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.

Super Good Times on National!

The 2024 edition of the National Super G is complete! There were some nerves at the top, downhill suits that were dusted off after 12 months, and lots of smiles at the finish. This coming Saturday sees our last Slalom of the year.

In This Newsletter:

  • Super G Recap

  • Standings Update

  • Athletic Fundraiser - This Weekend

  • Bib Draws

  • North Lodge Apres - February 17

  • GDHL Awards Banquet - March 2

  • Adult Racing Update

  • Interclub Update



Super G Recap

It was a blue bird afternoon for the highly anticipated Super G race this past Sunday.  The capacity crowd in attendance included a few celebrities such as Steve Podborski,  Rob Safrata, and Famous Flo Popalis, just to name a few.  The crowds were lined 3 deep from the top of National to the bottom of Big John hoping to catch a glimpse of some great racing, or maybe they just wanted to see what grown men and women look like in race suits. Either way they crowds got what they wanted. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES: 

In the Mens division it was Griffin Copp once again taking the top spot on the podium as he is starting to put up rookie stats not seen in the GDHL since Greg Cavers’s record breaking rookie season back in 1984.  Right behind Griffin were Benny “the Jet” Williams and Magic Mike Welton who are both pretty much guaranteed to be in the top 3 of any race they enter.  Shout out to Noah Levine who finished 4th, which my statistician is telling me is his best career finish in a GDHL race so far. 

In the ladies division it was Meg Ryley who finished in her usual spot at the top of the podium but there was a shake up in the top 3.  Craigleith legend Grant Irwin had a big smile on his face after his daughter (and favourite child) Mack Irwin came down in 2nd place. Mack finished just a few spots ahead of part time bikini model Katie Farrow, who finished in 3rd place.  Honourable mention to Taylor Davies who slipped into 4th place.  In case any of our readers are looking to stay on top of the GDHL gossip,  Taylor is the longtime main squeeze of Griffin Copp and these two appear to be the new millennial version of Hal and Sal from body break. (50% of you will be too young to get that reference) The GDHL and the Craigleith Interclub team are lucky to have these racers competing together. 

RIVALRIES: 

Andrew Ottoway was not happy about losing to his brother Phil in the night slalom so he was all business in this weeks race.  The instagram video shows Andrew grunting like Serena Williams as he went around each gate and this strategy paid off as he finished 10 spots ahead of brother Phil.  Eddie “the Eagle” Barnicke finished ahead of sister in law Carrie Lenauskas, which is big news (I’ll be surprised if this line makes it to print as Carrie has editors in high places who may remove it before it goes to press).  Paul Peterson finished well back of rival Brayden Irwin but he also finished one spot of President James Mathers.  Paul and James don’t necessarily have an existing rivalry but the author felt it should be mentioned regardless.  Dave Robinson wins the mens “safest skier” award once again as his fiercest rival and main competition Gareth Imrie laid it all on the line and finished one tenth ahead of Dave for 2nd safest skier on the day. 

MORE BIG HEADLINES: 

Dashing David Staples, widely known around the club as the most handsome of all “Veteran" racers looked like Hell as he had 2 black eyes and busted up his nose while gate training on Friday…. Paul Peterson skied shirtless and finished 75th which had other racers intrigued. In fact, rumour has it Cheryl McConachie was planning on utilizing the same strategy to improve her time for run #2 before the GDHL committee turned her idea down as there were kids mixed in with the enormous capacity crowd….  Harrison Simms Brown and Hilary Craig both underwent successful knee surgery and will be back stronger than ever by 2027… We wish them well in their recovery as the GDHL isn’t the same without them… 

Only 2 races left and  the team standings are very tight at the Top.  Should be an incredible last few weeks of racing! 

-Paul



A note on scoring from the Super G:

Unfortunately the race was cut short halfway through the second run on Sunday. Due to a combination of timing problems, a late start, and injuries on the course, the race went longer than hoped for, and a decision was made to halt the race. As such the scoring will only reflect times that were completed in the first run of the race.

If you missed a gate on the first run and finished, and you are not listed as a DSQ or DNF then please email us at gdhl@gdhl.org to get that corrected.

Thanks to everyone that helped take down the netting after the race Sunday. It was a long day of racing and many had commitments on a Sunday afternoon, but we appreciate the efforts of all those that helped out. Thank you!

-Brook



Standings Update

Results and standings should be updated by this weekend. We are still waiting on final timing and race information from the race crew.

A reminder that your contribution to your team standings is the total of your four best races. If you have less than four races, then only those points count towards your team standings.

Be sure to get those four races in! Feel free to nudge a teammate that may need the extra encouragement…


Athletic Fundraiser

The Athletic Fundraiser is this Saturday night at 7pm in the Depot. Be sure to get your tickets at the club website! Proceeds from this event go towards racing equipment and infrastructure around the club. If you’ve raced in the GDHL, you’ve benefited from the proceeds of years past!


Bib Draws

Our bib auctions are growing in popularity, as the results of bibs 10 and 20 continue to yield benefit.   You too can have the opportunity to race up front and ski like Al Lachance* on a freshly groomed course; which could be very helpful if the weather forecast holds (*you will only ski like Al if you are indeed Al). The early bib also comes with early access to the bar to talk about your epic run – before the young guns even finish! 

The bib auction will again take place in the Main Lodge from 1030am to 1130am on Saturday, before the 1pm SL on Little John.   Look for the Craigleith Cares sign – all proceeds go to a great cause, and come with a tax receipt!

 

Our generous sponsors continue to support the hydration of our athletes after the race.   After the race, look for your friendly neighborhood committee member for beverage tickets at the finish line or around the bar area.

-Chris

North Lodge Apres - February 17

A reminder of our Apres at the North Lodge on Saturday February 17th. This event is BYOB and admission is free. Racers, friends, families, and fans are welcome! We will have activities for the little ones in the lower level while we are gearing up for the next day’s Dual Slalom!

GDHL Awards Banquet - March 2nd

Mark your calendars for our end of the year banquet on March 2nd. Your committee is busy putting together a nightcap on the GDHL season.

If you’re a rookie this year or a veteran that has never been to the banquet, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the year with your fellow GDHL racers. (…And you can bring your own wine…) Stay tuned for more details!

Message from Glenn Blaylock, Head Coach, Adult Race Programs

We will be training slalom this Friday, February 9th.

Coaches Tips:

Learn how to ski ‘Slalom’ including different strategies for clearing slalom gates: https://medium.com/alpine-race-method-for-adults/slalom-969d345745

Learn how to ‘Train With Purpose’ to optimize your training experience: https://medium.com/alpine-race-method-for-adults/train-with-purpose-db359f147fa2

Friday Training

  •  Date: Friday, February 9

  • Time: 9:30 to 11:30 am / 1:00 to 3:00 pm

  • Hill: (Check the White Board at National Chair to Confirm).

  • Discipline: Slalom

  • Equipment: Slalom Skis and Protective Equipment including guards for face, hands and shins.

  • Coaches: Glenn Blaylock and Greg Roe

 Thank you for slipping the course and helping the coaches remove the race gates at the end of the training session.

 Ski with Purpose

Interclub Update - from Taylor Simms Brown

The Craigleith interclub team FLEXED this past weekend, dominating almost every age category, taking 5 of 6 podium spots, but still ended up losing by 2 pts.

The GS @ TSC this weekend is the last event to qualify for finals hosted at Craigleith on February 24th. 

If you are interested in learning more, how you could contribute (you don't need to be the fastest), or think you can win your 5 year age category versus other clubs email Taylor at tsimmsbrown@jascor-intl.com

See you on the hill Saturday at 1pm!

Brook, Paul, Chris, and the GDHL Committee