March 14, 2012 (Rumford, Maine) – The TD Bank J2 Nordic Ski Championships, held this past weekend at the historic Black Mountain of Maine ski area in Rumford, featured nearly 200 14-15 year-old elite high-school Nordic skiers from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and New York; along with elite guest teams from Central Cross Country Ski Association (CXC), the 10 state regional planning organization for Nordic skiing in the Midwest US, with skiers from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan; and Rocky Mountain Nordic, an organization which provides educational, financial, logistical and developmental support for Nordic athletes, coaches, clubs and events in the Rocky Mountain Region, with skiers from Colorado.

Teams competed in freestyle (also known as skate skiing) and classic technique events of varying lengths.

The following notes were prepared by Patrick Cote, Executive Director of the New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA), the Olympic development organization for cross-country skiing in New England as well as the umbrella for most organized Nordic skiing events in the region.

Day 1, Friday, March 9
The day was notable for the fact that representatives from every state skied well.

The day started at 3PM with the boys 5K freestyle and it was Vermont’s Isaac Wright who earned the win over Ian Torschia from the visiting CXC team and Rochester, Minnesota.  Massachusetts earned the next podium spot with Warren Taylor from Williamstown skiing a strong race.

By the time the girls got started, conditions had firmed up considerably and what were earlier soft ruts had turned to boilerplate.  New York grabbed the win for the girls with Riley Douglas from Honeoye Falls leading the way. Lauren Jortberg, a guest from Colorado earned 2nd, with Vermont’s Autumn Eastman taking the final spot on the podium.

Day 2, Saturday, March 10
Racers were greeted with sunny skies and spring temperatures at the venue this morning for the 5k classic race. The variable snow conditions made waxing a bit challenging, but everyone seemed relatively happy with their choices and the kids were able to enjoy some great terrain on the two lap course.

This two lap format that looped through the stadium provided spectators with the opportunity to cheer their favorite skiers four times. The festive atmosphere and the noise from friends and parents helped to spur the racers on through the lap lane and then into the finish chute.

In the morning’s races, Vermont’s Isaac Wright took the men’s win with a time of 12:52. He was followed by Chris Koziel of Massachusetts and Nathan Latourette of New Hampshire.

On the girl’s side, Allison Ternes, a guest participant from CXC, skied to a win in a time of 15:07. She was followed by her teammate Madeline McKeefry and Vermont’s Autumn Eastman.

After finishing the 5k classic race, skiers were given a considerable break in the action to put their legs up, get some water, and mentally prepare for their last individual race of the weekend.

As the afternoon rolled around, the temperature remained relatively steady and a few clouds rolled in. The 1k course, same course used for the 2004 National Championships, is a crowd favorite with plenty of open area for viewing and cheering.

Five skiers battled in each wave around the windy course, producing incredibly quick times. In the girl’s race it was Lauren Jortberg from Rocky Mountain winning with a time of 2:19. She was followed by Riley Douglas of New York and Nichole Schneider from CXC. On the boy’s side it was Massachusetts’ skier Chris Koziel taking the win with a time of 2:00, followed very closely by Vermont’s Isaac Wright and Nicolas Reitman from MA.

After Saturday’s events, Maine was leading the team standings with 10,707 points followed by Vermont with 10,382 points. But it all came down to Sunday’s mixed-gender relay, worth two races in terms of points.

As the individual events were concluded, on Saturday night the Overall Individual Top Three medals were awarded at the banquet held at Rumford’s Mountain Valley High School. The medals are a culmination of the points from the three individual races over the first two days. On the girls’ side, it was Riley Douglas from New York coming away with top honors, followed by Lauren Jortberg from Rocky Mountain and Autumn Eastman from Vermont. For the boys, Vermont’s Isaac Wright was in first followed by Chris Koziel and Warren Taylor, both of Massachusetts.

Day 3, Sunday, March 11
The mixed gender, mixed-technique relay was the highlight of the TD Bank J2 Championship weekend, with all the skiers participating in this fast-paced and hotly contested final event.

Temperatures hovered right around freezing, but the sun made the morning feel warmer with the absence of wind.

At 9:30 the stadium was a blaze of color, with the first classic leg leaving the line in a mass start headed toward the bridge. There were a few tangles and crashes, but most competitors made their way safely out of the stadium and onto the course. Boys handed off to girls who skied another classic leg, then two skate legs were run, alternating between boys and girls.

Each state showed team pride with brightly colored headbands, face paint, sunglasses, glitter, and hair ribbons. The stadium was bursting with positive energy, these J2 skiers happy to be in their last event of the weekend, and loving the camaraderie on their four person teams.

In the end it was the team from CXC taking the crown with a time of 29:20, followed very closely by the teams from Massachusetts (29:25) and Vermont (29:42).

The state title was still up for grabs heading into Sunday’s relay races which counted for double points. Both Maine and Vermont were hoping to put their best racers forward to earn the trophy, a highly coveted honor. In the end it was Maine on top with a total of 14,677 points for the four event weekend. Vermont was in second with 14,062 points and New Hampshire in third with 11,598 points.

Thanks to the Chisholm Ski Club and their many volunteers for making this event such a fun and smoothly run endeavor!

More Steve Fuller/Flying Point Road Photography photos HERE.

Full results HERE.

J2 Championship Schedule

(Please check HERE for updates)

Friday:
– 9:00 am Course open for inspection
– 9:00 am Race Headquarters open for packets and bib pick-up
– 12:30 pm Coaches Meeting in Base Lodge Conference Room
– 3:00 pm Men 5 km Free Technique- seeded wave start
– 4:00 pm Women 5 km Free Technique- seeded wave start
Flower ceremony immediately following each event

Saturday:
– 8:00 am Course open for inspection Bib pick up in Race Headquarters
– 8:30 am Coaches meeting in lower level of the Timing Building
– 9:30 am Women 5 km Classic- seeded wave start
– 10:30 am Men Free 5 km Classic- seeded wave start
Flower ceremony immediately following each event.
– 11:30 pm Sprint course open for inspection
– 12:00 pm Stadium layout open for inspection
– 2:30 pm Women 1 km Free Technique sprint – seeded wave start
– 3:15 pm Men 1 km Free Technique sprint- seeded wave start
Flower ceremony immediately following Sprint event.
– 6:30 pm Banquet and awards held at Mountain Valley High School Gym.

Must have ticket to enter. Banquet complimentary to all athletes, Team Leader and up to 7 coaches.
All others $15.00.
Tickets available in Race Headquarters while they last.

Sunday:
– 7:30 am Course open for inspection Bib pick up in Race Headquarters
– 8:00 am Coaches meeting in Hand Timing Building
– 9:30 am Mix Medley Relay 2.2 km, 2.5 km course
Flower ceremony and awards immediately following completion of team scoring

Thank you for your interest in the TD Bank J2 Nordic Ski Championships at historic Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford