HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech is hosting the CCSA Championships & GLD CXC Cup Finale at the Tech Trails this weekend. The Huskies will race skate on Saturday and classic on Sunday.
 
"We really look forward to this home weekend every single season," Head Nordic Ski Coach Tom Monahan Smith said. "The reason we look forward to it so much is because of the community that we have surrounding our ski team. We have over 50 volunteers to help support the races. I think we have the best racing organizing committee in the nation—in my opinion. Many of the members have been with our team for 21 years and that's incredible.
 
"You couldn't ask for better skiing conditions on the Tech trails. It'll be cold but everyone will be prepared for it. We're excited to race on natural snow conditions—which isn't a norm for our sport anymore, and we have a large field of really good skiers for both days.
 
"It is a competitive advantage being able to race at home. We know how to ski these courses better than anybody. We've been able to get some quality intensity training sessions on our race courses to have that advantage."
 
The Butch Reimer Cup will be awarded to the CCSA Champions on Sunday while the collegiate races will also be looking for points towards earning an NCAA berth. The Great Lakes Division (GLD) skiers will be racing their final qualifying event for the Junior National Championships.
 
Saturday is a mass start skate race with the CCSA men's 20K starting at 11 a.m. The women's CCSA 20K gets going at 1:30 p.m.
 
Sunday is a 7.5K classic interval start with the CCSA women's race at 9:30 a.m. followed by the men's CCSA race at 11:30 a.m.