Volunteers and athletes go above and beyond over three days of world-class racing.

From December 8 – 11, the Sun Valley Super Tour welcomed more than 300 athletes from 32 teams and 11 states, along with multiple collegiate athletes and teams from Canada. Top athletes in the United States who aren’t currently racing World Cup also toed the line for three days of cross country ski racing at Sun Valley’s world-renowned Lake Creek venue.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” said Becky Woods, SVSEF Cross Country Program Director. “The Nordic community here in Sun Valley came together yet again in some extremely challenging conditions, to make this event happen. I am so grateful to be a part of a community that takes such pride in putting on the best event possible, so all the athletes, families, and friends that came to be a part of it could have the experience they hoped for.”

Volunteers, families, friends, coaches, and athletes came out in force to battle the elements and test their mettle amongst fierce competition. More than 150 volunteers made up the world-class “pit crew” for the event. They helped with everything from judging skiing technique, handing out and collecting electronic timing chips and race bibs to each racer, cooking up and selling fresh gourmet waffles at the Yummy Shack, to preparing an aid station for all the racers, and more.

“Keeping all the racers and spectators safe, providing a fair and challenging racing venue, and doing it all during an epic snow cycle is something only Nordic Town, USA and the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation can pull off while having so much fun at the same time,” said Kathryn Grohusky, volunteer coordinator. “Thanks to all for volunteering and please join us again next year!”

SVSEF athletes had some standout results, starting on Thursday with SVSEF XC Gold Team member Peter Wolter on the podium in 3rd place in the senior men’s 15km classic, followed by Jake Adicoff in 22nd. In the senior women’s 15km classic race, Sammy Smith matched Wolter’s 3rd place podium and Katie Feldman was close in 13th.

In the 10km classic race, SVSEF Post-Grad athlete Miguel Fresco Hanlon was 7th, followed closely by Dave Wolter in 9th, Holden Archie and Galen Grohusky in 14th and 15th, and Teddy Hobbs in 21st. In the women’s 10km, Cora Faye Scott found herself on the podium in 2nd place, with teammates Berkeley Canfield and Anika Vandenburgh rounding out the top ten in 7th and 10th respectively.

In the U16 boys 5km classic race, Zach Quesnel stepped on the podium in 3rd place and Mazzy Connors led the way in the U16 girls 5km classic race finishing 4th. Tait Boschen raced his way to 3rd in the U14 boys race and Zoe Liberatore did the same in the girls U14 race. Finally, the U12 girls swept the podium with Payton Daly Scheingraber, Isla Sunby and Sydney Nelson going 1, 2 and 3.

Saturday brought continuous snow and some spectacular results for SVSEF in the Classic Sprints. Sammy Smith found her way to a 4th place finish in a tightly fought sprint for senior women. Berkeley Canfield tested her skills by making the senior sprint heats and finishing a solid 30th. In the junior heats, Anika Vandenburgh showed her grit by making it to the A final for U18’s along and Mazzy Connors did the same for the U16’s. Peter Wolter led the way finishing 10th among the senior men, while Holden Archie and Miguel Fresco-Hanlon made their way to the U18 final as well. Zach Quesnel skied his way to the heats for the U16 boys and finished in 8th overall.

On the final day and through the extreme elements, SVSEF XC Gold Team member Katie Feldman led the way in the senior women’s 10km freestyle event with a solid 14th place. Sammy Smith was 2nd for the U18’s with an overall finish of 22nd. Cora Faye Scott was close behind in 33rd. Gold Team member Peter Wolter found his way back into the top 10 in the senior men’s 10km with a 10th place finish. Galen Grohusky was the victor in the U18 men’s category with an overall 27th place. SVSEF’s presence continued straight through the last race of the day seeing the U12 girls sweep the podium once again with Isla Sunby, Payton Scheingraber, and Penelope Zook going 1, 2, 3 respectively.

For complete results, visit svsef.org/sun-valley-super-tour