Nordic News

January 20, 2013, Jericho, Vt. – The Mount Mansfield Nordic Club welcomed almost 100 Bill Koch League skiers to the Ethan Allen Biathlon Range for a duathlon race last Sunday and many Ford Sayre skiers made the trek north to participate. The race had a very exciting format combining both styles of nordic skiing; skiers started off doing laps with a classic stride and then switched skis in the middle of the race to freestyle to the finish. The warm conditions for this year’s race were a challenge as racers had to use a lot of strength to double-pole during the classic laps and then quickly switch techniques to the faster skating style.

The races consisted of laps around a relatively short course, which meant that teammates and families could see all of the action and cheer their racers on. Members of the VT Army National Guard groomed the trails and there were excellent facilities for warming up and enjoying a snack throughout the day.

Ford Sayre racers adapted really well to the unique challenges of the duathlon format. Simon Phipps had a great race around 1.2 km first- and second-grade loop. Eloise Silver-VanMeter was very fast around the 2 km third- and fourth-grade course. The fifth- and sixth-grade race was 3 km and Daniel Bandler, Ingrid Miller, and Patrick Osborn all skied very well. The seventh- and eighth-graders expected a six-lap race, but most were directed out for a seventh lap as the churned around the course. Jack Burnham, Emily Foster, Brook Leigh, Sophie Miles, Kirsten Miller, Ann Osborn, Malcolm Silver-VanMeter, Sara Spencer, and Ty Stotland comprised a very deep squad of 7-8 racers.

The whole team is looking forward to this weekends exciting Mountain Top Paintball Biathlon, which is always a highlight on the event calendar.

Warm weather and sticky klister wax were the rule of the day at the Frost Mountain Nordic Ski Club BKL Race at Rikert Nordic Center in Ripton, Vt. Several Ford Sayre families participated with Jack Lange and Ann Rightmire in the 3-4 grade race; Andy Rightmire and Nolan Gantrish in the 5-6 grade boy’s race; and Hannah Chipman, Kennedy Lange, Grace Dietz and Liz Rightmire competing in the 5-6 grade girl’s race.

Jan 13, 2013: A large number of Ford Sayre families participated in the Stowe Mini-Marathon at the Stowe Mt. Resort Cross Country Ski Center. Skiers could choose from three distances of 22k, 15k and the 5k lollipop loop. Food stops along the way of roasted marshmellows, smores and blueberry soup broke up the distances. Hot chili and cookies were served at the end. Warm temps, spring skiing and some challenging terrain dominated the day.

Click here for more photos of the event.

Many Ford Sayre families attended the Kids Ski Day at the Strafford Nordic Center in warm, foggy weather. BKL skiers participated in a timed obstacle course with a 5-foot hill, rolling bumps and even moguls. Laser Biathlon for parents and kids was enjoyed along with a cookie crusade for everyone.

Photo by David Kynor.

January 5, 2013, North Pomfret, Vt. — The 29^th Annual Bogburn Cross-Country Ski Race took place this weekend on a fantastic, and very challenging, course through the woods in Pomfret, VT. This year set a record for the most youth skiers competing in the Bogburn’s Bill Koch League (BKL) races and many skiers, coaches, and families from the Ford Sayre Nordic program took part in the action.
After a spirited Lollipop race featuring the youngest skiers, the third and fourth graders left at fifteen second intervals around a two-kilometer course. Ford Sayre skiers Erik Blix, Elsa Bolinger, Andrew Davis, Katie Davis, Carly Miles, Noah Phipps, and Eloise Silver-Van Meter all finished strongly in a heat of 26 racers.

The fifth and sixth grade racers set off shortly after following a three-kilometer course with Ford Sayre’s Daniel Bandler, Greta Bolinger, Peter Burnham, Hannah Chipman, Grace Dietz, Nolan Gantrish, Lucky Glueck, Kennedy Lange, Vincent Levey, Patrick Osborn, and Rosa Schaffner all completing the race.

The final BKL race of the day was for the seventh and eighth graders that had a very challenging and hilly course over four kilometers. Ford Sayre skiers Jack Burnham, Adam Glueck, Brook Leigh, Sophie Miles, Kirsten Miller, Ann Osborn, Alexandra Schaffner, Sara Spencer, Ty Stotland, and Avery Wallace all skied great races in an extremely competitive field of top racers.

More photos of the event.