GRP Skiers West Yellowstone SuperTour Preview

GRP Men Alex, Gordon, Jake, and Pete (L to R) training on the West Yellowstone trails

Last Updated: 28.Nov.2013

The first SuperTour races of the 2013-2014 cross country skiing season kick off this Friday and Saturday in West Yellowstone, MT. The Green Racing Project has a strong contingent of skiers in West ready to compete in a skate sprint and individual start 10k/15k skate race this weekend. Friday’s sprint is short and fairly flat, almost guaranteeing a full-out drag race in the heats. All of the GRP men will be aiming to make the heats in a strong field with athletes from APU, Sun Valley, Stratton T2, Team Homegrown, and various other elite club and colleges. Look for Pat O’Brien, Gordon Vermeer, and Alex Schulz especially to lay down some fast times on the 1.3k course. On the women’s side, Caitlin Patterson will be looking to repeat or improve upon her 3rd place finish in last year’s skate qualifier, and with last year’s race winner Sophie Caldwell racing in Europe, she should be a contender. Rookie GRP skier Liz Guiney will also be looking to match or improve on her sprint seed rank of 8th.

Saturday’s freestyle distance race will be two 5k laps for the women and three for the men on a tough course that includes the wall-like “Tele Hill”. There isn’t much time for recovery on the course, and at an elevation of 6500 feet, it will be a test of fitness and efficiency. First year GRP skier Andrew Dougherty placed 5th in the distance skate last year in West, and would be thrilled to make the top five again. Gordon will be looking to break into the top ten after a 14th place finish last year, and GRP rookies Jake Barton and Pete Hegman will be gunning for top finishes as well. Caitlin was 3rd in the skate distance race last year as well, but once again last year’s race winner Rosie Brennan is in Europe at the first World Cups, so Caitlin is primed for a great performance. The course conditions are ideal, with low nighttime temperatures, beautiful sunny days, and hard fast tracks.

The women’s qualifier goes off at 9 am on Friday followed closely by the men’s race. Start list is here. Check Summit Timing for live results from the qualifier and heats.