LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – The Alaska Nanooks Nordic skiing teams kicked off the RMISA season today in Lake Placid with the first day of the RMISA Invitational. Both teams competed in the 10k classic individual start at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, with Rosie Fordham and Philipp Moosmayer notching top-10 results in the season-opener.

The Nanooks finished fifth out of six teams with 122 points. The women and men both took fourth with 62 and 60 points, respectively.

The day began with the women's race, where Fordham secured a podium result, placing third with a 29:56.7. She finished the first 5k in third, and maintained that position for the rest of the race. Additionally, Õnnela Rodendau and Piper Sears made their collegiate RMISA debuts, as the two skiers finished 19th and 21st, respectively, with times of 33:17.9 and 33:56.7. Victoria Myers crossed the line in 41:33.0, the 26th-best time in the race.

On the men's side for the Nanooks, Moosmayer led the way with a top-10 finish, completing his race in 26:43.4, good for eighth place. Ben Dohlby and Gabriele Rigaudo finished in 14th and 15th place, securing their positions with times of 27:10.8 and 27:17.2. Matyas Pavek followed closely in 17th with a 27:25.1, while Blake Hanley crossed the line in 28:10.5 for a 22nd-place finish. Cole Flowers finished 26th after posting a 28:59.2, and Josh Baurick (29:58.8) and P.J. Bragonier (31:38.0) ended the race in 29th and 30th.

The Nanooks will race in the 20k freestyle mass start on Thursday, Jan. 8, as a part of the RMISA Nordic Qualifier. The race will count toward NCAA qualification, but is not a part of the RMISA Invitational.

Follow the 'Nooks
IG - @NanookSkiing
X - @NanooksSki
FB - Alaska Nanooks XC