Fife Roller Ski Races
The Snowsport Scotland rollerski races took place in Fife last weekend as part of the 2023 Scottish and GB Rollerski series. With the support of Fife Nordic Ski Club, a successful weekend of competition was held from a range of mass start races on Saturday to the Junior Skiathlon event on Sunday. Skiers from eight ski clubs all over the UK, from North East Scotland to London were in attendance for the battle of podium positions.
Kicking off the first day were the novice entries for a 1km circuit, it was great to see new rollerskiers participating after being inspired to take part on their first taster session with the Fife club. The U12 and U14s were next on the start line for the 3.2km race where Aiden Grant (HNSC) put in a strong performance to finish under 10 minutes and claim the U14 male and overall win, with Annabelle Medler (HNSC) coming into the finish just 8 seconds behind to take 1st U14 female and 2nd overall. There was a great effort from youngest competitors too with 1st U12 male on the day, James Taylor (HNSC), coming in 4th position overall and U12 females represented by Eilidh Shannon (HNSC) with a superb time of 13.09 minutes.
Ready to race again, a number of the juniors and novices also entered the open 6.4km race that came next and resulted in an overall 1st place for Ewan Mcadam (FNSC), 2nd Aiden Grant (HNSC) and 3rd Annabelle Medler (HNSC). Led by a wonderful example from the novices, juniors and open competitors, it was then time for 9.6km senior age category event.
The conditions turned to rain just as the race began, but that did little to deter the competition amongst the athletes as it was impossible to guess the final outcome of positions within the lead group for a while until Beinn Horsfall (BNDS) stormed ahead of the pack to finish 1st overall and senior male in a time of 22.59 minutes, Cameron Cruickshank (HNSC) only 30seconds behind to claim 2nd overall and senior male and James Slimon in 3rd overall and senior men, a great result after a week’s training camp with the SSS Nordic Performance coach in Aberdeenshire. In 4th place overall and 1st U16 male was Rasmus Ipsen (FNSC) very quickly followed by Ewan Mcadam (FNSC) just 10 seconds later to take 2nd U16 in what was his second race of the day.
The 1st Veteran age group to finish was Scott Cassidy in a solid 7th position overall and 1st Super Vet in a time of 28.17 went to GB Olympic Nordic Skier, Martin Watkins (Wessex Club) who was there just a day after representing GB in his age group at the UCI World Championships “Grand Fondo” endurance road race event where he finished just 17 seconds off the winner in 13th position. The quality of competition was also seen in the female categories with 1st place U16 and overall female, Sophie Forth (HNSC), finishing in 29.46 with 1st female veteran and 2nd overall female, Beata Nowok (CBNSC), crossing the line just 8 seconds afterwards. GB Olympic Nordic Skier Posy Musgrave represented her club, Fife Nordic Ski Club as current coach, with a solid performance to take 1st senior female and 3rd overall female on the day. GB Para Pathway athlete, Steven Currie, also improved upon last year’s times and came away with 1st place in the Para standing category.
Competition continued on Sunday for junior skiers with skiathlon sprint races which consisted of a series of heats to decide overall winners, a lot of time was gained and lost for the skiers during the transition zones in which the skiers changed equipment for classic to skate technique. The finals concluded with overall winners;
U16 male – Jack Rauscher
U14 male - Euan Shannon
U14 female - Annabelle Medler
Well done to all that took part for creating a fun and successful event!
SSS would like to thank Fife Nordic Ski Club, Ben Finch for timekeeping the event and all those that volunteered at the event for making it a successful and enjoyable day for all in attendance!
