Harwood Senior Nordic Skier
Extending the cross-country ski season was a sheer delight for Thurston, who excelled against a slew of North American Olympians during Canadian National Championships at Whistler Olympic Park. Thurston placed 16th out of 132 racers in the 5-kilometer freestyle event. She finished 1 minute, 23.3 seconds behind Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins. The eight-time Vermont high school Nordic champ placed 10th out of 87 competitors in the 10k classic event, trailing U.S. Ski Team member Julia Kern by 2:25. Thurston qualified 10th in a field of 89 skiers during the classic sprint. She was 13.58 seconds off the top pace and wound up 15th after the heats. The three-sport standout placed first during Sunday's 21k national junior championship in freestyle action. She crossed the line in 1:01.25 to beat runner-up Samantha Smith by 13.6 seconds.
