February 11, 2011 (Hanover, NH) – The 101st Dartmouth Winter Carnival featuring Nordic and alpine events opened today with Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) racing at the Dartmouth Cross Country Ski Center at Oak Hill in Hanover, NH.

Cold weather greeted skiers as the Nordic races kicked off with the men’s 10km freestyle event that featured two laps around the 5km Storrs Pond loop, with a total elevation gain of 192 meters.

Dartmouth’s Sam Tarling took the win in 24:17.5. over team mate Eric Packer (DAR) another 11s behind as the Dartmouth skier edged out third placed Scott Patterson (UVM) by a narrow margin of 1.5 seconds. More UVM skiers were just behind as Franz Bernstein and EISA leader Alexander Howe, tied for 4th with a time of 24:43.6.

In the women’s 5km freestyle race, it was another win for series leader Caitlin Patterson (UVM) with a time of 13:44.7 over Erika Flowers in second with a time of 14.09.6. Rosie Brennan finished third at 3.7 seconds back while Hannah Dreissigacker (DAR) and Kirsten Gill (BAT) round out the top five.

Racers will reconvene tomorrow for the distance events. Women will race a 15km classic mass event at 10:00am, and the men’s 20km classic MS race starts at 11:30 am.

Women’s results – http://www.eisaskiing.org/BART/Results11/doc2011-3.htm
Men’s results – http://www.eisaskiing.org/BART/Results11/doc2011-4.htm