Aroostook Cup event held in Fort Kent
FORT KENT — The 10th Mountain Center played host on Sunday to the second Aroostook Cup event of the season during the annual Frostbite 40km, 20km, and Citizen’s 5km. Though temperatures were comfortably in the mid-20s, the wind was another story.
In fact, the race start was delayed by 30 minutes while organizers cleared a number of downed trees from the trails. The high winds forced a change in course to avoid open fields where drifting was significant, a change that racers greatly appreciated as the blowing snow made for slower skate skiing conditions.
Fred Bailey, skiing for Nordic Heritage Sports Club (NHSC), took home a solid win in the men’s 40km with a time of 2:02.23, more than two minutes ahead of Austin Ross, also from NHSC. Will Sweetser of Snowy Mountain finished third. In the women’s 40km Lauren Jacobs (NHSC) won with a time of 2:24.11. Sherry Dubis skiing for the host club finished second, while Susan Plissey of Snowy Mountain was third.
With 26 participants, the 20km race was the largest of the day. Mike Lessard, skiing for Northern Skiers, finished the course in 1:01.08. Welly Ramsey and Derek Rowe also earned valuable club points for Northern Skiers and finished second and third, respectively. UMPI student-athlete Justine Cyr, earning points for her home club 10th Mountain, took home the women’s win with a time of 1:12.09. Sarah Dominick of Snowy Mountain was second and Hilary McNamee of NHSC was third.
Carl Soderberg (Northern Skiers) won the overall 5km, and his daughter Anna came in third overall and first for women. George Ferland of Snowy Mountain was second and Justin Perry (NHSC) was third for the men. Desiree Smith and LeAnn Abbott, both skiing for Nordic Heritage, were second and third in the women’s race.
The next Aroostook Cup races will be the C-ME Ski in Limestone will be on Saturday, Feb. 11, followed by the Karen Sprague Memorial in Stockholm on Sunday, Feb. 12. For more information, results, updated club standings, and more can be found at www.goaroostookoutdoors.com.
