Inside Edge: Powder Pirates sail away with Junior Race Series gold
(Courtesy photo) The Powder Pirates, coached by Jamie Emmer, Maddie Emmer and Wesley Simko, won the BEST Team award in this year’s Junior Race Series. Members of the Pirates were Lia and Logan Bradford, Josie Buoy, Bodi Demmons, Bridger Demmons, Felix Hurt, Tanner Lauper, Bode Scarlet and Cody Warwick.
Shiffrin nabs No. 65 and 66 — Mikaela Shiffrin continued her march to the all-time World Cup win record with a big weekend in Bansko, Bulgaria. She is rapidly becoming the greatest all event skier of all time.
With a nearly insurmountable lead in the overall standings, she also leads the cup race in slalom, and super-G, and is second in downhill and giant slalom.
She started the weekend with a fifth place downhill finish on the very steep track. She followed up with wins in downhill and super-G. Teammate Breezy Johnson added fifth and 10th place finishes in the downhill, and Alice Merryweather chipped in with a 19th in super-G and 26th in downhill.
The men also had a big weekend on the venerable Kitzbuehel, Austria downhill track, known as the Hahnenkamm. Bryce Bennett led four racers into the points, placing eighth. He was followed by Steve Nyman (13th), Jared Goldberg (23) and Travis Ganong (30). Ganong was the top U.S. finisher in the super-G at 10th followed by Ryan Cochran-Siegle in 26th and Nyman in 30th.
Junior Race Series Final — Despite wet snow that prevented setting a race course, the teams free skied together, then loaded up on ice cream before the awards ceremony.
The fastest boy was James Schriber followed by Landon Buoy. Lila Kadzejs was the fastest girl followed by Halle Wyman. The most improved boy was Tate Lauper, followed closely by Bode Scarlett.
In another close contest, Summer Healy edged Lia Bradford for most improved honors. The Powder Pirates won the most improved team gold.
College Daze — Special discounts and events for college students this weekend at Schweitzer. Call the activities center at 208-255-3081 for details.
IFSA Junior Freeride — Schweitzer hosts this regional event for juniors. Call the activities center at 208-255-3081 for details.
Potpourri — Any comments, recommendations or contributions to this column may be sent to Shep Snow by email at shep@thesnowschool.com. Negative feedback should be sent to someone else.