April 8, 2012 Race 3- Yllas, Finland

We got up early and drove the two hours north to Yllas, Finland. The cross-country area is right below the down-hill area and we got to watch the down-hilll skiers enjoy the slopes all day. The course was really challenging and makes Birch Hill look easy… The course had beautiful views the whole time and a 3.3Km climb. It was hard, but I felt very accomplished after the race. It was a sunny, hot day on the trails and we are all getting a bit of sun. I am excited for the last race tomorrow.

-Claire

The course was a bit challenging today, but it was an awesome experience. It felt difficult, but at the same time it was fun. I was glad after my race with my performance, and I was glad it was classic for the first race in the series. Im looking forward to tomorrow!

-Eliza

Well I have had better days, after a solid 4km up hill I crashed when going on a downhill with another skier.  We got a little tangled and I ended up in the snow bank.  I got up and my chest hurt. I was able to finish the race but it hurt really bad and it could have been the worst race of my season. But luckily there is still one more race so I’m moving on from today and hopefully tomorrow will go really super.  The sun was so warm today and it was nice to finally feel spring!

-Neill

The course today was incredibly challenging and rewarding. After the first km, I was already feeling burning in my arms and legs. The race felt like one giant uphill climb, and it took a lot to keep pushing up the hills and towards the finish. However, in the end, it was great to cross that line and collapse in the snow! Last race tomorrow and I can only hope the conditions will be as beautiful as they were today!

-Kira

The weather has been incredibly warm with each race! I think I am actually getting color on my face after not seeing the sun for 6 months. The race was pretty sweet but very challenging. It pretty much kept climbing upward for the first three kilometers, and then had some crazy downhill corners at the end.  It was definitely one of the hardest 5kms that I have done before that wasn’t at Birch Hill.

-Mikayla