January 2, 2003 (Presque Isle, ME) – In a repeat of the sprint results, Katja Ivanova, National Guard/Rossignol, won decisively over second place Sarah Konrad of the Alpina Racing Team, in the Nordic Heritage 10km classic race today at the Maine Winter Sports Center in Presque Isle, Maine. Natalie Cartright, a former UVM standout now racing for Alpina/Madhsus nabbed third, followed by Jessica Smith and Melody Scheefer from Williams (College) Outing Club.

While Ivanova took home her second check of $1,000, in the Mens' 10km classic it was Justin Freeman who was also the clear winner, minutes ahead of second. The race for second through fifth in the men's race was a photo finish, but the final results show Subaru Factory Team members David Stewart and Chad Geise taking 2nd and 3rd, and USSki Team's Torin Koos fourth, while Middlebury College's Colin Rodgers rounded out the top five.

For the Juniors 5km classic race Maine Winter Sports Center's Russell Currier skied a tactical race, following Vermont Academy's Pavel Sotskov and passing him in the finishing stretch. Vermont Academy's Jesse Kosiba placed third , followed by Harry Poole of Yarmouth, ME and Tyler Anderson, skiing for the Ford Sayre Ski Club placed fifth. Craftsbury (VT) Nordic's Ida Sargent decimated the field, taking first with a time 2 minutes 12 seconds ahead of teammate Emily Dreissigacker. Ford Sayre's Alice Nelson and Robyn Anderson took 3rd and 5th, with Cape (ME) Nordic's Kate Barton squeaking in between for fourth.

The Banknorth Nordic Heritage events were capped off by a New Year's Eve banquet and party in Presque Isle. The Banknorth Eastern Cup Series continues in Rumford, ME, Saturday, January 11, 2003. The Chevy Trucks U.S.National XC Ski Championships will also be going on, January 4-12, 2003. For more information on these races, go to www.ChisholmSkiClub.org