PRESQUE ISLE—Thanks to old man winter dumping eight inches of snow on Aroostook County last Wednesday, the Nordic Heritage Sport Club is now ready to host the TD Bank/TAMC Eastern Cup Opener this Saturday and Sunday. “It was unsettling to be three weeks out and see nothing but a sea of green grass,” said Tim Doak, event director for the race. “This snow is a gift that will allow us to bring an exciting event to our area and help stimulate the local economy.”
More than 250 athletes from across New England are expected to compete in this first of four NENSA junior national qualifiers that lead to the 2010 USSA XC Junior Olympics, which is an event also being held at the Nordic Heritage Center in March.
“It is the alpha and omega for the Nordic Heritage Center,” Doak said. “This cup opener starts the cycle of races that will lead skiers right back to our doorstep in March for the final race. And the March race helps determine who will be the Junior National Champion.”
Saturday features the freestyle sprint competitions beginning at 10 a.m. with heats in the afternoon. On Sunday, the Classic Mass Start races begin at 9 a.m. and will be followed by the Bill Koch races, which are youth races open to children ages 1-13—no experience necessary.
The courses for both days will be the same courses to be used for the Junior Olympics in March. This weekend will kick off the NENSA series of qualifying races that will determine the New England Junior Olympic team.
For exact times of all races, interested individuals can go to www.nordicheritagecenter.org.