Sunapee GS #2 - Welcome to New England

We had optimal ski racing conditions today. The mush from yesterday set up overnight to create rock hard ice. Generally this is great for creating a consistent race surface, but it was totally different from the soft snow that we have been training on all week. The first run went off without a hitch with Mike setting the course. While we had solid performances by all of our men and women, both were relatively hesitant on the hard pack snow. Blaine's west coast upbringing meant that this was pretty much the first time she had actually raced on ice. After the first run Sophie Elgort '08 was in 7th place. The men had a few bobbles on the top of the course with Ken Ettinger leaving one pole in the start gate. Dow Travers skied a "smoking" run with a 33rd place, but one on which we all think that he can improve.


We had several parents that provided us with food for lunch. The Bengtsons and Taubs were in attendance and Mr. Consiglio brought a pizza from the family restaurant in New Haven (above). It was well received by the athletes. (see photos)

Second run was less strong for the team. The snow actually hardened up between runs creating a super fast snow surface. The course set was especially tight at the bottom and devoured a couple of our racers at the end of the run. At the end of the day, the women took a fourth place finish and the men dropped a spot with a ninth place finish due largely to falls by Ken, DR, and Dow. We are hoping that four days of solid training this week will prepare us for the legendary piste of Mt. Cranmore. I know that I am especially looking forward to a couple of freeskiing runs on the back bowl trails and perhaps even a tuck run on Artist Falls - former men's team member John Gillis's favorite trail on the circuit!

Looks like some snow is coming in tonight. Hopefully a few inches will cover up those Brown spots on the mountain. Thanks again to the parents who make all of this possible and to those who are coming out next week for the race at Cranmore!