PRESQUE ISLE — After coming in like a lion, the March weather turned mild on March 2 with a calm breeze, warm temperatures and light snow for the annual Himie Towle Memorial Ski Frolic.
Held at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle, the citizen’s ski event serves as the final stop on the Aroostook Cup tour. In keeping with past years, more than 100 participants took part, ranging in age from kids under 8 years old to masters over 70.
While in a year, the best junior biathletes from around the world will be taking stage on the Nordic Heritage Center trails, this past weekend local skiers were the focus in the day’s premiere event – a nine-kilometer freestyle race.
In the men’s field, Raleigh Goessling of Fort Kent’s 10th Mountain Ski Club won the day, with Erik Fosnaes of the Nordic Heritage Sport Club taking second and Welly Ramsey of Caribou’s Northern Skiers Club finishing in third.
On the women’s side, Katrina Howe of 10th Mountain finished first, with Emily Ramsey of Snowy Mountain Trails in Stockholm second and Sarah Gahagan of Nordic Heritage Sport Club taking third.
In the largest turnout in recent history of youth skiers, kids from both sides of the border took advantage of the fresh snow and exciting trails. In the girls’ events, Abby Streinz, Abigail Rossignol and Paige Murphy each won their age divisions. Winning on the boys’ side were John O’Meara, Noah Schwarz and George Ferland.
In the Aroostook Cup club competition, retaining the title was the Nordic Heritage Sport Club of Presque Isle/Fort Fairfield. Taking second place was the 10th Mountain Ski Club of Fort Kent, and Snowy Mountain Trails Association of Stockholm finished the season in third.
Clubs will be recognized, along with individual Aroostook Cup winners, at the end-of-season celebration to be held at 4 p.m., Saturday, March 23 at the Caribou Country Club.
For a full listing of results from the March 2 race and a look at the Aroostook Cup standings, visit www.GoAroostooOutdoors.com.
As series sponsor, the Maine Winter Sports Center officials heaped their praise on all of the hosting organizations, events sponsors, volunteers and participants that came out for this year’s Aroostook Cup series.
