Paul Smith’s College hosts inaugural Stewart’s Shops Bobcat Invitational Nordic Ski Races
Paul Smith’s College hosts inaugural Stewart’s Shops Bobcat Invitational Nordic Ski Races
PAUL SMITHS, N.Y. - Paul Smith’s College opened a new Nordic ski facility on Jan. 25-26 when it hosted schools from the U.S. Collegiate Ski Association in the first-ever Stewart’s Shops Bobcat Invitational Nordic Ski Races. The competitions involved 110 athletes representing 11 colleges from the Northeast.
“For a first-time event, the turnout was terrific,” said Cathy Dove, PSC President. “There’s no doubt we have a venue that will appeal to student/athletes who seek a world class education with a matching Nordic training site. PSC is now positioned to be a top site in the country.”
Earlier this winter, USA Nordic, the national governing body for the sport in the United States, declared PSC its eastern collegiate education and training site.
Over the two-day event, Castletown University of Vermont emerged as the best overall team and its athletes swept the top positions. Other contending teams over the weekend included Clarkson University, which finished runner-up in both sprint races. The University of Vermont took second in men’s pursuit.
Castleton University’s Megan Greene won both the pursuit and sprint races each day in her first visit to the PSC campus. “The course was so great to enjoy that it never really felt like I was torturing myself racing. It was awesome,” she exclaimed.
Her teammate John Paluszek captured the opening day sprints and immediately said the new trail network at the VIC is his second favorite course in the country behind only the 2002 Olympic site at Soldier Hollow, created for the Salt Lake City Winter Games.
These were high honors for a course that did not exist on Labor Day.
“I am ecstatic with the events and the feedback I received from my fellow coaches and the athletes,” said Matt Dougherty, PSC Head Nordic Ski Coach. “I think we’ve now planted the seed to host many more competitions. They definitely want to comeback and we certainly want them to return.”
The brand-new Nordic Center on the PSC campus, with 6.2 miles of new competitive trails built to International Ski Federation (FIS) specifications this past fall, adds to the existing 25 kilometers at the Visitor Interpretive Center for recreational skiing.
The new facility was designed by well-known Nordic ski course architect and 1972 Olympian John Morton of Thetford Center, Vt.
About Paul Smith's College
At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. We are the only four-year institution of higher education in the Adirondacks. Our programs - in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences - draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. For more information, visit paulsmiths.edu.