XCFeedsMVNT Skiers Attend Western States Youth Festival in Montana

Coaches Leslie and Alex Hall traveled to West Glacier Montana via train
from Wenatchee with 10 kids from the MV NordicTeam for the Western States
Youth Ski Festival which brings together about 150 skiers aged 7-14
mostly from the Intermountain West (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and
Washington).  It was very cold there but the kids managed to deal with
the conditions.  They competed in a skate race, an obstacle course, a
downhill slalom (on the nordic trails) and a classic race with recognition
in each event as well as overall.

On a very chilly Saturday morning in the J3 category, Ella Hall had a
good skate race and placed 3rd in a 3km race won by Reilly Gibson of
Jackson Hole, WY.  Izzy Jennings had a solid race coming in 7th,
followed by Maya Seckinger in 8th, Claire Waichler was 11th,impressing
her coach with her great technique and Sylvie LeDuc 18th in a field of
24.  The two Methow J3 boys, Elliot and Damon Hardwick were30th and 32nd
in their skate race.  We had a stellar showing in the J5 event, with
Novie McCabe leading the field with the fastest time on the 1.4km course
and Gretta Scholz placed third in the 8 girl field.  Walker Hall was
mislead by his coaches and insisted on skiing a 2km course while his
competitors went 1.4km so he ended up13th on that course against older
boys.  But he rallied and came back to win the downhill for the J5’s and
place 3rd in the obstacle course that afternoon.  Novie McCabe won the
J5 downhill and the obstacle course for the girls with Gretta Scholz in
5th in the downhill and 4th in the obstacle course.  In the J3 events: 
Maya Seckinger showed great form on the downhill and placed 4th,
followed by Ella Hall in 7th, Izzy Jennings in 15th, Sylvie LeDuc in
16th and Claire Waichler in 18th.  Damon Hardwick was 27th and Elliot
Hardwick 32nd in their downhill races.

Sunday dawned snowy and a bit warmer for some great classic racing.  Our
crew worked hard and had the following results in the 3km classic which
was dominated by Sun Valley skiers:  Maya Seckinger 5th place, Ella Hall
7th place, Izzy Jennings 14th place, Sylvie LeDuc 19th place and Claire
Waichler 21st place.  Elliot and Damon Hardwick were 29th and 31st
respectively.  Our J5 skiers were dominant once again.  Walker Hall won
the 1.4km race with the fastest time on that course, Novie McCabe made
it 4 for 4 wins with a first place in the J5 girls and Gretta Scholz
placed 4th.  The Methow Valley Nordic Team skiers made their coaches
proud by being awarded the Sportsmanship Award for their positive
attitude and helpfulness throughout the weekend.  GREAT JOB TEAM!!

With a train cancellation due to freight train problems we had to search
high and low for a way home in the blizzard.  Thanks to Rob Seckinger
for shuttling David Lawrence to Wenatchee who then drove to meet us in
Spokane where the Whitefish coach delivered our tired but happy team.