February 16, 2015 (Hanover, NH) – The final weekend of the NENSA Eastern Cup circuit for 2014-15 has just finished up this past weekend! It has been a successful season so far; full of snow storms and races to remember. This weekend was an important race for most of the skiers in the field, and it was a great way to finish off the Eastern Cup season.

On Saturday, the races were held in Hanover, NH, at the Silver Fox Trot venue. The U16 boys started it off with a 5k freestyle individual start. Adam Witkowski (14:58) of Stratton Mountain School placed first in this race, with Russell Boswell (15:05), also of SMS, close in second, and Walker Bean (15:06) in third place.

The Women and U16 Girls raced next, in a 5k freestyle individual start as well. Mackenzie Rizio (16:38) won for Stratton Mountain School, with Nina Armstrong (16:45) of New York Ski Education came in second. Carly Wynn (16:59) of Dartmouth Ski Team came in third.

Finally, the Men raced a 10k freestyle individual race. Bret Bedard (27:01) won, with Gordon Vermeer (27:03) of Craftsbury Nordic and Peter Hegman (27:16) also of Craftsbury Nordic in second and third places, respectively.

During the second day, the skiers raced 5 and 10-kilometer classic individual start races and enjoyed warmer temperatures than the previous day, which made for a good day for spectating and racing alike.

The U16 Boys did an interval start 5k classic race as well. Adam Witkowski (16:15) of SMS came in first, with Everett Sapp (16:17) of NYSEF in second, and Russell Boswell (16:19) of SMS in third.

Next were the U16 Girls, who also raced a 5k classic interval start. Mae Chalmers (18:41) won this field, from Stratton Mountain School, with Gabby Vandendries (19:03) of CSU in second, and Perrin Milliken (19:45) of Ford Sayre in third.

The Women raced an interval start classic 10k. Leah Brams (36:51) of CSU won, and Annavitte Rand (37:33) of the UNH Ski Team came in second, while Haley Piske (37:38) finished the day with third place.

And lastly, the Men raced a 10 kilometer interval start classic race, with Justin Freeman (29:08) of host club Holderness Nordic in first, Gordon Vermeer (29:11) of Craftsbury Nordic in second, and Andrew Dougherty (29:23) of Craftsbury Nordic finishing in third.

After a good weekend of racing, Mackenzie Rizio of SMS, and the winner of the women’s race on Saturday said, “The Oak Hill course was fast and fun, especially the last kilometer, it was enjoyable to be able to really push it into the finish! Although I didn’t race today, the course was in good condition and the final was an exciting race to be a cheerleader for!”

Also, from Bret Bedard, who won the men’s category on Saturday, “I don’t enter too many races these days, so it feels good to do well when I do. Looking at the seed/start list before the race I figured I’d be in the mix for a top 10, but winning was a bit more than expected. I’ve had some good races on the Oak Hill 5k course before and the terrain just seems to suit me, so that helps. It was also great to see a bunch of people out watching the race, it seemed like spectators were just about everywhere out on the course.”

Dennis Donahue was the race organizer for the Silver Fox Trot Eastern Cup. “The Silver Fox Trot is a very old race, named in honor and memory of Alison Merrill, former Dartmouth Nordic coach, Olympic coach, and elite athlete in his time. Al was an inspiration to many: athletes, Nordic devotees, and numerous others. His silvery white hair and bushy eyebrows earned him the nickname, Silver Fox. The goal of the Silver Fox Trot race is to bring the Nordic community together in celebration of cross-country skiing. Al Merrill was a master at this.

One of our crew chiefs best summarizes this year’s race: “I think it was really outstanding, and an incredible turnout of rallying people from everywhere. It was a truly inspirational upper valley experience.”

Pat Casey is one of the Holderness Coaches, who is excited to have had such a successful weekend of racing. “I am proud of our ski community, school, and club for making the last Eastern Cup of the season a memorable one. Our race volunteers are a hearty bunch. I am thankful for their valuable time. I am continually amazed by the level of XC ski racing in New England. Our skiers continually push themselves to go faster, and the bar just seems to get higher and higher. It is such an advantage for the local ski community to host this race. I like it when our lollipoppers can watch Olympians and collegiate skiers tear around a course.”

The race season is far from over, but the Eastern Cups are completed until next year! Thanks to all the volunteers and race organizers who made this weekend happen, and good luck to all the racers who will be competing at Junior Nationals in March!