Durango Nordic Club hosts Junior Olympic Qualifier

News Release
February 7, 2005
Loryn Kasten
970-247-900 x237
lkasten@durangomountain.com

DURANGO NORDIC CLUB HOSTS JUNIOR OLYMPIC QUALIFIER
Young Nordic skiers meet at Purgatory to earn spot on Jr. Olympic Team

Durango, CO - The best of youth Nordic skiers from around the region will converge on Durango Mountain Resort this weekend, as the Nordic Center hosts the Junior Olympic Qualifier February 12-13. Winners from the weekend's competitions will be named to the Rocky Mountain Junior Olympic Ski Team and represent the region at the Junior Nationals in Truckee, California later this season.

Saturday is the main qualifier event, with the Duathlon kicking off at 9 am. The event begins with a mass start, divided by class and sex, and each class will finish their run before the next class starts. The Duathlon consists of a classic lap and then a skating lap by each athlete. The competition is scheduled to run until 1:30 pm.

An Official Race Weekend Dinner will be held at Bistro 701 on Saturday evening beginning at 5:30 pm, where Saturday's race awards will be handed out and the Rocky Mountain Junior Olympic Ski Team will be named. Dinner is followed by a Rock and Roll Sock Hop at the Bistro.

Sunday is the Rocky Mountain Division Mountain Cup Sprint Skate Relay, open to male and female racers from OJ/J1 to J6. During this competition each skier will race one lap at a time, with two runs allowed. Event begins at 9 am on Sunday morning and awards follow the completion of each class.

Registration for the Rocky Mountain Division Junior Olympic Qualifier is due by 6pm on Tuesday, February 8, 2005. Registration for Saturday's event is $9 for J3 and younger, and $18 for J2 and older; Sunday's even costs $5 for J3 and younger and $8 for J2 and older. Late Registration is accepted for Saturday's race only, through 7 pm on Friday, February 11, with extra fees. For more information about the Junior Olympic Qualifier contact Mike Elliot at 970-259-1515 or visit www.rmdnordic.org.

-www.durangomountainresort.com-