04 Mar Black Mountain 2020 Races

Blue Sky, Sunshine, Temps in the 20’s, and Fast snow conditions greeted Black Mountain ski racers for both the 31 km Classic on 2/29 and the 12 km Freestyle on 3/1.

In the Classic race, Ryan Harris and Denny Paull battled the entire 31 kms, never being much more than a ski length apart.! In the final sprint to the finish line on the lake, Ryan Harris held off the determined Paull to win his second Black Mountain Classic.  Michael Davis finished third to round out the podium for the men.  The finish times for not only the winners (1:43:38)  but for all of the racers were indicative of a fast course indeed!  Daniella Gephardt would be victorious in the women’s race with a time of 2:15:58.  Sarah Newmister and Ann Wagar would complete the women’s podium.
In the Freestyle Race on Sunday, Harris and Paull would again reach the podium but Harris held a comfortable lead from start to finish in this one and a familiar podium it would be as Michael Davis would repeat as the 3rd place finisher.  Finish times again indicated a fast course as Harris would conquer “The Beast” in 33:05 for one of the fastest times in the 8 year history of the event.  Mariah Frye-Colie demonstrating her nearly flawless skating technique, would earn the Women’s overall victory in a time of 44:17.  Lizzie Osteen would earn the second spot on the podium, while Katie Damon would be 3rd.

A heartfelt “Thank You” to all of the skiers who made the effort to support the Black Mountain Ski Club by skiing in these Black Mountain Races.  We will hopefully be able to continue our volunteer grooming efforts at the mountain for another season.