Day two at Mount Itasca was even more successful than the first day. The races were not delayed, but it was still very cold. The women went first and Caitlin Compton (CXC Elite) won by about a minute. Kristina Strandberg (2nd-Saab/Salomon) was next, followed by Lindsey Dehlin (3rd-USST), Kate Arduser (4th-APU), Maria Stuber (5th-CXC Elite), and JoJo Winters (6th-CXC Ellite). Kelly Chaudoin (Gustavus Adolphus) had a very impressive race, finishing 7th place overall and winning the women’s CCSA college race by a hefty margin. Kristina Owen (CXC Elite) was next in 8th place.
Caitlin Compton and Maria Stuber at Mount Itasca in 2004 (also freezing cold)
One of the most notable events of the day happened later when the CXC Elite Men’s team swept the podium. Not only did Matt Liebsch (1st-CXC Elite), Brian Gregg (2nd-CXC Elite) and Bryan Cook (3rd-CXC Elite) beat the rest of the field by about 40 seconds, but they also accomplished a team goal that was expressed by several men at our early summer goals meeting (SuperTour Podium Sweep). This impressive feat especially demonstrates the depth of the CXC Elite men’s team because top-ranked CXC Elite athlete, Garrott Kuzzy, did not even race. Andre Watt (CXC Elite) also had a good race, finishing 7th place overall. Congratulations CXC Elite Men!
In the men’s CCSA field, Tim Cook (NMU) had a breakthrough race, finishing 12th place overall. He was the 2nd collegiate skier, only 8 seconds behind 10th place Santi Ocariz (1st-college skier) of UWGB. Both the Men’s and Women’s teams from NMU won the overall CCSA team standings on Saturday and Sunday.
Unfortunately, I can not find any pictures from the weekend. My camera did not work in the cold and I’m guessing other people must have had the same problem.