Race Weekend January 11/12 Photos by John

by John Schultheis On January 11-12 we had another very successfull Race weekend at the Lodge. To help the Race Team prepare for the weekend's competitions, Austin Parlette arranged for a Race Clinic on Friday at Northstar. The instructors were very good, and we all learned a lot and got to make a number of practice runs on the race courses. Several people from the clinic made improvements in their skiing. We all hope that Austin will be able to set up more clinics before the rest of the races. Saturday we had a Giant Slalom race at Alpine Meadows. The Apres team performed fabulously, with a lot of first and second place finishes. We should have a lot of points from Saturday. Marie Barberi and Nancy Cole and Anne Chartier swept first, second and third in their group, Kristin Thornquist won her group, and Ray Muggli won his group with Tom Van Bogart close behind. Lee Holzschuh was the most dominant Apres racer on Saturday, going so fast that he was bumped up one Class level for the second time this season. Sunday we had a Slalom race at Sugar Bowl. We did not do nearly as well on Sunday, with several people having disappointing finishes. Two bright spots were Jim Sanchez and Austin Parlette taking first and second place in Class 4 Veteran Men, and Tom Van Bogart and Ray Muggli taking first and second place in Class 8 Veteran Men. The weekend also saw the return of several past racers. Laura tried out her reconstructed knee on the slopes this weekend and we are very happy to report that she finished the races standing up! Joe Giammarco was back after suffering a broken ankle playing hockey last year. Joe skied very well after taking a year off, finishing in the top half of his class both days. Paul Birmingham looked very smooth and fast in his return appearance. The next Race weekend will be on February 8-9. Special thanks to Tom Amberg and Connie Burdette for helping volunteer to help with the scoring for the races.

by Austin Parlette, Assistant Race Director Congratulations are in order to all Après racers who attended the first 2 day race weekend of the season. The results from Saturday's GS produced a point total that will be awesome, I promise. Sunday's SL at Sugar Bowl was not nearly as productive but was still outstanding. We had bumps, self bumps, bump downs, double strikes, best times, DNF's, DQ's you name it. Stuff seems to happen on race day which makes club racing so addictive. Friday's race clinic at Northstar was very well attended with over 20 racers taking part. I for one was very impressed with what we learned and from what feedback I have received, most other's were as well. Watch for details about the next clinic scheduled for February 7th. Many thanks to all those who pitched in and helped pull off an organized weekend hosted by a non organizer (me). Finally, thanks to Tom and Connie for enduring brutal snowmobile rides, cold feet and cold hands to man the novice score board.