The NORAM women’s circuit is tearing up the Niagara Escarpment today and balance of the week, racing GS at Georgian Peaks, Slalom at Osler Bluff, and finishing off at Craigleith for an exciting Dual Slalom. All this of excitement follows a weekend with no GDHL races and it is time we got in on the fun! We’ve got a great weekend ahead, with events both days, and lots of skiing planned. The weather looks like it will finally be on our side (hope that didn’t jinx it), which makes it even better!
There are lots of details about the upcoming race schedule, including this weekend, in this newsletter so be sure to read through. Sadly, as there was no race last weekend there is nothing to update in the fantasy league. Lastly there is a reminder to buy your tickets for the Annual GDHL end of season Banquet (open to GDHL skiers, their families, and friends).
Before getting into the details of this weekend, two corrections to last week’s newsletter are needed.
It was stated that during the race on January 25th, Trevor Whitten finished with his first podium of the season; in fact, this was Trevor’s second podium, he also came 3rd in the Big John GS at the start of the season
It was stated that the last women to win a GDHL race was Kate Ryley, in 2016; Kate did win in 2016, however Cheryl McConachie won the race on January 14th, 2018 – also a Slalom race down Comet
Apologies for the misinformation. We’ve already addressed the errors with our research team and taken the necessary actions to prevent this happening in the future, though no guarantees!
Laurence St-Germain (left) and Erin Mielzynski spending time at Georgina Peaks earlier this week. Credit: Dave Armstrong
This Weekend:
It is going to be one for the books! The NORAM Dual Slalom is taking place on Saturday afternoon and evening. The bracket of 32 athletes will be determined by a single qualifying Slalom run on Big John earlier in the day (1 pm start). There will be no shortage of Star Power at the events on Saturday. Nearly the entire Canadian Alpine Ski Team women will be in attendance, while also attracting the top talent from NCAA programs.
As announced last week, the GDHL will be hosting the Apres Ski, from 3 pm to 5 30 pm in the Base Lodge, and it is open to everyone. We will have 1 drink ticket for each GDHL member available at the front desk. At 5:30, the Dual Slalom starts under the lights on Little John and the sold out NORAM APRES PARTY gets under way.
Make sure to dedicate some time to watch the races and keep a keen eye out for these current CAST skiers:
GDHL Dual Slalom on Sunday: 1 PM Start Time
Sunday’s Dual Slalom will be a scheduled and scored GDHL race, so please allow yourself time to complete two runs. We will be running the Dual Slalom on Little John, with each racer completing one run on the blue course and one run on the red course. The start list will be set the same as a normal race, and each competitor will race against the skier sequential to them. Both racers will race for their time, not first across the line, and the combined times of the two runs will be the finishing time for each racer. For racers who fall, or do not complete a second run, their single run time will be doubled with a half second penalty added.
ALL RACERS ARE INCLUDED! We had so much fun last year running our short start list through the Dual Slalom, that when we got an opportunity to race everybody, we had to take it!
Following every racer’s two runs, we will run a table for the top 16 times. This will be a fun ski competition to finish the weekend off, and we invite you to stick around and watch!
SCHEDULE ONWARDS
Next weekend we will have our Super Long Slalom starting at the top of Millennium, skiing down the flats to Venture, and then down Venture. The schedule on the website is up to date.
END OF YEAR BANQUET
Our end of Year Banquet will happen the evening following our last race, on March 7th. Below is from last week’s newsletter:
GDHL Celebration Party and Dinner is fast approaching.
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
As you know, the GDHL Party sells out quickly at the last minute so a little pre-planning will get you tickets for the best event of the year. (To purchase tickets, go to Craigleith calendar date March 7th and click ‘register’)
Dinner will include 2 bottles of wine on the table (Family Style fare) in the Georgian room. Band (BAM) sets up at 6:00 p.m. for the hors d'oeuvres and mixing and mingling. Everyone is on the GDHL this year will get a special GDHL Masters TShirt upon arrival.
We have sponsors serving FREE Vodka Soda (Cottage Springs) and Beer (Lost Craft) throughout the evening.
Coyotes are invited this year to the event to thank them for all they do in setting up and making our racing happen. Just send an email to events@craigleith.com and Whitney will add you to the list.
For those who has been to the GDHL Dinner before, you will recall we have some ‘fun’ games and Awards throughout dinner. Also, let me mention we have raffle tickets for some goodies from our sponsors that will be included in the evening.
Awards don’t always go to the ‘winners’, there are awards and prizes For: Most consistent racer; Family that races together.... Fastest over 60... craziest outfit....etc..... who knows what awards will be given out but you will need to be there to find out!!
Ticket cost will be $35+hst/per person ($25+hst for intermediate members) includes wine at table, hors d’eourves and a complimentary drink ticket and for those who return their bib will also get a drink ticket!
Remember, if you are musically inclined to join the band after dinner, we had quite a JAM session last year!
See you on the hills!
-Doug Jarvis