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Race Club Holds Two Races

Blue skies, perfect snow and two great courses set by Sugarbush Race Director and pacesetter, Chad Koenig, greeted and exhilarated forty-seven Sugarbush Ski Racing Club members this past Thursday.  Last week the club had to postpone its first race due to cold weather but the perfect conditions this week allowed the club to conduct two races.

The podium results for the female racers contained the same three names for both races with a slight variation.  In the first race, perennial winner Elizabeth Walker stood on top while former race director Danielle Hampton was second and national NASTAR medalist Laurie Landau finished in third place.  In the second race, Hampton edged Walker for first place while Landau retained her place on the podium.  In both races, Newcomer Paula Baldwin bested Caryl Hurwitz in what seems to be a possible rivalry for the fourth and fifth places.  Watch for Hillary Mooney and Louise Messner to be contenders as well.

On the men’s side the podium was equally curious.  In the first race, youngster Bob Kogut was first, Doug Day was second and seemingly ageless John Lussier was third.  In the second race the same three were medalists but Lussier stood on top this time and Kogut slipped to third while Day was only milliseconds behind in second place.  Dave Seymour and Jim deFau were neck and neck in both races while the “flying Frenchman” Philippe Marielle, Dave Ellison, Peter Wicklund and George Seward were closely grouped.

Some racers only had time to compete in one race so the next week should prove interesting to see where they take their places.  Telemarker Doug Shick placed right behind World Cup freeheeler Mark Haberle who then moved to fourth place overall in the second race. Win Smith and Jerry Griffiths also did well in their solo races.  Dave Gould traded in his tele skis and moved into contention with the top racers while Rich Jones doesn’t appear to be slowing down at all with age and Mike Chapman has come out of retirement with a vengeance.  Mike Strojny moved up several places in the second race and the “Head ski team” of Ray Bollerud, Jim Cutchins and Peter Koch seem to be liking their equipment.  The octogenarian crew of Stan Needleman, Bernie Pistilli and Bob Stevens were closely grouped and they await the arrival of Henri Borel into the fray.  Lone snowboarder Don Simonini took first place in his category!

The happy racers jammed the bar area at Chez Henri to have treats and drinks and watch the video of the race taken by Moe Batah.  Prizes and gift certificates were raffled along with Kate Jones’ gift basket.  Racers are anxiously awaiting next week’s race and the party to be held at the Hyde Away Inn.

Click here for Race Results