Lake Placid SuperTour Classic – A Picture’s Worth…

Just over a week ago, FasterSkier traveled to Lake Placid for two days of SuperTour action. The events doubled as an EISA college carnival. Saturday featured a 6/10km classic individual start race held at the Lake Placid Jumping Complex.

A midweek storm earlier in the week dumped plenty of snow on the trails at the planned venue – the Olympic trails of Mt. Van Hovenberg. But organizers chose to keep the races at the foot of jumps, meaning five 2k loops for the men and three for the women.

While it was disappointing not to be at Van Hovenberg, the course at the Jumping Complex was extremely challenging and made for a great day. The multi-lap format was great for spectating, the course was plenty hard, and nestled at the foot of the steep jump hills, with the start/finish area in the landing zone for large jumps, the day had a distinctly European feel.

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The course featured a nearly one kilometer long hill – a climb that began with the steepest section.

The stadium featured a horseshoe around the back for the lap lane.

The tracks were excellent, and the competition fierce.

The non-collegiate field was certainly strong, but not complete. Many top skiers were headed to Europe following US Nationals, while others opted to head home.

While it has been over two and a half decades since the Olympics were in Lake Placid, there is still as air of excitement.  Maybe it is the flags. Or the banners.

The race didn’t just have an international feel – it was a multi-nation affair, with a strong contingent down from Canada.

APU was there in force, blue suits dominating the women’s race.