March 9, 2009 (Soda Springs, CA) – The 2009 Cross Country Ski Junior Olympics, the XC Junior National Championships, hosted by Auburn Ski Club and the Far West Nordic Ski Education Association began today and run from Mar. 8-15. Featuring the top junior racers across the USA all events are being held on the Auburn Ski Club Training Center trails on Donner Summit

Junior Olympics Day 1 Report

With temperatures in the low 20s, sunny skies and a few gusts of wind – conditions were ideal for the first day of competition at the Junior Olympics hosted by Auburn Ski Club Monday. Spectators lined the 913m sprint course expected, and got, close finish after finish. Athletes agreed favorable conditions made for fast times.

“There’s so much snow here I can’t really complain,” said Stella Holt, 15, of Whitefish Mt., winner of the girls’ J2 race. “It’s so fast it’s amazing,” said Logan Hanneman, 15, of Fairbanks, Ak. who won the boys’ J2 race. “We rarely get snow like this in Fairbanks… and sun is nice.”

As for strategy: “I went easy out of the start and was patient, “Hanneman said. “Then I went for it at the hill.” Holt commented, “If you can hold yourself off until the last hill you’re good to go. A lot of people weren’t so sure about the course, but I loved it. It took a lot of self control and pacing.”

After day one: New England leads the championship with 365 points followed by Intermountain Northern with 293 and Alaska with 284. Of the 10 regions, Far West is currently in 6th place with 78 points.

For complete results click here.

Results (brief)

J2 Girls

1. Stella Holt, Intermountain Northern
2. Corey Stock, New England
3. Tara Geraghty-Moats

J2 Boys

1. Logan Hanneman, Alaska
2. Isaac Lammers Alaska
3. Akeo Mayfield Carruchi Inter Mountain

J1 Girls

1. Jessie Diggins, Mid West
2. Elizabeth Guiney, Intermountain Northern
3. Katie Gill, Intermountain Northern

J1 Boys

1. Ethan Dreissigacker, New England
2. Erik Bjornsen, Pacific Northwest
3. Nick Michaud, New England

OJ Girls

1. Parker Tyler, New England
2. Corrine Malcom, Mid West
3. Briana Perkins, Rocky Mountain

OJ Boys

1. Doug Debold, Mid West
2. Reese Hanneman Alaska
3. Miles Havlick Intermountain Northern