Last Updated: 16.Jan.2018

Amid what NENSA deemed “one of the most dramatic winter events in recent history,” racers from all over the east descended upon the Ripton, Vermont trail network. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Rikert Nordic Center staff and volunteers, the second Eastern Cup of the season went off without a hitch. After Friday’s high 40’s and ample rainfall, Saturday brought cooler temperatures and sleet turning to snow, and then Sunday brought plunging mercury and howling wind making for tough conditions for athletes, coaches, volunteers, parents, race officials, and anyone else involved.

Saturday was a classic sprint day for all, where race organizers and Rikert staff creatively drew together a solid course despite snow loss. On the men’s side, Finn Sweet qualified for the open heats in 25th, where he got eliminated in the quarterfinals and ended the day in 26th. He was the 3rd U16. Jack Young was 70th overall in the qualifier, but the 12th U16 (after those who made the open heats), so he earned a spot in the U16 heats, where he ultimately finished 5th in the A final. The rest of the Craftsbury boys finished within 20 seconds of each other. Trey Jones was 86th (17th U16), Greyson Davis was 88th (18th U16), Bjorn Westervelt was 92nd (46th U18), Daymien Ide was 101st (24th U16),  Makail Tipton was 111th (30th U16), and Aiden Casey was 113th (32th U16). 

For the women, Callie Young continued her Eastern Cup sprint domination. She ended the day on the top step of the women’s podium, while teammate Phoebe Sweet wasn’t far behind in 3rd (and 3rd U18). Marika Massey- Bierman qualified in 13th. After finishing 4th in her quarterfinal, she ended up 16th overall (2nd U20). Adrienne Remick skied in the open heats for the first time ever this weekend. She qualified in 16th and finished the day in 18th. She was the 3rd U16. Jordi Kulis was 49th (5th U20), while younger sister Sydney was 88th (35th U16).

Sunday’s frigid temperatures brought a 5k freestyle race for the U16’s and a 10k freestyle race for everyone else. In the U16 boy’s division, Finn led the way in 3rd. Trey was 8th and Jack was hot on his heels in 9th. Mikail was 23rd, Aiden was 27th, Grayson was 29th, and Daymien was 33rd. In the U16 girls race, Quincy Massey- Bierman was 2nd while Adrienne tied with a Mansfield Nordic Club athlete for 6th. Aliza Wright was 39th and Sydney Kulis was close behind in 40th.

In the open men’s race, Griffin Wright was 20th (10th U18) and Bjorn was 41st (22nd U18). GRP’er Adam Martin jumped in and was 2nd. In the women’s race, Callie was 7th (3rd U18) and Marika was 15th (3rd U20). Jordi was 39th (7th U20) and Claire Ellis was 61st (43rd U18).

Congratulations to all these juniors for continuing to ski fast despite trying weather conditions! Eastern Cup racing continues February 3rd and 4th at the Trapp Family Lodge.

See full results here.