RASC NEWS
Mora Vasaloppet
Congratulations to all of the RASC and RNST alumni skiers who participated and survived this year's Mora Vasaloppet. This was a cold race, with temps below zero F for the entire race! Several RNST alumni and coaches were on the podium at the Mora Vasaloppet, as follows:
Vasa (54km freestyle)
F18-24 / 1. Laura Cattaneo
M35-44 / 2. Danny Whipple
Classic (42km classic)
F18-24 / 1. Rose Doda
Dala (36km freestyle)
F18-24 / 2. Elena Cattaneo
M65-74 / 2. Michael O’Connor
F55-64 / 2. Kristin Welch
The RASC/RNST haul was a total of two red and four blue Dala horses. Congratulations also to all the other RASC skiers who braved the cold and got out to ski on Saturday.
Rochester Invitational Wrap Up
Coach John Resman
Congratulations to all of the skiers participating in the Rochester Nordic Ski Invitational on Saturday, January 26! A total of 114 skiers participated in the race with 61 RNST members joining skiers from Red Wing and Winona.
The skiers raced a 5.4K trail in the freestyle (skating) technique. In addition to the usual golf course trail, a small section in the woods and a new loop on the driving range was added to the course. First year skiers traversed a slightly shorter 4.7K course which didn't include the loop on the driving range.
A timely 5" snowfall a week ago was just enough snow to cover up the icy track and provide good conditions for the race. None of this would have been possible without the grooming and course repair efforts by volunteers (led by Dave Greymont) and Park and Rec grooming.
The skiers showed much determination and persistence while on the race course in 5 degree temps and slow snow conditions. It was not an easy day for racing, but the skiers discovered it can be done!
Winona captured the boys individual titles with Ryan Meyer leading the varsity skiers and Braden Fritz earning the junior varsity championship. Jakob Ratelle (varsity) and Charlie Busch (junior varsity) finished first among the Rochester boys.
In the girls races, Anni Skillicorn of Winona finished first among varsity girls with Hadley Jensen leading the Rochester girls across the finish line. Congrats to Rochester's Natasha Sortland who was the junior varsity girls individual champion.
Rochester's Natalie Drake was the first girls finisher in the First Year 4.7K Race. Jon Keillor finished first among the Rochester first year boys skiers.
Winona won the team competitions in all four divisions (boys/girls varsity/junior varsity) with Rochester finishing second in all divisions.
The Rochester Nordic Invite results are posted on the RNST meet results web page. There are also photos of the invite on the Post Bulletin web site.
Thank you to Great Harvest who donated the baked goods for post-race refreshments. Be sure to thank them for their support when you visit their store.
Thank you to the coaches and parents who volunteered at the race. Your efforts made for a very smooth-running ski race and a great experience for all. Special thanks to Mike Trantow for organizing the Rochester Invite.
Nice job everyone at the meet - especially the first-year skiers! The coaches are proud of the progress the skiers have made this winter despite the limited on-snow time. It's great to see everyone embracing the Minnesota winter and enjoying the outdoors!
Here is a link to photos from the meet, courtesy of the Post Bulletin photographer (57 photos).
Mike Trantow and David Squillace shoveling snow on thin areas prior to the Rochester Invite
Maplelag Photos
Photos from Maplelag time trial
Thanks to Anna Sortland for all these photos
Victoria's Fundraiser
Thanks to everyone who participated in our annual RNST team fundraiser on Sunday January 13th. A total of $1300 was raised, simple by team members and friends dining at Victoria's on that day. Funds from this event help to support maintenance of the ski trails in Quarry Hill and Essex Park.
Many thanks to Kristin Sorenson who organizes this fundraiser, and to Victoria's restaurant for their generosity.
RASC Road Biking Survey
RASC's Road Cycling Committee is working on providing safe and fun rides for all athletic cyclists in the Rochester-area. We've been asked to consider some enhancements this year and wanted to gather your input. Matt Lynch has generated a small survey to get feedback from club members on what they are looking for in club rides in 2019.
If you have not already responded to this survey on Facebook or Google Group, please take sometime to respond to this small survey!
Here is the link to the on-line survey
https://goo.gl/forms/X1LgBaXL1jAeTPyI3
1st place in the state!! 
Congrats to the Rochester Middle School MTB Team on their 2018 season win!
Individual Top 10s for Middle/High School
3rd: Caleb Kittleson - JV2 Boys
4th: Franziska Rinkleff - 8th Grade Girls
5th: Patrick McCauley - 8th Grade Boys
6th: Ari Walker - 8th Grade Boys
6th: Jack McCauley - 7th Grade Boys
6th: Veronika Voss - 7th Grade Girls
8th: Noah Billings - 7th Grade Boys
10th:Victoria Voss - Freshman Girls
