The first domestic cross-country ski race of the season took place this past weekend at Birch Hill in Fairbanks, Alaska. Both races were National Ranking List (NRL) races…and the snow was fantastic according to multiple sources.
Saturday's field was huge, 310 competitors in all, including 130 in the High School men's open field, and 105 in the High School women's open, and a record 19 finishers in the 7-8 grade girls race. Skiers from around the Fairbanks region including club teams, high schools and University of Alaska Fairbanks skiers, as well as three high schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley (Colony, Palmer, Wasilla) comprised the field.
Sunday's race consisted of a smaller, but more elite field of club athletes and University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) skiers.
Results and press releases for both days can be found by visiting
www.nscfairbanks.org