JACKSON – The Pinedale High School Nordic ski team returned to Trail Creek Nordic Center near Wilson, Wyo. for a second invitational hosted by Jackson.

Blue skies and cool temperatures greeted the athletes as they strapped on their skis for the 7.5-kilometer skate race on Friday, Jan. 8, followed by a 5-kilometer classic race Saturday. Pinedale’s varsity squad covered a total of 7.8 miles over two days across varied terrain beneath Teton Pass.

Team scores were not kept at the meet, although Jackson dominated both the girls’ and boys’ varsity races, according to Head Coach Chris Calabro. The Nordic skiers representing Pinedale showed improvement from the first week, she said.

“In all, the team skied very well, with some excellent times,” Calabro added. “Friday’s race temperatures were ideal – in the low 20s with new snow – which made for some tough climbing and skating. On Saturday, the temperatures were lower – in the single digits and teens – which made the snow harder, but more difficult to glide on when climbing.”

Junior Jimmy Winkelkotter led Pinedale in the boys’ varsity 7.5-kilometer freestyle on Friday. He placed 16th, clocking in at 28 minutes, 15.00 seconds. Freshman Max Rife came in 19th at 29:04.60.

In the girls’ varsity freestyle race, senior Aurora Looney took 27th place timed in at 37:34.90. Junior Lexie Goodrich came in 30th place at 40:39.40.

Junior Kobbe Mitchell competed in a 3.75-kilometer junior varsity skate race on Friday. He placed seventh at 17:12.20.

On Saturday, Winkelkotter took 16th place again, timing the 5-kilometer race in at 19:29.30. Rife remained in 19th place at 20:17.80.

Goodrich finished in 25th place in girls’ varsity on Saturday, completing the 5-kilometer course in 23:32.90. Looney placed 29th at 24:45.50.