The roller ski sprint race was a part of the Eastern Regional Elite Group camp, which had been based at Green Mountain Valley School in Waitsfield, Vt. The camp came to Lake Placid to use the new roller loop.

“This is a new format for us, to be able to do an actual sprint race at an amazing venue like Mount Van Hoevenberg,” competitive program director of the New England Nordic Ski Association Justin Beckwith said.

The event was open to the public as viewers could watch the entire race on the deck of the main lodge.

The race, which was described as “super competitive,” was split into a men’s and women’s tournament. The winners of each race were awarded a medal on the podium outside the lodge.

Caden Cote races around the roller loop at Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid on Thursday.(Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

“It’s huge to hear these kids say this is what they love, and they are just so grateful,” Beckwith said. “We tried to go over the top and make this an event but it’s really a training session for them. But it’s a training session in a really competitive environment and that is really hitting the sweet spot.”

With the brand new facilities at Mount Van Hoevenberg, more events like the roller ski sprint race could take place.

“This was almost like a test event because we do run roller ski races,” Beckwith said. “I think with the success of this event we would think about coming back here to do something.”

From left, Evelyn Walton, Ava Thurston and Sofia Scirica stand on the podium after receiving their medals at Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid on Thursday. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)