The cold weather kept more than 40 keen young skiers from starting the second Don Sumanik race this weekend, but for those older skiers who did get to race, the course and weather came together for a great day.

The cut off for skiers under 12 was -15 C, and unfortunately the temperature dipped to -19 on the Mt. McIntyre ski trails for the Don Sumanik Memorial Classic Technique Race on Saturday.

Overall 35 skiers were able to complete the course, and despite the low temperature, the light wind and clear sky made the conditions on the course great.

Racers participated in either the 3.75, 5, 7.5 or 10-kilometre race. The course lapped through the stadium for the longer races, which provided thrills for the crowd gathered to take in the race. This race began in mass starts for the skiers, instead of a staggered start at last weekend's free technique race.

The race saw familiar faces top the categories, with Dahria Beatty taking the spot of fastest female, finishing the 7.5-kilometres in 23:39. Following Beatty in to the ski stadium was Kendra Murray at 23:51 and Janelle Greer at 25:08. All three young women were in the junior women's category.

For the men, Knute Johnsgaard finished the 10-kilometre race in 27:58. Johnsgaard came into the stadium with a huge welcome, as Saturday was his 17th birthday. The racers were treated to cake at the ski chalet afterwards to celebrate. Following Johnsgaard was Jeff Wood at 28:12 and Nansen Murray at 30:39.

Overall, Beatty and Johnsgaard were the fastest skiers of the Don Sumanik memorial race series, both skiers won their divisions in the free and classic technique races.

The two racers were awarded the Don Sumanik Memorial Trophies for the fastest male and female racers by Elsie Westervelt, Sumanik's widow and a former world masters skier. Each skier was awarded a cash prize donated by Westervelt as well.

The Don Sumanik races are the first of the season for the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski club. They also act as the tryouts for the Arctic Winter Games.

Up next for the club is the Sportees Sprint on Dec. 27, to be held at the ski stadium.

2009 Don Sumanik Memorial

Classic Technique Race results

Junior male

Place/Skier Time

1. Knute Johnsgaard 27:58.4

2. Jeff Wood 28:11.6

Open male

1. Nansen Murray 30:39.2

2. David Gonda 32:13.9

3. Jonathon Kerr 32:35.1

4. Douglas de la Mare 33:42.6

5. Craig Beatty 37:34.3

Junior female

1. Dahria Beatty 23:38.6

2. Kendra Murray 23:50.8

3. Janelle Greer 25:08.5

Open female

1. Sara Nielsen 25:42.4

Juvenile male

1. Fabian Brook 15:02.0

2. Izak Baril-Blouin 15:32.3

3. Trevor Bray 18:25.8

4. Reid Seal 25:12.9

Juvenile female

1. Nesha Wright 12:40.6

2. Katie Peters 12:41.2

3. Holly Bull 13:33.1

4. Adrienne Hynes 15:45.5

5. Emily Wilson 14:57.1

Midget female

1. Cambria Fuerstner 15:38.8

2. Kassi Wright 15:40.2

3. Eliza Paul 15:40.5

4. Zoe Painter 18:38.4

5. Solstice Sarin-Toews 21:19.7

Midget male

1. Marcus Deuling 16:03.4

2. Mac Prawdzik 19:34.6

3. Andrew Seal 22:29.1