By Rick Lewis
The Methow Valley Nordic Team’s Mariah-May Lucy skied her way to first and second places on Feb. 13-14 in the 2021 Nordic Cup at Mount Spokane State Park.
Lucy placed second in Saturday’s 5K classic race and sweetened her Saint Valentine’s Day with a victory in the 5K free style skate race. Lena Nelson placed fourth in Saturday’s race and seventh on Sunday.
Alex Tareski and Cormac Nevins represented the Methow Valley in the men’s division, placing seventh and ninth, respectively in Saturday’s 5K classic, with exactly the same placings in the 5K freestyle on Sunday.
The fields were limited to 10 women and 16 men, a result of COVID-19 restrictions and the associated difficulties with lodging and travel. Like the Race of the Methow several weeks ago, the format was an individual time trial with single start at one-minute intervals.
“It was great to see Mariah win,” said head coach Leslie Hall, “and I was pleased with all the skiers’ efforts in tough conditions.” Hall said Saturday temperatures in the single digits were accompanied by “howling winds, creating drifts and tree debris to ski through.” Sunday was much more pleasant with calm conditions and slightly warmer temperatures.
Hall reported that in Sunday’s race, Lucy’s time at the halfway point trailed the race leader, but that she skied a strong second half, eventually winning by about 10 seconds.
