2011 Highlights of the January Super Qualifier Classic distance race at Soldier Hollow show the course-packing field of Nordic skiers from across the west at one qualifying meet.  J3 through Older Juniors competed for a start at Junior Nationals coming to Minnesota in March.

Soldier Hollow hosted over 600 skiers for the 2011, Junior National Super Qualifier.  Watch highlights of the heel-popping J6 – J4 skiers race their classic distance races.

Excellent conditions considering the rain, the freeze, the snow, rain, grauple, and a questionable freeze the night before the race.  The grooming crew worked their magic and produced a course with two classic tracks most of the way, occasionally three.  Violet klister and every shade of warm waxes were tried with success except for the later finishers who dealt with the newly fallen snow iced to the bottom of their skis.

Competitive finishes and dramatic starts describe the first waves of J3-J6 and sit-skiers on this January morning. Strong winds, enough to slow adults, challenged these younger skiers on any down-canyon turns.  After a hard ski, finding the finish line among all the wandering adults was the final obstacle.

Meet the Salt Lake Nordic Ski Team of the Intermountain Division, Junior Nationals competitors.  Host club: The Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA), home course: Mounatain Dell, site of World Cup racing. 

With temperatures climbing after midnight New Year’s Eve, the Utah citizen racers were joined by members of the US Nordic Combined team, Utah National Guard skiers, and the Salt Lake, Park City, and Soldier Hollow Nordic Ski Teams.  The elite skiers formed beautiful high speed trains flowing among hills and turns of the White Pine, Park City track. Division podiums were often decided by who had the last sprint at the line after 15k. Great racing all!

Jrs. Video: