Photos: Highlights from the Lynx Loppet ski race

West High's Blake Hanley warms up on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. The annual Lynx Loppet is a two-day pursuit race where the finish times from the first day determine the start order for the second day, and Hanley's first place finish lets him start 35 seconds before the next skier, Kenai's Greg Fallon. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

The first of two days of ski racing brought high school teams from across Southcentral to Kincaid Park for the annual Lynx Loppet pursuit race. Skiers on Friday tackled a 5.6-kilometer race using the classic technique, with their finishing times determining the start order for Saturday’s 5.3-kilometer skate pursuit.

Skiers make their way around Gong Hill on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 during the first day of the Lynx Loppet cross-country ski race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

For the boys, West High’s Blake Hanley will start the skate pursuit 35.5 seconds ahead of a pack of three Kenai skiers. On the girls side, Service High’s Olivia Soderstrom will start with a nearly 39-second lead over East High’s Rose Conway. Saturday’s races start at 11 a.m. at Kincaid Park.