Nordic Meisters are off and skiing

The largest weekly Nordic race in the United States, the Nordic Meister Race Series, presented by RSN and the Mountain Ear, is off and running for its ninth season. Set at the base of Mt. Washington at the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Pinkham Notch, the series runs every Tuesday for eight weeks through on March 2. Deep blue skies, temperatures in the 20s, strong winds, and two inches of new snow that fell overnight welcomed the more than 90 skiers who participated in week one.Skiers race against the clock on the 5 km Nordic Meister course in the Skate and/or Classic category. Racers log their times between 9 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. and have the flexibility to make their own schedule. The series consists of eight weeks of timed runs with the six best times selected for series-end standings. Prizes are awarded at the end of the series to all participants who complete six out of eight weeks.This year marks the widest age range ever with participants from 4 to 82 years old. Conway resident Sven Cole skied with his four year old daughter Elizabeth and 9-month-old daughter Emma in a pack on his back. This was Coles seventh Nordic Meisters."Its such a great series," he said. "No intimidation and everyone cheers you on. When Elizabeth said she wanted to be in a ski race, I knew Nordic Meisters was the one. When asked what was her favorite part of Nordic Meisters, Elizabeth replied, the hot dogs and cocoa.Results for Nordic Meisters can be seen at www.GreatGlenTrails.com, the Mountain Ear, and RSN TV 16. Other sponsors include Sporthill, Atomic, Karhu, Swix, Rossignol, and Salomon. For more information about Nordic Meisters, call Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center at 466-2333.