Green Racing Project Skiers Finish US Nationals on a Strong Note with Freestyle Events
Akeo Maifeld-Carucci in action in the freestyle sprint (Photo John Lazenby)
Caitlin Patterson gapping the field in the women's 20k (Photo John Lazenby)
GRP skiers Liz Guiney, Caitln Patterson, and Kailtynn Miller following the 20k freestyle (Photo John Lazenby)
Last Updated: 09.Jan.2019
Racing is officially wrapped up at US Cross Country Championships in Craftsbury, VT. After notching four podium results in the opening classic events, Green Racing Project skiers continued to have good results in the final two races of the series.
After a rest day, racing continued on Sunday, January 6 with a 20/30k freestyle mass start. In the women's race, Caitlin Patterson broke away early and skied to the victory with a large cushion over second place. Kaitlynn Miller finished 10th, outpacing the pack she skied with for most of the race. Liz Guiney finished 19th. A few hours later, the men raced on the same course, this time adding two laps for a grueling 30k. Adam Martin won a photo finish in his pack to finish 5th, while Akeo Maifeld-Carucci barely missed 9th place in a lunge, and finished 10th.
Two days later, the skiers took on the final event of the Championship, freestyle sprints. All three GRP women qualified for the heats, with Caitlin Patterson in 4th, Kaitlynn Miller 11th, and Liz Guiney 13th. On the men's side, Akeo Maifeld-Carucci had a strong qualifier, finishing 15th, and Adam Martin took 56th. Patterson moved through the quarterfinal and semifinal heats to make the A Final, where she placed 4th. Miller also made the semifinals, finishing 5th in her heat and 9th overall. Guiney took 5th place in her quarterfinal, and 21st overall. On the men's side, Maifeld-Carucci unfortunately fell and placed 6th in his quarterfinal, thus placing 27th overall.
It was wonderful for the GRP to be able to race at home in Craftsbury and enjoy the home course advantage as well as large cheering squads! The skiers will take a short break from racing, continuing with the SuperTour in Lake Placid on January 25-27.