Colby Carnival-wax it up

Well, this is a tad (as in very) late but it will be a heroic recount of the SMC nordic team's conquest of Augusta, Maine. Stay tuned. . .

To start the weekend off we rolled up (or down a hill related to Everest) to the new ski venue Bond Brook. A preview of the course led to the discovery of a luge run at the 4k mark of the 5k loop. Thankfully for some and sadly for others after the coaches meeting the crazy downhill was ousted from the course. This turned the race loop into a 3.3k which both the women and men did three times on Friday and twice on Saturday.

The team got to stay at the luxurious Quality Inn of Augusta which boasted flat screen TV's and a complimentary continental breakfast (with Lucky Charms). We of course took advantage of that. The only problem was the waxing situation seeing as we had to set up our benches outside the hotel and it was kind of freezing. But if it's ok for the Big Green and the Ephs and the Crimson it's ok for the Purple Knights too. Also, unbeknownst to us, waxing is a spectator sport that somewhat sketchy men who stay at Quality Inns enjoy watching. Seriously, some guy was intrigued.

Friday..epic conditions for a classic race, heavy snow in Augusta most of the day...led to Bear's best collegiate finish with a 37th place out of the EISA varsity skiers.

Only 23 seconds out of NCAA points...making progress

The women's team did not see their best races this season, but Saturday brought better fortune. The races on Saturday were 6.6k skate relays and they were super fun. The course was kind of a slow 6.6k, but as Joe would say 'it was the same for everyone.' The women's team actually had the best relay finish that SMC has seen since 1999, AWESOME! Poor Larissa, however, was forced onto a team with two SLU girls at the last minute. I'm sure the girls were nice, but Larissa didn't know she was going to race until 45 minutes before, ahhh.

Larissa, Katlyn, Sam and Gabi...Looking happy after their relay

Afterwards, we watched Bear kill the hills like a champ on a team with two Harvard kids (thanks Torin & Kevin!). Nice job St. Mike's mens team. The 5 hour (approx.) ride back to SMC was full of cookies, sleep and glory. I think we can all take away a little something from this race: Joe knows how to drive up the sides of mountains.