MADISON – In a new Junior National Qualifier SkiX event, the Madison skiing community built a man-made snow loop in Elver Park and the best junior skiers from Minnesota and Wisconsin came to race on Dec. 22-23 at the CXC Holiday Cup.
The course featured short steep climbs, a flat serpentine curve section, rollers and hair pin turns.
Skiers competed in a single or two lap distance always within sight of the cheering crowd.
U.S. Ski Team coach, Bryan Fish, praised the format, “SkiX events drive focus to the critical elements of speed, balance, technique and tactics in our next generation of racers.”
Ashwaubenon’s senior skier Jackson Adler (Green Bay East) took podium spots both days, second place in the skate and third place in the classic sprint.
Junior Daniel Huhtala (Ashwaubenon) was first in the B final in Sunday’s classical race after being eliminated in the quarter finals on Saturday.
Ryan Thieme (Bay Port) was ousted after the quarters on Sunday.
In the U16 boys competition, Kevin Johnson (Ashwaubenon) qualified for the quarter finals on both days but did not go on.
From Ashwaubenon High School, Alex Lukens and Mason Vinoski also competed as did Grant Rocheleau (Bay Port).