MIDWAY, Utah – The Nanooks Nordic skiing team wrapped up the RMISA Championships on Saturday morning, taking part in the 20k freestyle mass start races at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Midway, Utah. The Nanooks posted 129 points on the day to give them 245 over the four races this weekend, both of which were good for fourth in the Nordic standings.
"Rosie (Fordham) led the women again today with another strong podium performance coming off of the Olympics," said interim head coach Ben Buck. "She is looking forward to a couple weeks of rest and recovery before NCAAs! It was good to see the women's team back healthy again, with all four starters finishing both days and gaining valuable experience."
Rosie Fordham notched her second podium of the weekend on Saturday, following her third-place finish in Friday's 7.5k classic by taking second in the 20k freestyle. She crossed the line in 52:36.7, just missing out to CU's Tilde Baangman as she finished just 0.4 seconds from claiming the victory. Viktorie Kahounova was the next Nanook to cross the line, finishing her race in 1:01:28.6 to take 20th. Piper Sears (23rd, 1:03:24.9) and Kolibri Drobish (24th, 1:04:04.1) rounded things out on the women's side.
The Nanooks women's team finished the day in fourth with 64 points, giving them 126 points over the weekend, which was also good for fourth among Nordic squads.
"The men had another tough day today, but still managed to put two in the top ten," added Buck. "After Cole (Flowers) got caught in a three-man crash on the first lap and Maty (Pavek) had to withdraw from the race with shin pain, Philipp (Moosmayer) and Blake (Hanley) worked together in the chase pack, each spending a bit of time at the front of the group in 3rd position before ultimately finishing 6th and 10th."
Philipp Moosmayer posted a 49:24.8 lead the Nanooks and place sixth in the men's race, and Blake Hanley gave them another top-10 finish, crossing the line in 49:40.0 to grab the 10th spot. Gabriele Rigaudo followed in 15th after posting a 52:18.5. Cole Flowers (24th, 54:22.1), Josh Baurick (26th, 55:04.4) and P.J. Bragonier (29th, 57:20.8) were the final three Nanook finishers in the men's race.
The men tallied 65 points during the race, putting them fifth on the day. They ended the weekend fifth in the Nordic standings with 119 points.
"It was a day of firsts and lasts," said Buck, "with freshmen Piper (Sears) and PJ (Bragonier) getting their first career starts in the 20k distance, while Josh (Baurick), Philipp and Rosie finished their last RMISA races in the blue and gold."
The NCAA skiing season concludes in two weeks with the NCAA Championships, which will also be held at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah. The Nordic races will take place on March 12 and 14.
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