Above left: Wearing bib No. 202 (and a big smile), Rusty Day finished 20th to lead the Vikings in the Junior High race at the Duluth East Invitational Pursuit Race. Above: Just a first year skier, Matea Acero, No. 241 is the top JV skier for the girls and her coaches say she is getting better every week. Left: Ben Seaton powered his way to the finish in the skate portion of the Duluth East Invitational Pursuit Race held January 26 at Snowflake Ski Center. Seaton placed 24th overall after picking up two places in the classic race.
The cross country ski team traveled to the Duluth East Invitational Pursuit Race at Snowflake Ski Center on Saturday, January 26 and had a really fun day. Warm weather and 6 inches of fresh snow made for excellent conditions and sunny attitudes for racers and observers alike. Pursuit races are a lot of work for both the skiers and the organizers of the race. The varsity racers ski two races—one freestyle or “skate” and another classic style for a total of 11 K. Ideally a skier has consistent performances in both styles but most skiers have a stronger technique in one or the other. When times are combined for the two races sometimes unexpected things happen.
It seems all of our skiers are better at the classic style. Or maybe they just like yelling, “Track!” and blowing by other skiers. Or perhaps the wax choice of the day was the edge they all had. Whatever the reason, every varsity skier on our team moved up in the standings from the skate race to the classic.
Joey Chmelik was the champ with most places gained. He moved up 20 places from 66th to 46th— that’s passing 20 skiers in the classic race. Ben Seaton was consistent in the two races but picked up two places finishing at 24th. Levi Axtell picked up 4 places to finish at 28th. Will Seaton, 53rd; Sean MacDonell, 64th and Pete Summers, 71st all picked up several places each.
Audrey Summers passed 6 skiers to finish at 23rd in the girls varsity race and Mara MacDonell also picked up places finishing 50th.
The JV and Jr. High races are a single skate race and Rusty Day likes skate skiing. He improves each week and finished 20th in a strong field. Sarah Larsen and Brenna Hey also had good races finishing several places ahead of last week’s race in Ely.
At the classic race at Hidden Valley Ski Center on Saturday, January 19 there was six inches of new snow, lots of wind and a little freezing drizzle. Cook County skiers were up to the challenge. There were a number of great performances but the best was Matea Acero’s. This is her first year XC skiing and she has transitioned from cross country running to skiing quite well. Her times improve each week as her competitive spirit overcomes her lack of experience. Now if we can just get the Texas blood thickened up a bit and her fashion senses a little more practical she’ll be a great racer.
Friday, February 1 is the Cook County Invitational Pursuit Race at Pincushion Mountain ski center. Races start at 10:30 a.m. and continue through the day. Come up the hill and cheer on your skiers. It’ll be a fun day.
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