Coach Marks Blog

The Outpost Cup will be this Saturday, March 8th.  Registration will start at 9:00am and end at 12:30pm.  The race will start at 1:00pm. (On Quad 80) Superclass will be first, (Those who Ski and Board) followed by age classes from young to old.  It looks like it is going to be a perfect day to race, in the mid to upper 20’s.  There will be awards following around 5:00pm in “The Chalet Lounge”.  The cost to register is $20.00 per racer.  All participants will get a T-shirt, and prizes. 

I received the results from the Caberfae Race on Sunday after the race. (8:30pm)  I will have medals with me for those that left early from that race.  Connor and Noelle Flora, Gracie and Francie Himes, Alexandra Downs, and Jamie Richardson. I will also have awards for any racer that did not attend the Junior vs. Parents Race on Sunday if you are at the Outpost Cup. 

There is still plenty of snow at Swiss Valley, so plan on getting out there before they close and take advantage of some great Spring Skiing!  Great Sales in the Ski Shop, and if you need race skis for next year, we need to get them on the order by March 12th.  Also if you would like to order a Team Race Jacket we need to get these orders in by Mid March, so bring your forms with you if you have them filled out.

Hope to See You All Saturday!  Coach Mark 

We had a great weekend of racing at Caberfae last weekend. Two full days of sking and great weather with sunshine. Saturday several raced Nastar, then we finished up with a waxing lesson from Coach Mike Panich at the hotel at Caberfae.  We had about 30 racers for Sundays race, with very icy conditions at the top of the hill, but having about 20 of the Swiss Valley athletes medaling.  Top honors of the day go to Connor Casey and his Dad, Tom, colliding at about the middle of the slope just before the race. Both were alright, but it was a very entertaining from the chair lift.

This Sunday, March 2, we will hold the Junior Racers vs. Parents Race at Swiss Valley.  We will open the race course at 12 Noon, and race until about 2:30pm.  Then we will fire up the grill around 3:00pm, and eat around 4:00pm.  We will finish the day with the awards.  Will the Junior Racers beat the Parents again?  Parents plan on racing… if you don’t, your time will be equal to the slowest time on the hill for the day. (Both parents should race, and we will take the fastest times for the results.)  Then we will match-up the Junior Racer with their fastest parent, and see who will take the Annual traveling trophy home for the Summer.  Each Junior Racer with then be awarded with their special award for the season.  We will try to finish up by 5:00pm. 

The race will be held on North-Quad 83. (You will see the course as you drive in, on your left.) The Potluck Dinner will be in the cafeteria along with the awards.  Bring a dish to pass, Hamburgers and Hot Dogs will be provided, (Hot off the grill) along with soft drinks, tableware, and condiments. Bring your cameras, as we will try to get the team together for a team photo.

If anyone would like a Team Jacket for next year, we will have order forms available at the banquet. It is the orange Spyder Jacket that several of us wear.  If you need skis for next season you need to let me know so we can get with Missy in the Ski Shop, to let you know what the options are.  The early order goes in early March, and a $100 deposit would be needed to place your order.  Remember to consider not only the price, but the service and the perks that come with purchasing your skis from Swiss Valley.  In addition they have a trade-in program that gives you 60% of your retail purchase price back after 1 year of use. This really makes it affordable knowing how fast the kids grow. Missy will have information on skis available at the Banquet.

Next weekend, Saturday, March 8th, is the Outpost Cup race. Plan on attending that, both racers and parents!  This race is alot of fun, and there are great prizes for everyone. You can get the information from the Swiss Valley web-site.

I am hoping everyone can make the Junior Race, please e-mail me a confirmation; mark@steensmalawn.com  I will answer any other questions you may have. My home phone is 269-273-8809, or cell is 269-998-3045.

We are looking forward to a great day of racing Sunday, plan on coming and spending the day, and enjoying another day at Swiss Valley!  Pass on this message to any other JDT Racer that you know to make sure they have read the Blog!

Ski Safe, Have Fun, and Go Fast!  Coach Mark  

Sorry I haven’t updated the Blog before now, I’ve been trying to catch-up.  

I e-mailed a timeline to everyone that gets e-mails, and the rest follows.  Saturday most are skiing ang running Nastar at Caberfae.  Nastar is from 1:00-3:00pm.  It would be good for everyone to ski at Caberfae and get use to the slope.  I am not planning to train with Cannonsburg, as we can get our own training just by being there, and running Nastar. 

After the Nastar Racing, (5:00PM) we will have a waxing party at Caberfae, in the Hotel ”The McKenzie Room” (The Old Bar). We will order pizzas, and sodas while we are waxing, and share the costs by how many are eating.  We should be done by 7:00pm. so everyone can get to where they are staying to swim, and relax and get ready for Sunday’s Race. 

There will be a BBQ on the hill Sunday, parents and racers plan on eatting on the hill.  I’m sure that is why the Race fee is $30.00. 

Next week the Parent vs. Racers will be on Sunday, (Not Tuesday/Thursday) Racing to begin at 12 noon, plan on getting your runs in by 2:30pm. The we will have a banquet afterwards around 4:30pm. It will be a potluck, I will give you an exact timeline next week. We will not race Tuesday and Thursday as posted on the schedule. 

The final race will be ”The Outpost Cup” on March 8th.  This is the rescheduled date for that race being cancelled last Sunday.

We will practice again Thursday Feb. 28th. Openning up the course for the parents again to practice for the Parent vs. Racers, and “The Outpost Cup”

Ski Safe, Have Fun, and Go Fast!  Coach Mark  

Because of the for forecast for rain on Sunday, the Outpost Cup is postponed for Saturday, March 8th. Registration will be from 9:30am to 12:30pm and the race will start at 1:00pm.  We will not practice tomorrow, see you Thursday night. 

Please let me know if you are planning to race this next weekend 2-24-08, at Caberfae.  It will help me if I know who is coming, Saturday, and Sunday, or both.  We may have an opportunity to train on Saturday, I will let you know when I hear.  Some have made resevations at the Holiday Inn Express in Cadillac, and a few at Caberfae.  If you have questions please ask when you confirm that you are coming this weekend. 

Please Spread the news of ”The Outpost Cup” is being postponed, in case that some are not checking the Blog, or e-mails this weekend.

Ski Safe, Have Fun, and Go Fast!  Coach Mark

By now anyone that was at the race on Sunday should have thawed-out. Every Racer that was there deserved a Gold Medal for their Bravery to with stand the -20 below wind chill temperatures.  If you did not make it to the top of Quad 80, when Noah Allison was told to go, he was blown back about 10 feet with a gust of wind.

In addition to the medalists that were announced on Sunday, we need to recognize the following athletes; Coleman Hardy was a 1st Place finisher in the Boys Slalom, 11-12 years age group with a 30.24. He also recorded a 29.03, but we had a Card turned in that he missed the 5th gate, never the less he still placed first with the 30.24.  Noelle Flora finished 5th in Girls 9-10 Slalom with a 40.80, and Alexandra Downs was 6th in the same race with a 42.07.  Everyone that raced was a medalist. 

With the high winds gusting the snow, it was tripping the finish eyes at the bottom of the hill, that is why we had to move the finishes so close together to complete the race. Thanks for everyones patience as we had to break to make the changes.  With that confusion,and some of the times being interupted, we had some results that were incorrect. Parents, Volunteers, Coaches, and Swiss Valley, Thank You for all your help, and support.

We will practice Thursday as usual, and racers and parents are invited to race this Sunday at Swiss Valley in the Annual Outpost Cup.  If any parent wants to run the course on Thursday to practice, we invite you to join us.

If you would like to pre-register for the race on Thursday, you are welcome to do so, or pick-up entry forms before you leave. Jamie will have entry form available Thursday Night.  I am not sure of the times yet, but will update the Blog later this week with the details.

The following weekend is th final race of the season at Caberfae Peaks, near Cadillac, MI.  Most of the racers are staying a the Holiday Inn Express in Cadillac. If you haven’t made reservations there is still time. Make it a weekend and plan to ski on Saturday as well. You could ski at Caberfae, with 1/2 price lifts if you have a season pass at Swiss. (Bring it with you)  Or Crystal Mountain is nearbye, a few are going to go to Schuss Mountain on Saturday.  If you have any questions about the weekend please e-mail or call.  I will update the Blog again when I have more details. The race is on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008. Registration will start at 8:00am.

See You Thursday!

Ski Safe, Have Fun, Stay Warm, and Go Fast!

Coach Mark