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Ski notes: Cross-country skiing gets a boost

Ski notebook

THIS STORY APPEARED IN

January 05, 2012|By Marty Basch

(Page 2 of 2)

Pats Peak in Henniker hosts a 4-mile competition Feb. 18 that loops around the ski area, while it’s on to Sunapee March 3. The finals are March 17 at Bretton Woods starting at 6 a.m. Get more information at www.winterwild.com.

On with the show

After juggling the schedule because of rain earlier this week, the US Cross-Country Ski Championships are back on track for today at Black Mountain in Rumford, Maine.

“We’ve had the same weather challenges on the World Cup,’’ said US Ski Team development coach Bryan Fish. “It is always a challenge in a sport that relies on the climate. They’ve been making a great deal of snow on the championship courses here.’’

The freestyle men’s 15-kilometer and women’s 10-kilometer are on tap for this morning, while the distance races (women’s 20-kilometer and men’s 30-kilometer classical) are Friday, with the classical sprints set for Sunday.

US Ski Team members Jessie Diggins, Vermont’s Ida Sargent, Sadie Bjornsen, Noah Hoffman, and Tad Elliot are competing.

Diggins won her second freestyle sprint title Tuesday.

“The snowmakers have gone above and beyond,’’ said event spokesman Craig Zurhorst. “We’ve had to move races because of rain, let the snow drain, wait for the temps to go down, make snow, and get it groomed.’’

Premiere event

Wachusett in Princeton is hosting the NASTAR Open Saturday and Sunday, an early-season chance to qualify for the NASTAR national championships . . . Nashoba Valley’s Freeride Rail Jam Series is scheduled for Jan. 15, Jan. 29 and Feb. 26 . . . Saddleback in Maine has a deal on non-holiday Wednesdays where if you purchase a $49 lift ticket, your friend skis for $10 . . . Black Mountain in Jackson, N.H., has a non-holiday Thursday Breakfast Club for skiers 55 and up for $20, which includes a lift ticket and breakfast.