Inside Edge: Independence Junior Race Series wraps up

by SHEP SNOW
| February 12, 2021 1:00 AM

World Cup Update — The U.S. men’s team was at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany for a speed event this week. In 50 degree weather, Travis Ganong led three Americans into the points with a seventh place downhill finish. Jared Goldberg finished 17th and Bryce Bennett was 21st.

Ganong was back at it in super-G, finishing 12th. So now we move to the World Championships in Cortina, Italy. The Edges' favorite resort after Schweitzer, of course.

Northwest Cup No. 1 — Local athletes joined 150 U16 and older racers from across the Northwest at Mount Spokane last weekend for the first round of Northwest Cup competition in slalom and giant slalom.

Erika and Avery Edmundson had a good week, completing all eight runs and establishing USSS points profiles moving forward. Erika placed 19th and 22nd in giant slalom and 10th and 18th in slalom. Avery finished 19th and 20th in giant slalom and 23rd and 27th in slalom. Men’s results were not available at press time.

Independence Junior Race Series — The series wrapped up last Friday with excellent ski conditions and a fast course. The crowd was pretty jazzed for awards (perhaps it was a sugar high from cookies and hot chocolate). The series is focused on improvement, but also recognizes the fastest racers.

The fastest boy was Landon Buoy followed closely by Anders Trygstad. The fastest girl was Halle Wyman. Marley Bond-Brooks was a close second. The most improved boy was Harley Yake. Logan Brixen was runner-up. The most improved girl was Nori Rose followed by Ollie McKitrick.

Members of the most improved team — the Snow Pirates — all received medals. Members were: Lia Bradford, Allison Hewitt, Mackenzie Issacharoff, Cora Naples, Nori Rose, Bode Scarlet, Online Trygstad, Cody Warwick, Nixon Wohisichlage, Campbell Wyman and Ryan Yake.

The winner of the drawing for skis and bindings was Allison Hewitt. Special thanks to our great coaches, without which this event would never happen.

Potpourri — Head to Schweitzer this weekend for the big fireworks show. 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.