March 23, 2012 (Craftsbury Common, VT) – Battling unusually warm spring temperatures the hearty crew at Craftsbury have staged heroic efforts to preserve snow conditions as the top skiers in the USA converge at Craftsbury Common for the final races of the season, 2012 USSA Supertour Finals and XC Distance Nationals.

“Craftsbury is straight killing it. We have an awesome course to ski on right now,” tweeted Tad Elliott, who celebrated his first Birkie win earlier this year.

The efforts at Craftsbury have been non-stop as crews have been working continually to be preseve conditions. “We still have a continuous ribbon of snow! The guys spent most of the day moving loads of snow from our stockpile out onto the course to bolster weak spots,” Judy Geer, Chief of Competition, told SkiTrax.

“Quite a bit of work was done on the stadium as well. They were planning to do some more after dinner…and then groom about 3 a.m.,” she continued.

According to the Craftsbury web site the situation is “dynamic” as conditions have forced some alternate course decisions. “A new layout for the 10/15k CL course, new course for the Hill Climb, updated amenities map – with a revised stadium layout is coming,” reads part of the notices on the site – for maps and more info click HERE. The site recommends to KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR THE LATEST UPDATES.

Tomorrow’s 3km Supertour Prologue will consist of two laps on men’s 1.5km sprint course with the fastest skiers off first. Lots of folks keep rolling in and the Prologue start list is packed with all of the big names – click HERE . The latest word on superstar Kikkan Randall is she plans to arrive on Sunday and race in the CL sprints on Tuesday.

The course was open for testing and inspection today and the good news is that temperatures are expected to keep cooling through the week. “It’s finally below 60F today,” quipped Trax photographer Herb Swanson who said below freezing temps at night are expected ahead which is music to everyone’s ears.

Greer concurred adding, “The temps are generally going to be getting cooler over the next few days, with even some freezing temps toward Monday night.  We’ll see (hope) if that really happens!, I think the most rapid and severe melting is over.”

Visit the USSA SuperTour Finals web site HERE.

2012 USSA Supertour Finals and XC Distance Nationals Schedule

Saturday, March 24th
7:30am – Bib pickup
9:00am – FS Prologue (3.3/3.5k)
11:00am – Adaptive Prologue (2.5/3k): Sit ski & FS stand-up
Awards immediately following racing.
12:00-3:00pm – Mass Start course open for preview

Sunday, March 25th
7:30am – Bib pickup
9:00am – CL Mass Start (10/15k)
11:30am – Adaptive Mass Start (5/10k): Sit ski & CL stand-up
Awards immediately following racing.

Monday, March 26th
8:00am – Bib pickup opens
9:00am – Adaptive Sprint (750M): Sit ski & CL stand-up
11:00am-3:00pm – Official Training
5:00pm – Team Leader’s Meeting.

Tuesday, March 27th
7:30am – Bib pickup
9:00am – CL Sprint Qualifier (1.3/1.5k)
12:00pm – Sprint Heats
Awards immediately following racing.
Junior Semis and Finals following open heats.

Wednesday, March 28th
7:30am – Jay Peak
9:00am – FS Hill Climb (6k)
11:00am-2:00pm – Food and SuperTour awards.

Thursday, March 29th
9:00am – 3:00pm – Official Training/Athlete Check-in
11:00am – Coaches’ race
5:00pm – Team Leader’s Meeting

Friday, March 30th
7:30am – Bib pickup
9:00am – National Championship FS 30k Women, Junior Women 15k.
Awards immediately following racing.

Saturday, March 31st
7:30am – Bib pickup
9:00am – National Championship FS 50k Men, Junior Men 20k