March 3 (Rangeley, Maine) – Skiers were greeted by bright sun and warm temperatures at today’s TD Banknorth Rangeley Lakes Loppet, an event featuring a 50 kilometer freestyle race, a 25 kilometer freestyle race, and a 25 tour. The welcome sun and warmth provided a huge challenge to racers when it softened the newly fallen snow adding some unexpected challenge to the gently flowing course.

The lead position in the men’s 50K was closely contested for the first 25 kilometers with Zach Hall (Nikiski, AK) and Bowdoin College’s Walt Shepard (Yarmouth, ME) pulling away from the rest of the field. In the second of two laps, Hall proved too strong and pulled away from Shepard for the win.

The women’s 50K leaders separated more quickly with the lead women weaving their way amongst the men. Dartmouth College’s Laura Spector (Lenox, MA) gradually pulled away from teammate Hannah Dreissigacker (Morrisville, VT) and finished with a 4 minute victory over her closest challenger. Williston, Vermont’s Kelsey Allen chased Dreissigacker through the 2nd lap, often catching glimpses, but never able to close the gap to second place. Another Dartmouth skier, Sarah Van Dyke (Stowe, VT) took 4th for the women followed by Paris, Maine’s Karen Frost.

In the men’s race Shepard’s Bowdoin teammate Forrest Horton took over third place from Phillipp Lawson (Bethlehem, NH) midway through the second lap. Lawson capitalized on a blazing fast first lap and held on for 4th place with Colby’s Austin Ross (Steamboat Springs, CO) grabbing 5th.

The 25K top five for women were: Jessica Bolduc (South Burlington, VT), Liz City (CSU/Belmont, MA), Sammy Martell (Georgia, VT), Sandra Strempel (South Burlington, VT), and Linda Grigel (Falmouth, ME).

The 25K top five for men were: Chris City (CSU/Belmont, MA), Nat Herz (Bowdoin/Hallowell, ME), Tom Cook (Bowdoin/Manchester, NH), Scott Magnan (Burlington, VT), and Evan Doucett (CSU/Andover, MA).

Masters 50K Age Group Winners:

– M9: David Boucher, Essex Junction, VT
– M7: Raul Siren, Athens, ME
– M6 Women: Debbie Duncansen, West Newbury, MA
– M6 Men: John Tarling, Cumberland, ME
– M5 Women: Alice Goodwin, Kingfield, ME
– M5 Men: Rob Bradlee, Reading, MA
– M4 Women: Donna Smyth, Vernon, VT
– M4 Men: Richard Powell, Hanover, NH
– M3 Women: Audrey Huffman, Waitsfield, VT
– M3 Men: Phillipp Lawson, Bethlehem, NH
– M2 Men: Morgan Laidlaw, Camden, ME
– M1 Men: Grigory Kolesov, Cambridge, MA

The Rangeley Lakes Cross Country Ski Trails are located in the heart of the scenic western mountains and lakes region of Maine, with an annual snowfall approaching 200 inches. The snow conditions plus fantastic terrain make skiing at Rangeley a wonderful experience for any skier from novice to expert. In the summer of 2005 the nonprofit Rangeley Lakes XC Ski Club moved their ski center to Saddleback Mountain. Learn more at www.rangeleyxcski.com.