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.

Christmas Update

Merry Christmas to everyone! Believe it or not - the first race of the season is January 7th at 1pm!


In this newsletter:

  • Time Trials and Warm Up Race CANCELLED

  • Registration and Waitlist

  • Sponsors

  • Outstanding Bibs

  • Calcutta Information

  • Jackets

  • Rules Update

  • Alpine Race Method For Adults




Time Trails and Warm Up Race cancelled

Unfortunately the weather has not been cooperating with our plans! The Time Trials and Warm Up Race scheduled for today - December 28 - has been cancelled. Due to the rain and warm weather, there is not enough snow to properly set a GS course and install necessary safety netting for our racers.

We were hoping to get an extra race in this year, but mother nature did not want to cooperate! If we can get a rescheduled date we will, but the forecast is not looking too promising at this point.



Registration and Waitlist

Thank you for your understanding as we deal with record turnout in this 2024 GDHL season. Your GDHL committee has managed to squeeze in all racers that were on the waitlist into this year's GDHL.

If you would still like to join, please add your name to the waitlist at the Alpine Programs Section of the Craigleith website. We will do our best to add you.




Sponsors

Thanks again to all of our sponsors for the 2024 season! We appreciate your support!

  • Sutherland Insurance

  • Lysander Funds

  • Raymond James

  • Erinwood Ford

  • Spy Cider and Distillery

  • Sidelaunch Brewery

  • Lange and Dynaster

  • Squire John's


Outstanding Bibs

A reminder: if you are holding onto a bib from last season, please return to the Race Office or a friendly GDHL Committee member. We do our best to collect 100% of the bibs at the end of each season, but there are always a few stragglers!


Calcutta

Join us on Saturday January 6th at 4:30pm in the Depot for the kickoff to our GDHL season! This is a great chance to get to know your fellow racers and possibly bid on some teams.

As always, Rip Riopelle is back to conduct our auction. If you haven't experienced the Calcutta, then you are in for a treat! (Check out our previous update for a breakdown of how bidding and scoring works). In addition to our teams, we will be auctioning off some equipment and other prizes. There will be snacks and drink samples. Thanks again to Spy Cider and Sidelaunch for helping out!




GDHL Jackets

We still have a few GDHL jackets available for purchase. Check out the table at this year's Calcutta to grab some of the few remaining jackets. If you would like to get one ahead of time, please email Chris Knight at cmknightrider@hotmail.com  Jackets are $80 each.


Rules Update

Each of our races is governed by the FIS International Ski Competition Rules (ICR).

The GDHL is a fun racing league and we do not expect you to know all of the ski racing rules from the beginning. If you are unsure about ANYTHING, please ask a fellow racer or some of our Coyotes course crew. This is a fun race, and you will not be disqualified for minor infractions. However, major rules infractions will be enforced (missed gates, mistreatment of officials, etc). If you are unsure, please be polite and ask, we are all there to have a good time!

  • No Downhill Suits for GS and Slalom 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!

  • 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 the start time. 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!




Alpine Race Method For Adults

If you are looking for more detailed information on ski racing, and developing yourself off-hill, then check out the Alpine Race Method For Adults. The Method was created by our adult racing head coach, Glenn Blaylock. 




Next Race

Our first race is Sunday January 7th at 1pm. It's a GS on Big John. Reminder: No Downhill Suits! You need a hard-ear helmet to race.

A reminder that scoring is based on your four best races. If you complete less than four races, you will not be awarded points for the races that you miss, only those that you finished. This is different from previous years, but is in alignment with historical GDHL scoring.

See you at the Calcutta!