Race Update From Peter Fain
With a record breaking crowd and epic early season conditions, today was lining up to be competitive event. With all walks showing up to race, there was no telling what the outcome might look like today. All the local favorites were on hand for today’s race including Bill Raider, Ross McMahon, Sly Coons, and Peter Fain. On the women’s side both Sarah’s’ toed the line (Raider & McMahon) for their annual duel.
The weather and conditions were ideal for an early season race in the sierras. The groomers were soft and sticky and the single track was deep and off kilter, the pieces that keep a race ever challenging. The temperature started in the low 20’s but by start time we were right around 32 degrees.
The start: Fain took it out from the start leading all through the 1st mile of single track and then into the 2nd mile of groomers. By the 3rd mile Pierce Stockwell started putting pressure on Peter to pick up the pace which was in the 100meter section of fresh single track. Pierce floated by and continued forward. By the turn around point Justin Thomas pulled up next to Peter and continued passed and began his attack on Pierce. It was a long chase that Pierce gave but Justin finally overtook Pierce with about 1 mile to go. The gap spread and the places held firm. Justin Thomas, a relative new comer to snowshoeing took first, while Pierce Stockwell came in a close second, another relative newbie to the sport, while veterans Fain, McMahon and Raider brought in 3-5 respectively.
No surprises in the women’s race, Sarah Raider once again ran away with the win; finishing not far behind the top 5 men.
As far as races go, it’s good to know that there are still some running/snowshoeing events out there that reward the racers that put in the effort to be at the top of their game. Kudos to Julie Young for offering cash prizes for top 3 men and women.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!
FROM ALL OF US AT
REDFEATHER
The weather and conditions were ideal for an early season race in the sierras. The groomers were soft and sticky and the single track was deep and off kilter, the pieces that keep a race ever challenging. The temperature started in the low 20’s but by start time we were right around 32 degrees.
The start: Fain took it out from the start leading all through the 1st mile of single track and then into the 2nd mile of groomers. By the 3rd mile Pierce Stockwell started putting pressure on Peter to pick up the pace which was in the 100meter section of fresh single track. Pierce floated by and continued forward. By the turn around point Justin Thomas pulled up next to Peter and continued passed and began his attack on Pierce. It was a long chase that Pierce gave but Justin finally overtook Pierce with about 1 mile to go. The gap spread and the places held firm. Justin Thomas, a relative new comer to snowshoeing took first, while Pierce Stockwell came in a close second, another relative newbie to the sport, while veterans Fain, McMahon and Raider brought in 3-5 respectively.
No surprises in the women’s race, Sarah Raider once again ran away with the win; finishing not far behind the top 5 men.
As far as races go, it’s good to know that there are still some running/snowshoeing events out there that reward the racers that put in the effort to be at the top of their game. Kudos to Julie Young for offering cash prizes for top 3 men and women.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!
FROM ALL OF US AT
REDFEATHER
