U16 Alpine Team Earns Legendary Status at World Cup in Aspen Snowmass
Aspen Snowmass hosted the latest World Cup men’s races from March 1-3.  The event included two GS races and one slalom.  The U16 alpine team attended the GS race on March 2 and volunteered their time to help with the slip and course crew.  We were warned ahead of time that the hill would be injected, and despite having shown up with our GS skis tuned and sharp, we were surprised by how slick the hill was.  It is common for a World Cup race venue to be injected and icy, making the course challenging for all those competing with very few ruts forming, but Aspen did their job almost too well, and the hill was a literal ice rink.  To ensure the safety of their volunteers, the race organizers had a Wintersteiger machine brought to Ruthie’s lodge at the top of the A1 lift to sharpen skis throughout the day
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The team was a little nervous at first, but once they got slipping and got to “inspect” the hill before the races began, they found their comfort. They got to watch the masters of the World Cup ski the hill as though it was nothing and were inspired by their skill and strength.  The U16 athletes stood out among the volunteers with their control and ability to handle the icy conditions, as well as their help fixing panels and tearing down bnet after the race.  It was such a great experience for them that with the parents’ permission, we stayed for one more day and watched another challenging day of racing with the slalom event on Sunday.  Again, our team stepped up and went above and beyond.  Although not required, the race organizers sought out volunteers to assist in clearing the 10” (and more) of snow that had fallen overnight and throughout the day.  They had asked for people to show up for a 3am load.  The U16 team did not disappoint.  Eager for the experience of riding a groomer, working in the dark with headlamps (some took flashlights and duct-taped them to their helmets), and pushing snowblowers on a race hill, we showed up in the volunteer tent to applause from the race organizers for their efforts the day prior and their willingness to help so early in the morning.  The athletes had an amazing experience watching and meeting a few of the World Cup athletes and seeing the amount of work and people it takes to pull of such high-level races.  It will be an adventure that they will cherish and speak of for years to come.

Photos Captions from Top:

Saturday morning slip crew, from left: Schuyler Biglow, Wilson Walker, Caley Goforth, Koda Kiser, Caleb Walker, Pthalo Plomteux, Leo Orton, Naia Broggi, Rewani Shrestha, and David Haupt. Photo by Coach Ann West

SSWSC U16 athletes standing at the start, watching the racers and waiting for their turn to slip. Photo by Coach Ann West

Caleb Walker led the team in an early morning slip to clear the hill of snow.  From front to back: Caleb Walker, Koda Kiser, Schuyler Biglow, Caley Goforth, and Wilson Walker.  Photo by Coach Ann West

Despite the very early morning and hard work from the team, it is all smiles from the Sunday U16 crew!  Caleb Walker was still on the hill, working hard.  From left: Schuyler Biglow, Wilson Walker, Koda Kiser, and Caley Goforth. Photo by Coach Ann West