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.

Special Super G Edition

Quick Updates

  • Friday training will be higher speed GS on Birches, morning and afternoon.
  • Saturday's Interclub results are (actually) here.
  • Pick up your GDHL bibs from Kylie in the race office if you still haven't done so.
  • The Coyotes expect to provide live timing of all GDHL races.  To connect, go to gdhl.org, click "results" on the top ribbon, then "live timing" on the drop down.
  • Adult gates will be SL on Venture at 1:00 Saturday and on Birches at 9:30 Sunday.
  • Both Fast & Female and Adult Tech will move to 1:00 Saturday.
  • The Snow School adult apres ski is at 2:45 on Saturday in the South Lodge loft.

Now for the Super G

The Super G is Saturday morning.  (Despite the juniors changing to a GS race for the Pod Cup, we still get Super G.)  The course starts at the top of the Funnel chair, runs along Cruiser to the top of the Comet chair, down Bowie to the bottom of pitch, then along the cross-over past the bottom of Porcupine to the finish by the timing hut on Comet.  Last year, we had over 90 starters.  The winning time was just over one minute, four seconds, the median time was about 1:12 and a few racers were approaching 1:30.  The previous year, the times were nearly 10 seconds slower.  Here is some video that Morgan Rubes shot during last year's inspection, which will give you an idea of what to expect. 

Remember that we need help from all racers in removing the netting that will be erected around the course.  The Coyotes can't do it all, and our big numbers can make a big difference.  We'll have hot chocolate and finger food in the finish area to reward those who help.  Many of these nets are courtesy of the NZ Foundation, so roll for Nik!  Someone suggested that we take attendance and not score the race for those who don't help.  We won't go quite that far, but that's the right spirit, and take your chances if you run into that guy and haven't helped out.

Now for some key special rules relating to this race:

  1. You must have a helmet with full, hard ear covering.  It may not have a camera or camera mount attached.  Your ski poles must have baskets and may not have slalom guards attached.
  2. You must inspect the course or you will not be allowed to race. Inspection is from 9:10 to 9:40, but you must start inspection by 9:30. You must check in with the appropriate race official at the start, who will check you off on the list.  Inspection ends promptly and early in order to allow sufficient time for final course preparation before the race starts.  We have at least one participant who knows this rule is for real.
  3. The ski patrol must be on site before racing starts.
  4. Only authorized people may be inside the netting that has been erected around the race course. This means racers, officials, coaches, ski patrol and Coyotes. It doesn’t include friends, family and other spectators.  The Coyotes will try to identify and announce an appropriate place for spectators who want to watch from above the finish line.
  5. Movement on the course will be controlled by race officials using radios. If there is any unauthorized movement on the course, racing will be stopped.
  6. Racers will be started at regular intervals. This will likely mean every 30 to 45 seconds, but will be adjusted as appropriate.  The spacing will probably be longer at the start, shorter in the middle and then longer for the last few racers to try to avoid waiting for reruns at the end of the race.
  7. If a racer falls, the following racer(s) may be flagged down with a big yellow flag. During your inspection, watch for "yellow zones" where flagging may happen.  If you are flagged, stop racing immediately. You will get a rerun.  Even if you aren't flagged, you should stop if you come upon a crash, and you can ask for a rerun.
  8. If you are watching the race and see a racer fall, don’t enter the course. The ski patrol and others will assist as soon as race officials have made sure that the course is clear, for the safety of those assisting. Please spread the word on this to spectators.
  9. We hope to be able to complete two runs, but time is limited and this race takes longer to run than usual. Therefore, it may have to end without two runs for everyone who wants them. The ability to offer two runs depends on avoiding delays with inspection, being lucky in avoiding delays for crashes etc. and having the course stay in good condition.

This race is a lot of fun if you approach it properly.  We don't often get a chance to ski as fast as possible on a controlled course.  Just be sure to be on your toes at all times.  Here's another of Morgan's videos, this one featuring Maddy Irwin as a forerunner a couple of years ago.

See you on Saturday!

James Mathers