Burke Mountain Academy Nordic Ski Team: The Hanover/Gunstock Eastern Cup Weekend

This past weekend the Burke athletes participated in the fourth and final Eastern Cup weekend in Hanover and Gunstock. These are the last races which decide the New England team for JOs in Truckee, and as a few of our kids were somewhat on the bubble, it was a make-or-break weekend for them. Fortunately both Lucas and Janey skied incredible races which solidified their places on the team on Friday in Hanover.

Lucas took the first 5k lap relatively conservatively but then broke it all out for the exausting series of climbs on the next lap, coming in 8th, just over a minute off the pace. Janey and Corinne both looked great throughout the race and placed 5th and 6th, just five seconds apart! The Y-ME boys also skied respectable races, and Evan especially is starting to use his technique to his advantage. Sam also has been working hard on his skate technique, and it clearly paid off as he finished less than 10 seconds off the podium in 4th.
Sunday's classic race in Gunstock, NH was difficult to wax for due to changing temperatures and looming snow clouds overhead that made everyone wait until the last minute to decide what the women would race on.

The snow was held off for the girls and the 2x2.75 laps of the course went by quickly for both Corinne and Janey, who placed 4th and 9th in a very tight field. Then the snow hit before the men's race but luckily it did not turn in to harries conditions and the boys all got by on hard wax, even if it got a little slow as the race went on. Despite the less than favorable conditions, Sam still hammered his way into 14th place and Yannick pulled out another great effort in 27th. After the race we attended the JO team naming ceremony where Sam, Lucas, Corinne, and Janey were all recognized.. now its just a quick 2 weeks of last minute race prep before we fly out to Truckee!

For complete results of the weekend's races, click here