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Whistler cross-country skiers speedy in Coast Cup opener

The Hollyburn Nordics hosted the first Coast Cup cross-country races of the season at Ski Callaghan last weekend to a solid turnout.

The Hollyburn Nordics hosted the first Coast Cup cross-country races of the season at Ski Callaghan last weekend to a solid turnout. All of the categories were freeski, or skate, with distances that ranged from 750 metres for the youngest to 8 km for the open men.

In the Atom Boys 0.75 km Free, Ben Hepditch of the Whistler Nordics placed second, between Erik Iversen and Edward Colhoun of Hollyburn. Logan Anderson of Whistler was fourth, Brock Jean of Pemberton fifth and David Peatfield of Whistler eighth.

In Atom Girls, Lily MacConnachie of Whistler placed first by close to 40 seconds. Linnea Uunila, Elle Johnston and Samantha Deally of Whistler were second through fourth. Sierra Pochay-McBain of Pemberton was sixth, and Julia Hepditch and Sierra Johnston of Whistler were seventh and eighth.

In Pee Wee Boys 1/2 1.5 km, Michael Murdoch, Sam Johnston, Ian Davidson and Fraser Doak of the Whistler Nordics were first through fourth. Murdoch had a solid lead by the end, but the next three skiers finished within 3.3 seconds of each other. Joe Davies of Pemberton was fifth and Graeme Bowers of Squamish sixth.

In Pee Wee Girls, Lauren Kilfoy McKay of Whistler placed third, behind Hollyburn skiers Maxine Fordor and Sarah Burns. Mila Wittenberg of Whistler was fourth, Alisa Feuz of Pemberton fifth, Cassia Jean of Pemberton seventh, Lace Anderson and Hannah Peatfield of Whistler eighth and ninth, and Linnea Burke of Squamish 10th.

In Pee Wee Boys 3/4 2 km, Erik Heilig of the Callaghan Winter Ski Club was first, followed by Nathan Stothers and Seth Putnam-Rea of Hollyburn. Jonathan Rabung-Simeon of Pemberton was eighth.

In Pee Wee Girls 3, Ruby Meihuizen, Anna Goodwin and Jenna Sim of Hollyburn were first through third, followed by Whistler skiers Julia Long, Stephany Derynck, Caitlin MacConnachie and Sierra Condingley. Kaede Kawano of Pemberton was eighth.

In Midget Boys 3 km, Jack Iles of Whistler was first by almost 15 seconds, while teammate Braden Metza placed third. Hollyburn's Kayden Sim was second.

Three Hollyburn girls, Annika Richardson, Katie Weaver and Dot Forder, were first through third in Midget Girls. Sarah Bowers of Squamish was fourth.

In Juvenile Girls 4 km, Marissa Woods of Hollyburn was first, followed by Whistler's Jenya Nordin and Lauren Doak.

In Junior Girls 4 km, Nicki Murdoch was first by over a minute, followed by Camille Roberge and Maya Guttmann of Hollyburn. Marlin Beswetherick of Whistler was fourth.

In Open Men 8 km, Roberto Carcelen was first, followed by Whistler's Vesa Suomalainen four seconds later. UBC Nordic Ski Team racer Eric Carter was third.

Other Whistler racers were Brent Murdoch in seventh, Robbie Metza in eighth, Michael Robinson in 10th, Edmund Burke in 11th , Pat Johnson in 13th, Mick Peatfield in 13th, Julian Base in 18th and Alan MacConnachie in 21st.

In Open Women 6 km, Whistler's Jennifer Tabbernor was first by 1:38, Followed by Heather Campbell of Squamish and Margot Murdoch of Whistler. Cheryl Morningstar of Whistler was fourth, Nancy MacConnachie sixth, Maureen Peatfield seventh and Melanie von Stetten ninth.

Ski Callaghan (a combination of Whistler Olympic Park and Callaghan Country trails) is hosting two more Coast Cup events in January. On Saturday, Jan. 8 the Whistler Nordics are hosting one event, with the Pemberton-based Spud Valley Nordics hosting another event on Jan. 9.

This weekend, Dec. 17 to Dec. 21, the Callaghan Winter Sports Club is hosting a B.C. Cup biathlon and National Junior Trials to qualify skiers for the World Junior Biathlon Championship in January.