FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Even though their next races won't count for any points or collegiate rankings there will be much to gain for the Alaska Nanooks men's and women's ski teams. They are set to participate in a pair of 5-kilometer classic technique events on the opening day of the Alaska Anchorage Invite on Saturday at Kincaid Park, where they will measure up against the West Region's top skiers. The men will go first at 10 a.m. followed by the women at 11 a.m.
While they will only ski in one of the two events slated for the Invite, Saturday's race affords a prime opportunity for Alaska's skiers as they compete and measure up against the top skiers from the West Region, traditionally among the strongest at the NCAA Championships.
The distance traveled to do so is an added bonus as the team is just two weeks removed from a month-long road trip in the Lower 48 that included stops in Rumford, Maine and two different cities in Michigan.
The Invite is the first of two events the Seawolves are hosting for their Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association foes (Nordic and Alpine), who include Denver (NCAA Champions 2008, 2009, 2010), Colorado (2011 NCAA Champions), Utah, Montana State, New Mexico, Westminster, Wyoming and Colorado Mountain College.
Alaska raced against Alaska Anchorage in mid-November for the Alaska Nordic Cup, relinquishing their five-year string of Cup titles to the Seawolves. The Blue and Gold were without some of their top women during the annual event as the NCAA Cross Country Championships took place in Spokane, Wash. on the same weekend. Sophomore Raphaela Seiber, junior
Crystal Pitney, freshman
Alyson McPhetres were all absent from the Nordic Cup races.
Despite their absence the Nanooks collectively held their own on the first day, tying their hosts 21-21 after the men swept the 5k classic race and UAA followed suit in the women's event. Day Two saw the Nanook men capture second through fifth place to oust UAA, but the women were swept again and the Seawolves won the Cup by a 45-39 margin.
Following Saturday's race, Alaska heads South to Houghton, Mich. for the Central Collegiate Ski Association Championships Feb. 11-12, followed by the NCAA Central Region Championships in Ishpeming, Mich. Feb. 17-18. Individuals who qualify will compete at the NCAA Championships in Bozeman, Mont. Mar. 7-10.
