PRESQUE ISLE — The Ski-Meister category of the Maine State Ski Meet is the most challenging of the events hosted by the Maine Principals’ Association.

It is essentially the Iron-Man of ski racing where skiers compete in four events in two days for the honor and title of Ski-Meister Champion.

Skiers race two Nordic events, a 5K Classical race and a 5K Skating race, as well as two alpine events, the Giant Slalom and Slalom. It is a grueling competition that saw these Meister competitors rising at 4:45 in the morning, braving -30 degree wind chills and finishing the two day competition at 6 p.m. in the evening on the second day.

It takes an incredible amount of physical and mental strength and these athletes have to be masters of time management.

David Flint of Camden Hills overcame a large deficit by skiing a tactically smart slalom race where 50 percent of the field failed to finish the course cleanly and then turned in a phenomenal 13th place Nordic skate race Tuesday night at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle to claim the honor of the #1 Ski-Meister amongst Class B boys.

Richard Stetson and I are so excited for David, he worked so hard all year and it really paid off, this is one of those honors that is just an exceptional achievement and he'll be able to appreciate and revel in for years to come.

Also finishing in a strong fourth place finish and a mere nine points out of a stellar third place finish was Adam Throne.

In the girls Ski-Meister competition, Ella Simon of Camden Hills displayed her raw athleticism and tenaciousness clawing her way into an amazing third place finish amongst the Class B girls division, doing so despite being her first year racing Nordic.

Ella really impressed with her effort in the meister competition, it was really great to see all the hard work pay off and to see her get that big trophy up on the podium.

Also finishing well for Camden HIlls in the girls meister competition were Abby Chamberlin in fifth place and Raine Ellison in seventh.

Ryan Hurley is the head coach of the Camden Hills Alpine ski team.

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.