2025 Kendall Memorial Classic

2025 Kendall Memorial Classic

12/14/2025

Results

The Kendall Memorial Classic moved to the Rikert Outdoor Center in Ripton, VT.  The move is due to Craftsbury hosting a series of events throughout the season, and they were happy to have Rikert willingly take on the event this year.   The star of the season so far is the snow!  The region has been blanketed in early snow for about a month now, and conditions have allowed several areas to boost the natural stuff with some machine-made snow.  Rikert had the 2.5km loop in top shape and expertly groomed.  Let’s hope this trend continues!

The weather today was interesting.  We started with snow falling, with temperatures in the mid-twenties.  There was enough new snow to add close to a two-inch coating on top of the base.  There was some wind; however, it was not detectable on the mostly sheltered course.  The clouds gave way to intermittent sun, and the temperatures dropped.  So far this season, the snow has been relatively dry and grippy.  That was not the case this morning, with some moisture causing glazing and making an easy wax day a little tricky.  Not that it was complicated, but what we ended up with was unexpected.

Several Master Skiers joined in with the elite field.  NWVE set up our table and got to testing right away.  I skied the course on Rode B310.  It kicked and easily released the snow.  It did not provide the bite I was looking for, and so we continued testing, knowing we had a good cover wax.  Scott Magnan and Chris Burnham tested Rode B17 and Rode V0, and I tried out Guro Violet.  The B17 was still slick, the V0 was good, and the Violet was notably slower than the B10.  It was decided to go with V0 and use B310 or B17 as a shell wax.  Word was that UVM was not chasing speed and going for kick, which was all Eli needed to know. The tracks were glazing a bit, and with temps dropping, starting to freeze.  Hard wax was still cutting it, though there was some rumored Terko Blend mixed wax in use. 

The course was the Tormondsen Family Race Course 2.5 km loop x 3.  If you are familiar with the race course, this was the first and second finger.  The third is the best in my opinion, but that was not quite ready for a race field.  The small improvements made a significant difference.  The banking on the major descent in the second loop was on camber, encouraging skiers at speed to stay on course, with none, to my knowledge, flying into the trees or the pipeline.  (I still did not trust it, but I think I could have!)  The road crossing was also improved.  I am not sure how, but it was not noticeable. (Perhaps the forestry service had not sanded it this morning, improving glide and reducing traction.)  The course was tracked perfectly, and the conditions held for the entire day.  The difficulty for the not-so-conditioned was the second climb that keeps getting steeper, fatiguing athletes who perhaps have not put as many intense efforts as they would have liked this season.  It was skiable, but with lactic acid building up in tired muscles, it was hard to power through three times.

Racing got underway with UVM’s Benon Brattebo at the top of the start order.  A 30-second interval was welcomed, and it spread the field out nicely.  This was an international event with many friends from the north and even Norway in attendance.  Justin Freeman (Unattached) led things out for the Masters about halfway through the start order.  As Justin was heading out, some of the early starters were starting to finish their races.  A little further down the start order,

Patrick Campbell (Enjoy Winter Ambassadors) set out.  The Masters got on a roll with Stuart Kremzner (Enevoldsen Coaching), Chris Burnham (NWVE), Michael Dillon (MNC), Anders Torizzo (MNC), Dennis Page (Nansen), Scott Magnan (NWVE), Eli Enman, and Ace Serianni (MNC), all starting in close proximity. 

Chris had a good lead-out to track down in Vince Gagnon (CNMSA).  He closed over the first lap and overtook him early in the second.  Chris was also able to make quick work of Stuart. Eli moved up the field quickly and was able to link up  with Dennis for a bit at the start of their third lap.  Eli made a move over the top of his alma mater course, gaining significantly on Dennis by the finish.  Ace put in a monster first lap to catch Scott and was able to hold the pace over the second and third laps on the grueling course.  Scott was in good form but not having much luck floating over the hills.  He dubbed it the middle finger course, which says it all!  I started at the end of the start order with the rest of the last-minute pre-registrants.  I was chasing Owen Lenz (MNC), Anders Vikstrom (Team Hamp), and Jeremy Ravenelle (MNC).  Company for me was brief as skiers went by.  I was looking forward to lap three, where I would have the course to myself.  There was good camaraderie among the Masters on the course, with cheers abound.  I swept the last lap and finished happy with the effort, almost catching Anders and Anders.  The men cooled down, and there was a nice Master's Podium, though no NWVE representation among the deep field. 

After a significant break, the Women started their race. Caroline Tarmy (Middlebury) had the honor of starting first.  The Middlebury and UVM Women battled it out at the top of the order.  Further back, Middlebury Alum, Jesse  Donavan (Unattached), was the first Master to start.  She was matched well with Elizabeth Graziani (Middlebury) as they spent a lot of time on the course together before Elizabeth made a move in the final lap.  At the end of the order was the rest of the Masters Women.  Ellie Bouffard (MNC), Jessica Bolduc (NWVE), Katie Hill (MNC), and Karen Alence (MNC).  Ellie was cautious merging onto the course, worried that she would get spun out by one of the collegiate skiers.  The coast was clear, and she tucked down the first hill.  Jessica started out strong with a few goals in mind for her second classic ski of the season.  Katie followed, skiing with good transitions.  Karen was the final starter, but set out on a mission to improve her standing in the field. 

Over the course the Masters Women had a dynamic race.  Jessica got some brief company from Phoebe Hussy (Unattached).  Jessica was gaining on Olivia Sorreno (Craftsbury).  Ellie was worried that she would slow a lot on the second and third laps, but held one of the most consistent paces of the day!  Katie faded a bit from her initial pace, but took to holding off a hard charge from Karen, who was closing the gap. There was excitement right to the final skier crossing the line!  Karen and Ellie made the most of their podium ceremony, posing for several photos with

their well-deserved maple syrup!

It was another action-packed day of racing at Rikert.  Conditions were exceptional, and I hope that the trend continues.  Skiers enjoyed natural snow on the extended network of trails after their races.  The staff did an excellent job hosting and keeping the event on schedule and running smoothly.  NENSA recognized the participants' efforts and celebrated a phenomenal day of early-season skiing!

Damian