There is no better way to start a New Year than with great news. Hopefully, you will get lots of great news over the next days, and if you do not, well you always have this newsletter! As we enter into Covid Winter 2.0, everyone is aware that there is no perfect answer to this ongoing, everchanging situation, yet here we are, about to share with you our season plans. Are you excited yet?

Keep in mind, flexibility will be our word of the season! In past years, your flexibility was tested when you went head over heels down the Big John pitch during slalom training. This year, your flexibility and attitude will enable us to have an exceptional GDHL season full of racing and fun!

With the disclaimer out of the way, we can go onto the important details, of which there are a few to be shared today, and more to be shared in about a week’s time. You will find below information on the following: our first race (Hint: it is January 9th, GS on Big John), our Calcutta Celebrations, Registration, and a little roundup of some fun things to keep you occupied while you celebrate NYE responsibly.

SCHEDULE

We have our first race scheduled! Sunday, January 9th on Big John (Time TBD). For those in search of normality, this is the exact same race we have started our GDHL season since inception, or at least for as long as most of us can remember. We are back, baby! Maybe not all the way back to normal, but it will be nice to feel the rush of the start gate after so many months away.

There are some great races in the works for the balance of year, too. Right now, the GDHL Committee is working on Dual Slalom ideas and a night race, of course all of which will be confirmed soon. There will be an update to the race schedule next week, with more details, to set you up for the next few weeks. For those racers who are getting excited, make sure to read the next paragraph, as that addresses the Calcutta!

CALCUTTA

Everybody’s favorite Après AP (After Party) is BACK! Except this year, we are going virtual… but do not worry, we promise this will be less cringe-worthy than your firm’s virtual happy hours they forced you into every other Thursday at 5 pm.

The Club mandate is no in-person large gatherings, inside or out, so that means we must go online. There may be some challenges, but none greater that the challenges we will all face when we try to zip up our downhill suits for the first time this season.

In next week’s newsletter you will receive full details on the Virtual Calcutta, including: When/Where/Zoom Link, where and how to pick up your bibs, how you can bid on teams and items in the auctions, and who the sponsors are this season. We are excited to see you all on the call and know with your support we can make this Calcutta feel like the great event it usually is! For those of you who want to join us for the Calcutta, but have not signed up, make sure you read below!

REGISTRATION

If you have not signed up yet, you are in luck! With the recent set of mandates in place we have had to push back our entire schedule, which means registration close has been pushed back too. Hurry up though, it closes on Sunday, January 2nd and you do not want to be the one friend left out.

NYE ENTERTAINMENT

Last New Year’s Eve we were stuck at home, and this year… we may be stuck at home again. It is not fair, but for those of you trying to keep your distance for yours and your loved one’s safety, here is some entertainment for you:

Details on Craigleith’s own Katie Combaluzier, who came second in the Sit-Ski Slalom races a couple weeks back: https://alpinecanada.org/news/canadian-para-alpine-ski-team-rookies-net-two-additional-medals-before-holi