Corner Brook -
Unseasonable temperatures didn't dampen spirits at the 2010 Christmas Races at Blow-Me-Down Trails.
"Conditions held up extremely well," Shawn Leamon, area manager for the local nordic ski facility, told The Western Star Sunday afer the races had been completed. "I kind of felt when I left the house this morning it was going to be a scrub, but I came to the rock cut here by Blow-Me-Down, turned in Lundrigan Park and it was snowing so we managed to race again today believe it or not.
"Right now here at Blow-Me-Down it's snowing so it's all about location, location, location. That slight increase in elevation makes quite a difference believe it or not."
On Sunday, Andrew Casey posted a final clocking of 51:07.5 to win top honours in the senior men's classic race at Blow-Me-Down Trails, while Caroline McIlroy of Aavalon Nordic Ski Club, the lone competitor in the senior women's bracket, posted a time of 49:59.2.
Brittany Scanlon of Mount St. Margaret claimed first place in the junior female classic showdown with a time of 39:11.1, while Nicki Rose of Mount Nascopi won top spot in the juvenile girls' event with a time of 34:51.3 and Philip McIlroy of Avalon Nordic claimed bragging rights in the juvenile boys' race with a final clocking of 33:23.3.
Other big winners on Sunday included Jamie Merrigan of Corner Brook in peewee girls with a time of 19:27.5, Elizabeth Rose of Mount Nascopi in masters women with a time of 24:52.5, Konrad Kuhne of Menihek Nordic Ski Club in midget boys with a time of 17:32.2 and Emma Holmes of Avalon Nordic in midget girls after crossing the finish line in a time of 31:31.2.
