February 5, 2008 (Alaska) – Alaska’s premiere race series, the 2008 Besh Cup named in honour of the late Tom Besh, a prominent figure within the Alaskan Ski Community who passed away in an airplane accident in 1993, is down to its final two events.

With four of the six Besh Cup races already in the books the series turns it’s attention to Fairbanks this coming weekend, Feb. 9-10, where rounds five and six will take place. The series was to have wrapped up this past weekend in Fairbanks, but due a predicted high temperature of -10 F (-23 C) for Saturday’s event organizers opted to postpone the series for one more week.

The series began at Kincaid Park in Anchorage on December 22-23. Despite the minimal snow conditions the race weekend was a success. Next, the series moved to Homer where races number three and four took place on January 19-20.

The Besh Cup highlights Alaska’s best and the series is used to select athletes for the Junior Nationals (also know as JO’s, for Junior Olympics), and the Artic Winter Games teams. Each race regularly draws approximately 300 racers from across the state.

At the conclusion of the series, a Besh Cup trophy is awarded to the top junior in both male and female categories. As well awards are presented to the top finishers in each age group.

Kate Fitzgerald is leading the Elite Women while Tyson Flaharty tops the Elite Men’s category after four races. Please click here for the complete point standings heading into the final races in Fairbanks.

Standings after 4 of 6 events

Elite Women

1. Kate Fitzgerald – 272 pts.
2. Kasandra Rice – 150 pts.
2. Katie Ronsee – 150 pts.
4. Aurelia Korthauer – 95 pts.
5. Paige Brady – 89 pts

Elite Men

1. Tyson Flaharty – 236pts.
2. Brent Knight – 200 pts
3. Dylan Watts – 159 pts
4. Anders Haugen – 132 pts.
5. James Southam – 130 pts.








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