The cold weather has arrived and just in time for all of us to dress down to our skin suits! On Saturday afternoon we ski the Podborski Cup Super G course down National, the only GDHL sanctioned event to allow full downhill suits on course. It should be a very fun weekend ahead! Brook will tell you more about what to expect over the next few days, and recap last weekend, all down below. But first, a quick thank you to Rob Vitols (@robertvitols on instagram) who has been taking great pictures of all of us this season. Reach out to find if he got any of you shredding the race courses this year! Sean Webster, pictured below, sure must be happy that there is photographic evidence of the grace and strength he employed while spinning mid air following a caught edge in Saturday’s race.
Another great week of ski racing in the GDHL! This week's GS featured a roller at the start, some cross ruts on the way down, and a nice little bump on the last gate.
We had some great efforts from the 107 racers that started. Many of you also got to witness your first double ejection courtesy of Robert Prusinski! This didn't phase Robert as he took a mulligan and placed 15th.
Newcomer Erik Sultmanis finished in 12th place, possibly making him the most consistent racer this year with finishes of 14th, 14th, 12th, 12th.
Erik showing his speedy form that has kept his results consistent. Photo Credit Robert Vitols @robertvitols
Tom Murdison skied to a season best 7th place, Brad McMullen also posted a season best 19th, while comeback kid Brent Addison threw down a smoking run to finish 11th.
Jason Turnpenny continued to improve with a 30th place finish this week, while Paul The Ski Racer had a season-best 43rd place finish.
Alan Shaw and Roger Chiu decided that having bib numbers two apart wasn't close enough, so they raced to a tie.
Richard Kennedy and Scott Harding are battling it out this season, finishing with .01 seconds between the two this week.
Katie Farrow finished within a millisecond of her cousin, Kyle .Photo Credit Robert Vitols @robertvitols
The GS on Comet also saw some epic family battles:
The Farrows (Kyle and Katie) finished .01 seconds apart
Sisters Lauren Liberty and Meghan Robinson finished within .02 seconds of each other
Peter and Brook Dyson were .03 seconds apart.
Brenna Swift and husband Michael Ferrarelli finished .16 seconds apart.
All three Bruce brothers had season best placings.
Andrew Ottaway has pulled away from brother Phil.
Brandon Popalis landed back in Ontario, only to see younger brother Petey show off his GS skills.
Team Musils has taken the lead with some great finishes up and down the lineup, while Porcupine is pulling up the rear due to some absences and injuries.
Results can be found here: https://gdhl.results.mectiming.org/
Andrew Ottaway finished ahead of brother Phil on Saturday. Photo Credit Robert Vitols @robertvitols
JACKETS:
The official GDHL AirTags account can confirm that this year's GDHL Jackets are no longer stuck in the Pearson baggage area. Word is they are on their way to the Collingwood area soon, so stay tuned for updates. If you have emailed GDHL@GDHL.org for a jacket request, rest assured your order has been received. We are still taking orders.
SUPER G This Saturday afternoon
This weekend's race is a Super G down National, which will be a faster course than many of you have seen. This is the same hill that the Podborski Cup will run on the days previous, and the same hill that this year's World Cup Ski Cross race will go down. We hope to get two runs in on Saturday.
Downhill suits are allowed for this race, pole guards are not allowed, helmet cams are not allowed, and hard eared helmets are mandatory.
Because of the speed, there are extra safety rules around this race that need to be followed:
Inspection is MANDATORY for all racers. From 12:10 to 12:40pm please check in at the top of the race course with your bib number.
If you see a Yellow Flag waving while you are on the course, there is an obstruction or fallen racer ahead of you. Please try to safely stop. You will be granted a rerun.
If you see an athlete experience a fall, please do not attempt to enter the race course and approach them. While we totally understand and can relate to your urgency to help, Speed race emergency plan protocols will already have been activated to protect the safety of athletes, officials, and course workers on course.
Only accredited personnel are allowed inside the fences (athletes, course officials, coaches, ski patrol, and course workers)
Once Inspection is closed, you must leave the course.
Course crew controls all movement on the course. Any non-authorized movement on the course/track will cause the jury to stop all racing
In the event an athlete requires medical assistance the course crew will ensure the course is clear before allowing the Ski Patrol to move to the athlete. This may require the "Yellow Flagging" of an athlete that is currently on course. As a spectator, this may seem like the course crew is not aware, however, they are ensuring that no one else gets injured while they are responding.
All GDHL racers are asked to assist with tear down after the race. It takes many hands to remove the safety netting. Please meet at the top of the course just prior to the last racer. One of the course crew will advise you of where they can use your expertise.
The GDHL organizers and the Craigleith race crew appreciate your assistance with the course clean up! Many thanks in advance from all of us.
Après and long bar lineups to follow course clean up. Word is the theme for Saturday's Après is Leather and Fur!
Please send us an email if you have ANY questions around the Super G. This is another first for a lot of you, so please don't hesitate to ask.
SCHEDULE UPDATE
Please be aware that we are working with club management and directors to move the Dual Slalom and Après from it's current date of Sunday February 19th (Family Day Weekend) to another date. This is due to a scheduling conflict with the recently announced Members Informal Meeting. Stay tuned for a new date and time that does not conflict.
The GDHL committee encourages everyone to attend the meeting and find out what is happening at your club.
AWARDS BANQUET
Mark your calendars for Saturday March 4th for our annual Awards Banquet. Always a highlight of the season!
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
March 4th and 5th are Club Championships. All GDHL racers will be entered, whether you decide to race or not.
Coaches Corner:
From Glenn Blaylock, Head Coach, Adult Race Programs
Drop In Friday Training, February 3rd, 9:30 am and 12:30 pm: Hill: Birches, Speed Camp in a fast GS course. Previous racing experience is required. GS skis recommended. Hard Shell helmet mandatory. Register On-Line by Thursday. Thank you for slipping the hill after your last run through the course.
Coaches Tip: Super G
There are three stages to the Super G on National.
The first stage is the flats before the pitch. This is the time to tuck. A high tuck position is best with your back flat and parallel to the snow. Push your hands forward and up in front of your face so you can just see over your hands. Flex your ankles forward into the front of your boots. Focus on keeping both skis as flat as possible on the snow with minimal edge angle. To change direction roll your ankles with parallel shins and keep your body square over your skis. This position allows the legs, knees and ankles to flex and absorb changes of terrain. The high tuck position is demonstrated by the female U.S. Ski Team racer part way through the following video. Note how her back is flat and mostly parallel to the snow with her hands pushed forward. This position allows her to easily absorb rolls in the terrain.
The second stage includes the gate above and the gates down the pitch. You want to rise out of your tuck before the gate above the pitch so you can be ready for the first gate on the pitch. Apply pressure to the new outside ski early in the turn to ensure you are completing the turn as you pass the next gate. Ski a High Line with 100 % pressure on your outside ski. Its very important to look ahead. In a previous Coaches Tip, we discussed how to ski the line. Here’s a link to the video from that Coaches Tip.
The third stage includes the gates below the pitch to the finish. Shin pressure against the front of both boots will be important to keep you forward as there will be a tendency to shift your weight onto your heals when coming off the pitch and onto the flats. You will be skiing fast and you will need to have 100 %pressure on your outside ski when turning. When you feel you can tuck, a high tuck position is best. Look ahead. When you cross the finish line give yourself more time than usual to stop as you will be skiing fast.
See you on the hill on Saturday Afternoon. It should be a super fun and safe day on the snow, and a first for many of us to race down National.
-Brook (And a bit of Doug)