Junior Nationals: Freestyle Race Reports

A few race reports from Wednesday's cold, wet skate races at Junior Nationals in Truckee, CA ...

Vivian Hett, 1st place FU20 -- National Champion

Skinnyski: Fantastic job today Vivian, National Champion!!  Sounds like it was really tough conditions today. How was your race?

Yes, the conditions were hard today but the Midwest was definitely able to handle the rain/snow mixture. By the time the FU20's started, the course was almost all slush. I started out the race slightly conserved because I wanted to make sure the altitude didn't get to me, however, I decided to only hold back on the uphills. On the second lap I decided to push it harder and see what I could do. The girl that started in front of me was in second during the race so I just kept my eyes focused on her. Overall it was a great day for our U20 women with all 5 of us in the top 11! 

Ian Torchia, 2nd place MU20

That was the hardest race I've ever done. Challenging wet, slushy conditions at 7200 ft adds up to create some monster lactic acid. Started conservatively but received a split that I was 10 seconds out of 1st during the first lap so picked it up after that and kept that margin at about 10 seconds or less out of first until the very last km where Lars really hammered home and I flooded and locked up and leaked time. If you look at the results I was 5 seconds back at 2.5k and 5k, 9 secs back at 7.5km and 23 sec back at the end, really died that last lap. A very tough race, but happy with my all out effort and gaining more experience racing at elevation.  (And shoutout to Viv for winning! And Zak for 2nd!)

Skinnyski: How about the conditions today? We all heard Kazakhstan was pretty bad (World Junior Championships) -- how did today's conditions compare?

Today's conditions were worse than KAZ, more slushy, dirty snow throughout, and the altitude made it really really tough.

Zak Ketterson, 2nd place MU18

I took it out really conservatively with the altitude and all and I just tried to speed up every lap after the first. I was getting leaders splits throughout - the guy who won started well behind me so I had no idea of him unfortunately. Easily the hardest race I have ever done.

Skinnyski: Any comments on the course conditions? You've skied in heavy snow at Nationals, and in some pretty interesting stuff in Europe this year too. How did today's conditions compare?

Some pretty bad conditions honestly. The rain definitely did a number on the already scarce snow. It was really slushy and heavy snow. The weight of the snow as well as how slow it was made the race really difficult. I will say that the conditions were about as good as they could have been given the weather.

Mack FitzPatrick, 5th place MU18

Skinnyski: Mack, great race today! You seem to almost thrive in tough conditions. Can you share a little on your race?

I woke this morning to the sound of rain and I knew that the snow conditions weren't going to be the best. But I also knew that the conditions were going to suck for everyone, not just me. My race plan was simple, take the first two laps easy and then let loose on the last two. I did my best to stay relaxed and have fun during the race. I have say that the cheering from the fans when I would come through the stadium helped a lot! When I crossed the finish line I knew I had had a great race and just couldn't stop smiling! I'm so thankful for my 5th place finish and all the support I've gotten this year.