The annual Ski Rodeo drew more than 150 competitors last weekend.
More than 150 skiers from around the region gathered to race in the annual Ski Rodeo on Saturday (Dec. 29) at Liberty Bell High School’s McCabe Trails. The event was hosted by the Methow Valley Nordic Team (MVNT).
Dashe McCabe won the 8-12 age bracket.
According to MVNT team director Leslie Hall, the day began with a 2.5-kilometer course for skiers mainly in the 8-12 age range. Dashe McCabe led from start to finish, winning overall.
Second overall and winning for the boys was Kieran Kaufman, visiting from Fairbanks, Alaska, Hall reported. He was followed closely by his cousin and Methow Valley resident Ben Kaufman. Third in the boys’ class was Kian Reid from Wenatchee.
Leki Albright, Delaney Jackson from Seattle and Stella Scholz rounded out the girls’ overall places. Local U14 boys included Dexter Delaney placing second in that class and Graham Sheley placing fourth.
MVNT’s Marit Nelson was the first girl in the U12 age class, with Audrey Roman and Josie Bolinger placing sixth and seventh in that age class. Emmet Bondi was seventh in the U12 boys with Baker Smith placing ninth.
Sisu Clark was the fastest U10 girl followed by Wylie Smith. Sam Polson was the fastest U10 boy.
Next up was the 1.2K race, mainly for skiers ages 7-11. Kyler Saugen from Plain won the event followed by Lily McGowan from Vancouver, B.C. MVNT skier Kimball Smith was third overall in his first Nordic race.
The 5K race was up next with skiers racing a full lap of the rolling course. Travis Grialou managed to stay ahead of Novie McCabe at the finish for first and second overall. They were followed by Isak Larsen from Ellensburg. Bodhi Kuzyk was the third male and first in the U16 category with Alex Tareski and Cooper Legler placing fifth and sixth in that age group.
U16 girls saw a sweep of the top seven spots by MVNT racers with Jori Grialou leading the way, followed by Eva Weymuller, Lilia Kuzyk, Mahali Kuzyk, Mariah Lucy, Liv Aspholm and Lena Nelson in that order. Amelia Bondi finished 12th.
U18 ladies saw Gretta Scholz in second behind Novie McCabe, and Greta Laesch in third.
The 10K race followed with skiers looping twice around the challenging course. MVNT alum Casey Smith won overall, with Jeff Hashimoto from Ellensburg in second and MVNT alumna Claire Waichler in third. Many other locals and visitors participated, finishing before the rains came. Results can be found at www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=165135.
