NENSA J2 Race at Jackson

Top NH racers include:

Women:

3rd, Hannah Benson, Jackson, NH

5th, Tess Hamilton, Hopkinton, NH

6th, Shannon Nadeau, Hopkinton, NH

15th, Mikaela Paluszek, Farmington, NH



Men:

1st, Sean Doherty, Center Conway, NH

7th, Jack Schrupp, Gilford, NH

9th, Spencer Hardy, Ford Sayre Ski Club/Lebanon, NH – lives in Norwich, VT

20th, Calvin Swomley, Hanover, NH



Ellen Chandler

603-867-8707







JSTFLocal Man Wins TD Bank Eastern J2 Championships Freestyle 5K

153 Main St., PO Box 216, Jackson, NH 03846 (603) 383-9355



Contacts: Ellen Chandler (603) 867-8707; Thom Perkins (603) 383-9355



Jackson, N.H., March 5, 2010 – Local racer Sean Doherty (Conway, N.H.) topped an international field of racers in the TD Bank Eastern J2 (age 14, 15) Championships and National Invitational 5K Freestyle race today in Jackson, N.H. Beating more than 100 other racers en route to victory, Doherty was nearly 20 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor, a stunning margin in a championship event. Winning the women’s race was Frederic Vezina who races for the Mt. Ste. Anne ski club in Quebec. The first American woman was Mackenzie Hitchcock from the Mt. Greylock ski club in Lanesboro, Mass. She was followed by Doherty’s Kennett High School team-mate Hannah Benson in third.

“These young people raced up a storm today,” said Jackson XC Executive Director Thom Perkins. “In both races the winning margin was decisive, but we had more than 100 racers in both the men’s and women’s fields, and both cases no more than eight minutes elapsed between the first and last skiers to cross the finish line.

The TD Bank Eastern J2 Championships and National Invitational continue on Saturday and Sunday in Jackson. This event represents the culmination of the competition season for young skiers in the East along with invited guest racers from the western U.S. (Washington and Idaho) and Quebec. All racing is taking place on the Wave Competition trail network located near the Eagle Mountain House. Spectators may walk to the race arena from the Eagle Mountain House, or they may access it by skiing in from Jackson Village on the Yodel Trail; there is also ski-in access via the Woodchuck Trail from the parking area on Carter Notch Road.

In addition to having groomed trails for the races, Jackson has recreational trails open and groomed for all abilities. Information on the races and trail conditions is available at www.jacksonxc.org; information about youth ski racing and clubs that are available to racers of all ages is available at the website of the New England Nordic Ski Association, www.nensa.net.