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West High's Blake Hanley warms up on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. The annual Lynx Loppet is a two-day pursuit race where the finish times from the first day determine the start order for the second day, and Hanley's first place finish lets him start 35 seconds before the next skier, Kenai's Greg Fallon. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
The first of two days of ski racing brought high school teams from across Southcentral to Kincaid Park for the annual Lynx Loppet pursuit race. Skiers on Friday tackled a 5.6-kilometer race using the classic technique, with their finishing times determining the start order for Saturday’s 5.3-kilometer skate pursuit.
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Skiers make their way around Gong Hill on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
For the boys, West High’s Blake Hanley will start the skate pursuit 35.5 seconds ahead of a pack of three Kenai skiers. On the girls side, Service High’s Olivia Soderstrom will start with a nearly 39-second lead over East High’s Rose Conway. Saturday’s races start at 11 a.m. at Kincaid Park.
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A Dimond High Lynx mascot cheers competitors on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. The annual Lynx Loppet, hosted by Dimond, is a two-day pursuit race where the finish times from the first day determine the start order for the second day. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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Bartlett skier Samantha Bushman's glasses reflect the start area on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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Signs direct skiers to their appropriate lane on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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Grace Christian's Easton Roads skis past Gong Hill on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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Soldotna's Jameson Hall leads a group of skiers up a hill on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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Kenai's Teresa Fallon takes off from the start line on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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AJ Glover skis into the stadium on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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Grace Christian's Cate Merriner skis into the stadium on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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Palmer High volunteer dad Jeff Simono serves hot dogs and grilled chicken on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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Spectators watch the finish chute action from the comfort of a ski-equipped couch on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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West High's Ruben Rhodes skis up a hill on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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Skiers stay warm with blankets as they wait for their start time on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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Valdez's Ezekiel James runs along the finish chute with his team's flag on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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Dimond's Amelia Kari skis through the finish chute on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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Palmer's Becca Skin waxes her skis on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
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East High's Thea Offrink makes her way around Gong Hill on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)