Family Day has come and gone, and we are through most of our race season. Individual and team results are adding up, giving a clearer picture as to who may be winning money at the end of year banquet on March 7th. Last weekend we saw some incredibly brave performances as racers took on the challenge of finishing a monster slalom! Originating in the Millennium start gate, following the hill slope to the top of Venture, down the entire length of Venture, and finally finishing beside the V Hill quad chair. It was a quad-burner that made a few athletes re-consider their off-season fitness regimes.
Keep reading for a complete review of this past weekend’s race, and a primer for the balance of season (only 3 more weekends). There is also reminder of our GDHL end of year banquet, (on March 7th), a reader’s submission from Bob Callow (Mr. Yellow Bib), and a call for racers at the 2020 SUPER G at Georgian Peaks.
SATURDAY’S RACE
The super-long slalom has always presented a unique challenge for those who spend most of their skiing time on the escarpment: leg-burning, lung taxing, foot cramping, endurance. A normal GDHL slalom course on Comet is about 45 gates, this past Saturday, the course was more than 65 gates. Twenty extra turns may not look like a lot during inspection, but at the bottom of the course, with rolling bumps between gates, there were many of us with legs on fire!
There were of course, those who were not fazed by the length of the course, Mike Welton was one of them. Mike claimed the first victory of his GDHL Career with the fastest run of the day at 45.32 seconds. Ben Williams (45.98) and Joel Charron (46.33) finished their day in 2nd and 3rd, both making their fourth appearances on the podium this season.
Cheryl McConachie didn’t blink during her wicked fast first run, taking top spot among the ladies with a 47.95 time. This was Cheryl’s second appearance on the podium this season, and her first win. Brianna Machej (52.93) and Mack Irwin (53.29) took home second and third for the ladies, while also bolstering their season ranks. For those counting, this was Brianna’s fourth podium appearance and Mack’s fifth.
All results are available on the website under the results – database link. Click through to take a peek at your rank and how your team is performing!
In the coming weeks, there will be detailed analysis of individual ranks and team standings to build suspense before our season finale with the Club Championships on March 7th.
This Weekend:
There are no GDHL races this weekend.
The Interclub Finals being held at Craigleith! If you find yourself looking for some fun on Saturday afternoon, head over to Big John to cheer on your fellow Craigleith racers!
SKIING - THE PERFECT FAMILY DAY ACTIVITY
Few activities can span generations the way skiing can. It is always a special moment when a grandparent has a chance to ski with their grandchild, and even more impressive when they all race on the same course together!
At the start of the second race of the season, Bob Callow (Mr. Yellow Bib) brought his two Grandsons, Dylan Gust and Zack Enticknap to the start gate and gave them a chance to forerun the race. The official times of both the younger forerunners is not available, but surely it was a tight race between Bob and his two grandsons! Following Bob down the track was his daughter, Sam Callow, completing a three-generations race.
Thank you to Bob for sharing his joy of racing with his family and with us!
Bob Callow in his Yellow Bib, with Grandsons Dylan Gust and Zack Enticknap
END OF YEAR BANQUET
As always, our end of year banquet will be a blast! Get your tickets for the event ASAP! Details are:
Date: March 7th @ 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $35+hst /per person - $25+hst/ per intermediate member
Coaches & Coyotes are welcome....
Ticket purchase deadline: February 29th
Included in the ticket price is ample wine, (though you may choose to bring your own and pay $10 corkage), delicious food, free drinks from our Craft Alcohol sponsors, and a beautiful Craigleith Masters Racing technical T Shirt.
Fantasy Standings:
Fantasy Results are here. It will be a close and intense finish to the season, as Trevor Jackson’s team has taken top spot. Expect a full recap on fantasy standings in the next two newsletters.
An Advertisement for Super G at Georgian Peaks on March 13th:
Adult & Masters Racers
Georgian Peaks has hosted the only Super G race in Ontario for fun loving adult racers for the past 15 years. Unfortunately attendance has been in decline and the race is not economically viable without a full field of at least 100 racers. The ROC has determined that unless there are a minimum of 100 entries by registration deadline of February 29, the race will be cancelled.
Those who have experienced this race understand that it is an exhilarating ride down Minute Mile on a track that is set to accommodate a wide variety of adult racing abilities. Safety, combined with fun, is the objective. We need more participation.
The race this year is Friday, March 13. Teams are encouraged but single entries are allowed and teams will be created where possible. To ensure the continuation of this great racing event please take a moment to go to the Peaks website www.gerogianpeaks.com to register or email alpine@georgianpeaks.com with your individual or team info.
Thank you and see you at the 2020 Super GP Classic!
See you on the slops!
-Doug Jarvis