By: Cate and Luke Costley

With a light snow falling, skiers from across Berkshire County converged on Windsor’s Notchview Reservation for the second league race of the year. The dusting of powder from the night before made for soft snow, but to the pleasure of the fans and excitement of the racers, a mass start format was used instead of the typical wave start. Although always slightly nerve-racking, most skiers navigated through the crowds with minor casualties. If unscathed, they were able to proceed along Notchview’s demanding five and a half kilometer course. Both a long course, for primarily varsity and top junior varsity skiers, as well as a short course, for young or inexperienced skiers, was offered, giving a good look at the league’s veterans and it’s up and coming talent.

Divided by a frozen lake the boy's varsity race gets started. Photo courtesy of Tamara Hitchcock.

In the boy’s race, Wahconah’s senior Kyle Dempsey won for the second week in a row. Taking a reserved approach through the first two-thirds of the course, he didn’t make his move from third place until the final climb. Following his example was sophomore Luke Costley, who hung back in fourth before catching up to Dempsey, passing him, and ultimately being beat to the line in a sprint finish. Rounding out the top five was Terry Fowler, Bill Prescott, and Jordan Tuboly in third through fifth respectively. The Greylock boys also won the team competition. Delaney Pudvar claimed first in the short course.

Mount Greylock's Machenzie Hitchcock takes the lead right from the start. Photo courtesy of Tamara Hitchcock.

On the girl’s side, Mackenzie Hitchcock also continued her winning ways, taking first from the very beginning and never relinquishing her lead. Her time of 20:40 was enough to hold off teammate Cate Costley, who returned to the league after missing last week’s race. Brenna Keogh was bumped to third but still put up a solid effort amidst a tidal wave of Greylock skiers. Laura Nolan, Lenox’s Josie Marshall, Amy Santella and Haley Mahar all stayed not far from the top three and will all look to improve their times and places in next week’s classical discipline race. Greylock made it a sweep as they joined the boys in winning as a team. And finally, Greylock’s Alexa Adams won the short course as well.

http://images.fasterskier.com/2010/01/Boys-Results-1-2-2010.pdf

http://images.fasterskier.com/2010/01/Girls-Results-1-2-2010.pdf

http://images.fasterskier.com/2010/01/Boys-Short-Course-Results-1-2-2010.pdf

http://images.fasterskier.com/2010/01/Girls-Short-Course-Results-1-2-2010.pdf