Forbush Opener Kicks Off XC Ski Season with Exciting Races

The cross-country ski season is officially underway at Forbush Corner, which hosted its first race of the year, the Forbush Opener. Thanks to recent snow and supplemental snowmaking, the track conditions were excellent, providing a perfect venue for skiers of all ages. In the Long Race, Jorden Wakeley claimed the overall male victory with an impressive time of 19:11, followed by Alex Vanias (20:40). The overall female title went to Kaitlyn Vanias, finishing in 22:08, with Rebecca Davis taking second place (23:02). The event also highlighted strong performances across all age groups, particularly by senior skiers, showcasing the enduring appeal of the sport. Notable long-race age group winners include Dennis Paull (Male 60-64, 21:54) and Karin Gillis (Female 60-69, 24:57), demonstrating exceptional speed and endurance.

The Short Race also saw some fierce competition, particularly among the youth. Zack Dunne led the male field with the fastest time of the Short Race overall, finishing in 14:03, while Lindsay Smith was the overall female winner with a time of 16:15. The depth of talent was truly on display throughout the day, especially in the most seasoned categories. In the Short Race's Male 80+ group, Steve Smigiel won his age division with an incredible time of 28:21, and in the Female 70-79 group, Carole Mueller-Brumbaugh earned the top spot in 31:44. Overall, the Forbush Opener was a resounding success, setting a high bar for the season to come.