Racing - 6/6/7
GB rollerski series begins

The 2007 GB rollerski race series got underway last weekend, with round one beginning in Huntly, Aberdeenshire. The next race is in Durham on 30 June.

Race report by Peter Thorn -

The first race of the GB Rollerski Series 2007 took place at Huntly Nordic & Outdoor Centre on Saturday 2nd June. Fifty-six competitors mainly from the Huntly and Cairngorm clubs as well as a contingent from the Army Biathlon Development Squad entered the two competitions to be decided on the day. The GB Series Race combined the times of two time trial courses. Skiers of all ages and abilities took part. The flat 655m course was suitable for novices while the 1135m course included a tricky hill descent for more experienced skiers. This was followed in the afternoon by the Huntly Knock-out Sprints.

Despite being only 15 Andrew Young won the men’s GB Series Race just ahead of his 17 year old team mate Andrew Musgrave. Former Olympic skier Mike Dixon came third. The ladies competition was won by 15 year old Marsha Dixon of Cairngorm Biathlon & Nordic Ski Club ahead of Katy Homyer (13) also of Cairngorm. Both these younger skiers had very fast 1135m times that jumped them ahead of Olwen Thorn (Huntly) who was leading after the 655m race. The excellent results by these and other young skiers on the day show that there is great potential in cross-country skiers in the UK. Trophies and medals were awarded to the various age group categories.

Winners
Veteran Men: Mike Dixon (CBNSC)
Veteran Ladies: Fiona Crossley (CBNSC)
Senior Men: Andrew Musgrave (HNSC)
Senior Ladies: Olwen Thorn (HNSC)
U18 Men: Andrew Young (HNSC)
U18 Ladies: Marsha Dixon (CBNSC)
U14 Boys: Ruaridh Newman (HNSC)
U14 Girls: Katy Homyer (CBNSC)
U10 Boys: Oliver Newman (HNSC)
U10 Girls: Lynne Gray (HNSC)

The Huntly Knock-out head-to-head sprints in the afternoon produced two very exciting finals. The men’s final and Clashindarroch Cup was won by Andrew Musgrave with Andrew Young having to settle for 2nd, Mike Dixon once again coming third. Olwen Thorn won the ladies final and Clashindarroch Quaich just keeping ahead of Katy Homyer with Marsha Dixon coming third. The Novice final was won by Iain Barron (15) from Alan Telford (senior) and 8 year old Fergus Newman, all from Huntly.

The next rollerski race at Huntly will be the GB Rollerski Championships (GB Series Race 7) on 16th Sept 2007.

Results and race calendar

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