Up next is the Ski Cross on Bowie…

In this newsletter:

Race #7 - Ski Cross
Slalom Race Recap
Adult Racing
Interclub Update

Race #7 - Ski Cross on Bowie

From demonstration sport to a GDHL points race, get ready for the Ski Cross on Bowie.

Many of you have ridden the National Chair during March Break, looking out at the World Cup Ski Cross course and thought to yourself: “I can do that.” Well here’s your first step!

Saturday will see the GDHL race combined with the club championships for Ski Cross. The format of this race will be similar to the Ski Cross Club Champs race last year, which is slightly different to what you’re used to at our other GDHL races.

This is a one-run race, with no re-runs.

This race does not require your GDHL bib. All racers are to pick up their Ski Cross Club Champs bib in the depot lodge alpine programs area from 8AM-12PM on Saturday.

Inspection is from12:00pm to 12:45pm
Race Starts at 1:15pm

Here is an Alpine Programs link to all Ski Cross details for Saturday.

Please remember this is a GDHL event combined with Club Championships. You must race in the order of your assigned bib (which may not be the same order as your GDHL bib). This is a GDHL points race and counts towards our overall standings. If you are late for your race, the race crew will do their best to get you into the start area).

Keep in mind that there are two types of Wu Tangs in this world: Find them here and here.

Wu Tang #1

Little John Slalom - Race Recap

Brought to you by Andrew Ottaway

Saturday’s slalom showcased the best of Ontario skiing: flat light, 18-second race times, and punishing cold (-31 degrees with windchill).

The cold was a challenge for this GDHL reporter. Beer turned to slush within minutes. No one would keep me company. But I was kept warm by commentator Carrie Lenauskas roasting the racers. A few that I noted:

Alex Addison *falls*: “The Addison family can’t keep their skis on
Dave Singh *falls*: “He just embarrassed himself in front of of his father-in-law”
Connor Hicks *exists*: “There's only one person clapping for Connor Hicks”

Carrie pictured with announcing legend Bill Barcley, looking like he wants to abandoné his body

Notable results:

The Welton/Williams heated rivalry continued, with Welton as the Ilya (i.e., on top) and Williams as the Shane (i.e., on bottom). My wife will be happy I worked a Heated Rivalry reference in here...Gordon Bruce was third place
For the women, the podium was Meg Ryley, Cheryl McConachie and Ciara Gaffney. Ciara has not been on my radar previously - but it looks like this is her second podium this season. Nice to see some variety on top!
Craig Sievenpiper crushed fellow coaching legend Chris Pepper

Craig Sievenpiper appearing confused to be interviewed

Pete Valin seemed to be on cloud nine after beating Meg Ryley by .01 to take 8th place. He suggested that I take “a really good photo” of him and then explained why his nickname is “the Wolf”. I wanted to abandoné my body

Sarunas Lenauskas and Brayden Irwin posted identical times (23.26). They celebrated their victory over Ed Barnicke with a candlelight dinner

A number of racers had their best result of the season, including:

Alison McMillin
Krista Dobosz
Katelyn Gilbert
Connor Clarke
Rowan Darlison (broke top 40)
Charles Nogas
Katherine Fontana, who volunteered that her race run was her first run in a month. Quality over quantity!

Biggest position drop between races (I’m guessing): brother Phil Ottaway, from 7th in the Comet slalom to 57th in this race. Hate to see it

Safest skier this week was Tyler McBrien. Michael Babcock was apparently resenting his “Safest skier” title and decided to double DNF.

It was a pleasure to speak to so many racers and get their finish-line feedback:

The feedback on the course was generally positive: many praised the straightforward course set and some (who wished to remain anonymous) expressed relief that Bebe had not returned to set following his Comet slalom
“Goldilocks” Jen Price found the Little John course too slow and the Comet course too fast
Many were shaken by the starter simply saying “go”, without the usual count-down

Random observations:

Silver fox / GDHL treasurer Chris Knight wondered aloud whether people like him or just want the drink tickets he hands out
Madison Staples doesn’t like the new age-based starting order and wants the GDHL board to know it
Australian racer Jamie Britt has skied all of the races so far this season. Interesting fact: Australia has never won a men’s alpine skiing Olympic medal. Jamie beat Dave P. Robertson this race, which is almost as good as an Olympic medal
Reid MacGregor’s button-down shirt and belt buckle combo. Has Reid considered how that buckle would feel if he hooks a gate? Probably not, guy is automatic

Matthew Jennings did the race with GS poles and no pole guards, still finishing 20th
There must have been a sale on Kerma shinguards

Shout-out to this racer’s mom, who looked so happy snapping a group photo and very stylish in a coordinated Phenix two-piece

Well-wishes:

To Betsy (Bascom)’s Birches: I’m sorry to abandoné the season but you seem to be crushing it without me
To Team Venture: as one of your owners, please help me financially recover from this ski season
To Mike Deangelis, who reportedly has a brand-new hip: get well soon!
To all of the regular GDHL Newsletter writers: thank you, not sure how you churn these out every week

-Andrew Ottaway

Adult Racing Update - From Rick G

Hello everyone; hope your week is going well.

Kudos to everyone who is slipping the courses before, during & after training that is making a huge difference to our training environment as well as those teams that follow us. We also appreciate that no one is taking a run while the start is X'd out making it much safer during resetting or course modifications.

This week's training will focus on GS all 3 days so please be sure to bring your GS gear. Coaches will be pleased to discuss & introduce concepts related to the Ski Cross Track in preparation for the event on Saturday during training, We did not receive specific SX training space for Friday and the SX is closed for the Club Races both Saturday and Sunday.

Please meet the coaches at the top of the training course promptly at the start of your session time for a sideslip inspection.

Friday February 13
9:30-11:30 & 12:30-2:30
Hill: Comet skiers left (GS)
Coaches - Eugene & Jeremy

Saturday February 14 - Happy Valentine's Day
9:30-11:30
Hill: Comet skiers right (GS)
Coaches - Eugene-Howard-Glenn-Joey

Sunday February 15
9:30-11:30
Hill: Comet skiers right (GS)
Coaches - Eugene-Howard-Glenn

Good luck to those participating in the Club Championship Skier Cross on Saturday afternoon at 1:15. Please remember that inspection is mandatory in order to compete.

Happy Family Day weekend everyone...Rick