30th Annual CSU Fall Classic Rollerski Race

Wow, its hard to believe I've been putting on this race for 30 years!  Well, I might believe it based on my inexorable slide to the back of the pack from one year to the next.  That said, we had a beautiful, if somewhat windy, day for a rollerski race sandwiched in between an awful lot of rain.  I'll take it!  With the rain I had to paint the arrows and sweep corners the morning of the race, but it was worth it as a good group of Harvard skiers, CSU Jrs. and CSU masters showed up to duke it out and figure out what kind of shape they are really in on the cusp of ski season.  And after hearing about the lousy conditions up at the Trapps race on Saturday I was especially happy with the weather.  

As I said, I was pretty much in the back the whole race so I didn't see much as everyone drifted away from me up Johnson St. on lap 1.  Alas, my 3 year duel with Robert Faltus and Clara Cousens ended and it was lonely.  But up front, Everett Sapp from Harvard took the victory in the men's race with CSU alum James Kitch in 2nd and CSUers Alex Burt, Linden Niedeck, Henry Johnstone and Ben Bucheit following in quick succession.  On the women's side Harvard's Ursula Volz grabbed the win with CSU alums Clara Cousens and Izzy Cole in 2nd and 3rd.  Andy Milne, even with a crash caused by a stone, was the first masters skier.  Laura Appleby and Sofia Scirica did the one-lapper taking 1st and 2nd, while Barry Kitch took the one-lapper on the men's side followed in 2nd by Noah Baumann and his dad Heiner in 3rd.  And, we were all cheered on by the Harvard skiers who had raced on Saturday at Trapps as they skied around the course!

All those who were at the awards took home a prize (pies, cider donuts, gift cards or blinkies from Chris Li).  I'd like to thank the volunteers who stepped up to watch the corners and do the timing and the Town of N. Andover for allowing me, once again, to hold the race despite the gas explosion crisis and digging up roads to replace gas lines.  Fortunately, the race course was outside the affected area.  Thanks again to everyone for coming up and making it a fun morning.

Men’s Results
Name	Club	1st Lap	Finish Time
Everett Sapp	Harvard	19:11	36:55
James Kitch	Harvard	19:11	38:21
Alex Burt	CSU	19:11	38:54
Linden Niedeck	CSU	20:08	40:17
Henry Johnstone	CSU	20:08	40:18
Ben Buchheim	CSU	21:04	43:02
Andy Milne	CSU	22:20	43:48
Greg Bodkins	CSU	22:56	45:18
Bob Burnham	CSU	22:56	46:37
Robert Faltus	CSU	23:43	48:36
Jamie Doucett	CSU	24:49	49:47
Dag Holmboe		25:30	51:16
Women’s Results
Ursula Volz	Harvard	21:48	43:43
Clara Cousens	Harvard	22:56	45:51
Izzy Cole	Harvard	23:43	47:49
Jody Newton	CSU	Started race late
Junior Women - 1 lap
Laura Appleby	CSU	22:55
Sofia Scirica	CSU	0:26:07
Men - 1 lap
Barry Kitch	CSU	22:54
Noah Baumann	CSU	23:40
Heiner Baumann	CSU	23:42
Ben Scirica	CSU