single
Sugarbush Racing Club back on Legends course
After several years of only skiing the Racer’s Edge course, Club members were able to show their stuff on the famed Legends for a day. Many of the racers who do NASTAR at regional meets around the east and nationally in Colorado, consider this the best there is. The course was in wonderful shape (unlike what we hear about the spring-like conditions at Sochi!) and Mother Nature held off that much anticipated dump until later in the day.
The course for the fourth race of the year set by Sugarbush’s Race Department was fast and able to utilize a wider area since only one set of gates was installed instead of the usual dual course. Danielle Hampton added a couple of surprises that kept the racers alert and even included a bit of terrain change that added some excitement.
Fifty racers competed on Thursday. Fastest female was Petra Park, narrowly beating Liz Walker this week. Third was Nicole deFau, guest racer and daughter of member Jim deFau. Anne Halvorsen, who recently was training at Cochran’s and out West, climbed up in the standings and might soon be challenging Liz and Petra.
Fastest male was Rick Duckworth in his suit making him a four-peat. He narrowly beat a more senior John Lussier and a younger Bob Kogut. First year racers Doug Day (in a shocking pink suit), Gary Duncan, and George Seward were in the top ten. Ray Bollerud, with new skis, and Jim Cutchins, with really old skis, continued to look like the most improved racers.
Peter Wicklund tried to do a 360 on his first run but still finished high in the order – as usual. Tele-skier Mark Haberle of national fame was tenth overall. Tele-skier Dave Gould was complemented on his great form, effectively smoothing the track for later racers. Club president Manny Apigian made many racers happy by making sure everyone except boarder Don Simonini finished before him.
Earlier last week many of Sugarbush Racing Club’s members competed in the Vermont Senior Games alpine GS at Sugarbush, and came away with many medals. Those winning Gold Medals and earning the title of State Champion were: Lauri Landau, Louise Messner, George Seward, Doug Day, Mike Ware, and Henri Borel. Ray Bollerud won a Silver Medal. Lauri was the fastest female overall and Doug the fastest male overall.
The Club’s post-race review was held for the first time at the new Mad River Barn and we were treated very well. The Bar and Lounge areas were full, in spite of the heavy snow which kept some away.
The Club wishes local skier Nolan Kasper good luck in his Olympic slalom race this Friday.
