Moore and Davis win Black Mountain Classic

Sun, Mar  1, 2026 - By John Gravlin

It appears that Mother Nature is in her own "spring training" this time of year because she has perfected the Curve Ball! It seems that every Friday before the Black Mountain Classic, she throws a doozy of a curve ball at the Black Mountain trails.

This year, with a perfect 18 inches of fresh snow falling and cold temps during the week before the race, one 48 degree Friday with sun followed by a freeze after midnight, left groomers with another challenge. Several early morning trips around the 8.5 mile course resulted in a thin but very skiable classic track and fast conditions. There was about 1700 feet of elevation.

The new 2-lap format was praised by the racers and a truly fun race happened on Saturday.

Drew Moore and Ryan Harris double-poled away from the field and paused 150 yards from the finish to conduct their own Mano-e-Mano double pole sprint to the finish. Moore bested Harris by 2 seconds. Early-morning groomer, Denny Paull finished 3rd.

In the women's race Rebecca Davis continued her winning ways this year with a very fast 159:42 time. Teammate Mary Schlimmer-Willoughby was second and Sarah Newmeister rounded out the podium.

Said Newmister after the race, "I like that today's race was two laps, mostly because we ski here so infrequently, it was nice to have an idea of where you are on the course on the second lap, as well as which hills were going to give my trouble or not."

P.S. To you Bear Chase skiers, there could be a curve ball coming to Calumet???

Ryan Harris and Drew Moore sprint for the finish

2026 Black Mountain Classic Results