The Super Belated Sugarloaf Recap

While part of the team competed at U.S Nationals at Soldier Hollow, the rest of us battened down the hatches for a cold and blustery week. The destination? Sugarloaf, where we would stay at the Fuller's beautiful home and enjoy the comforts of perfect corduroy, endless snow, paninis and a hot fire. 

Majestic 'loaf on a crisp extra blue day

On the 1st the crew met at Bates, packed up the van and began the journey north. Following Connor's directions, we luckily gained another hour in the van together to bond. After arriving at the Fuller's we decided the best of course of action was definitely a headlamp lit night ski up the mountain, so we bundled up to combat the negative temperatures and windchill. 

Later that evening, Caroline and Catherine Tuttle arrived, and the group was joined by Sally by late Friday evening. Throughout the week the group enjoyed copious amounts of on snow time, technique sessions, intervals, and an ice hockey game where pretty much everybody was able to showcase a bit. *Especially Connor, seriously, hes really good.

Saturday after an A.M ski on Saturday morning, we rolled into the vans for the trek back to Bates. That evening, Wilson exemplified his unique and crafty homemade pizza making skills and we dined in style. 

Sunday, we headed down to the Jackson, NH for the great Jackson Jaunt, 10km and 5km freestyle events. As we found out, it seemed to be the hot destination for collegiate racers who hadn't made the trek out to U.S nationals. 

Ready for our last ski at the Loaf

No lack of snow

Keeping up to date on results

Our Ski mess

A perfect extra blue day

The girls showcase their salad creativity

Cooking was naturally a large theme of the week

Inter-Nationals

It's been a week since the semester started, and Carnival season starts this Friday at Lake Placid, which

means that we're sitting on the precipice of a 6-week roller coaster ride of collegiate race action.

I guess that also means that it's as good a time as any to do some recaps from the end of winter break!

While the majority of the team was at Sugarloaf Camp (recap on that to follow as well), a 9-skier group of us headed out to Soldier Hollow, UT (Site of the 2002 Winter Olympics) for US Senior Nationals. Nostalgia for us westerners (myself, Sean, Marge, Gretch): we had all grown up skiing our first "big races" out here, and for once were at a venue at which we know every turn, climb and descent. 

The conditions at SoHo were bomber. Super cold, rock hard, blue skies; strong fields, good friends, hard efforts. A reminder of why we ski race.

The week was (for me, and I think for everyone else as well) a huge confidence booster, getting some big races under the belt before Carnival season gets rolling. If we can hang on a national level then we can hang on a regional collegiate level, right? 

Anyways, I'll let the photos tell the story. They are collectively shared by parents and stolen from various locations around the internet. Thanks to all the friends and families who came out to cheer, take photos, cook us food and generally be super supportive!

-Filly

The Dudes

Gretch, looking powerful

Nicky M.

Hallie ate a girl mid race.
Despite the time it took to do that she had a pretty strong finish.

Corky climbing

Mr. Kingston doin' the thing

Filly

Marge, amidst some 5k Mass Start mayhem

Seanie en route to a HUGE finish in the 30k Classic

Oh...and this happened.

Filly and Lucas taking down our good friend and rival Tony Ryerson of Vail/Harvard in the 30k

Post takedown. Teamwork makes the dream work.

Nick

Hallie

J in the sunshine

Lookit the angles on this guy!

Margaret

Gretchen

Until next year, Utah!