1st Annual Catamount Trail BC Challenge Race Becomes a Reality

A backcountry race from Trapp Family Lodge to Bolton Valley Touring Center, what will they think of next!

Talk is cheap and there were plenty of discussions about organizing such an event but no one was willing to step up to bat to make it a reality. It wasn’t until Liz Hollenbach, the Nordic Director of Bolton Valley, Sam von Trapp of the Trapp Family Lodge, and I decided make the 1st Annual Catamount Trail BC Challenge a reality. With the idea of hosting the event on a very small level for the first year to see how the logistics would play out, we made the decision to have the race one month prior to the event. We were hoping to attract a small field of racers, nail down the logistical aspects of hosting the event, and use it to fine tune for a larger scale race in the 2009 season.

Trying to discourage all but the hardiest backcountry skiers, the race poster read ”No Wimps Allowed.” This didn’t discourage 14 hardy souls who signed up to take the challenge and when it came to race day, 12 racers stepped up to the starting line.

Socked in by dense fog and threatening rain, the racers sprinted out of the start on the groomed trails at the Trapp Family Touring Center. After three kilometers, they made a sharp turn onto the Old County Road and the ungroomed Catamount Trail. After another couple of kilometers, the racers were greeted by the Stowe Mountain and Rescue Squad at the beginning of a seven-kilometer grueling climb to the highest point on the Catamount Trail at 2420 feet. At that point Eric Tremble led the charge at a blistering pace with Justin Beckwith in hot pursuit, 30 seconds behind.

The other competitors were more spread out as they paced themselves for the long climb ahead. Racers using lighter weight racing poles with small baskets punched through the top layer of crusty snow causing more difficulty in the climb. About 45 minutes into the race the going got even tougher for the competitors as a cold rain created an icy coating on the course and harder climbing conditions for all those except racers with kicker skins.

The finish arena was a welcome site for the competitors at the Bolton Valley Touring Center with professional race course fencing, pop up tents, and a enthusiastic group of spectators. First over the line was Eric Tremble of Jericho, Vermont who maintained his lead throughout the race and nailed down a lightning time of 1:42:39. Tremble crossed the finish line displaying a big smile and a trace of souvenir blood on his face caused by a crash in his daredevil descent. Justin Beckwith of Waitsfield, Vermont never backed off his pursuit of Tremble and crossed the finish line soon after in 1:44:40. Third place went to Chris Rodgers of Westford in 1:56:11. In the women’s category Sarah Moore from Waitsfield overtook Betsy Richert of Keene, New York on the descent to take top honors in the women’s category in 2:23:48. Unable to detach her kicker skins, Richert lost valuable time in the downhill and finished one minute and 14 seconds off the pace.

Competitors used a wide range of equipment from no-wax touring skis and boots to heavy backcountry equipment and plastic boots. The winner, Eric Tremble used no-wax touring skis, light touring NNN boots, and BC telescoping poles.  Beckwith raced with light metal edged BC skis outfitted with NNN racing bindings and a combi boot. His Swix universal klister worked extremely well throughout the race but he said his race poles with smaller baskets hindered his climbing ability.
 
Following the race, all competitors and volunteers were treated to a much-appreciated pasta buffet at the Bolton Valley Nordic Center. A great array of prizes were donated by Karhu USA, Trapp Family Lodge, Rossignol, Bolton Valley, and the Catamount Trail Association. When the day came to an end, all the racers had a great time and vowed to return for next year’s 2nd Annual BC Challenge. The profits from the race will be donated to the Catamount Trail Association.  

Time       Bib #    First     Name        Sex    City         State
1:42:39    89    Eric     Tremble       M    Jericho       VT
1:44:40    96    Justin  Beckwith     M    Waitsfield    VT
1:56:11    94    Chris    Rodgers      M    Westford     VT
1:58:54    93    Eric      Phaneuf      M    Stowe         VT
2:18:29    97    John    McGlenn      M    Waitsfield    VT
2:29:46    98    Peter    Pomerantz  M    N. Fayston   VT
2:56:21    100  Dave    Cramer       M    Greenfield    MA
3:38:16    95    Angelo  Lynn          M    Leicester      VT
3:38:16    90    Leigh    Mallory       M    Colchester    VT
3:41:41    91    Dave    Stanley       M    Fairfax         VT
                        
Women                        
Time       Bib #    First       Name     Sex      City          State
2:23:48    87      Sarah    Moore       F        Waitsfield    VT

2:24:30    99      Betsy    Richert      F        Keene         NY