Official AXCS NM2020 Preview Information.....
In the heart of Vermont’s unspoiled Northeast Kingdom, you’ll find some of the finest cross-country skiing in New England.
Come January, masters from throughout the U.S. will once again get to experience the incredible trails of the Craftsbury Outdoor Center as the 2020 National Masters returns to New England -- February 1-2, 2020.
Two Fantastic Races In One Weekend
Tentative plans have 2020 racing getting started on Saturday, February 1 with NM2020 classic distance races over laid on the traditional Craftsbury Ski Marathon -- the largest XC ski event in the East.
Then on Sunday, February 2 the new (as of this past 2019 season) Sunday skate technique Craftsbury Ski Marathon events will play host to NM2020 freestyle events.
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No special entry into the Craftsbury Ski Marathon will be required. All masters 30+ that are registered in the officially-assigned CSM Saturday and/or Sunday races for your age/gender category will be considered officially part of the National Masters.
As always with AXCS National Masters overlaid on American Ski Marathon Series events, all skiers (regardless of age category) will be free to ski any Craftsbury Ski Marathon distance they wish. But only the official and designated NM2020 distances for each category will count towards National Masters titles and/or the U.S. Masters XC Ski Team designation.
Normal Craftsbury Ski Marathon awards for age/gender finishers will also double as the NM2020 awards. Please note that currently the CSM recognizes 10 year age groups for their on-site awards. So although skiers in 5 year age groups will be separated for US Masters Team calculations and for posterity purposes as NM2020 5 year age group podiums — the normal CSM awards will be the only physical awards provided for the NM2020.
The AXCS Board of Directors has approved the following as the "official" NM2020 race distances.
Men & Women 30-59 — 50km CL on Saturday, February 1 & 33km FS on Sunday, February 2
Men 60-74 & Women 60-69 — 33km CL on Saturday, February 1 & 16km FS on Sunday, February 2
Men 75+ & Women 70+ — 33km CL on Saturday, February 1 & no Sunday Freestyle race scored for US Masters Team (so older skiers do whatever you want -- race, watch, cheer, etc.).
SPECIAL NOTE: For the 2020 Craftsbury Ski Marathon weekend, both race days will be zero waste. Organizers will have 1 feed station with reusable cups and another with just cambros of drink mix. A table will be provided on which racers can stash bottles, organized by bib number -- but there will NOT be disposable cups at the far feed station. Organizers will NOT have gels or any single-serve nutrition items. Energy bars will be made in house and bananas provided as well.
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Getting To Craftsbury?
Located in the Northeastern region of Vermont south of the Canadian border, Craftsbury is roughly 90 minutes from the Burlington, VT airport with daily connections nationwide.
Shuttles can be arranged for skiers staying at the resort, but rental cars are the most likely option for skiers flying to the NM2020. Lodging options nearest the race venue tend to book up rapidly so you will not want to wait to secure a place.
Lodging is available both at Craftsbury itself as well as nearby areas such as Stowe, Vermont. Host housing options may be possible as well.
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Where can I find more info and registration?
NM2020 information and links are available via both here on xcskiworld.com and www.craftsbury.com. Please pay careful attention to notices about the CSM 2020 weekend being a non-fluorinated wax event and also that there will not be any single serving race feeds. These are new trends in the sprint and Craftsbury is ahead of the curve. Make sure to make plans ahead of time!
Registration for the Craftsbury Ski Marathon weekend is open until at least Thursday, January 30. You are urged not to wait until the last second to register -- the CSM event has sold out in the past and AXCS cannot help you get in if you wait until after the marathon is filled.
Criteria and past honorees for the U.S. Masters Team.
We’ll see you in Vermont soon!
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