahood skied with six other competitors until the 14-kilometer marker. Both Eli and Marc knew that the one-kilometer hill ahead of them was the ideal place to make a strong push and break up the pack. It worked flawlessly as the two Rossignol skiers broke off the front and developed a two-minute lead by the 30-kilometer marker. Both racers took turns drafting off one another, skiing the hills conservatively and the down hills and flats at top speed. Coming into the finish line they both lounged their feet forward for a photo finish. As it turned out, the race officials had Gilbertson a few inches ahead of his teammate Enman for 1st and 2nd place. Nick Mahood won the most competitive sprint of the day in an impressive 4th place finish behind Brayton Osgood of Windam, VT. We had lightning fast skis and there was no question that Toko Helix was the wax of choice, commented Gilbertson after the race.

In the women's field, Team Rossignol racer Kim Rudd of Golden Valley, MN made an early break from her teammate Jamie Glommen of Mnpls, MN. Both skiers tagged on to some packs of male racers and were able to hold off a competitive group of collegiate skiers in hot pursuit. The final tally was Kim Rudd in 1st with a time of 2:19:14, Jamie Glommen in second with 2:21:33, and Kristina Trygstad-Saari of Bozeman, MT in third with a time of 2:25:46.