SSWSC and World Cup Dreams Provide Largest FIS Prize Purse in U.S.- $29,000

The 20th annual Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic races into town this week and next, bringing top collegiate and FIS athletes from the Rocky Mountain Division and around the U.S. to Steamboat Springs for high stakes holiday slalom racing. The race series begins on December 17 and 18 with junior races for athletes 16-20 years old as part of the Colorado Ski Cup Devo Series. Qualifying racers from this event will move on to compete with the top regional, collegiate and U.S. and Canadian racers on December 22 and 23. December 22 features spectator-worthy night races with women starting at 5:30pm and men at 6:45pm to take on the steep face of Howelsen Hill, the oldest continually operating ski area in the U.S., under the night lights with the city glowing below. The highly anticipated holiday night slaloms are complete with the largest FIS race cash prize in the country, holiday gluhwein and fire pits for the spectators, and Santa Claus himself kicking off the races with a dash down the course.

This year’s purse for the December 22-23 races is the largest in the country totaling $29,000, surpassing last year’s record purse of $20,000, and the longest running cash prize of any FIS race in the United States outside of the National Championships.  Each year, as the prize purse increases, the draw for a strong field of racers from across the U.S. is increased, providing spectators with the unique opportunity of watching some of the best alpine skiers compete right in the heart of downtown Steamboat Springs.  Prize money comes entirely from sponsors, starting with World Cup Dreams, and the event’s local visionaries and co-chairs Chris Puckett and David Baldinger, Jr.  Additional prize money sponsors include Ron & Sarah Simon, David Lamb – Edward Jones, the Colgan Foundation, Gwen Rogers, Emich Volkswagen, David High – Alpine Bank, and Peter Daley.

The incentive of prize money also serves to bring out local college racers who are home for the holidays, with $4,000 awarded to 1st place winners both days, $1,750 to second place, $750 for third place, $300 for 4th, $200 for 5th place, and $250 for the top U18 finisher.  “This race is revered by the athletes and fans as a holiday tradition. The energy under the lights for the night race, with big prize money on the line and a massive crowd at the base of the hill makes for exciting high stakes racing that can only be compared with some of the iconic races in Europe,” said SSWSC Associate Executive Director Jon Nolting.

In addition to a prize purse, the Roberts Family has also set up a generous scholarship fund in memory of their son Murphy, for whom the race is named.  The annual Murphy Roberts Scholarship Award is presented at the awards ceremony following the night races on December 22nd. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to the athlete who best demonstrates a passion for alpine ski racing while selflessly providing a level of enthusiasm, fun, and team participation; traits of the late Murphy Roberts, a former SSWSC alpine athlete who passed away unexpectedly in 2016 at the age of 22. Murphy Roberts exuded positive energy and lifted up his teammates. His unfailing enthusiasm elevated the positive spirit of his team and others he competed with both on and off the hill. His presence made any situation lighter, more joyful and more memorable. Every now and then his spirit lives on in a competitor, earning them the award of the MRHC Scholarship.

One of the other unique traditions of this event is that past champions gather for a Champions Dinner the night before the FIS races. Contact David Baldinger [email protected] to RSVP.
Races will all take place on the face of Howelsen Hill. Junior races on December 17 for women and 18 for men will kick off at 10am. FIS Races on December 22 will kick off at 1pm, with second runs under the lights starting at 5:30pm (women) and 6:45pm (men.) December 23rd FIS races will start at 9am.

Spectators are encouraged, bring your cowbells and cheer on the locals and your favorites.  For the night races on December 22nd, enjoy the festivities while warming beside the fire pits and watching the racers under the lights! Additionally all races will be live streamed, visit http://www.sswsc.org/events/MurphyRobertsHC or search Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic on YouTube. 

Be part of the online conversation using #SteamboatMurphyRobertsHC.

The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club is the oldest club west of the Mississippi River with over a century credited to it for “Creating Champions, on and off the Mountain.”  Serving tens of thousands of young athletes over its history, the club is one of the most successful winter sports clubs in North America, having produced 96 Olympic athletes who have made 166 Olympic appearances.

Photo Tania Coffey