Nikki Kassel's still got it.
The 42-year-old former World Cup masters gold medalist cooked the long course Saturday at the Stride and Glide Sports Spirit of the Rivers Loppet at Otway Nordic Centre, winning the women's 18-kilometre cross-country ski race in 52 minutes 4.09 seconds.
Her time was fifth-quickest overall and second in the masters (40- to 59-year-old) age category only to Tony Fiala, a 1992 Olympic biathlete, who won the male masters race Saturday in 49:18.34.
Kassel took advantage of fast snow and near-perfect weather conditions on a sunny morning to capture the female title ahead of Maja Jacobs (1:02.36) and Lynda Foreman (1:03.51).
Arthur Roots topped the men's field, finishing the 18km course in 49:08.63, 38.98 seconds ahead of Kris Yip (49:47.69). Fiala, 51, had the third-quickest men's time.
The race, formerly known as the Caledonia Marathon, attracted 187 skiers. Due to a lack of snow the course had to be modified and shortened from its usual 30km to avoid icy sections.
Other 18km class winners were: Open women - Sarah Champagne (1:50:03); 60-plus male - Scott Forrest (57:54.83).
The 9km race category winners were: 17-and-under female - Brynn Witwicki (32:48.96); 17-and-under male - Damian Georgyev (28:22.86); Female open classic - Lanita Horning (52:26.49); Male open classic - Gordon Horning (45:16.75); Female rec - Maddy Roll (39:31.80; Male rec - Alan Witwicki (36:39.06). 6km winners: Female rec - Jennifer Schulz (29:19.86), Male rec - Luc St-Denis (25:34.45); 13-and-under female - Leyla St-Denis (25:32.98); 13-and-under male - Liam Owen (24:01.29). 2.5km winners: 10-and-under female - Camryn Maclachlan (11:08.15); 10-and-under male - Connel Foster (9:42.29); Skier with chariot - Farah and Emerson McKenzie (22:01.80); Skier with bunny - Tuppy Hoehn (19:33.64); Bunny on skis - Torrin Foster (11:48.53).
Complete results are available at zone4.ca.
