From left, Ford Sayre skiers Sarah Glueck (49), Elsa May (53), Ann Rightmire (55) and Wyethe Murray (54) compete with Mansfield Nordic’s Esther Cuneo (44) during the girls grade 7-8 race during the Hanover club’s Bill Koch League Silver Fox Trot cross country ski races at the Rikert Nordic Center in Ripton, Vt. on Saturday. Ford Sayre coach Heidi Lange holds jackets at right. Cuneo ultimately won the race in 11 minutes, 15 seconds, with Glueck second in 11:34.
From left, Ford Sayre skiers Sarah Glueck (49), Elsa May (53), Ann Rightmire (55) and Wyethe Murray (54) compete with Mansfield Nordic’s Esther Cuneo (44) during the girls grade 7-8 race during the Hanover club’s Bill Koch League Silver Fox Trot cross country ski races at the Rikert Nordic Center in Ripton, Vt. on Saturday. Ford Sayre coach Heidi Lange holds jackets at right. Cuneo ultimately won the race in 11 minutes, 15 seconds, with Glueck second in 11:34. Credit: Margaret Rightmire photograph

Ripton, Vt. — Ford Sayre Ski Council athletes swept to wins in the U16 division at the club’s Silver Fox Trot cross country ski races at Middlebury College’s Rikert Nordic Center on Saturday.

Elsa Bolinger claimed the girls win in a small field, clocking a victorious time of 13 mintues, 24 seconds. Samuel Murray repeated the feat among U16 boys, his winning time of 11:15 beating Ford Sayre clubmate Jack Lange by 18 seconds.

The Upper Valley also came up with a sweep in the youngest division of Bill Koch League racing on Saturday. Grades 1-2 victories went to Ford Sayre’s Annika Dent (4:29) in the girls race and Woodstock Ski Runners’ Micah Mahood (4:22) in the boys event.

The rest of Saturday’s youth-division winners:

Grades 3-4: Girls — Kate Carlson, Mansfield Nordic Club, 7:47; Boys — Ivan Ivanov, EMBK, 7:46.

Grades 5-6: Girls — Beth McIntosh, Frost Mountain Nordic, 9:45; Boys — Niko Cuneo, Mansfield Nordic, 7:57.

Grades 7-8: Girls — Esther Cuneo, Mansfield Nordic, 11:15; Boys — Fin Bailey, Stratton Mountain School, 9:40.

The SMS T2 squad produced the winners of the Silver Fox Trot’s citizen races. Kelsey Phinney won among the women (24:38), and Kyle Bratud took the event for the men (21:04).

Elissa Bradley had Ford Sayre’s best finish in the women’s race, taking fifth in 27:37. FSSC’s Joel Bradley was a club-best fourth among the men (23:12).

In the Jam

Twin State Derby SlatesInformation Night

Claremont — Twin State Derby will host an introductory night for new prospective skaters on Sunday starting at 3 p.m. at its Claremont practice space.

Called Roller Derby 101, the evening is open to potential competitors and referees. The first night of the program is free, and no prior roller derby experience is required to participate. Just wear athletic clothing and bring a mouthguard, water bottle and positive attitude.

All skaters must be at least 18 years of age. If Roller Derby 101 appeals to you, stick around to join rookie practices on Sundays from 4-6 p.m. and Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m.

Contact Twin State Derby’s Jo Knowles at johannaknowles@gmail.com or sign up at www.facebook.com/events/238774917043777.

On the Trails

UVTA ExecutesFirst Trail Easement

Norwich — After four years of work, the Upper Valley Trails Alliance executed its first trail easement on Jan. 14, protecting the final segment of a proposed three-mile trail off of Robinson Road in Strafford.

Working with Sharon residents Carol and Ollie Boles, the UVTA easement is part of a larger project that has protected nearly 650 acres of forest and agricultural land in the area, according to a UVTA news release. Last January, the Upper Valley Land Trust and the Alliance for Vermont Communities secured permanent protection for more than 380 acres on the Manning property, on which the three-mile trail lies. UVTA’s easement completes the trail’s loop route.

Additionally, the UVTA and the Alliance have plans to work together to develop a trail connection to the neighboring 260-acre Ashley property, with hopes of adding to the ongoing trail network.

Authorities have submitted a grant request to the Vermont Recreation Trails Program to fund trail construction. If awarded, trail work would begin this summer.

On the Ice

UVTA Skate-a-ThonMoved to February

Fairlee — The ice is all set, and so is the Upper Valley Trails Alliance for its annual Skate-a-Thon fundraiser on Lake Morey.

The Upper Valley Trails Alliance’s annual opportunity to do laps on the Lake Morey Skating Trail to benefit the UVTA has been rescheduled for Feb. 17 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The day — which had been slated for Sunday but was called off by snow — revolves around the skating trail, a 4½-mile loop on the lake that is also the longest groomed trail of its kind in the United States.

The entry fee ranges between $10 and $25, depending on the participants age and UVTA membership status. The fee comes with free Nordic skate rentals (on a first come, first served basis) along with hot chocolate, soup, lunch and raffle ticket. Skaters can earn additional raffle tickets with each lap they complete.

All proceeds from the day go toward the UVTA’s work to develop and maintain recreational hiking trails and other outdoors programs throughout the Upper Valley. The Skate-a-Thon has been making turns on the Lake Morey Skating Trail since 2003.

Tickets are available online at www.uvtrails.org and can also be purchased on the day of the event by cash, check or credit card. For more information, contact the UVTA at 802-649-9075 or info@uvtrails.org.

On the Sled

Barnard Poker Ride

Barnard — The Barnard Mountainviewers Snowmobile Club will hold a poker ride on Jan. 27, starting from the Barnard Town Hall, snow conditions permitting.

Ample snowmobile trailer parking will be available at the town hall. From there, the posted trail ride will cover about 45 miles on the Barnard trail system. Coffee and pastries will be available at the outset, and a hot lunch will be served at the conclusion of the ride.

Riders will be able to start their rides from the town hall any time from 9-10:30 a.m. The cost to participate is $10 per hand plus an additional $1 per card.

For more information, including detailed trail conditions, contact Rob Tracy at 802-234-9785 or Stan Butler at 802-234-9223, or visit www.barnardmountainviewers.com.

With Rod and Reel

Youth Derby Coming

Quechee — The Hartford Parks and Recreation Department will hold its 18th youth ice fishing derby on Feb. 2 at Dewey’s Pond.

Young anglers will be placed in age groups based on the number of participants and will compete for prizes in a variety of categories within each age group. Food, refreshments, fishing holes, bait and limited equipment will be available.

Participants should be dressed appropriately for the weather. There is no charge to take part, although would-be anglers should pre-register for the derby at www.hartfordrec.com.

Day-of registration will also be available at Dewey’s Pond.

Additionally, Hartford Rec will hold a pair of learn-to-ice-fish clinics this winter. One will be held on derby day at 8:30 a.m., with another set for Feb. 19 at 9 a.m., also at Dewey’s Pond.

Call 802-295-5036 for more details.

Let’s Go FishingComing to Enfield

Enfield — The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is bringing its Let’s Go Fishing introductory ice fishing class to the Enfield Community Building next month.

The program is set up on two dates, a classroom session at the community building on Feb. 1 from 6-8:30 p.m. and a fishing outing on Feb. 3 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The class teaches basic ecological concepts of fishing and are geared toward either first-timers or anglers looking to build on lapsed skills.

The course will cover the various types of equipment used in ice fishing along with ice safety, knot tying, fish identification, rules, ethics and proper clothing for making trips out onto the ice. After attending the Friday classroom session, participants will head out onto the ice for the Sunday morning outing to test out their new skills.

A fishing license is not required, but all students must register through New Hampshire Fish and Game in order to be covered. For more information, contact instructor Kyle Glencross at kyle.glencross@wildlife.nh.gov.

On the Run

Red Zone 5K

Wilder — Runners will get their first chance of 2019 to race outdoors while getting ready for another Super Bowl as part of the Hartford Parks and Recreation Department’s Red Zone 5K on Feb. 3.

The 5-kilometer walk and run starts and ends at the Dothan Brook School, with action kicking off at 10:30 a.m. Participants are encouraged to don football garb, with awards going to the best-dressed among runners and walkers. The event is family-, stroller- and dog-friendly (leash required for all four-legged participants), with benefits going toward Hartford Rec’s scholarship program.

The cost to run or walk is $10 in advance and $20 the day of the race. Contact Hartford Rec at 802-295-5036 for more information or to register.

Shamrock Shuffle 5KRegistration Open

Lebanon — Registration is underway for the Shamrock Shuffle 5K, the unofficial start to the Upper Valley’s outdoor running season.

The 18th edition of the Shuffle is scheduled for March 16, with an 11 a.m. start for the kids 1-mile fun run and a noon start for the 5K run around downtown Lebanon. The race begins and ends on Colburn Park in front of Lebanon City Hall.

Once registered, runners can pick up their race packets on the night before the race, from 6-8 p.m. at city hall and can also be received the day of the race. Runners are encouraged to register online through www.shamrock5k.com; pre-registration (through March 10) is $22.50 for ages 17 and older, $17.50 for ages 13-17 and $12.50 for ages 12 and younger; late registration fees increase $2.50 across the board after March 10. Long-sleeve T-shirts are guaranteed to all pre-registrants to desire to have one.

Call Lebanon Rec at 603-448-5121 for more information or assistance.

On the Court

Drop-In Games for Adults

Lebanon — The Lebanon Parks and Recreation Department has set up a pair of nights for pickup volleyball and basketball for adults this winter.

Informal open-gym basketball play is underway on Tuesday nights from 8-10 p.m. at the Lebanon Middle School gymnasium. Each session is open to ages 18 and older regardless of ability level.

Volleyballers can get their spikes in with a weekly drop-in session on Thursdays from 7:30-9 p.m. at the former Seminary Hill School gym. This event is also open to ages 18 and older.

For more information, contact Lebanon Recreation at 603-448-5121.