Jeff Hashimoto in the classic style competition at the Bavarian Cup in Leavenworth, WA. (Photo Karen Voorhees)

Veterans and juniors take part in citizen races

By John Erik Stacy, 5 Feb 2011

The Leavenworth Winter Sports Club (LWSC) hosted its annual “Bavarian Cup” competition Saturday and Sunday of January 29 and 30 at the Ski Hill Trails in Leavenworth, WA. The Bavarian is one of the regional “citizen” races listed on the Pacific Northwest Ski Association (PNSA) Nordic Race Calendar. There were 113 racers across the various freestyle events held on Saturday and 88 in the classic style events on Sunday competing in race distances appropriate to age group.

Kent Murdoch finished first in the 15 k (9.3 mile) freestyle event at 37:43.5 followed by Roberto Carcelan (39:40.6) and Justin Carvitto (39:47.6). Murdoch is a well known member of the Kongsberger Ski Club (KSC), Carcelan represented Peru in the 2010 Winter Olympics and Carvitto is a member of the LWSC. The women top finishers in the 15 k were Heidi Loewn (LWSC 46:11.60), Inge Scheve (Rendalen, IL 46:41.48) and Marlene Farrell (LWSC 47:11.94).

Jeff Hashimoto (KSC 20:16.4) took first place in the 8 k classic style race on Sunday, followed by Vesa Soumalainen (20:23.8) and Rune Harkestad (KSC 20:25.4). Women in the top 3 of the classic competition were Ginny Price (KSC 24:00.81), Barb Kelly Ringel (LWSC 24:43.85) and Marlene Farrell (LWSC 25:20.68).

Elise Stacy of Snoqualmie Nordic. Junior skiers came from a range of area clubs (Photo Karen Voorhees)

Nearly 80 juniors participated in races for their age group, including 37 from LWSC competing on their home turf. Other clubs represented were The Bush School Blazers, Ellensburg Ski Club, Snoqualmie Nordic Club, Wenatchee Valley Nordic and KSC.

The race calendar for Nordic skiers in Washington State provides an opportunity for competition almost every week from late December through March. On February 5 and 6th the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association together with the Methow Valley Nordic Team host the The Race of the Methow in Winthrop, WA. The Methow event, along with Kongsberger Stampede to be held on Feb. 19-20, are races that count as qualifiers for the Junior Olympics, that will be held on the trails at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis MN on March 7-12 this year.

This article was originally published in the Norwegian American Weekly. For more information about the Norwegian American Weekly or to subscribe, call us toll free (800) 305-0217 or email subscribe@norway.com.