Ski race competitions heating up
This is more like it. Avalanche conditions have settled somewhat, the in-bounds race snow is getting firm and the competition is heating up. This week featured FIS races right here at Schweitzer Mountain, plus more youth race action and daily NASTAR.
n Northwest Cup J1/2 Qualifiers - Top FIS racers (age 15 and above) from across the Pacific Northwest convened at Schweitzer Mountain for three days of intense competition this weekend. SARS hosted a great race series, assisted by perfect snow conditions. Events included two Super G's and one Giant Slalom. Lindsey Anderson finished 6th and 7th in the two women's Super G's. Scott Snow took the Silver medal for men in the first Super G and followed with a strong 7th place result in Sunday's Super G. He also won the "move-up" award both speed days. He crashed in the Giant Slalom.
n Western Region Elite FIS Races at Park City/Snowbird - Wrapping up last week's activity in Utah, Scott Snow moved from 118th to 27th in the final slalom Wednesday, scoring excellent FIS points.
n True Grit - Lindsey Anderson stepped off the van last week after a grueling Utah race series which included vehicle break-downs, two good finishes and two hard crashes. She was bruised and nursing a black eye. Three hours later she was in Sandpoint High School with her peers. The following day she was up at 5 a.m. to race at Schweitzer. Then she skipped Monday's competition to attend Ms. Semones' math class. Yeah, this skiing all the time sure is "the life."
n Junior Race Series - The kids met for the second round of competition Friday night. Excellent race conditions made it possible for many to get three or four runs through the course. It's amazing to watch how quickly the newer competitors improve. The fastest boys were Michael Demko (21.05), Raleigh Hanson (22.21), Cory Diel (22.36), Brennan Powell (23.93) and Brenden McCoy (23.99). The fastest girls were Jezza Hutto (27.36), Morgan Wohllaib (27.69), Isabella Mortenson (28.04), Madelynn Ogle (28.56) and Sara Donnelly (31.32). Competition continues at 5:30 p.m. Friday night.
n NASTAR, Citizen Racing at its best - Experienced racers, or those just looking to settle some business with friends, should head to NASTAR on the weekends. Where else can you find a roped, professionally set and maintained, race venue for your personal use? The cost is low ($2.50 per run) and includes entry in the NASTAR data base, results tracking, local, State and National rankings. You even get invited to the National Championships in Steamboat Springs, Colorado if you measure up. Courses are open 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Come on down and show your stuff!
n Thanks - As we travel across the country competing, we see hundreds of volunteers making this great sport possible; officials, timers, course maintenance crews, registrars, ski patrollers and of course, the gate keepers who stand patiently by the of the course with their feet buried in snow. They're always present, yet they're seldom recognized. The Edge would like to thank those people today. Schweitzer hosted a great event, but it was more than 100 parents, friends and neighbors that made it happen.
n Potpourri - Friday "Own the Night" tickets are sponsored by the Newport High School this week. They are available at the Schweitzer Conoco or call Alisa Vaughn at (509) 671-7750 for details. There will not be discounted tickets Saturday night due to the three day weekend.
Any comments, recommendations or contributions to this column may be sent to Shep Snow by e-mail at shep@thesnowschool.com.
The Inside Edge appears every Thursday during ski season in the Daily Bee.