MARCH 4, 2010 ISSUE
High Country Junior Race Series Completes Another Successful Season
Smiles abound for High Country Junior Race Series participants as they celebrate completion of another successful season. Team Sugar Mountain Resort took home the gold for the 2010 series, edging out 2009 winner Team Beech Mountain Resort, which finished second ahead of Team Appalachian Ski Mountain/French-Swiss Ski College. Photo submitted 
Team Appalachian Ski Mountain/French-Swiss Ski College’s Wiley Speckmann won the 7 & 8 Boys Division of the High Country Junior Race Series, which concluded last weekend with a championship race at Appalachian Ski Mountain. Speckmann’s 130 points were enough to top App’s Karson Pilkenton, who finished second with 99 points, and Sugar’s Will Spradling, who finished third with 86 points. Photo by Ken Ketchie
Olivia Jochl topped the podium in the 9 & 10 Girls Division of the High Country Junior Race Series, scoring 140 points over six races. In second place were Ashley Simione with 97 points and Hanna Barbour with 92 points. All three competitors race for Team Sugar Mountain Resort, which means the team swept the medals for that division. Photo by Ken KetchieForget race times and podium order—just take one look at the smiles plastered across the faces of countless participants in the High Country Junior Race Series and you’ll know you’re witnessing something special, something pure and something that parents across the region should be thankful for.
The fact that the local, intermountain race league has been in existence with healthy participation for 26 straight years further underscores its success.
“The emphasis is on fun, good sportsmanship, camaraderie, and it’s easier for families than the [higher level ski programs] because it’s all local, it’s all intermountain. Kids can have fun, work on skills, improve their technique, and parents take part, volunteering as starters, gatekeepers,” said Dan Blackwelder, coach for Team Appalachian Ski Mountain/French-Swiss Ski College, who has been with the league since it began in 1984.
Last Sunday, the final, championship race in the 2010 High Country Junior Race Series (HCJRS) took place at Appalachian Ski Mountain featuring the league’s more than 130 participants, which range in age from 4 to 17 years old. Team Sugar Mountain Resort took home the top prize with roughly 2,600 points, followed by Team Beech Mountain Resort with 2,320 points and Team Appalachian Ski Mountain/French-Swiss Ski College with 2,260 points.
Each year, teams are fielded from Sugar Mountain Resort, Beech Mountain Resort and Appalachian Ski Mountain/French-Swiss Ski College (Hawksnest Resort fielded a team until it changed to an all snow tubing resort). In January and February, the teams compete in six races, with two races held at each resort and the last race serving as the championship.
Participants are accepted at all skill levels—they just need to be able to ski down a mountain by themselves without assistance. Parents are invited to volunteer and share in the camaraderie.
“It’s an activity that families can do together—liking skiing itself, the whole family can take part. By volunteering, parents can share in the competitive environment and add to the camaraderie aspect,” said Blackwelder.
Registration for the 2011 HCJRS is offered now through December. Interested racers register at the resort at which their team is based, either before the end of the 2009-10 season or after the resorts’ main offices open for the 2010-11 season. Click to www.hcjrs.com for links to the respective resorts’ team signups. Racers usually join the team of the resort that they frequent most often, said Blackwelder.
For more information, click to www.hcjrs.com.
Junior Race Series Results
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