Lots to talk about before the screen goes dark on racing in just a couple of weekends. The first order of business is to get your tickets for the GDHL awards dinner right now! It's this Saturday at 7:00 for 7:30 in the Base Lodge. Get them before Thursday to be sure the train doesn't leave without you. Online or at the front desk. Once you've done that, here's what follows:
- Friday training will be GS at 9:30 and 1:00, subject to enough people signing up instead of going to Men's Day. Contact Laurel.
- While you're at it, sign up with Laurel for the Saturday afternoon technical freeskiing ("gateless training") session with Jacques Reid.
- Week 8 of the 9 week program brings GS gate training at 9:30 on each of Saturday and Sunday as well as adult technical training with Allan at the same time. Check the board at the National chair for gate training locations, and meet Allan there for his sessions.
- The winner take all interclub final is at 1:30 Saturday on Big John. Cheer on the team as they seek the championship for a fourth straight year in their only home race of the season.
Last Weekend's Racing
Results from Saturday's interclub GS race at Alpine are here. Conflicts, injury and illness left the team a bit shorthanded, but they put together enough points to clinch the regular season title. Allan LaChance was the winner in the day's biggest age group, scoring 28 points, while Jeff Sutherland won his age group, got 27 points and was third overall. Margaret Isberg, Greg Cavers and Chris Shipton all won their age groups, while James Mathers, Jerry Patten, Chris Fregren, Mary Riopelle and George Hayhurst all scored 23 points or more. Bring on the finals!
The Brads, Sproule and McMullen, get ready to nail the Millennium GS!
GDHL Saturday SL
As noted in the early edition this week, Alec Libert beat the field by almost four seconds. Greg Cavers and Jeff Sutherland missed their first runs in the service of the interclub team, but finished second and fourth on the strength of "second" runs, while Phil Ruffolo was close behind Greg in third. Alex Jansons continued his late season return to form with a fifth place, while Dave Raymond and Doug Macmillan tied for sixth and Morgan Rubes continued his run of solid finishes in eighth. Samantha Higgins was a new face at the top of the women's standings, finishing 17th overall, followed by Brittany Stainer in 19th. Among the big climbers of the day were usual suspect Brad McMullen (27th from 72nd ranking), Sarah Latimer (33rd from 63), Paul Henschel (34th from 97), Dean Beallor (40th from 85), Brad Sproule (50th from 89) and Tom Cronin (52nd from 92nd). Gino Gentile, Mansell Nelson, Gord Stein and Brian Athey were hard on their heels with similar sized leaps.
GDHL Sunday GS
It was back to the Millennium start hut on Sunday, but this time with the longer skis and the early left turn. Alec was only 0.2 seconds ahead of second (Jesse Shepherd) in claiming the win he needed for a second consecutive overall season's championship. Scott McLorie was third and Phil Ruffolo fourth. Trent Winstone returned to racing after a nagging injury (that's to say persistent and irritating but not serious, rather than resulting from nagging) and recorded a fine 7th place to match his best GDHL finish in recent years. Nonetheless, it looks as if the Trent v. Randy trophy will go to Craig Shibley this year, as the two title protagonists have had disappointing seasons. Jeff Craig had his first GDHL top 10 in 9th place while Jayne Clarke finished 11th overall and first female, to take the women's overall title for 2015. Kevin Gust, Bryce Conacher and Chris Fregren were big climbers into the top 20. Brad McMullen (again), Rob Cassels and Rob Bruce were gainers in the next 20 and most of the others mentioned as big climbers on Saturday repeated on Sunday.
Surfing Opportunities
Sunday also brought out photographers. Here are samples of Debbie Gust's pics.
Carrie Forerunning in Her FIS-Approved Fur Collared Jacket
Jayne Watched the Forerunners and Got the Line Too!
But the Last Shall Be First (Alec Libert)