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For the past few years, the GDHL has been attempting to introduce an inclusive and fun dual slalom race each season. We have had some major success and a few challenges with these events, so we have continued to tweak the event to bring you something better! This weekend we have our last race of the season, cue the drama and to conclude the year we will be hosting a dual slalom!

Those with questions about the dual slalom, please keep reading. Most important, everyone gets to race and this counts for points. It starts at 10 am on Sunday, and runs into the afternoon, all on Little John. It will be a big day!

There is an extensive bit below about looking ahead, and there is also a shallow dive looking back at the top performers this season, as well as a recap of our exciting and quick race last Saturday. The entirety of this newsletter centred around the excitement that we are getting to see firsthand this season.

Last Week

Last weekend we raced Slalom down Comet on Saturday afternoon. Two weeks ago, the theme for the races was runs finishing under 30 seconds. Last week the theme was finishing the entire race in under 30 minutes… or at least it felt that way! With a number of athletes declining a second run, many because they had skied their first run then went and competed in the Interclub race at Alpine, it made for an expeditious day. The conditions were expeditious too… or not. They were slick for sure! A short melt on Friday, then freeze up Saturday morning turned the course into cast iron. Some with well tuned skis had no problem navigating the hardened surface, others had some issues.

One person who had no issues was Katie Farrow, as she won the race in 35.21 seconds. This is Katie’s first win of the year, and her second in her GDHL career – in 2020, Katie won a similar slalom on Comet. Following Katie to the podium was Cheryl McConachie (37.04) and Mackenzie Irwin (37.09). This makes the women’s overall standings very exciting. Megan Peterson has 379 points and Katie Farrow has 378. Do not count out either Cheryl McConachie (352 points) or Mackenzie Irwin (350 Points) as both have opportunities this weekend to make big leaps!

The men’s side was led by Taylor Simms Brown (35.31) who is solidly in second place for the season, behind of course Ben Williams who has already locked up top spot. Spencer McCool had a blistering second run (36.83), securing second place on the day after a DNF in first run. In third, Andrew Athey made his first appearance on the podium in his GDHL career (37.04). Both first and second place in the overall standings are no longer up for grabs, but third place on the season is within reach for a few athletes. Duff Isberg is currently in third with 375 points, and close behind him are Gordie Bruce (371 points), Cam Bellamy (370 points), Spencer McCool (367 points), Greg Cavers (366 points), Andrew Athey (362 points), and a few more stragglers who could easily make the jump with a solid performance this weekend in the final race.

All of this means that there is a lot on the line for this weekend and that is the best kind of race!

DUAL SLALOM This weekend:

On Sunday morning at 10 am, we will start a dual slalom race, like none you have participated in before! The race will be scored, and the results will count towards the GDHL teams, individuals and fantasy teams. Everyone is included and encouraged to participate.

*At the end of the race, we will be collecting bibs and armbands. All of those who submit both their armband and bib at the end of the race, will be provided a small reward!*

The format for the race is two distinct races, one in the morning, one in the afternoon. The race in the morning is a seeding race, for the afternoon’s race. Only those who race in the morning, will be able to race in the afternoon.

In the morning race, each racer will face off in the dual slalom against a racer who is next to them in the start list. This race will be run in GDHL Start list order. Obviously, attendance will determine exactly who you will face, but expect it to be a racer comparable to your level. The two racers will face each other in two runs, one in the blue course one in the red course. Once all skiers have completed their two runs, the finish times will be calculated by summing up each racer’s two runs. This will result in our start list for the afternoon.

The afternoon’s race swill start at 1pm, and the start list will be based on the seeding results from the morning’s race. This race will begin with the slowest racers from the morning. Racers will face one other racer for two runs, one in the blue, one in the red course. The racer you face will be either one finish rank above or below you, based on the mornings results.

If you find this complicated that is ok. The benefit to the complex competition is that everyone gets to participate.

Following the afternoon race, where every skier has two runs (one blue, one red), the finish times are summed up for each racer. Your result will be the sum of the two times you raced, and then be ranked accordingly.

  • Now come the big questions like… what happens when/if I DNF?

    • DNFs are scored with their opponent’s time + penalty of 2 seconds

    • If neither racer finishes (double DNF), then the fastest time of the previous two racers, plus penalty of 2 seconds for each racer

  • Next questions. How do we start the race?

    • The race will be run on Little John, with the race gates and the Christmas tree that looks like that picture above ^

      • Start will go like this:

        • Starter will say

          • Red course ready

          • Blue course ready

          • Go

    • The Christmas tree light will be set up

    • The barge gates (start gates) will open simultaneously on each course.

    • Time will start when gates drop

  • Another question; when will this all end????

    • This newsletter will end shortly…

    • The race should finish between 2 and 3 pm on Sunday afternoon

    • This is a perfect occasion to get a refreshment from the après and walk up the hill to cheer on from the finish corral

  • Last question: will we get to see the best racers face off?

    • Heck yes!

    • Following the afternoon race, we will pit the two top skiers from the day mono a mono

  • This should be electric!

For those of you who have now read all of this and realized that you retained none of it, do not worry. Just come show up Sunday morning at 10 am on Little John for a full day’s fun and entertainment. Bring your family, your dog, children, grandparents. Everyone is invited!

Friday training from our visionary and coach, Glenn Blaylock:

We will be training GIANT SLALOM on Friday, February 18, both morning and afternoon.

Be sure to sign up by noon Thursday so we can organize coaches.

Also, please remember to slip the hill after your last run through the course.

 

That is all for now. Sorry if these race instructions are more complex than IKEA instructions, it is all for the betterment of your racing experience. No doubt, you will love it!

Tune in next week for a season recap, a Fantasy GDHL update, and more details on our end of season banquet!

See you on the hill Sunday,

-Doug