Big double-header weekend at Huntly Nordic Ski Club
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Huntly Nordic Ski Club had a busy weekend hosting the Huntly Rollerski Sprints on Saturday, May 25, and the Clash Hill Climb on Sunday, May 26.
The Clash Hill Climb was particularly exciting as this was the British Rollerski Championships, which was held on matched Swenor skis supplied by Iain at rollerski.co.uk.
Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre provided the venue for a variety of Sprint races, and age categories ranging from under eight-year-olds to super veterans (over 60).
Many rollerski clubs from around the United Kingdom were represented with people travelling from as far as London to race in this prestigious event, which was also part of the British Rollerski Series.
Everyone participated in the flat 600-metre sprint race with most people also taking part in the longer 1135m race, which was a hillier course.
The times for both races were then totalled before the winners were established. These races provide the athletes with points which go towards the British and the Scottish Rollerski Series. The day culminated in the presentation of medals and trophies and fun junior head-to-head races.
The following day saw the Clash Hill climb, which is challenging at the best of times but was trickier than normal due to the heavy rain and slippy road surface.
The main race goes from Rhynie to the Clashindarroch car park and covers a distance of 8.05km, while the under 14s start further up the road but finish at the same place, after covering 4.85km.
Elspeth Cruickshank (HNSC) was the fastest female at 31 minutes 42 seconds, while James Slimon (HNSC) was the fastest male at 26 minutes 43. Astrid Impsen came in as the first female for the under 14s shorter race at 27 minutes 22, with James Taylor taking 23 minutes 28 for the first U14 male.
Sunday morning training, junior development squad and race performance groups take place in Huntly.The Huntly Nordic Ski Club and the Huntly Nordic Outdoor Centre can be contacted for further details.
A big thank you was expressed to all those who took part, to the numerous marshals and organisers and to Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre for hosting.
