The EISA nordic season resumed today with the University of
Vermont Carnival. Once again hindered by this winter’s lack of snow, the races
were relocated from the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, to the Craftsbury Outdoor
Center in Craftsbury, VT. Despite poor weather and short notice, the crew at
the Craftsbury outdoor center pulled together a high quality 2.4km loop on
which to host the event. Racers were challenged beyond the usual with the
college races being contested concurrently with an Eastern Cup and a Supertour
race. Both circuits draw the top racers in the country, and the event pitted
current college athletes against the best to come before them.
In the women’s 5km skate it was a new face on top the
podium, with Lydia Blanchet of Dartmouth charging to her first win in 11:54.2.
She held off current skate leader Kelsey Phinney of Middlebury who raced to
second in 11:57.7. Corey Stock of Dartmouth finished third, narrowly edging out
Annie Pokorney who returned to race for Middlebury. Two more Dartmouth skiers
followed, as Mary O’Connell and Emily Hannah raced into 5th and 6th.
They were followed by a wave of skiers from the University of Vermont as Iris
Pessey, Alayna Sonnesyn, Mary Kate Cirelli, and Stephanie Kirk swept places 7
through 10 for the Catamounts.
In the men’s 10km the top 5 was dominated by UVM and
Dartmouth. Patrick Caldwell returned to Dartmouth and took the win in 20:42.9. He
was trailed by Jorgen Grav who finished 2nd in 21:32.9. He was
followed by Oscar Friedman and Fabien Stocek of Dartmouth, who finished their
respective races in 21:59.2 and 21:59.6. Jack Hegman and Cole Morgan raced into
5th and 6th for UVM. Patrick Mcelravey led the Middlebury
men with his 7th place finish just ahead of yet another UVM skier,
Remi Salacroup. Callan Deline raced to 9th for Dartmouth, while Eli
Hoenig of William’s led his team in 10th.
Racing resumes tomorrow with the men’s and women’s 10 km
classic.
