By: Baneet Bains, Syracuse M.S Public Relations and Sports Media
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Firm snow and cold temperatures made for a fast course during Saturday’s, Feb 1., Empire State Winter Games Nordic races, held at Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid.
The U14 male 5k freestyle mass start event came down to a photo finish, just four-tenths of a second separated the top three skiers. Will Preece of Lake Placid, N.Y. won the 3.1-mile race in 17 minutes, 28.3 seconds. That was only .1-seconds ahead of Collin Bellizzi of Honeoye Falls, N.Y. Henry Hann of Saranac Lake, N.Y. completed the race’s podium, in a time of 17:28.7, .3-second behind Bellizzi and .4-seconds in back of Preece.
“It feels really good afterwards, after you give it your all, it really pays off,” said Preece when asked about how the race went for him.
Cora Hinsdill of Remsen, N.Y. showed grit and determination, winning gold in the U18 10K freestyle mass start race. She covered the 6.2-miles in a time of 30:17.2.
“Just keep at it and make sure to keep it fun” said Hinsdill, the 2024 New York State Nordic ski champion, when asked what advice she had for the younger generation of skiers.
Hinsdill was followed by Kai McKinnon of Lake Placid, N.Y., in the silver spot, racing to a time of 30:35.4, while Raquelle Landa, Clifton, N.Y., earned bronze, in a time of 32:56.2.
Landon Kinal, Schenectady, N.Y., who took gold in the male 2.5k freestyle race Friday night, returned to the stage to claim gold in Saturday night’s U18 10K freestyle mass start. His winning time was 29:01, while Nathaniel Burke of Altamont, N.Y took silver in 30:24.6. Filppos Kogiantis of New York, N.Y. skied to bronze finishing in 30:42.8.
Brayden Ashby of Richland, N.Y earned the gold medal in the male U16 5k race. His time was clocked in 15:27.8. The race’s silver medalist was Liam Stoddard, Saranac Lake, N.Y., who crossed the finish line in 16:24.4, while Will Dziedzic of Fairport, N.Y. finished in 16:33.9 and grabbed the bronze medal.
Cross-country racing concludes on Sunday at Mt Van Hoevenberg. Racing kicks off at 10 a.m. ET.