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CNY Kandahar Race Report
February 28/29, 2004
Toggenburg Ski Mound

CAZ DOMINATES KANDAHAR

When it was all said and done Barclay "Bode Miller" Talbot stood alone, head and shoulders above the rest. He was tall and proud at the pinnacle of the podium; a gold medal slung heavy round his neck. First place, first place, first place, and first place sum up Barclay's four Kandahar runs. It was a clean sweep. It wasn't even close. It's been a long time since a Cazenovia ski racer has finished first in any ski race. It's been even longer, perhaps decades, since a Cazenovia ski racer has so dominated such a huge event as the Central New York Kandahar. But on a sunny February leap year weekend Barclay "Bode Miller" Talbot did it. Barclay was also the first selection for the Kandahar Finals next week at Greek Peak for the JV boys.

The Kandahar race has been a staple of the Central New York race circuit for about 30 years. It was conceived as a season finale race for racers who didn't qualify for State teams or raced in divisions that didn't send teams to the States. The race this last Saturday at Toggenburg was a preliminary race for the Kandahar Finals at Greek Peak next weekend.

As exciting and amazing as Barclay's accomplishment was it was only part of the Cazenovia story at this year's Kandahar. In what is arguably the fastest crop of JV females to scorch Central New York ski hills in years, Kaitlyn Button, the Tiny Tiger of Perryville, broke out of her fourth place finish groove and skated away with a third place, Bronze medal finish. To put this in perspective it is important to note that the top five JV girls have been skiing faster than their male counterparts all season and, in many cases, skiing faster than any of the JIV skiers. They are fast, and the Tiny Tiger of Perryville is among the fastest. Kaitlyn was picked fourth to join the JV girls team at next week's Kandahar finals.

Also racing in the highly competitive JV girls division was Alex "Double Jeopardy" Verbeck. Perhaps it was the debut of the blue speed suit or perhaps it was a gifted young athlete rising to the level of competition or perhaps it was just Alex deciding today was the day she would ski her best. Whatever it was Alex put together two of her best runs of the season to finish 37th out of a field of 60 racers.

Let's not forget the Smith brothers. Their performers were nothing to cough at. In the JV boys, young Jamie skied exceptionally well and came in at 47th out of a field of 68 racers. His best finish of the year. In the JIV boys, older brother Nate, in his swan song appearance, came in at 22nd. Rumor has it that Nate will be retiring from active ski racing after this season and he was unavailable for comment on his career plans. He will be missed however.

Although that was the story of current Cazenovia racing team, this year's full Kandahar story would not be complete without mentioning Cazenovia alumna, racing phenom, "the Picabo Street of Perryville", Courtney Button. As you know Courtney graduated with high honors from the Cazenovia racing program to continue her career at the J3 level under Song Mountain colors. She may wear their colors but her heart is all Caz. Courtney had the fastest run time for J3 girls on Saturday. Even with a crash on Sunday she placed fifth overall and was picked to go to the Kandahar Finals next week at Greek Peak. This is a great accomplishment for a first year J3.

As always, be sure to congratulate these kids and coaches Anne Lapham and Bryce Button on their team's excellent accomplishments this season. No program is smaller than Cazenovia's but no other program has such a big impact on the racing council. They all do us proud!