Nordic race is Outlaws' cup of tea

The annual Skadi Cup Nordic Ski race at the Teacup Ski Area near Mt. Hood gave a number of Sisters High School Nordic team members a chance to show their best classic style of the season.

Alex Yinger made his best race of the year, leading the Outlaws with a fourth-place finish in 18:47, about a half a minute ahead of sixth-place teammate Mason Calmettes, who stopped the clock at 19:18.

Luc Boileau won the race in a blistering 17:43 to lead Summit to the team title.

Coach Tom Blust expressed gratitude at the good weather after enduring a soaking rainstorm two weeks ago. He felt very pleased with the determined efforts of the Sisters boys.

"The groomers at Teacup worked super hard Friday to make the course workable, since there has been so much snow loss over the past weeks," he said. "Alex pushed it to his limit and Mason is making a habit about being in the top 10."

Erik Lund (22:48), Devon Calvin (23:16), and Jared Schneider (25:28) completed the finishers for the Outlaws. Team scores were Summit 12, Bend 32, Redmond 39, Sisters 44, Corvallis 97, and Crescent Valley 110.

"At the rate the boys are improving, it is going to be exciting to see how they do when the state meet comes around at the end of the season," Blust said.

The girls' team held its own among a sizable field of racers, with Amity Calvin breaking out to a sixth-place finish among 94 finishers. The top seven finishers were only separated by 45 seconds, which added to the excitement for everyone, according to Blust.

The winner, Keelin Moehl of Summit, pushed through the five-kilometer course in 20:46, while Calvin clocked 21:19. Courtney Blust, the second Outlaw through the chute, placed 13th in 22:38. Riley Barrett crossed the line next in 47th (26:37), followed by Elena Saldi (31:49) in 74th. Girls' team scores included Summit 8, Redmond 25, Redmond 38, Crescent Valley 39, Sisters 52, Cleveland 72, St. Mary's 82, Hood River Valley 83, Grant 107.

The Outlaws have a week off before traveling to Mt. Hood Meadows for a pursuit race Saturday, February 12.