No GDHL results to report, although there was excitement and controversy at the first Interclub race of the season. But first:

This Weekend's Bullet Points

Friday training is slalom. Sessions are at 9:30 and 1:00 . A great way to get training in a small group and pay as you go. Contact Laurel to register.
Adult gate training is SL at 9:30 on each of Saturday and Sunday, and the new 8:30 Saturday session. Look for a sign at the National chair for hill space.
Adult Tech meets at the bottom of the National chair at 9:30 on each of Saturday and Sunday
Fast & Female meets at the signs by the start ramp on Partridge at 9:30 on each of Saturday and Sunday
Sandy Nattress has organized a waxing and tuning clinic with a rep from Holmenkol, Saturday at 1:30 in the basement of the new ski patrol building
GDHL race 2 is SL on Comet, Sunday at 1:00. Inspection is 12:15 to 12:45.
Interclub race 2 is at Jozo Weider (Blue Mountain) on Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

Training Tips

We're delighted that the various adult race training programs are growing at a rapid rate and welcoming many newcomers. For those who are new to slalom, here's a link to an old newsletter containing some hopefully helpful thoughts. Remember that sideslipping at the end of the training session is part of the deal. See here for some tips on sideslipping technique. For the first time this year, participants in adult gate training have been assigned to one of the coaches for particular attention. Ideally, those assigned to a particular coach should spread themselves out in any line-up for the course so that the coach can spend a bit of time with each racer before turning to the next one. Use the radio that is often at the starting gate to let your coach know you're on the way. Your coach can help you establish a goal for each session. Don't change it too often, focus on it each run and don't expect feedback every time. Other coaches may give you feedback occasionally but they will want to know what you're working on, rather than possibly introducing conflicting objectives.

Looking at Landslide

It's too bad in some ways that the Super G wasn't this past Saturday, as Landslide was in pristine condition awaiting Sunday's FIS GS. Glenn Blaylock and I skied it after the GS - fun but really not scary when trying to follow the dye lines from the GS.

Results

My results reporting got off to a bad start last week as I inadvertently overlooked Leslie Sims and Alison Banfield, who finished ahead of those I identified as second and third in the women's standings.

It seems these things happen to others as well. At the social gathering following the first Interclub race on Saturday at Devil's Glen, it was announced that the Peaks had prevailed by 17 points over our Craigleith representatives. This puzzled many, including Messrs. Libert and Ruffolo who, like most of our team, had done pretty well. Subsequent inspection disclosed some errors in the necessary manual adjustments to the scoring program, which led to a one point reduction in the Craigleith score but a 19 point reduction for the Peaks, leaving Craigleith with a one point margin of victory. Full team results are here and individual results are here. Glenn Blaylock was named men's MVP of the day, as he won the largest age group of the day, scoring 30 points. Daina Dunlop, Kate Veer and Greg Cavers also won their age groups, while Chris Fregren, James Mathers, Trent Winstone, Jeff Sutherland, Rob Burnes, Alec Libert and Phil Ruffolo all scored at least 23 points. Jeff is due special mention, despite not winning his age group as he's accustomed to doing. He's been racing while in the midst of recovering from some health concerns. (I will be calling him for inspiration if I'm in the same boat.) On top of that, a fall in a warm up run led the ski patrol to complete their "Bleeding Victim Refused Assistance" form. And, he convinced his wife to race, giving the team the necessary complement of female racers. Without Suzanne and the other women, we would have really lost by more than 17 points. If you're interested in joining the Interclub team, contact Taylor Sims-Brown and sign up on the Interclub website.

Sponsors

GDHL is fortunate to have six very generous sponsors, who allow us to operate in financial comfort. Their contributions allow us to provide draw prizes and the like at the Calcutta and a subsidy for the jackets many of our racers are proudly wearing. However, we are also able to make substantial contributions to the Club's racing infrastructure such as by purchasing gates and other equipment to be dedicated to GDHL and adult training programs and funding the upgrade of the live timing software that carries our GDHL races so that it displays "best of two runs" results. You can learn more about our sponsors by using the links in their logos, but I'm pleased to profile two of them below. The others will be featured later in the season.

Royal LePage Locations North

Royal LePage Locations North has been part of the real estate landscape in ski country for decades. Their commitment to delivering personal, professional and progressive real estate services has made them the most productive brokerage in their trading area in MLS® sales. With offices in Collingwood, Thornbury and Meaford, they have ski country covered.

Their commitment to Craigleith is long standing. A number of their team members are also members of the Club and, in addition to their sponsorships, they have been holding their annual ski day to raise money for a local hospice at the Club for years.

They look forward to their ongoing relationship with the Club through their GDHL sponsorship and urge you to reach out to them for any of your present or future real estate needs. Their website is www.locationsnorth.com

Sutherland Insurance

Sutherland Insurance is a 5th generation, family business that believes in earning your trust …year in and year out with one of a kind customer service.

For your business, your home and your car – For All That You Value.

Sutherland Insurance, since 1870.

Visit them at www.sutherlandinsurance.com

See you on the hill!

James Mathers