Break out the klister, because striding is back at the Craftsbury Spring Classic! Whether you are looking to score some FIS points or tune up the body for championship season, the Craftsbury Spring Classic is a perfect addition to the race schedule for any Vermonter looking to extend the season into March. Women of all ages, from U16s on up to masters, will be facing down a 5k for the first time at the Center this season, while the U16 boys will race a 5k and the open and masters men will race a 10k. Come try your hand at conquering the robust climbs of our North 5k homologated loop and enjoy the historically gorgeous early March conditions up here in the NEK.
While we hope that things will feel "normal" out on the course during the race, things are certainly not business as usual this season. We ask that all racers, parents, guardians, coaches, and volunteers familiarize themselves with the state Agency of Commerce and Commercial Development rules regarding racing and the Vermont Snowsports Competition Guidance. Both of these documents govern our ability to host races at this time. Failure to comply with the guidelines laid out in those documents could jeopardize our ability to continue to host races, so please help us by being part of the solution!
Registration:
Visit SkiReg.com to register. Registration closes at 8pm on Wednesday, March 3rd.
Schedule:
The following schedule is tentative, contingent upon final participation numbers. We reserve the right to combine fields and move start times. Any changes will be made in the 48 hours leading up to the race. All races will be run as 30sec interval starts with cohorts of no more than 25 athletes at a time.
Saturday March 6
9:30am Men’s 10k cohort 1 (2 x North 5k)
9:50am Men’s 10k cohort 2
10:25am U16 boys 5k (1 x North 5k)
10:30am Women’s 5k cohort 1 (1 x North 5k)
10:45am Women’s 5k cohort 2
Bib & chip:
NENSA bib/chip rentals are no longer required. If you still have a chip from this season, please bring it and return it to the volunteer HQ prior to the race. We will be issuing bibs and chips on the day of the race.
Reservations:
All athletes and coaches must reserve their snow time via the Outdoor Center's reservation portal. This is a state-mandated practice that allows us to capture contact information for all visitors to campus. Please reserve a slot beginning with the start of your warmup and ending with the conclusion of your cool down. THIS IS MANDATORY.
Health screening:
State of Vermont regulations mandate that all race participants fill out two health screenings in advance of all races. The health screening survey is available here. The first screening must take place 24-48 hours before the event. For ease of data management within the organizing committee, the Outdoor Center is requiring this initial screen to be completed by 8pm the night before the race (Friday, March 5th). Failure to do so will forfeit the right to start. The day of race screen must be completed by one hour before an athlete's posted start time. For coaches and non-racer participants, your screen must be completed by 8:00am on race day. Failure to complete your screen within the mandatory window will result in forfeit of start rights (or being asked to leave the venue in the case of a coach or non-racer participant). No refunds will be given to participants who fail to fill out health screening surveys.
Course:
Course maps are attached below. Given that we are limited to 25 athletes at one time, all warming up and cooling down must take place OFF the race trails. These race courses are "open" and competitors are expected to yield to non-racers if necessary. Please help us by being courteous in the event that you need to pass a non-racer. If we receive complaints about racers' conduct, you will be DSQ'd and struck from the results.
Wax Policy:
Fluorinated waxes, both for grip and glide, are not permitted at the Outdoor Center at any time. This includes both applying these waxes at the venue or applying them prior to arrival at the Outdoor Center. For more information, read our fluoro policy.
COVID19 Mitigation Measures
At a minimum, the following measures will be in place for all races at the Outdoor Center this winter in an effort to minimize the chance of transmission of COVID19. Failure to adhere to these measures may result in loss of start rights. Given the dynamic nature of the pandemic, review complete current updates on the Outdoor Center website to find the latest event participation requirements prior to heading up to the Center.
Masks are required for all participants (racers, coaches, officials, volunteers).
Masks are not required during the strenuous parts of a warmup and during racing.
Racers need to reserve their COC snow time on race day via our reservation portal.
Racers do not need to wear masks during the intense part of their warm up or while racing.
Masks must be carried during races and put on promptly upon finishing.
Racers must complete two health screenings, one 24-48 hours before the race and one on race day.
No spectators will be allowed. This is a state law.
Parents/friends/family members/guardians are encouraged to go for a ski or walk or wait in a vehicle.
No indoor space will be open to the public.
Temporary restrooms are available in both upper and lower parking lots (including a heated toilet trailer with sinks in the upper lot).
Racers should be prepared to stage for races out of their vehicles.
No public wax space is available. If you would like to learn about renting one of our 4 private wax cabins, please email the race director.
Participants are required to adhere to proper physical distancing measures, including limiting both duration and proximity of interactions with others.
All participants must read, acknowledge, and adhere to the Racer Code of Conduct.
Refunds
In the event that we are forced to cancel the event, we will refund participants their entry fees.