I have been enjoying a hiatus from newsletter publication, but am moved to write by this week's news, which would bring joy to the hearts of AIDWYC and Bob Dylan. Keen observers of the Club Championship results (found here for less keen observers) will have noted that Steve ("Hurricane") Jarvis was scored as DSQ in the GS. Reaction to this was varied. "Anyone with a moustache like that musta done something wrong. Them Coyotes don't throw people out for nothing" (guy wearing #Trump2016 t-shirt in the Base Lodge). "Oh, the shame. I'll have to marry the first woman who will have me and assume her surname" (guy usually wearing bib 105).
Hurricane was not actually imprisoned for this transgression, so habeas corpus was not required, but the following week brought an email protesting his innocence. Furrowed brows ensued among our esteemed race administrators. The wheels of justice ground a bit slowly, but this week news emerged that there had perhaps been a case of mistaken identity (not that anyone looks like Steve, but the true culprit may have been wearing a similar bib). Unfortunately, the restoration of Steve's result did not put him on the podium in the hotly contested 55 to 59 age group, so we cannot readily characterize him as a reverse Beckie Scott (winner of bronze, silver and eventually gold in the same race as her opponents were successively disqualified). At first, I thought there was some consolation to be found, as Steve's restored first run was marginally faster than his second run, which was counted for race 7 of the GDHL. It was enough to move him from 56th to 53rd (his third such GS placing of the season). Sadly, Steve needed to be 52nd to get the one extra point in the GDHL standings needed to tie him with Chris Clark, and fell three hundies short. Complications could still have ensued, as those who were bumped down the standings were on Big John and Millennium, which were battling neck and neck for third place in the team standings. However, it appears that the result is that Millennium will be three points shy of third, rather than two, once the database is updated.
Fleeing the scene, or just going about his business?
Many more pictures from the Club Championships can be seen here. A more manageable sized selection of SL photos from Lou Montana is here, and Lou's GS pics are here.
In the end, however, Steve's quest for justice will be recognized going forward by the implementation of a formal notification and protest procedure, to be enshrined as the Steve Jarvis Rule, with a view to avoiding this anguish being suffered by others. (Bib 105 will not be changing his name, but is still keen to meet women. #Trump2016 wants to build a wall to keep out people from the Peaks.)
In other news, we have had lots of interest in the North Face jackets and will be placing our first order on Monday. Click here to get all details and the link to the order form. There will be a bit more time after Monday, but why wait. Acting now will give you a better chance of getting the colour you want.
And there are still a few of you who haven't returned your bibs. Please drop them off with Kylie.
Skiing is still pretty darn good, so enjoy the sunshine Sunday, and think of Steve's battle as you sing along with Bob below.
James Mathers