Exciting Finish in the Rossignol Junior Loppet

There was a photo finish in the Rossignol Junior Loppet in the U12 race! Cooper Camp, Lauren Munger and Lars Brinkema were battling it out throughout the race. Brinkema, 12, got a little behind toward the end of the race but caught up with the other skiers at the turnaround. Munger, 11, and Brinkema did “the lunge” at the end edging their skis forward. Brinkema ended up in first place with an official time of 9:56.34 while Munger finished second in 9:56.54. Camp finished in third place with a time of 9:58.04.

It was a fun moment watching all of the young skiers together with their parents as they enjoyed recapping the race. Brinkema’s parents, Maree Hampton and Corey Brinkema, remarked, “We think he’s been watching too many high-level ski races!”

Other competitors in the Junior Loppet included teams from the Loppet Foundation’s Junior Loppet Program where students at three North Minneapolis middle schools participate in a year-round ski and mountain bike team. Kemari Williams, a three-year member of the Nellie Stone (now Franklin) Middle School team, said “it was a great race.” Williams has skied the Rossignol Junior Loppet a number of times.

For Ronesha Trice, it was her first time skiing the race, and it was “GREAT!” she exclaimed. She worked hard with Coach Jon Miller all season and really enjoyed learning to ski. Her favorite part of the season was a trip to Wisconsin. She said she enjoyed the big hills, though noted that one day she got a “stick in the eye.” But did that stop the young skier? Not at all! Trice kept on skiing and had fun! Her brothers Julian and Rolian, 11, both ski on the team as well.

For the full Rossignol Junior Loppet results check out the results page.