FRISCO, Colo. – The Nanooks Nordic skiing team kicked off its time in Frisco on Saturday morning with the 10k classic mass start races. The 'Nooks recorded a fifth-place team finish in the races, totaling 112 points. The men had five skiers finish in the top 15 and two place in the top 10, helping them secure fourth place with 67 points. The women added 45 points to finish sixth.
"Quite proud of the team today," said interim head coach Ben Buck. "Racing here in Frisco at 9,000 feet of elevation, even just walking around feels like breathing underwater! The goal of today was to race without fear, and they executed that plan to perfection."
The day began with the women's race, which saw the Nanooks race three skiers: Piper Sears, Viktorie Kahounova and Kolibri Drobish. "The women's race went off just as the sun was starting to bake the thin layer of manmade snow lining the 3-kilometer loop they've been able to scrape together during a record-low snow year in Colorado," said Buck. "Conditions held up surprisingly well, though, and our skis were competitive!"
Sears recorded the highest finish for the women, picking up a 17th-place result after skiing to a time of 30:48.3. Kahounova followed in 21st with a 31:50.4, and Drobish posted a 33:00.8 to take 26th.
"Piper (Sears) led the way for the women as Viky (Kahounova) continued to adjust quickly to the RMISA circuit," added Buck. "It was good to have Kolibri (Drobish) back as well after missing Utah due to illness, and she is making good strides in her return from injury."
The men's race followed, with six 'Nooks competing in the race. "By the time of the men's race 45 minutes later, it was already tee shirt weather," said Buck, "and I'm not sure there was a single athlete in the field who opted for kick wax on their skis. The combination of a fast, flat course and warm conditions meant that simply double poling the whole race was the most efficient strategy."
Cole Flowers led the way for the men, taking home a seventh-place finish after crossing the line in 25:49.0. Gabriele Rigaudo added another top-10 finish for the 'Nooks, placing ninth with a 25:54.7. Alaska had three more skiers finish in the top 15, as Philipp Moosmayer (26:02.4), Matyas Pavek (26:02.7) and Blake Hanley (26:11.0) took 11th, 12th and 15th. Josh Baurick added a 21st-place finish with a 26:48.0.
"Our guys took it out hot and formed a solid group at the front of the race to try to control the pace of the field," noted Buck. "They were successful on the first lap, but things broke apart quickly after that. Thankfully, having put in the work to be up near the front, they were able to hold position and finish with five in the top 15 - our strongest team performance since joining the RMISA!"
The Nanooks return to action on Sunday morning, taking part in the 7.5k freestyle interval start races to conclude the Denver Invitational. "We are expecting similarly warm, fast conditions tomorrow in the 7.5k skate, and we look forward to seeing what the team can do as the hunt for NCAA qualification continues!" said Buck.
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