February 21, 2011 (Plymouth, NH) – Even though Patrick O’Brien and Corey Stock fell just short of victory in today’s TD Bank Cheri Walsh Memorial, they each grabbed enough points with their 2nd place finishes to win the 2011 TD Bank Eastern Cup title. Stock’s victory is especially remarkable considering that she did not return to the race course until the final weekend of January because of injury.
Craftsbury Green Racing Project skiers were stacked at the top of the results sheet today and Hannah Dreissigacker started it all off with her 10-second victory in the women’s 5K. Stock (CSU / Lincoln, MA) was second with Heather Mooney (SMS / Peru, VT) another 10 seconds back in third. Heidi Halvorsen (GMVS / Waitsfield, VT) was the top J2, finishing an impressive 6th overall. Hannah Benson (MWN / Jackson, NH) was 10th overall and the second J2, with overal J2 leader Cate Brams just a few seconds back in 13th overall.
Former Olympian, now school teacher Justin Freeman (New Hampton, NH) showed his strength in the classic technique and won the men’s 10K. He was followed closely by a trio of Craftsbury GRP skiers: O’Brien, Tim Reynolds, and Dylan McGuffin. The race’s top junior was David Sinclair.
For J2 Boys, season-long leader Tyler Foulkes (SMS / Jamaica, VT) won over Jack Schrupp (Gunstock / Gilford, NH) and Hamish McEwen (CSU / Weston, MA.)
At the conclusion of today’s events, the 2011 New England Junior Olympic Team was named in front of a packed crowd at the Holderness School auditorium. The team will head to Minneapolis, Minnesota in two weeks to defend its two-year hold on the Alaska Cup awarded to the nations strongest regional team. The TD Bank Eastern Cup series this season featured the presence of Olympians like Justin Freeman, top collegiate skiers from the east, and incredible competition for all ages; with these races behind them, the New England JO Team skiers are well-prepared for the competition they will face in Minneapolis. They are also well-guided by trip leader Janice Sibilia and head coach Matt Boobar.
Link to all TD Bank Eastern Cup Finals results HERE.
Link to final Junior Olympic Qualifier Standings, Final Eastern Cup Standings, and more HERE.