Cazenovia Ski Club Race Report

Song Mountain Resort

January 23, 2005

Outnumbered almost 44 to one. Their tiny team accounted for less than two percent of the total racers present for today's race. But the fearsome foursome from Cazenovia fought through the frigid front to finish strong and proud. Although none would make it to the podium on this day, they came away with more confidence, experience and the knowledge that their skiing would only improve.

 

Having recently been taken off the EPA's Superfund site list for both groundwater and restaurant quality, the Song Mountain Resort was able to host week one of the Central New York Race Council's JIV and JV races. Having received almost two feet of snow the night before the racecourse was well groomed and ready, as were the Cazenovia racers.

 

In the JV Boys division, making his alpine ski-racing debut, was Sam "Air" Fellows. Better known on the free-skiing jumping circuit, Sam has taken on alpine racing this year with his near legendary enthusiasm. Sam finished 36th out of 62 racers.

 

Cazenovia fielded two contestants in the highly competitive JIV Girls division. Taking 31^st place was veteran ski racer, Alex "Double Jeopardy" Verbeck, followed closely by Sarah Fellows in 34^th place. "This may be one of the strongest fields of JIV girls to ski race in a number of years so I'm very pleased and encouraged by their strong finishes. There are more races to come and I'm confident both Alex and Sarah will only get better with some more practice under their belts", commented Coach Annie Lapham after the race.

 

In the Boys JIV group, Barclay "Bode Miller" Talbot came in 19^th out of 42 contestants. Barclay stumbled early on his first run but rebounded strongly, melting the course with the sixth best time of the day on his second run. Characteristically cryptic following his races, Barclay only commented that he'd let his skis do all the talking.

 

Be sure to congratulate your racers, if you can catch them, next time you see them on the slopes. Next week our Fab Four travel to Labrador "Mountain" for week two of the 2005 ski-racing season.