December 08, 2018 (Vernon, B.C.) – The first stop on the Haywood NorAm combined with the second stop on the U.S. SuperTour race series got underway this morning at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre located near Vernon, B.C.

This was the first race of the season for many skiers who have travelled here from across North America to test their skills against some of the fastest skiers in Canada and the U.S. The Open Categories saw 324 skiers take to the start line starting at 9:00 a.m. this morning. Temperatures were hovering around -10 for the qualification round with partly cloudy skies.

In the qualifiers, U.S. skier Andy Newell set the fastest time around the 1.2 km sprint course at 02:15. The top Junior Man was Luke Jager of Alaska Pacific University (APU).

On the women’s side, the fastest qualifying time was set by U.S. skier, Julia Kern, at 02:40. The top Junior Woman was Novie McCabe of Methow Valley, WA.

The top Canadian male qualifier was Olivier Hamel of Skibec in 3rd and top Canadian female was Laura Leclair of Chelsea Nordiq in 2nd.

Julia Kern (Stratton Mountain School) carried momentum through to the Senior Women’s final followed closely by Canada’s Dahria Beatty (Whitehorse Ski Club) and Lauren Jortberg (Dartmouth Ski Team) in third.

In Junior Women, Novie McCabe (Methow Valley) took first followed by Anna Price (Foothills Nordic) and rounding off the podium is Callie Young (Dartmouth Ski Team).

On the men’s side, Andy Newell (Stratton Mountain School) followed Antoine Briand (Skibec) closely most of the final, eventually overtaking him in the last 300 meters to claim first place. Rounding off the podium is Benjamin Saxton (Stratton Mountain School).

In Junior Men, the winner is Rossland’s Remi Drolet (Black Jack Ski Club), followed by Luke Jager (Alaska Pacific University). Sam Hendry (Canmore Nordic Ski Club) finished in third.

Starting at 2:00 p.m., Midget, Juvenile and Junior Categories race different variations of a 2.5 km skate technique distance course.

All categories will compete in Classic technique distance races on Sunday morning starting at 9:00 a.m. with Open Men (15 km) followed by Open Women (10 km).

For detailed results, go here.