GDHL News

For the latest Race Results, Tech Tips, Events and GDHL what's what, be sure to sign up for the News (black button to the right). See you on the hill.

Big Weekend Ahead!

As we approach our first weekend in the GDHL schedule, we have a few a announcements and items to cover off. Chair of the GDHL Committee, Brook Dyson, has detailed what you can expect from:

  • Calcutta – Starting at 7 pm, in Old South Lodge, Saturday, January 7

  • This season’s first race – Sunday, January 8, GS on Big John, 1 PM Start (12:10-12:40 inspection)

As well as announcements From our Coach, Glenn Blaylock on:

  • Coaching Tips to get you skiing like Mikaela Shiffrin

  • Training today and tomorrow (Jan 6th and 7th)

And the registration link to the hotly anticipated, Georgian Triangle Humane Society Ski for Pets 2023

Calcutta

We're back! Saturday at 7pm in the South Lodge is the kickoff to our GDHL season, the Calcutta! This event is open to all.

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us to put on events like this (and our races) throughout the season:

  • Budget Propane

  • Sutherland Insurance

  • Dynastar/Lange

  • Patty Mac Construction

  • Squire John's

The theme for the evening is Retro Ski. Feel free to raid that closet for older Apres gear to wear!

Upon entrance, please register and pick up your race bib and start list. You'll need the bib for the entire season. If you would like to participate in the bidding on teams please let us know at registration or find a committee member.

There will be a beer/wine bar and appetizers. Remember to wear your badge!

The main event will be hosted by Rip Riopelle and Paul Peterson. If you haven't yet experienced a Craigleith Calcutta auction, get ready for some fun!

There will be raffles and games for select low bib numbers (for each race), throughout the evening.

Race Number One:

Getting closer to the first race of the season!

Welcome to our new racers. We have alot this year! Some tips and refreshers for rookies and veterans alike:

The first race is a Giant Slalom (GS) on Big John on Sunday January 8th at 1pm. Inspection is from 12:30pm to 12:50pm.

  • No Downhill Suits for GS races.

  • **Inspection is where you get to SIDESLIP through the course prior to the race. This will help you get a feel of where the turns are, what the terrain is like, and where the finish is. It is highly recommended that you inspect prior to your run.**

  • A reminder to all racers (veteran and rookie) that you are NOT to ski any of the gates during inspection. This is not practice. Don't ski it, just look!The race is two runs, and only your best run counts. If you do not want to do a second run, that is OK. Results will be posted at GDHL.org.

  • Racers will assemble at the top prior to each run, and the first racer (Bib Number 1) will leave the start gate at 1:00pm. Each racer then goes in numerical bib order.

  • If you are late for your run, the race crew will do their best to get you started in order. Please be respectful of your fellow racers that were on time. You will get your run in, but you may need to be patient.

  • Remember, the timer starts when your legs pass through "the wand". The timer stops when you cross the finish line at the bottom. You must go around all Red and Blue gates on the course. If you're not sure where to go, watch a few racers on the course and in the start gate before your run (or watch the forerunners).

  • The Coyotes are our race crew at Craigleith. You will see them at the start, at the finish, and at various points throughout the race hill. They are there to ensure a safe, fair, and fun event.

Please be kind and respectful to all race course personnel and your fellow racers.  **If you have any complaints, suggestions, or frustrations, see a GDHL committee member. We will help you out.**

After your race, feel free to head by the lodge. There is a 99% chance you will see other racers cooling down with a frosty beverage!

Next week's race is a Slalom on Comet on Saturday January 14th at 1pm.

See you on Saturday and Sunday!

Coaching Tips from Glenn Blaylock, Craigleith Head Coach, Adult Race Programs

Alpine Canada has adopted the Norwegian method of skiing and racing. Refer to the attached presentation made to the Ontario Coaches Conference last fall. The method is also used by Burke College where Mikaela Shiffrin of the U.S. Ski Team learned her racing skills. Mikaela is soon to become the  greatest ski racer of all time with only a few more World Cup wins.  We have had excellent results using the method during the Xmas and New Years camps. Your coaches will be working with this method during the Friday, Saturday and Sunday training sessions. We have room for a few more adults on Saturday morning and several more on Sunday morning. Contact the club if you would like to sign up for training. You can also train on Friday mornings and afternoons by registering the day before.

Michella Shiffrin explains why and how world cup skiers perform drills in the following short video. Click on the picture to go to youtube.

This Weekend’s Training Schedule

Craigleith Adult Racers

We will be training Glalom on Friday, January 6th both morning and afternoon using stubbies. The distance between gates in a Glalom course is about 18 meters  – mid way between GS and Slalom courses. We are unable to set a full GS course as there will be limited safety netting at the club.

Equipment: Slalom skis.

GTHS Ski for Pets 2023:

↑ Click above to register!↑

This year our friends at Sutherland Insurance are presenting a new fundraiser to Craigleith and it will benefit the Georgian Triangle Humane Society. Get your tickets here for the event, happening on Thursday, February 2nd, at our club. Tickets are $150 for visitors and $75 for Craigleith members and the day is promised to deliver fantastic enjoyment all for a great cause!