The golden touch: girls nordic wins state title for second year in a row
Team embraces after win. Photo: Gillian Fairfax
March 15, 2022
On the cold and sunny morning of February 24, the eight members of the Girls Nordic States team arrived just after 8 am at Craftsbury Outdoor Center, lugging with them equipment, sleeping bags, and pillows. With two hours to go, the hectic preparations began, with skiers previewing the course, coaches waxing skis, and supporters warming up by the fire pit.
“We were all nervous but really excited because we knew we had a good shot at winning,” Gillian Fairfax ‘24 said.
After two days of competition, the team took the Division I State Championship title for the second year in a row on February 28. They beat second-place Mount Mansfield Union by a staggering 55 points with six of the eight skiers placing in the top 10.
Rosalie Brown, ‘23, led the team in the classic race, coming in second and placing fifth in the skate.
“I had a killer, like one of the best races this season,” Brown said. “…It was really fun to be out there. The girls were so supportive.”
Brown and her teammates approached the championships with enthusiasm, decorating their faces with temporary seahorse tattoos and glitter, and braiding their hair.
“The team spirit is so fun,” Brown said. “Nordic is all about having fun. I’ve become pretty close-knit [with everyone] this season, like family.”
The cold weather and ice for the classic race added an additional challenge to their already difficult terrain, which was filled with steep uphills and technical descents. However, with the challenge, came support from both spectators and coaches.
“I was going up one of the giant hills, and one of my coaches was just standing there and yelling her head off and that was really helpful,” Fairfax said. “It helped me push through.”
The two-time championship Nordic team has gained coverage from media across Vermont, including the Burlington Free Press and Seven Days.
“[BHS girls] Nordic hadn’t been winning States prior to the last two years,” Greta Kilburn, ’23 said. “It’s really exciting to have more recognition of the sport.”
