Written by Dani
All week a small group of (just) slightly overenthusiastic Tartletes waited restlessly for news of the fate of the NSK Cross. Blizzards came and went, trains and planes were cancelled but finally we got the green light and quickly gathered our warmest clothes and hoped the buses and NS would get us to the Amsterdam Bos.
It’s safe to say that the challenge of the day began well before the start line as we faced long stretches of treacherous ice rinks on the roads towards the Bos. But we finally got there and got greeted with a lovely warm changing area to get ready. After a slightly terrifying warm-up lap around the course, the first Tartletes thrown into the deep (snow) end were Jasmijn, Isa, Kuba, and Rutger who all by participant in the first race had to tackle some of the deepest snow piles, but all put in very nice performances and made it around the course speedily – particularly noteworthy the top 10 performances by Isa and Rutger – well done! 
Some of the longer distance athletes had been tackling a variety of injuries and ailments recently so it must be said they weren’t able to put their best foot forward this time around but still it was highly respectable their efforts on a course with such difficult conditions. Lining out for Tartletós were Mara, Esra, Olivier, Mees, Arturri, and Dani. In the women’s race both Mara and Esra finished high up in the rankings, 8th and 6th respectfully gathering some points in the Zeus league. Olivier had a strong race, and Artturi and Mees supported eachother as teammates through the whole 8km or so in true dreamteam spirit! Dani endured a seemingly never-ending game of cat and mouse at the front of the field to finally finish in 2nd, equalling the results of last year’s edition, closely missing the top spot by just 4 seconds! 
The best was yet to come for cheetos babies that afternoon though as our brave relay team pulled on the black-and-red singlet once again to tack the ice for a second time. The super legs ran by each team were generously awarded with first an assumed 3rd place, but then a surprise 2nd place finish to ensure Cheetos was not of the podium for long at the award ceremony. 
A very special thank you must be given to all the volunteers who braved standing statically on such a freezing day including our own Maureen and Iris who also cheered on all the Tartletes. An honourable mention to the ever-cheerful and smiley Samuel who shouted on great words of encourage around the course which were much appreciated each time. A warm chocomel met slagrom by the fire, not (too) many NS delays back home, and a cosy viewing of the World Cross Country (in a much, much warmer Florida) was a nice end to a very cold, but splendid day 
