The Chronicle

     WINTHROP - The Methow Valley Nordic Club's first timed race was Feb. 9 at the Chickadee trailhead near town.
     The Winthrop Ski Derby debuted with 16K and 32K classic-style races that attracted 46 skiers from around the state and as far away as Ashland, Ore., and Leadville, Colo.
     The 32km event was designed to be a challenging classic race because of its length and climb up the Sun Mountain trails to Thompson Ridge.
     It drew 32 skiers.
     Winthrop's Solomon Woras led the pack, completing the event in 1 hour and 38 minutes. Winthrop's Laura McCabe was the first female finisher at 1 hour and 44 minutes.
     Leslie Hall was the next local finisher with a time of 1 hour and 48 minutes.
     The 16K race drew 14 skiers and took place on the more gently sloped lower trails of the Sun Mountain system.
     Alex Hall won the race in 1 hour and 1 minute.
     Katie Stege of Leadville, Colo., placed second overall and was the first female finisher. Her time was 1 hour 4 minutes.
     A post-race lunch and awards ceremony were at Carlos 1800 Mexican Grill and Cantina, 149 Riverside Ave.
     Race co-directors were Scott Waichler and Jim Kelley.