2006/2007 News
Sugar Bowl Academy Graduation (6/9/7)
On Saturday, June 9th Sugar Bowl Academy held its graduation ceremony at the Mount Judah Lodge at the Sugar Bowl Resort. Kelsey Collins, who will attend the University of Vermont in the fall, Evan Deslauriers, who will attend Sonoma State University, Andrew Hewett, who will attend the University of Nevada, Reno, Connery Lundin, who has deferred college in favor of continued FIS racing, Paris Tolmachoff, who will attend the University of Vermont and Jonathan Zordell, who was accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point were all awarded diplomas.
The graduation ceremony was framed against the backdrop of Mount Lincoln, Mount Disney and the awe-inspiring Sugar Bowl Palisades. The ceremony speakers were equally inspiring. Dean of Academics, Stephen Ascher, gave the address to the senior class, in which he used an example from his physics class to illustrate that they could, indeed, move mountains. Jonathan Zordell, a Verdi, Nevada native and the first Sugar Bowl Academy graduate to attend West Point, gave a thoughtful Valedictory address, and Michael Scott, a West Point graduate, presented him with admission and a scholarship to the U.S. Military Academy.
Dr. Tricia Gibbs, a member of the Sugar Bowl Ski Team Foundation Board (the governing board for Sugar Bowl Academy) presented the Williams College Book Award to Rachel Tucker. The Williams Book Award honors a junior in the top five percent of his or her class who has demonstrated intellectual leadership and has made a significant contribution to the extracurricular life of the school.
Bruce Cornell, a local athlete whose lower body was paralyzed in a tragic accident over 20 years ago, gave the commencement address. His message of persistence in the face of challenge ended the ceremony on an inspirational high note. Cornell’s recovery from catastrophe and eventual competition and victory in several wheelchair marathons set the tone for graduates and returning Sugar Bowl Academy students alike, as they prepare to face their own future challenges. For more information on Sugar Bowl Academy, contact: mhoffman@sbacademy.org or visit www.sbacademy.org.
Far West Mid-J3 Championships (3/30/7 - 4/2/7)
The Far West Championships hosted by Squaw Valley and Boreal were great successes for the Sugar Bowl Ski Team. The weather was sunny and the snow was hard, making for great race conditions. Day one of GS, Katie F. received 2nd of her J3 peers. In the men's group, Andrew W. came through with a 2nd place overall and Mark E. and Robert P. received 2nd and 3rd of the J2s. Frank G. was 2nd of the J3s. Day 2 was more successful on the girls side with Gabbi H., Katie F. and Jacqui L. making the front page. The men dominated with Jake B. taking 3rd and Paris T. taking 4th overall. Jake S. stole 3rd of the J3s for the day.
Boreal hosted the slaloms, which went smoothly both days. Day 3 Gabbi H. and Gabby A. took 4th and 5th of the J2s. Jacqui L. took 3rd of the J3s. The boys took the podium with Skyler P. in first and Mark E. and Rob B. not far behind in 2nd and 3rd. Jake S. and Frank G. took 2nd and 3rd of the J3s. The final day of racing wasn't unlike the others. Gabbi H. and Gabby A. took 3rd and 4th of the J2s. Jacqui L. took 2nd of the J3s. Jake B. took 2nd overall and Skyler P. followed in 3rd. Robert P. and Will K. skied to a 2nd and 3rd of J2s, while Rob B. showed his speed winning the J3s. Great Way To End The Season! You made Sugar Bowl proud! Results. (Gabbi H., posted 4/18/7)
Sugar Bowl J4/5 Championships (3/29/7 - 4/1/7)
Devin D.
Riley P.
Brigette L.
Diana A.
Scotty L. Build the Golden Gate Bridge? A mere roadway over a short span of water. Put a man on the moon? A pitching wedge par 3 with a center pin placement. Transcontinental railroad? A walk in the prairie. Pulling off the J4/5 Championships? Now that required super human effort for an epic achievement of biblical proportions!
When Jim and Bill Hudson asked the Rodartes and de Ryks to organize the 4/5 Championships I don’t think either family knew the magnitude of the effort ahead (and they weren’t telling). However much work you think they put in, double it and you’re still a gondola ride short! They did an incredible job and both families deserve our heartfelt thanks for their efforts. They were assisted by over 75 parent volunteers many of whom did multiple days and/or double shifts on the mountain then worked behind the scene in the evenings. Tami Becker solidified her selection as volunteer of the year by gate keeping all four days and turning up most everywhere else to help pitch in. Kurt Engle and the race department got over 2500 starts done and provided a fast and fair surface on which the kids could compete. It was a huge job and the entire Sugar Bowl Community rallied to the cause. A special thanks also goes out to Paul Borcherding and Rob Kautz from the Sugar Bowl Corporation for allowing the J4’s the unbelievable Super G experience down Rahlves Run! Now to the results.
J4 boys: Devin D. podiums in the SG with a second and shows he can also arc them by placing 7th in the slalom. Dylan M. makes the top 15 all three days and Riley P., a first year 4, demonstrates the technique that should have him on the podium next year with two top 15’s. For the girls it was Lena A. with two golds and a silver, Maddy H. with two top tens and Jacquie L. and Morganne M. each with three top 15’s. For the J5 boys it was Jack Richardson strutting his stuff on all three days with a 7th, 9th and 11th while Scotty L. takes a 4th and 12th. The J5 girls averaged 6 of the top 15 spots each day and good friends Diana A. and Anna H. don’t leave each others side on the podium going 3-4 and 4-3 in slalom and GS and then 6-7 in the Big G. Shelton R. gets into the top 15 all three days and the Mighty MoMo L. (skiing as a J6) putting a shot across the bow of the J5’s by nearly making the top 15.
A great weekend of ski racing and volunteer effort! I say we sign the de Ryks and Rodates up for next year! Results. Photos. (Jim Harleen, posted 4/15/7)
The Flight to the Whistler Cup is now Boarding (3/23/7 - 3/25/7)
The Western Region J3 Junior Olympics is an opportunity for the best 13 and 14 year old skiers to race head to head. If an athlete wins, it means the folks better up the card limit again because they are traveling to the Whistler Cup for another week of ski racing against the world’s best J3’s. Sugar Bowl sent fourteen 3’s and one 4 to Mammoth for three days of racing in the mini world cup atmosphere that surrounds the JO’s. Ski and equipment reps roam the slopes and award ceremonies, coaches are as thick as ski patrollers at an open bar and at race time parents have that nervous and concerned look of a rider on the back of Dick Cheney’s motorcycle as he weaves through city traffic late for an emergency angioplasty procedure.
Representing the J4’s, Lena A. continued a remarkable season that has been filled with gold and a level of consistency that is surreal. She won most everything she finished and, come to think of it, she may have finished everything she entered! In Mammoth she took a first, a second then went back to the top of the podium with another gold medal performance that was further evidence of her prodigious talent (obviously she won the combined too). Lena, the plane to Whistler is now boarding at gate one. Then there was Katie F. whose victory in the slalom had people, and not just a few, wiping a tear of two from the corner of their eyes. A more deserving kid does not exist and the Sugar Bowl posse in Mammoth couldn’t have been happier for her……with the proof glistened in their eyes. The second year J3 showed that a good set of genes and a big dose of determination is a winning combination. Katie, tray up and seat in the upright position……
Four other quick vignettes……Rob B. shows he has speed and consistency as well by taking a second in the combined score with a 4th, 6th and a 2nd just missing a Whistler spot. Frank G. breaks his hand the week before JO’s, has the cast molded to his ski pole and takes a 7th in the Super G. MacClane B. starts 82nd in the SG and climbs 72 places to tenth! Then there’s Jacquie L. who came back from an early season broken collar bone to take a second in the slalom and stand next to her good friend Katie on the podium. An amazing result. Under the guidance of Danielle, Tracy, Dan and Bryan the entire SBST skied remarkably and should be congratulated. Next stop Whistler! Results. (Jim Harleen, posted 3/31/7)
Western Tech Success (3/15/7 - 3/18/7)
Mark E. blisters the course.
Abby G. celebrates
St. Patrick's Day with a win!
Reporter Gabbi H. on location
This weekend Sugar Bowl hosted the Western Region Technical Championships. The weather was epic with blue skies and t-shirt temperatures. The J1/2 team had home hill advantage and came out on top. On Thursday March 15, Mark E. and Kyle S. proved their skills by placing second and third. In the girls, Caitlin R. took the win with Abby G. in third. The second GS went similarly well. In the men's, Mark E. won the race by more than a second with Kyle S. taking another third place. On the women's side, Abby G. took the final podium position while three other teammates finished in the top ten.
The events switched over to slalom in the race arena, where the weather stayed unbelievable and the courses held up until the end. On St. Patrick's Day, the only boy to finish was Tobyn S. The girls did quite the opposite. Abby G. took her first win of the series with Gabrielle A. in second. The final day of slalom was a great way to end the series. On the men's course, Mark E. took first by almost 2.5 seconds, annihilating the competition. The women's side went well also. After first run the top ten was sprinkled with Sugar Bowl girls. The second run course proved to be challenging, but a few powered through. Gabbi H. took third place and Rachel T. took eighth finishing the series on a high note. Good Job Sugar Bowl J1/2 team! Results. Photos. (Gabbi H., posted 3/18/7, Ed. note - Gabbi is our first athlete reporter, keep up the good work both on the snow and on the keyboard!)
J4/5’s Roll into Mammoth (3/10/7 - 3/11/7)
It was a near perfect weekend for racing in Mammoth with clear roads,
beautiful weather and fast and firm snow. The Parental Tribe was out in
full force and in between races took full license to free ski, chatter over
lunch and have terrific dinners together. Both the 4’s and 5’s skied well
with results to match. Three SBST athletes took double podiums: J4 Dylan
“Freight Train” M. made the twisty Super G course look like a straight line
down Klein’s chewing off the corners on his way to gold and bronze medals.
On the J4 girls side it was Lena A. who once again showed she knows how
to make a ski go fast this time by taking 2 silvers. This did break her
string of first place finishes but if she felt any disappointment she masked
it well and represented the SBST as a model of sportsmanship! Good luck
at the Junior Olympics Lena! In the J5 girls it was Anna H. who took a 2nd
on Saturday and 3rd on Sunday showing that fast skiers can come in small
packages! There were many other impressive moments, some which can’t be
fully appreciated by simply looking at the order of finish. Here are two……
J5 Clare C. came down with what was described as “a very aggressive stomach
virus” the middle of last week. Her mother, Kim, concerned about her health
and well being couldn’t imagine her racing over the weekend. Her father
Paul, worried about the interior of his car (and Clare), couldn’t imagine
driving her to Mammoth on the twisting and turning roads. But after much
cajoling and pleading Clare convinced her father to make the trip. Clare
showed up at the starting gate on Saturday wan but ready to race. She claimed
an 11th and then with her strength (and 100 watt smile) returning on Sunday,
a 6th. It was an impressive and inspirational effort by Clare who wanted
to compete along side her Sugar Bowl teammates and showed the “intestinal
fortitude” that makes for success both in and out of the ski arena! Look
for this girl to rip at the 4/5 Champs.
In the J4 girl’s race it was Ellie P. who had the coaches talking. After
skiing with the SBST Development squad the past three years, Ellie decided
to take the plunge onto the steeper pitches and tougher course sets of the
Far West circuit. First year of Far West racing. First trip to Mammoth.
First Super G race. It was clear from the moment she crested the knoll on
Fascination and headed down the pitch that she was paying attention during
the inspection. She took the short way home clipping gates, running an aggressive
line and setting up for the “money gates.” The result? The respect of her
coaches, her name on the first page and medal for a 15th place! Great skiing
Ellie.
It is now on to the J4/5 Championships here at Sugar Bowl the weekend of
March 29-April 1. Good luck to all the athletes!
Results. (Jim Harleen, posted 3/13/7)
Silver Belt Weekend a Huge Hit (3/3/7 - 3/4/7)
Captain Bill Hudson
Groovy Ashley Carter
Speedy Charlie McNamara
Luke R. ripping it up
Alum Katie Hitchcock
It was a Sugar Bowl Ski Team Burrito Grande with all the ingredients and flavors that make the SBST such a great organization rolled into one weekend. We’re of course talking about the Silver Belt Calcutta Dinner and Race that was held March 3-4. There was a fantastic mix of volunteerism, generosity, laughter (special thanks to Chris Clifford!), reunions, great racing and sportsmanship all wrapped up in the camaraderie that makes the Ski Team such a great place for kids and parents alike. As for the muy callente salsa picante that was provided by Ashley Carter in her sequence dress and moon boots!
The dinner was held at the Judah Lodge and the event team led by Sarah Street did an amazing job of transforming the facility. Thanks to the Dana’s for their help tracking down auction items and to the Coopers and Laura Murtha for corralling the kids all night long. A debt of gratitude goes out to the Sugar Shack, Ursula, Tanya, Cathy, Bill and the many, many others who made the event such a success. Jim Hudson once again did a masterful job as auctioneer and after much good natured ribbing, cajoling and pleading raised a record amount for the Team’s programs in the Calcutta. Many thanks to all the bidders and to the Hambrechts for keeping us all in good cheer with their great wine.
Sunday’s racing showed that some of the ol’ warhorses still have a campaign or two left but the young colts are gaining on them. Ski racing is a fickle sport to handicap but Jim Hudson again proved to have the knack as the top four teams were separated by only 4 seconds after the first two runs. At the end of the day it was Bill Hudson’s Team of Ellie P., Luke R., Blair Peterson, Kristina Revello, and David Gould who beat Jeff Hamilton’s squad by .87 seconds for the team title. The individual winners of the Silver Belt buckles were Charlie MacNamara, who was the only skier under 29 seconds, and Ashley “Mod Squad” Carter who won by a the width of a go-go boot, a scant 0.01 of a second. At the awards the owners of the third place team, the Hammarskjold Family, set the tone by generously donated back their winnings of over $3000 and were followed in suit by the 2nd placed team owners (so much for the heliski trip) and the winners of the 2007 Calcutta Owner’s Cup, Bill and Liebe Patterson. A great weekend of fun and funding for the SBSTF! Results. Photos. (Jim Harleen, posted 3/6/7)
Fourteen J3’s Headed to Junior Olympics! (2/24/7 - 2/25/7)
The final JO qualifier held at Northstar is completed, the season’s points tallied and the J3 Junior Olympic Team set. Once again the Sugar Bowl J3 Team led by coaches Danielle Nichols, Tracy Wilson, Dan Gallaher and Bryan Walker has garnered more than their share of the Far West Junior Olympic roster. First the Super G’s at Northstar: Frank G. proved that last year’s impressively hair-raising, white knuckle, brink of disaster 4th place run at Squaw was no fluke by taking a 2nd and 3rd this year at Northstar. On the women’s side Sonia G. took a 1st (way to go Sonia!) and an 8th and Katie F. continues to display amazing versatility by notching a 2nd and a 4th in the speed event. The top 15 on both the men’s and women’s result pages were littered with the names of other Sugar Bowl skiers. Now for the Far West Junior Olympic Team, 26 spots for men and 21 for women.
For the women it is Katie F., Sonia G., Zoe F., Jackie L., Alex G., Mara G. and Haley M. taking exactly a third of the available spots and more than any other team in the Far West. For the boys it was Rob B. leading the way followed by Frank G., Jake S., Riker M., MacClane B., Justin S. and finally the younger of the two “Bubble Brothers” William C. who took the final spot in 26th place (last year older brother James C. took the final roster spot after laying down a smokin’ run on the last day of qualifiers!) Congratulations to all the Sugar Bowl J3 athletes! Results. (Jim Harleen, posted 3/7/7)
Success at J4 Shootout (2/24/7)
This weekend the 35 top J4's from the Far West met at Snow Summit to decide the Far West J4 Festival Team. It would prove to be a very challenging race for all that competed. "This is a hard day", said Head Coach Jim Hudson "six runs in a row, really quick, makes for a tough day. We had many bright spots and all of our athletes did their best."
Underneath bluebird skies the Snow Summit Race Team did another fantastic job of hosting the event. The race got underway with the GS leg and the course would prove to be a bit of a monster for some. The first run saw more than a handful of racers crashing on the last pitch. SBST's Maddi H., had one of the more spectacular crashes in her first run but would shake it off and continue on. "I just had to go for it you know, give it all I had." said Maddi H. Lena A. had three strong runs and would leave the GS leg in a tie for first place. "I was a little conservative in the GS. When you're skiing for place points you definitely need to score every run." said Lena A. For the guys it was Devin D.; he scored in every GS run and in run two put up the third best time.
On a track that looked more like a pin cushion than a SL course Lena A., and Maddi H. would prove they had what it took. Lena A. led the charge and was off and running. She would win the first two runs and grab the number one qualifying spot. Maddi H. also had the tricky course dialed and grabbed two second place spots. "This event shows which racers are ready to step-up" said Coach Hudson.
After the dust settled and the points were tallied it would be Lena A. taking home the top spot for the Far West. "Lena had an awesome showing down here." said Coach Hudson. She was almost perfect and would end the day with 95 out of a possible 100 points. Lena said "I was feeling confident going into the slalom, my coach and I had a plan for the day and stuck to it. We knew I could bring it home in the afternoon."
Lena will move on to represent the Far West at the J4 Festival in Mammoth. "Sure I am proud but this is the first step. I can't get too comfortable now. I have to keep up my intensity and my focus so I can podium at JO's." said Lena. "I want to thank my coach and Jim and Bill Hudson at Sugar Bowl. These people make it possible for all of us to be able to compete."
Congratulations to all of the SBST athletes that earned their way into the Shootout. It is not easy to get there and all of the SBST racers did a great job of representing Sugar Bowl. When asked Maddi H. had this to say "I was definitely proud."It (competing) made you feel like you accomplished something." Results. (Patrick Andrews, posted 3/1/7, updated 3/2/7)
Boys Repeat, Girls Compete in Intrasquad #2 (2/18/7)
Cowgirl Anna H. shows
winning style.
Cowboy Michael C.
Aaron S. prepares to start.
The second of three Intrasquad races was held under mostly sunny skies on Sunday -- the middle day of the Presidents Day three day weekend. Team members compete in a GS course in seven age and ability categories. The competition can be fierce as four of the races were decided by less than 0.3 seconds.
Sunday was also Jim Hudson Appreciation Day and many of the competitors and spectators sported Jim Hudson buttons. Several racers showed their appreciation by donning western duds as Jim fancies himself a cowboy.
In the boys races there were five repeat winners from Intrasquad #1 in the seven groups: Marcus L. (Mighty Mite), Noah O. (9/10), Ezra S. (13+), Scotty L. (J5), and Riley P. (J4, fastest time of the day). Joining this august group on the top step were Luke R. (7/8) and Andre T. (11/12).
For the girls, the story was the complete opposite -- there were no repeat winners. Taking gold for the first time this season were Sara S. (Mighty Mite), Maureen L. (7/8), Natalie B. (9/10), Cassandra S. (11/12, smallest margin of victory, 0.11 seconds), Erika B. (13+), Anna H. (J5), and Brigette L. (J4).
Along with the normal awards presented after the race, Coaches' Heart and Academic awards were also presented during the ceremonies. Follow the links for complete results. Results. Photos. Awards. (DDH, posted 2/24/7, updated 2/27/7)
Five SBST Racers Named to Shootout
Four SBST J4 ladies and one J4 man were named to represent the North Division of the Far West at this months J4 Festival Shootout at Snow Summit Feb. 24th. They will meet their counterparts from the South and Central divisions for a chance to duke it out for the honor of attending the J4 Festival and the coveted jacket. These athletes were chosen based on their performance at the Squaw and Sugar Bowl races. The top six overall in place points are given an automatic berth and four more are given a coaches discretion spot.
The SBST will be represented by Lena A., Maddi H., Brigette L. and Morganne M. for the ladies, with Devin D. on the guys side. "I am honored to be representing the North down there" said Lena A. "We have a lot of depth in the Far West and it will be a dog fight to get to the JO's. I missed the JO's last year, but I am training hard, and racing well and will be well prepared for this one."
"The Sugar Bowl Ski Team will be well represented down there" said Coach Hudson. "I look forward to a good showing from a number of our racers. We have a good chance of sending a couple to the Festival."
For those of you unfamiliar with the "Shootout" format, it is a time trial that consists of three runs of GS and three runs of SL. The racers two fastest times in each discipline are counted. Old World Cup Points (25,20,15 and so on) are used to calculate place points. The top three in points get their bid to represent the Far West at the J4 Festival/J3 Junior Olympics at Mammoth Mt. In March
Coach Hudson is set to ramp up the level of training in preparation for
the Shootout. "We will be training Super G., GS, and SL to prepare our athletes
for the race, we will also be traveling (to Snow Summit) early to train
on the hill."
The J4 Festival is made up of a Super G., a GS race. and a Slalom race with
the winner of the GS and SL getting a spot to represent the USA at the annual
Whistler Cup. (Patrick Andrews, posted 2/14/7)
Sugar Bowl J4/5 Slalom (1/28/7 - 1/29/7)
This weekend the “Little World Cup” made it’s stop at Sugar Bowl for a pair of Slalom races. More than 240 participants showed up to test themselves on what can only be described as an injected World Cup style track. Even with the lack of natural snow the storied Van Ruiten’s Race Arena was buffed to perfection. The Sugar Bowl Race department did another amazing job and got nearly 1,000 starts off simultaneously on two different courses without a hitch. Head Coach Jim Hudson had this to say, “The Race Department always does a great job, but this weekend they went above and beyond. Both Kurt Engel and Kristine Swigart and all the volunteers put in an awesome effort to make this a great weekend.”
The races got underway on Saturday morning with bluebird skies and near perfect temps. The J5 course was set to skiers right of the Arena and proved to be very challenging to the competitors. The track was best described by one young racer as being “boiler plate.”
The bright spot for our J5 Ladies Team came from Natalie D. and Anna H. They finished fifth and sixth respectively to lead 4 SBST athletes onto the first page. For the guys it would be James L. who skied well and earned himself a podium spot with a second.
Saturday would turn out to be a good day for our J4 boys, with Josh H. finishing seventh and topping four Sugar Bowl racers in the top 15.
If you think that 4 boys in the top 15 is impressive wait till you get a look at the ladies. It was a banner day for our girls as the J4 team managed to put fove in the top 15. Lena A. led the charge with another top step effort and finished first. She was followed by Maddi H. who skied to a strong fourth and showed what home field advantage is all about. Also skiing fast on Saturday was first year J4 Jessica T. who finished in seventh to post her third scoring race of the year. She is one to watch.
“The course was hard and firm obviously”, said Coach Hudson. “The improvement of all the racers could be seen by the results in these tough conditions.”
With a strong wind and cooler temperatures Sunday would prove to be another great day for SBST. The J5 girls must have been feeling a little of that home field advantage themselves as Anna H. and Natalie D. swapped spots and once again finished fifth and sixth. This time they would lead six SBST racers into the top 15. On the guys side it was Jack T. R. and Wyatt I. who would step up and capture the fifth and seventh spots.
Lena A.
The J4 guys would get their share of the glory also as Riley P. would anchor the team with a ninth and help to put four Sugar Bowl racers on the front page.
“We have had two tough races in a row both at Squaw and here. With these types of conditions you could tell the ones that were ready,” said Coach Hudson.
Once again Sugar Bowl nails it and pulls off the best-run race of the season. One parent from another team was overheard saying, “Why can’t we just have all the races here.” Bring on the Championships. Results. Photos. (Patrick Andrews, posted 1/30/7)
FIS Junior Championship Qualifiers (1/18/7 - 1/21/7)
Hannah W.
In the Thursday Northstar GS race, Tatiana F. placed 5th and Hunter S. took 15th. On Friday, Hannah W. (pictured at Boreal) started a remarkable series of performances and posted the 2nd fastest time of the day. Paris T. was 7th among the men.
The racing moved to Boreal over the weekend for the Slalom events. Robert P. took 11th on Saturday and Connery L. led four other teammates in the top 10 with a 3d place podium. Hannah W. won both Slalom races and was joined on the podium on Saturday by Alexandra R. and on Sunday by Caitlin R. Results. Photos. (DDH, posted 1/27/7)
J3 Update -- In Pursuit of the Red Jacket (1/13/7 - 1/15/7)
OK, picture this: You get up at 4:30am and go to "beautiful" Reno International where you meet fifteen high octane 13 and 14 year olds all in possession of more over-sized luggage than Ivana Trump. You herd them up and fly to San Jose, deplane, change planes, and continue on to Southern California where you rent vans, drive through Los Angeles, chain up in the San Gabriel Mountains before finally reaching what is essentially a snowboarder park for three days of alpine ski races. You help the athletes with their ski prep, confidence and nerves while coaching them for three days in sub freezing temperatures and then feed and chaperone them until lights out at 10:00 at night. And if that’s not enough, picture the pipes in the boy’s condos freezing, then bursting, with most of them going three days without showers. Now imagine yourself when asked, "How was your trip?" replying, "IT WAS AWESOME!!!," which is just what J3 coaches Danielle Nichols and Tracy Wilson chorus the morning of their return from the JO qualifiers in Snow Summit. Either these women had badly stuff up noses or the kids brought some freight down the hill making all their patience and efforts worthwhile.(It was the results).
The girls: Katie F. wins Saturday, takes silver Sunday and climb to the top of the podium again Monday. She is not only one of the best ski racers of her age in the Far West but also one of the nicest. What a great kid! Jacquie L. dose-e-does with Katie on the podium (winning Sunday and taking third on Monday) and showed she will be a major player at the JO’s once a broken collar bone heals. (She comes from tough stock so she’ll heal fast!) Saturday saw 4 girls in the top ten followed by 5 on Sunday. Monday it was 5 out of 10 again with the same cast of characters. Way to go girls!
The Boys: Rob B. takes gold on Saturday and Monday and leads a large parade of Sugar Bowl skiers into the top ten. Saturday it was 5 out of 10 with Rob B and Jake S taking gold and silver. These guys are stinky fast! Sunday it was 4 out of 10 with Riker M. leading the way in 3rd. Monday it was 5 of the top 10 capping off a great trip to Snow Summit for the SBST J3 boys.
Danielle was quick to point out how well all the kids skied noting that most made it into the top 20 hence staying in the hunt for a coveted red Junior Olympic jacket. Brian T., Mellisa D. and William C. (who, rumor has it, lives on T-Bones and bacon grease during the winter) skied very strongly, Danielle said, and should only get stronger as the year progresses. Next stop, GS at Squaw Valley. Results. (Jim Harleen, posted 2/5/7)
Far West Giant Slaloms at Squaw Valley (1/6/7-1/7/7)
Lena A. lit up the course at Squaw Valley, winning the J4 giant slaloms both Saturday and Sunday.
Maddie H. claimed a spot on the podium by finishing third in Sunday’s J4 race.
The J5 girls took seven of the top 15 spots in Saturday’s race and six in Sunday’s. Natalie D. and Clare C. led the way, ending up on the podium both days. On Saturday, Natalie was second, while Clare was third. On Sunday, it was Clare in second and Natalie in third. Grace M. had a breakout weekend, finishing sixth in Saturday’s race and eighth in Sunday’s.
Scotty L. took third in Sunday’s J5 giant slalom. Jack R. was the top Sugar Bowl racer on Saturday, finishing in sixth place.
Among the J4 boys, Devin. D. had the top results, taking fifth both Saturday and Sunday.
Until a day or two before the race, the plan had been to hold the giant slaloms up top at Squaw, but a storm brought just enough snow that the races could be run on the traditional, steep, icy course at the base of Squaw. Coverage was still sparse enough that the start was moved a third of the way down the hill, and both days were warm and sunny, so the race department had to hustle to stay on top of things. A couple of times, race officials had to dig out rocks, and one spent most of the weekend with pruning shears in his hands. Results. (Paul Carroll, posted 1/15/7)
Sugar Bowl Hosts Tahoe League GS (1/6/7 -1/7/7)
Maureen L. wins the 7/8 class
Sugar Bowl hosted nearly 500 athletes for the first race of the 2007 Tahoe League Race Series on the weekend of January 6 and 7. Race conditions were excellent and the courses held up well to the pounding, especially on Saturday with just under 300 racers on the hill.
SBST placed four on the podium on Saturday led by wins by Trent H. (Boys 7/8) and Maureen L. (Girls 7/8). Luke R. and Alanna D. placed second (Boys 7/8) and third (Girls 7/8), respectively. In the 9/10 age group Natalie B. took 6th and Nickolas O. placed 16th.
Clay P. showing great form
Just under 200 racers participated on Sunday. The Race Department may have set a record during the afternoon run which was completed in under an hour -- talk about non stop. The top team finishers in the 11/12 group were Lucas W. (12th) and Ysabel R (22nd), Max. B. (11th) and Erika B. (12th) led the 13/14 pack, and in the 15+ bracket Baron D. placed 4th while Meredith P. slipped to third after a blazing first run. Results. Photos. (DDH, posted 1/9/7)
Rahlves Wins Intrasquad #1 (12/29/6)
Daron Rahlves
The level of competition at the Sugar Bowl Ski Team Intrasquad races continues to grow as it attracts the best racers in the West including former SG World Champion and US Ski Team member Daron Rahlves.
The first race of the Intrasquad series was held under excellent conditions unlike the previous two series openers which have been cancelled due to weather. The Race Department -- in their usual tradition -- prepared challenging courses and things ran like clockwork.
Mighty Mite Marcus L.
The crowd cheered the Mighty Mites as Marcus L. (pictured left) and Sophia H. put down the fastest times of the day on the Club Course. Trent H. won the boys 7/8 race while Pilar A. clinched the win for the girls by less then 0.3 seconds. Noah O. and Jessica S. took the top spots in the 9/10 category while Matthew R. and Ysabel R. led the way in the 11/12 group. Ezra S. and Elli I. won the 13+ class. The J4/5 group was competitive as usual with Rilely P. coming from behind in the second run to take 1st place while Maddi H. (pictured in the coveted cow suit) won the girls race by putting down two consistent runs and winning by 0.15 seconds.
Maddi H. moo's down the field
In the Pro category Daron set the pace and blistered the course with the fastest times of the day. This was not entirely a surprise and it did give the rest of the competitors a benchmark to aim at. As the reputation of this event flourishes, who knows who will show up at the next race? Results. Photos. (DDH, posted 1/3/7)
SBST J4'S Start Season Off Right (12/16/6 -12/17/6)
With a lack of snow and rain to the top the day before, the races at Kirkwood seemed to be in jeopardy. That all changed Friday night. As the front passed over the temps dropped, the piste firmed up and the Sugar Bowl athletes made the most of their opportunity to get in the start gate. The races got under way on Saturday with grey skies and a threat of snow. The race department at Kirkwood did a good job of preparing the piste and set a sprint GS that made the most of the shortened track.
The ladies went first and made their presence known right from the start. Lena A. got things underway with two great runs and won the first GS of the year by about 2 seconds finishing the race in 56.70. " I was so psyched to get in the gate." said Lena. " I wanted to make a statement ." Morganne M. made things exciting for the Sugar Bowl fans by finishing second in the first run. She also made things exciting for herself by losing both one pole and a glove at the start of run two. Despite the bobble, she had a good run and finished just .001 off the steps tied for fourth.
A snow was falling as the guys got underway. Just like their female counterparts, it was clear from the start the men came to play. Devin D. had a strong first run and just missed the mark in the second. He finished third on the day. When asked about his run he said "...it was tight and turny......,but it was fun." He was followed by Josh H. in sixth.
The clouds parted on Sunday and everybody who has ever raced at Kirkwood breathed a collective sigh of relief. (Remember last years Saturday snow storm). The ladies got going again led by Lena A. She was off and flying with a strong first run and did not look back in the afternoon half. She won going away in a time of 56.24.
The track help up all day and the boys got in two great runs. Devin D. again showed he had the goods, and finished the weekend with a pair of thirds. He made it down with a time of 56.69. He was the lone SBST member in the top ten on Sunday for the men. It was a great weekend for the SBST. Two wins, two thirds and three other top 10 finishers. Results. (Patrick Andrews, posted 12/24/6)
Ski Team Golf Tournament (10/13/6)
On Friday the 13th, a sold out field of 144 players took to the Coyote Moon Golf Course for the 5th Annual Sugar Bowl Ski Team Golf Tournament. The first balls were pegged up at noon under sunny skies, a weather condition that would soon change, then change again, and change again……..
It was a classic SBST outing filled with camaraderie, friendly competition and good times. Soon after the shotgun start a shout of, “Yeah baby, THAT'S what I’m talking about,” was heard echoing the course signifying the first birdie putt hitting the jar. Rumors quickly began circulating amongst the teams about whom and how many under par the winner might be. In the end, it was the team of Lebel, Whitehead, Straw and Wood who walked away with the winner’s trophy shooting an amazing 20 under par. (Did I hear someone say, “ringer?”) Jim Dill’s team was one stroke back in second place also shooting excellent golf all day. Other winners were: Men’s long drive Mike Milligan, women’s long drive Debbie Meyer, closest to the pin John Barnabei (1’4”!!), and putting contest Pat Quinn. All received great prizes including a Head North golf bag, a Double Diamond Jewelry gift certificate, Rossi twin tips and dinners at Plump Jacks and Lanza’s.
Organizers Jim Hudson and Jay Lebel did a fantastic job coordinating every aspect of the tournament (including keeping the thunder storms at bay!) and left no stone unturned in making the day a success. Special thanks are also due to Ursula and Tanya for making the day run so smoothly. Jim Hudson promises that next year’s tourney will be even bigger and better so start hitting the range! (Jim Harleen, posted 10/31/6)
