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SRC Sets Race Plans for 2015*
The Sugarbush Racing Club began planning for the 2015 season even before the snow started falling on the mountains. The Club has a forty year history of holding fun, friendly competitive, club races at Sugarbush and are looking forward to another great season.. Club President Manny Apigian and Race Chair Laurie Landau have been working closely with Russ Kauff, Sugarbush’s Ski School Director, and Chad Konig, new head of the Race Department. Included in the 2015 program are plans for clinics for first time racers, women only racers and advanced racers.
This year, racing will again be on Thursdays. An eight-race series is planned starting on January 9th. The Race Department will set a dual GS course on Racer’s Edge that will be open exclusively for SRC members from 10AM to 1PM. There will be at least one race on the Legends Course on Spring Fling, also. There will be no race on February 19th – Presidents Week.
Some of our members have been racing every week for over 20 years, others have just discovered us more recently. Ages range from those in their 20s, all the way up to some in their 80s. At one end of the spectrum, we have some of our more serious racers – “The Suits”, who always go for broke in skintight outfits. At the other end of the spectrum, you’ll find people racing who have very little experience in gates but race just for the sheer joy of it. Everyone is welcome!
Club races follow NASTAR guidelines. A registered pacesetter skis the course and establishes a handicap that is applied each racer by age category. This gives everyone a chance to win gold, silver or bronze NASTAR medals. But the real medal is bragging rights. Each week members focus on the few racers just in front or behind them and try to move up the ladder. Much of the excitement comes when the race results are passed out at the weekly post-race parties at one of the local restaurants. Racers will be able to see themselves on a video of the day’s race.
The Club also has a full social program throughout the year. This includes a golf outing, a Fall cook out, a mid-winter dance and a fabulous year-end banquet. You don’t have to be a racer to have fun with us. A photo of Club members at the 2014 cook out held at Manny and Pat Apigian’s home is above.
Over the summer, the Club developed a new web site with the help of Howie Whittle, the Club’s Webmaster, and Dana Whittle, founder of Vizou – a web design firm in Quebec. The site contains a wealth of information for members and prospective members alike. It includes a calendar of all racing and social events, pictures of racers, race results and standings, resources for improving and staying in touch with developments on the US Ski Team, and more. There is an on-line membership form. The web site is www.sugarbushracingclub.com and all are welcome to browse through it.
Members are looking forward seeing old friends at the Club’s annual Sign Up and Kick-off Party on December 14th at the Castlerock Pub starting at 4:30PM. It features snacks and a cash bar. There will be explanations of the race and social programs as well as speakers from Sugarbush. Prospective members are welcome to come and meet Club officers, ask questions and join. Come and be part of the fun.
*This article appeared in the Valley Reporter on October 26, 2014