Computers, cookies and cowbells are key ingredients for running a successful nordic race, and the Portland Ski Club does very well in all those departments.

A racer double poles to the finish line Saturday in a race hosted by Portland Ski Club
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After attending Saturday's high school meet at Riverside golf course, hosted by PSC, I was impressed by the outstanding organization of the competition. Sure, the racers are the focus of the event, but today let's take a look at some of the officials and race helpers -- the people who make it all possible.

PSC's point people are the husband-wife team of Tim and Sukie Benoit. Tim's a computer guru, who keeps track of the results; Sukie's a bullhorn artist who directs the on-snow action.

Tim Benoit keeps track of results on the computer
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Sukie Benoit directs racers and on-snow officials
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Starting line officials at Saturday's high school ski meet hosted by Portland Ski Club
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Cookie lady Beth Cory is very popular
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The Portland Ski Club (website out of date) was co-founded eight years ago by another husband-wife team, Craig and Barbara Whiton. Barbara was president for quite a while and Craig is coach of the combined team that is drawn from all three of the city's high schools: Portland, Deering and Casco Bay.

Craig and Barbara Whiton are the co-founders of the Portland Ski Club
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Craig Whiton, coach of the combined Portland high school nordic ski team, rings a cowbell to encourage his racers
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The biggest hero of the day was Riverside superintendent Gene Perotti, who started grooming the race course at 2 a.m. and kept at it until the first competitor pushed off. First class all the way!

Gene Perotti, who grooms the race course at Riverside, shares a laugh with Rick Licht, coach of the Gray-New Gloucester nordic team
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Yesterday I went up to Pineland Farms ski center, where the New England Nordic Ski Association held a number of races that ranged from lollipop kiddie races to masters competition.

In conversation with several of the partipants I was reminded of the importance of reliable officiating: In a recent NENSA race (in another state) all the women's times were badly messed up and had to be declared invalid. Now consider the fact that some of these racers train hundreds of hours, travel hundreds of miles and spend hundreds of dollars to compete in the NENSA series. 'Nuff said.

A racer at yesterday's NENSA competition held at Pineland Farms ski center
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NENSA racer double poles to the finish line
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Finish line officials yesterday at Pineland Farms
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Eliza Adams runs the finish line refreshment table at yesterday's NENSA races
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