Great Scott Pursuit has the edge
Great Scott Pursuit - Better late than never! This annual classic was held on Jan 10, but the edge was out of the loop, so to speak. The event was hosted by the Schweitzer Nordic Department and featured both 5K and 10K competition, using both skate and traditional techniques. Bobby Olsen paced all competitors while winning the 10K Make Junior Class (probably all of the SHS cross sountry training helped). Kristen Dehart won the 10K Open Class 10K Skate for women and Susan Drumhellar won the 10K Open Class Traditional. Julie Meyer took 2nd place and Susie Kubiak 3rd in the Traditional Open. Tom Dehart won the 10K Open Class Skate for men, followed by Lars Spurland and Robert Funk in 2nd and 3rd respectively. Bob Stutz won the 10K Over 60 male skate competition, followed closely by Richard Beber. Jack Rinck won the under 12 Male 10K. Nathan Cook won the Traditional 10K male open and Len Taylor took 10K over 60 Traditional honors. In the 5K competition, Susan Pattinson won the Ladies Skate Open Class, followed by Paula Lund and Arlene Cook. Leila Olson won the Tradaitional 5K womens Open and David Poskof took the men's. It was great event with a large turnout, illustrating the enduring popularity of the sport in our area.
n Season Opener for Emerald Empire League - The 2009 USSA Youth competitive season started this weekend as SARS hosted the first Giant Slalom for athletes aged 12 and under. A number of local athletes participated, many in their first race ever. Jake Diel took Gold in the J3 division after taking an insurmountable lead in the first run. Michael Demko was third amongst J4's after the first run, but a hiccup in the second run cost him a podium finish and he settled for 4th place. In J5 action, Brennan Powell took 8th place and Quinn Donnelly skied steadily into 9th place. Brayden Demko wrapped it up for the local guys with an 8th place finish amongst J6s. On the ladies side, the only top 10 finisher was Sara Donnelly with a strong 4th place J6 effort. Other local participants were: Nathan Demko, Cory Diel, Brenden McCoy, Bode Ross, Summer Ross and Lani Wahl.
n Junior Race Series wraps up this Friday - The weather continues to be great for this series, and it appears that we will get in four nights of competition for the first time in history. This week is critical. All of the teams have shown great improvement and the stats are so close that anyone could win it. Competition starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by the famous, eat 'til you're sick, bust a gut, ice cream party and awards ceremony. But let's report on last week… the fastest boys were Stephen Sell (21.19), Michael Demko (21.23), Cory Diel (22.04), Alex Baker (22.23), and Brenden McCoy (22.58). The fastest girls were Elizabeth Kovalchuk (26.57), Jezza Hutto (26.77), Madelynn Ogle (27.71), Isabella Mortensen (28.37) and Morgan Wohllaib (29.41). Bring an appetite Friday!!!
n Racers hit the road - Many of the FIS racers head off to Big Sky Montana this Friday for a week of speed. The event features two Downhills, two Super Gs and their accompanying training days. Watch for a full report. Meanwhile, the Youth Ski Leaguers head to 49 Degrees North this weekend for their own Super G plus a Slalom.
n Potpourri - Schweitzer hosts J1/2 FIS Qualifiers this weekend on Zip Down. The event features two Super G and one Giant Slalom. Volunteers always welcome - SARS supplies a lift ticket and lunch. Call 263-1081 for additional info.
Friday Schweitzer "Own the Night" lift tickets are available for only $8, go for 3-8 pm. With these one can also obtain $12 equipment rentals. Come support SHS grad night! Tickets will be sold at the Schweitzer Cut-off Conoco. Contact Tara Clawson at 208 263-6748 for details. Saturday's "Own the Night" tickets are sponsored by Timberlake Senior Grad Night. Call Gina Siembieda at (208) 623-6164 or Mary Maldonado at (208) 819-1537 for details. 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.