The BFA Citizen/Alumni Race

BFA Citizens/Alumni Race

January 3, 2026

Results: https://stalbansnordic.org/2026-alumni-race-results/

A vision over thirty years in the making emerged at the Dickinson Farm on January 3rd.  The venue on the back side of St. Albans Hill has been a prime recipient of early season snow, a club who set roots to provide regional access to cross-country skiing for Northwest Vermont residents, a vibrant resurgence of a local youth club, and the BFA Nordic Team that has been the steady thread weaving its values through it all, convened to celebrate generations of skiing.  Having grown up in St. Albans and then lived around northern Vermont, it is this sense of community that I reflect upon often.  The ability to get things done without being asked through dedicated work that is rarely understood or recognized, yet on a day like today, so many could gaze upon what was transpiring, and be proud of what they have accomplished.

The day was a proper ski day.  Uncomfortably cold, but if you kept moving, you did not notice it so much, until your fingers or toes reminded you it was 10 degrees.  A dusting of snow had fallen, adding a fresh coating to the solid base.  One of the fields had been snowplowed for parking, and a tent and table were being set up for the event.  There is always cold wind, but it was not strong, and nothing needed to be strapped down.  The snow cover was excellent.  Monday’s ice storm ended up improving conditions, firming up the base, and the subsequent snows gave everything a picturesque seasonal look.  That’s not to say that a tremendous amount of maintenance didn’t go into preparing the track, but snow covered it, and the work was appreciated in less obvious ways.

The early snow has people going for it to get on those trails that can be difficult to open some years, and the Alumni Race was no different.  While the attendance was the highlight, the course was the reward.  The venue provides only what is essential to cross-country skiing: a groomed trail.  No trail names, no lodge, no amenities, just skiing.  The race started at the top of the first meadow, traveling clockwise to the back meadow.  Skiers then exited the back meadow at the far end and climbed the hill through the woods to the far edge of the third meadow.  Here they entered the woods and skied around to the ledge, climbing to the top of the course, then descended on a slalom-y trail to the new trail.  The new trail was flat and fast, bookended by tight turns.  We returned to the traditional trail near the barn and worked our way down the hill by the house.  Crossed the near end of the third meadow, and took a straight line down the second meadow back to the first.  Just past the gate from the second to the first meadow was the finish.  Skiers did two laps.

The event began with BKL races on a shorter loop around the perimeter of the first meadow.  Families filled the parking area and unloaded eager children, excited to ski!  These children were quick to get their gear on and get on the trail, oblivious to the chill in the air.  Parents and grandparents gathered and watched; a few also donned race bibs.  Several were wondering where Coach Brook was, as they were curious to see just what their mentor could do.  The crowd lined the trail in the first meadow, catching up with each other in a festive atmosphere.  More people joined, and the calamity slowly organized.  Scott began making calls for races, and the day got underway.  Family and friends cheered as the youngest racers got underway and skied with smiling determination.  Parents looked on with pride and perhaps some nostalgia for what is a continuation of what helped shape their youth.  The youth races graduated into the main event, which started very close to on time.

Lynn Dickinson gave a brief statement of appreciation to the race field after the start instructions.  Succinct yet impactful, and receiving reciprocal thanks from the attendees.  Scott had given race instructions, though we all knew what to do. However, for the first time, we had a use-your-brain double-pole zone, which we quickly learned meant you double-pole while I work into a V2 and ski away from you!  With that, Sara (Considine) Heth gave the command, and Alumni Racing was underway.  The Alumni Race is a rare opportunity to throw it down on traditional home trails.  Of course, we are all low-key at the annual event until the switch flips and it is on!  Scott probably has no idea he broke into a full-on skate one-tenth of the way through the double pole zone.  It is just the nature of the race. We all race our hearts out, and then somehow get back to the finish.

Self-seeding was fairly good for the event, and the start was clean.  The front of the order was quickly sorted out, and the field spread out a bit.  Home trails provide few passing opportunities, so a good start is key.  The top five got away early and distinguished themselves from the rest of the field.  Brook Hodgeman, Gaelen Boyle Wight, Tyler Magnan, Eric Darling, and John Thompson set an unmatchable pace.  Eli Hazen led the next pack, which included his teammates, Toby and Sam Hurteau, their coach Scott Magnan, Sarah Pribram, Will Gochberg, and me.  This group accordioned a bit and had a few changes in order.  Sarah and I had a bit of a dust-up in the opening kilometer, deciding who would yield first, but Sarah took it away in her first race of the season, prepping for Wednesday Night Worlds, which start this week.  Coach Mashtare, the force most responsible for instilling the competitive nature, instincts, and values of the participants, led the next group with Hudson Root and Andre Bolduc.  Jason Storms bibbed up skiing on his own for much of the race, yet encouraged all those he encountered along the way.  Running sensation Loghan Hughes made her annual appearance in a ski race.  Meredith Mashtare made the mistake of thinking things would stay casual in lining up for the race behind a few tots.  You can think that all you want, but as stated earlier, once the command to go is given, the switch is flipped, and Meredith had ground to make up.  Tanner Magnan joined the main field, adding to the multigenerational theme with several others like the Mashtare’s, Huff’s, Dickinson’s, Heth’s, and Crossman’s.  The Codys’ returned to action with Cody Boissoneault and Cody Putnam making an appearance in the race.  Richie Dikinson succeeded in keeping it casual, escorting Eve, much of the way.  It would have been interesting to see if he could mix it up with Eric Darling and John Thompson for a top 5 off the couch.

Racing at the Dickinson Farm never settles in.  People find their groove on different portions of the trail, and at full throttle, it skis surprisingly well.  Of course, there has to be some give somewhere, but where that occurs is different for everyone.  Those with experience know you are never out of it; those new to it can’t grasp what is happening in the heat of the moment.  Brook used the home course advantage to edge Gaelen and be a hero to his young athletes.  Tyler was determined to podium.  Eric hung on, thrilled with the skiing, while John resigned to hold his position from any current BFA skiers. Scott played it smart, knowing the course well.  Conserving in the few moments he could, yet keeping his competition within reach.  Sarah moved up in the field, while I let a gap open, holding Will back until I yielded to him late in the race.  Mike had a tight race to the finish line, not catching Hudson, but holding Andre off for the second year in a row.  Sarah passed Scott and opened a gap, but fell victim to Scott’s plan and course design – the finish at the bottom of a hill.  While Sarah pushed her skis as fast as they could go (will this drive her to buy those Fischers Jake had her demo?), she was no match for Madman’s momentum at the end of a race, especially with no runout. Will tried to bridge, but a late surge by Sam Hurteau when he realized Scott was going to beat him pulled the group out of reach.  I blew up on the last climb in the race and skied it in knowing I would not be caught, and that when Sam made his move, I could not counter. The rest of the field came in, greeted with joy and enthusiasm, as Kathy Considine collected bibs and Ethan Mashtare tracked the results from the groomer's cab.

The Alumni Race was a huge success.  It seemed extra special this year getting to use the whole potential of the venue, and the years of commitment rippling through generations of skiers.  Any one of the players could look upon what transpired and admire what they had done.  Roles and parts of different magnitudes, all essential to each other, as the passion for skiing is shared and passed, preserving a tradition we all love with the minimum of what is necessary, yet everything.

Damian