Spring Series Sprint Day

It was as close to perfect a day of racing as we have had all year today. After a somewhat frustrating day in the classic mass start on Sunday, the GMVS crew took it to the trails today, posting strong results in the classic sprint on a magnificent March day at Craftsbury. Cold overnight temperatures made the course bulletproof, and once again the Craftsbury grooming team made the best possible course. Today’s tracks were perfect all around and we made the most of it.

Heidi started in bib 31 and hoped to move up and qualify for the open heats. She did more than that, posting the 18th fastest qualifying time. Unreal!

Heidi skied through sickness and the fatigue of a long season and was only 24 seconds behind Chandra Crawford, former Olympic gold medalist and the recent winner of Canadian Nationals.

MK skied great as well, rebounding from the weekend’s races and also battling sickness. In fact, our whole team is suffering from sickness except for Dev, but that didn’t stop everyone from skiing awesome today.

MK slipped into the Junior heats after qualifying 38th overall!

Hans crushed the qualifier as well, finishing 44th overall as the 6th qualifier for the junior heats.

Alum David Sinclair cruising in the qualifier.

Dev crushing the double pole in qualifying. He was the 12th junior (3rd J1), and the last junior to make the heats.

Heidi had the unbelievable experience of skiing with Kikkan Randall in her quarterfinal heat. Lining it up with the world’s fastest woman was one of the highlights of the season!

And off they go!

Kikkan and fellow US Ski Team standout Liz Stephen pulled away in the heat…

But Heidi came up the hill right behind! She finished 5th in the heat but was only a few seconds away from Kikkan and Liz. Pretty sweet.

Kikkan was gracious enough to sign the bracket for Heidi after the race.

Some exciting racing went on out there! Alum Tim Reynolds qualified 5th and toes the line with the best in the nation.

These girls are fast!

Chandra Crawford is on fire right now, skiing away from Jessie Diggins, Kikkan Randall, and Jennie Bender in the women’s A-Final.

MK getting off the line in her semifinal junior heat.

And bringing it home in second place to advance to the A-Final!

Hans gets ready to rip in the semi.

Skiing fast and smooth with Patty Caldwell, Junior National Champion.

MK skiing strong in her final.

Dev ran out of gas a little in his semi, but came back to crush it in the B-Final, taking eigth place overall!

A great day for the team! Last race for everyone is tomorrow (except for Dev, who ended the season in style today!). Hill climb to the top of Jay Peak is all that is left.