The pre-race team roster was large and loaded, but for a variety of reasons - unexpected work duties, unexpected desire to leave HURT and form a new team - only a little more than half the roster showed up on race day. It was more than enough.
Back from last year's team were Martin Donnelly-Heg, Sean Halligan, Tim Huneck, Carol Fisher, Chris Frielinghaus, and Brian Halligan. New were Austin Huneck, Eddie Luban, and Drew Mahoney. Also new were B. Halligan's freshly doped wheels.
A rule change forced the team to pre-select its 4 scoring members. Last year, we were able to wait and see who had the best day before naming the team. After much consultation, it was decided to use MDH and Fisher in the 5K classic race and the young guns, A. Huneck and B. Halligan, in the 10K skate race.
The plan worked to perfection in the 5K. Fisher had a great race and MDH repeated his win from last year, breaking his own course record in the process. He was pushed all the way by a strong pack and only pulled ahead of Queensbury's Nick Underwood at the end. Nick's ski was especially impressive as he was the only member of the lead pack on undoped wheels. However, it was later revealed that the skis belong to his father, Jim, and were at least 20 years old. Could they have been doped wheels from another era?
A. Huneck showed no respect for his elders by taking advantage of his father's late race bobble and nipping the old man at the line for third. B. Halligan rounded out the top 5.
The skate race was over in the first 100 meters as S. Halligan shot off the line and never looked back, repeating his win from last year and also breaking his own course record. This happened after he gave up his spot on the official team because he thought the young guns were ready to take over. Not quite, but the young guns held their own. A. Huneck finished third and B. Halligan fourth just behind MDH. HURT/Queensbury skier Will Frielinghaus had a strong performance, finishing eighth on wheels that were undoped in this, or any other, era.
The racing was great, but the highlight of this event was the post race feed, massage and raffel. This year winners got to choose from the prize table first and HURT skiers walked away with skis, poles and hydration packs. The only disappointment was the absence of the Kingston video girls, but maybe the contract dispute will be resolved by next year. Everyone should do this event next year!
HURT and Queensbury skiers show off their trophies. HURT won the open race. Queensbury captured the scholastic division.
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