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Race Club Returns To Legends Arena

The Sugarbush Racing Club staged its sixth race of the eight race series on the legends Race Arena on Spring Fling – a much steeper and more demanding course. Fifty racers plied their skills amid several snow squalls which, at times, limited visibility to a great degree. The dual giant slalom set by Race Director and pacesetter, Chad Koenig, was fast and the great snow conditions we are experiencing held up well with no ruts or ice. There were a few surprise gates near the finish which caused some racers to get some unexpected air!

Nicole deFau, a member of the Sikorsky Race Team from Connecticut and daughter of sidelined club member Jim deFau, placed second to Elizabeth Walker by only one second of combined time. Cheryl Brayman moved up to third displacing perennial third place finisher, Lauri Landau.  Walker received a platinum medal while deFau, Brayman and Landau were gold medal recipients. Paula surprised Caryl Hurwitz to take fifth place but Hurwitz received still received a gold medal for her efforts as did Louise Messner. First time racer Cindy Giordano suffered a fall on one of the courses but still got up to finish.

Overall winner, Rick Duckworth, received a platinum medal for his efforts surpassing second place finisher and platinum recipient, Doug Shick, by over three seconds of combined time. Doug Day hung in for third place back by only one half of a second. Fourth place finisher, John Lussier, garnered a platinum as well as he seemingly skied off the course under the barrier rope but making all the gates! Dave Seymour followed closely behind besting Brooke Weston, Phillipe Marielle and Dave Ellison. Mike Ware, back from Hawaii, came in ahead of Dave Gould and Ray Bollerud while Mike Chapman, Win Smith, Jerry Griffiths and Jim Cutchins were separated by less than a second. Al Carr came in ahead of John Wilson, Mike Strojny and Peter Koch while Phil Waier and Gary Salter were closely matched. Wheaton Simis edged out a win over John Christiano, Manny Apigian and Bruce Bertholon.

Don Simonini again took first place in the snowboard division. Another highlight of the day was Peter Wicklund who somehow ended up on the green course after starting on the yellow!

The after race party this week was hosted by Mad River Glen where the club was treated to several delicacies while watching videos of the day’s race. Several prizes including two gift baskets were raffled as well as gift certificates to the Mad River Glen Base Box and other local businesses. A 50 – 50 raffle was also drawn to benefit the Vermont Adaptive Sports.