Stories About Races

 

12.29.02-12.31.02

Presque Isle, Maine

JOQ Races

 

By Sara Ellen Godek

 

            We left Gilford, NH at about 7:00 am on December 29th and drove for 8 hours until we got to Presque Isle where the first thing we did was check out the race facilities.  The building for the race center was really nice and was brand new.  Then we got back in the car and drove for another half and hour until we got to the barracks at the Heaven, on an old military base! Kat and I were told not to touch the windows because they might crumble!  Kat and I roomed together where our room had a sink, a refrigerator that didn't work, two beds, a chair that was about to fall apart, and a table.  There was light and a heater, there was also hot water in the shower.  When Alexei got there we went to a church where they served us dinner.  We had to be in bed by 9:30 OR ELSE!!!  But in the morning Alexei told us that we were going to sit outside for 15 minutes at 6:00am, did we do that, no, we went running!!!  At about 10:00am we arrived at the skiing center in Presque Isle and had practice, Kat, Irene, and I skied together for about 2 hours.  The course at Presque Isle seems like it wouldn't have any hills, oh but it does!!! We ate lunch at the church again and then went back to the barracks and slept until 2:00pm and went running for 30 minutes.  That night we went back to the skiing center and I watched everyone do his or her sprints.  Kat made the second round but then Hannah stepped on her pole and it broke.  Again we ate dinner at the church.  The next morning, Velo, (Dorkas's dog) found a huge empty Gatorade bottle and was carrying it around at 5:30 am banging it against everyone's door, it was very cute!!!  We then went running for a few minutes and then started to get ready for the big race that day.  My race went pretty good, 11th, and I watched all of the other races because they went right after mine.  We got our things out of the barracks and got in the car and drove from about 2pm until 11pm!  What a way to bring in the New Year!

 

 

NENSA Races vs. High-School Races

by Kressley Dahll

 

My so-called skiing career started about a year ago.  Katrina Howe brought me to a practice and instantly I was hooked.  I spent the rest of the season racing in high school races.  When the season was over I started training with GNA.  On December 15, 2001 I had my first race that wasn’t just high school racers.  It was the VOLVO Eastern Cup Opener.  My first look at the difference between high school races and NENSA races were the people that attended each race.  While, there were people my age at the race, it mostly consisted of college-age and older skiers.  The course was probably the hardest course I have ever skied.  It consisted of a loop that was up part of the alpine trail and then back down it.  I skied this 3 times.  It was very cold during my race.  The competition was much harder at the race.  At high school races, everyone is basically there to have a good time.  On Sunday we had the VOLVO Eastern Cup Opener - Speedy Sunday -Freestyle Sprints.  I had never skied in a sprint before and I was surprised at how fast it was over.  One of the similarities of NENSA races and high school races was that I had a good time.  While Katrina was preparing for her race, I rode around on the back of Pavel’s skis.  It was fun until we almost crashed into some people standing around watching the races.  His grandfather saw us and started to talk to him in Russian.  I can’t speak Russian, so I had to have Pavel translate for me.  They also played music at the race on Saturday.  As anyone on GNA knows Katrina and I bring a cd player and music to every high school race.  It was nice to have someone else worry about the music.  I’m not sure which races I prefer to race at.  While, the NENSA races are bigger and have more competition, high school races are fun to go to and just to have a good time.