February 26, 2011 (Rumford, Maine) – The NCAA Eastern Regional Championships, hosted by Bates College, opened today with Nordic events taking place at Black Mountain in Rumford, Maine. Packed powder and a temperatures around 16-20F greeted skiers as they gathered under cloudy skies for their last chance to qualify for NCAA Championships.

It was a decisive victory for freestyle series leader Eric Packer (DAR), who crossed the line in the men’s 10km freestyle event in 27:58.0. While Packer finished 42 seconds ahead of team mate Scott Lacy, the remaining top five skiers posted times that were within five seconds of each other. Third place finisher Alexander Howe (UVM) crossed the line 1.7 seconds behind Lacy, who edged out his UVM team mate Scott Patterson by less than a second. Erik Fagerstrom (DAR) picked up fifth in 28:45.5; three seconds behind Patterson.

In the women’s freestyle race, series leader Caitlin Patterson (UVM) nabbed yet another win, posting a time of 15:10.4 for the 5km event. Lucy Garrec (UVM) and Clare Egan (UNH) rounded out the podium 21.7 and 27.5 seconds down on Patterson, respectively. Dartmouth team mates Erika Flowers and Rosie Brennan were fourth and fifth, crossing the line 31.3 and 35.3 seconds behind Patterson.

In the combined Nordic team scores University of Vermont is leading over Dartmouth in second with Middlebury in third. Racing resumes tomorrow with mass start classic events with men starting their 20km race at 10am with women begin the 15km at noon..

Women’s results HERE.
Men’s results HERE.

Women’s rankings HERE.
Men’s rankings HERE.