March 3, 2004 – The Great Glen Trails and Outdoor Center in Glen, NH set the stage for one of the most unique cross-country ski races in the in North America.  Billed as an adventure race, skiers from throughout the U.S. tested their endurance and skiing agility on the toughest marathon course available.

The early morning sun gave it's blessing to the 500+  field of racers as they made their departure in a mass-start classic discipline format. Circumnavigating the northern half of the infamous 6,288 ft. Mt Washington, the racers skied everything from the manicured trail system of Great Glen to the nervous backcountry trails of the White Mtn. National Forest. Half thawed out natural snow bridges over rushing streams to the continuous eight-kilometer uphill climb were real tests for even the most seasoned athletes. The race ended at the historical Bretton Woods resort.

In the 50K men's race, it was Patrick Weaver of Bend, OR who edged out Team Rossignol athletes Marc Gilbertson and Eli Enman. Pat covered the 50K course in 2:43:14, followed by Marc in 2:43:43, and Eli in 2:46:21. Other top Team Rossignol men included Owen Hanley of Mnpls, MN in seventh and Nick Mahood of Durham, NH in eighth.

In the women's race, Team Rossignol skier JoAnn Hanowski from Duluth, MN out skied her nearest rival by ten minutes to win the 50K course in 3:18:11.  Second was former Olympian Leslie Krichko of Ridgefield, CT followed by Ann Rasmussen of Plymouth, NH in third. Team Rossignol athlete Whitney Kaulbach was 7th in a time of 3:47:27.

On the 25K course that ended before the eight-kilometer climb, Team Rossignol race director Jim Fredericks held a commanding lead over his nearest rival by ten minutes to win the event in 1:30:35. In the women's 25K race Jim's wife Ruth Fredericks took 3rd place in a time of 1:51:35.

World Masters Championships

Five Team Rossignol athletes went head-to-head with the world's best master racers (30+years) in the Olympic town of Lillehammer, Norway. The 30K mass-start skating technique was the first event of the week as these world class athletes set a blistering pace in  ideal 30-degree temperatures.

When the day was over, it was Team Rossignol racer Jon Engen who brought home the only gold medal for the Americans. Jon out sprinted his nearest rival in the last 50m to win the event in 1:19:15. Another Team Rossignol racer, Muffy Ritz had an impressive finish in the same event by taking the bronze medal. Both Jon and Muffy are ski coaches in Sun Valley, ID.

Other notable results by Team Rossignol racers were John Aalberg of Park City, UT in fifth place and Diane Holliday Welsh of Duluth, MN also in fifth.

Yosemite Glacier Point Skate Race

Yosemite, CA was the site spectacular site of the Yosemite Glacier Point Race. Team Rossignol racer and former U.S. National Team cyclist had an impressive 40K race by taking top honors in the women's category with a time of 2:13:50.  Julie, a new recruit to the world of cross-country skiing, schooled many of men in the race with an overall 12th place finish. Steve Axt, a Team Rossignol Local Hero Racer was third in the men's field with a time of 1:58:04.  Both Julie and Steve reside in CA.