Saturday, February 26, 2000 - Monday, February 28, 2000 -- Snowshoe, WV
Wendy's Southern Alpine Racing Association (SARA) Championships
Story by Don Parks with photos by Marty Lamp and Don Parks
[Details]
[Coverage]
Results:
[Sat SL]
[Sun GS]
[Mon GS]
[Overall]
Pictures:
[Set 1]
[Set 2]
[Set 3]
[Set 4]
[Set 5]
[Set 6]
[Set 7]
[Set 8]
(Picture sets 1-3 are from Saturdays Slalom, 4-8 are from Monday's GS)
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With all this on the line it was great to have pleasant spring-like weather on the well groomed slopes of Snowshoe. Chief of Course, Buster Hendricks, from Sugar Mountain, NC, was very impressed and said, "This is the best conditions we've had in the last few years." It was a little warm for the second half of Saturday's racing, but with great cooperation from Snowshoe the courses held up well all weekend.
The first event was Saturday's slalom race on Widowmaker trail with 41
gates for the first run and 49 for the second. Under warm sunny skies
it didn't take long for the contenders to make their statements.
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Both Andrew Jochl, 1:22.51 in the men's J1/2, and Roland Lindhurst, 1:29.44 in the men's J3, put on equally as impressive performances as both won their respective divisions by nearly five seconds.
In the senior divisions, racing with no Olympic invitations on the line, Karen Perkins (1:58.59) won uncontested in the female class. Phil Perkins took the the 50+ mens win with a 1:28.47, fifth best overall on the day, while Neil McCaisiand (1:35.14) took home the men's 49-Under medal.
Sunday's racing took the competitors back to Widowmaker for some GS racing on a 19 gate course. While clouds rolled in throughout the day, the rain held off until after all the racing was complete.
On the day's more wide open course, Fairbrother (1:10.13) came out on
top once again. However, Tracy Owen kept it a little closer
this day for another women's J1/2 second place finish in 1:11.48. For
the J3 women their was no stumbling for Long (1:09.42) on this day as
she cruised to a commanding victory over Stamer (1:18.52) who took
second once again.
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Sunday's senior titles went to Perkins (1:22.41) once again on the women's side with McCaisiand (1:12.77) also doing it again for the Men 49-Under. In the men 50+ it was Bill Millman's turn as he grabbed the win in 1:20.66.
The final day's racing took everyone to the 37 GS gates lined down the long Cupp Run in Snowshoe's Western Territory. It was a beautifully sunny day with cool wind blowing up the mountainside. From the fastest to the not so fast, it was unanimously agreed upon as a thrilling ride that had everyone smiling.
For the J1/2 women, Fairbrother's bid for a third victory was cut
short by Rachel Collins whose tremendous second run gave her
the win in 2:34.24. Fairbrother's solid weekend performances still
gave her the overall title with Owen needing the tie breaker edge
to take second overall from the strong finishing Collins.
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Once again it was Jochl avoiding any trouble to take a comfortable first place win in 2:22.04, which placed him first overall for the weekend. Bracey finished a few places back in the field but his showing on Saturday and Sunday was plenty to hold down second overall.
In the very competitive men's J3 class it was Davis (2:23.38) and Lindhurst (2:24.03) finishing first and second, respectively, both in the Cupp Run GS and in the overall points standings.
In the senior women's class it was Karen Perkins challenging Cupp's demanding course and taking home another win in 2:50.31. In the men's 50+ class Phil Perkins (2:31.24) took back first while Eric Stamer (2:34.28) pulled out the 49-Under win giving James Huber (2:36.10) his second second place finish in as many days.
Congratulations goes out to all those who gave it their best and showed their mettle throughout the weekend's racing. Also, everyone is hoping that those who qualified for the Junior Olympics and Eastern Regional Finals continue to do well. Lastly, we can't forget all the hard work put in by all the volunteers, the Snowshoe Ski Patrol, Mark Poore, Bob Koontz, and the generous race sponsors, Wendy's and MCM Business Systems. These are the folks that make it all possible and they should know that their work is appreciated by all.