Photo by Jennifer Fenwick The racecourse was tough at Spirit Mountain on January 14, but the Alpine Vikings demonstrated their depth. Signe Larson made the main podium, capturing third place at Spirit Mountain in a field of 76 racers.
What a difference a day makes (or a week in the race world). Thegirls’ Alpine team was flying high after winning two consecutive meets and came to Spirit Mountain on January 14 looking for an unprecedented third consecutive victory. While they managed a fourth place finish out of nine regional teams, it was not their best day. And for that matter, it was a tough day for many racers where the racecourse took down about 25% of all racers who either fell or did not complete the entire course. It was tough. But once again, Cook County/Silver Bay (CC/SB) demonstrated its depth.
The Vikings lost three of their top racers – Molly Rider, Ali Boettcher and Katie Smedstad—in a difficult course. Signe Larson, Megan Lehto and Rose Ingebrigtsen all navigated the difficult course for scoring results. Signe made the main podium with a third place overall finish among 76 racers. Megan was 21st and Rose 24th. Amber Todd also put together two solid runs and finished 38th. Kristina Andelova got a taste of a tough and icy course and managed a 52nd place finish.
The story was much the same for the boys’ team and racecourse. Like the girls, the boys’ course was a difficult set which likely had a 25% racer attrition rate. Ouch. Dexter Yoki, Clay Gruber Schultz and Joe Borud were the only three Viking boys left standing and finished 33rd, 57th and 60th respectively from a field of 94 racers. Top boy racers Anders Zimmer, Luke Fenwick, Colin Berglund and Karl Ingebrigtsen all had course mishaps as did Kyle Martinson.
January continues at a fast race pace. By the time this article hits the press the Alpine Vikings will have competed in two additional meets. The remaining schedule includes the Duluth Invitational at Spirit Mountain on January 18, the Cook County/Silver Bay Moose Mountain Invitational at Lutsen January 21, followed by the last meet of the year on January 28 at Giants Ridge. The Section and State meet follow in early February.
The Alpine Vikings are clearly positioned and hopeful for a state appearance. Stayed tuned.
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