[GRP Ski] Period II Wraps Up with Sun Valley SuperTour

Written by GRP Skier Michaela Keller-Miller

Becker navigating the winding course. Credit: Tobias Albrigtsen/Untraceable Blog.

Following a busy week of racing at US Nationals, the SuperTour circuit and Craftsbury GRP skiers moved to Sun Valley, Idaho for a weekend race series. The weekend consisted of an interval start skate distance race on Saturday and a classic mass start race on Sunday. As the races were also a collegiate race for the Western division (RMISA) and several athletes were back from the World Cup, the fields were highly competitive. 

Saturday brought the first day of racing, and the women began the day with a 5-kilometer skate race. The altitude and ample climbs made for a challenging single loop course. Despite the sunny skies, temperatures felt deceivingly cold for the women’s race, leaving many racers underdressed. Rosie Brennan, a US Ski Team member who skis for APU, carried over her success from the World Cup, winning in 14:28.6. Sophia Laukli(USST/University of Utah) clocked the second fastest time in 15:17.2. Laukli’s University of Utah and USST teammate NovieMcCabe just beat out Katharine Ogden (SMST2/USST) for third place in 15:19.1. Ogden was fourth in 15:20.6. Craftsbury GRP skiers rallied after a strong week at US Nationals. Alex Lawson had a strong race, placing ninth in 16:09.4. Margie Freed was a mere three seconds behind, finishing 12th in 16:12.8. Caitlin Patterson, fighting through debilitatingly freezing toes and legs, was 17th in 16:27.6. Annika Landis finished 27th in 16:56.2 and Michaela Keller-Miller fought to 36th place in 17:17.3.

The men followed the women with a 10-kilometer skate race, completing two loops of the 5-kilometer course. By the time the men started, the sun had sufficiently warmed the race venue. Johnny Hagenbuch (SVSEF Gold) was the skier of the day, winning in a time of 26:15.4. Second place went to Hunter Wonders (APU) and Bernhard Flaschberger (University of Denver) rounded out the podium in 26:42.5. Adam Martin (CGRP) pushed through post-Nationals fatigue to place seventh in 26:57.6. Braden Becker (CGRP) was in the mix with a 15th place finish in 27:43.5. Akeo Maifeld-Carucci (CGRP) was close behind, racing to 20th place in 28:00.3.

Martin powering through the skaterace. Credit: Tobias Albrigtsen/Untraceable Blog.

On Sunday, the men raced a 15-kilometer classic mass start, covering four laps of a 3.75-kilometer course. A trio of APU skiers eventually pulled away from the lead pack, capturing the podium positions. David Norris was first in 36:50.5, followed by Wonders in second in 36:58.5 and Scott Patterson in third in 36:59.0. Martin, who skied with the leaders for much of the race, ended the day in seventh place in 37:19.7. Becker and Maifeld-Carucci, placed 33rd in 39:26.3 and 39th in 40:01.1, respectively.

Next, the women competed in a 10-kilometer classic mass start. The women raced on a 2.5- kilometer loop, completing four laps. Once again, Brennan was the force to be reckoned with, winning in 29:35.3. Ogden was the runner-up in 30:30.7. McCabe finished third in 30:42.9. After skiing with the chase pack throughout the race, including with Ogden and McCabe, Patterson fought to seventh place in 31:11.0. Lawson hung tough, racing to 13th place in 32:19.1. Freed finished strong in 16th place in 32:35.8. After breaking a pole in the first kilometer, Landis remained calm and pushed to 26th place in 33:52.8. Keller-Miller was 33rd in 34:15.4.

Patterson showing off her downhill prowess in the classic race. Credit: Tobias Albrigtsen/Untraceable Blog.

The culmination of the Sun Valley races marked the end of Period II of the US SuperTour. The Sun Valley SuperTour races were also skiers’ last chance to earn a spot on the US Cross Country Olympic Team. The Olympic Team will be officially named on January 20th. Next up on the domestic SuperTourcircuit is a classic sprint and skate distance race in Lake Placid, New York on January 29th and 30th. Following the Lake Placid races, the Craftsbury Outdoor Center will host the end of Period III of the SuperTour on February 4th through 6th.