SuperTour Finals Week
Despite the dismal winter we’ve had, SuperTour Finals was a resounding success and a fun end to the 2015/16 race season for the GRP skiers. It’s always great to race at home with friends and family lining the course! The groomers did an impressive job farming snow and we were able to race on a hilly and challenging 3.5k loop composed entirely of manmade snow. The weather cooperated, freezing overnight, and the many enthusiastic volunteers made the whole event run incredibly smoothly. Here’s a smattering of photos from the week. You can read, in more detail, about the first two races here (the individual skate and classic sprint) and the second two races here (the relay and the 30/50k classic). Also, you can view results here.
Prior to the races, we hosted a Fast and Female event at the Center. We had over 80 girls in attendance! It was awesome to have so many women from other elite teams (as well as the U.S. Ski Team) help out as ambassadors. (photo: Caitlin Patterson)
Heather leading some of the Fast and Female participants up teaching hill (photo: Reese Brown)
Hallie and Katrina Howe heading up the “biathlon” station (photo: Caitlin Patterson)
It was great to have so many Craftsbury juniors participating in the event! (photo: Caitlin Patterson)
Group shot! (photo: Reese Brown)
Some of the elite team (and U.S. Ski Team) men hosted an afternoon speed camp for both boys and girls. Here are some participants heading through the snow tunnel in the upper soccer field.
Also prior the “real” races, was another fun event – the Dash for Cash. Here are Kait, Heather, and Quincy (Craftsbury BKLer) in their quartfinal heat. (photo: Reese Brown)
And Caitlin and Hallie (in the fancy red one-piece) during their quarterfinal (photo: Reese Brown)
Caitlin avoiding some chaos around the cone (photo: Reese Brown)
Ida sending it through the snow tunnel (photo: Reese Brown)
Both Ida and Heather made the final with Ida taking the win and Heather placing fourth (photo: Reese Brown)
SuperTour Finals kicked off with a 10/15k individual skate race. Here’s Caitlin sporting the overall leader bib. (photo: Reese Brown)
The skate race was followed by a classic sprint the next day. Here’s Liz striding up Moss Run in her semifinal (photo: Reese Brown)
Here’s Ida in her semifinal followed by Caitlin and Kait (photo: Reese Brown)
Ida crossing the line in second! (photo: Reese Brown)
So much excitement! (photo: Reese Brown)
Classic sprint podium (photo: Reese Brown)
After a day off, racing action resumed with the team relay. With all the GRP men racing at Biathlon Nationals (which you can read about here), the GRP women had to compete on mixed relay teams. Liz and Hallie formed the Green Buffalos with Colorado University skiers Petter Reistad and Mads Stroem. Here’s Liz tagging off to Mads. (photo: Reese Brown)
Hallie skied a very strong anchor leg crossing the line in fourth. (photo: Reese Brown)
Ida and Caitlin formed the Vailbury Green Team with Ski and Snowboard Club Vail skiers Noah Hoffman and Tad Elliot. Here’s Caitlin heading out on her anchor leg after being tagged by Tad. They finished second behind APU! (photo: Reese Brown)
SuperTour Finals wrapped up with the 30/50k classic. Here’s the start of the women’s 30k. (photo: Reese Brown)
Heather getting off to a good start (photo: Reese Brown)
Lots of green suits in the chase pack! (photo: Deb Miller)
Liz leading Erika Flowers (photo: Reese Brown)
Hallie striding up Screaming Mimi (photo: Reese Brown)
In a 9-lap race, there are many opportunities to feed! (photo: Reese Brown)
Craftsbury junior Phoebe Sweet raced the 15k and finished 5th! (photo: Reese Brown)
Heather and Hallie skiing together mid-race (photo: Deb Miller)
Kait, Ida, and Caitlin at the top of Screaming Mimi (photo: Deb Miller)
Jumping for joy in the finish corral! (photo: Deb Miller)
Jessie Diggins won the 30k with Ida finishing second and Caitlin third!! (photo: Reese Brown)
One last team photo to finish out the season. Thanks to Pepa and Nick (as well as Ruth, Jake, and Anna – not pictured) for their support! Our skis were fantastic all week. Also thanks to Susan for coming out to cheer despite feeling under-the-weather. (photo: Deb Miller)