The
schedule: www.nemasters.org/sched07.html
Welcome to the “2006/7 New England Masters Newsletter”. I’ll
bypass some of the usual info on restaurants, hotels etc. and start with a
letter from our illustrious Executive Director Gary Colwell.
Are you ready for some "Ski Racing"? Hope so
because in a little over four weeks, our Sise Cup Series will begin with a
double race weekend at Killington on December 16 and 17. This year as last, we
will be raffling a pair of Atomic FIS SL165's. You just have to complete the
four runs to be eligible. After a two plus week holiday break we will get
back into it again at Ragged Mountain on January 6th and from then on the
schedule, as you can see, will be pretty intense with at least two races every
weekend until we finish up at Sugarbush on March 2,3,4. The popular Red Fox
Dinner will return on the Friday night of our Mount Washington Valley visit. If
you have missed it, don't. Good food, drink, and conversation!
New to our schedule this year is a return to Okemo for two events, a Super G on
Friday February 2 and a Giant Slalom on Sunday February 11. Both these
races will be on the famed trail "Chief". The trail, one of only
three in the East that is FIS homologated for Downhill and Super G, is serviced
by a high-speed lift (approximately seven minutes) and is without question the
longest race trail we will be on this season. Sooo, are you ready for
some "Ski Racing"? Gary Colwell
Editor’s note: the SG on February 2, is a late addition and not in the
competition guide. This brings up the next point... for all the correct info,
addresses, updates etc., go to www.nemasters.org which should have all the
latest information.
Next we have a press release by the main architect of the “Team Racing”
program, who has devoted an immense amount of time, Fred Dieffenbach.
Team Racing Returns to New England Masters
The 2006 team-racing program was a resounding success and returns again for the
2006-07 season. The program remains essentially unchanged from a year
ago, with each team consisting of any combination of up to eight racers from
Age Groups A, B, C, and D. This year, team racing will begin in December
when the 2006-07 New England Masters racing season opens at Killington and will
conclude on Sunday March 4 at Sugarbush. In addition to starting earlier,
the combined weekend, Sunapee-Gunstock, will also be counted as a team race.
As a midseason incentive, we will be holding a team-racing bonanza at the
Cranmore GS, scheduled for Friday January 26. Each
member of the team that wins the Cranmore GS will receive a complimentary
dinner at the annual New England Masters social gathering held at the Red Fox.
Last year, there were 9 teams, four of which were still battling for the
championship into the final weekend. The eventual winner, Team Edgewise,
prevailed despite forming in mid-January. The fact that Edgewise,
Captained by Doug Carpenter, was able to win following a late season entry
illustrates the importance of team composition and consistency. The
lesson Team Edgewise taught has not been forgotten by the other teams and
should result in stronger competition for the approaching season. Team
“Hot Like Fire” has already made a few roster changes and is negotiating with
two potential sponsors. There are also rumors that the Comets may be
fielding two teams this year. Now is the time to begin building your team for
the fast approaching season! If you have questions, or need advice on
building a team, contact Fred Dieffenbach at fdieffenbach at Bigfoot.com.
See you at Killington, and we hope that you will join us when the members of Team
Edgewise will each receive a jacket in recognition of their 2006 team racing
conquest. F.D.
Editor’s note, it is critically important to try to fill every opening on your
team, no matter if the person is the slowest person on the hill. For instance,
my team, which suffered from injury and participation problems, was in the
running until the final weekend. If we replaced one of the members early in the
season, with the slowest person on the hill and, that person showed up,
and stood up, my team would have won the team competition. So recruit some of
those racers who are unattached, it will pay off in the end.
Fall Race Camps
STRATTON MOUNTAIN, VT DECEMBER 11-15, 2006
www.cardenaliskicamps.com
MT TREMBLANT, QUEBEC, DECEMBER 9-16
Special NEMS rate 6 nights 7 days $850 US (discounted from $975)
Email Pratteski@sympatico.ca or www.pratteski.com
STOWE, VT dates unknown The
“SECRET MASTERS RACE CAMP”
I don’t know much about this camp as it’s a secret! Our NEMS president, Pete
Donaghy, might be able to shed some light. E-Mail:
pdonaghy@sover.net
“Le Tour de Cafe”
We have another stop on the tour, “Fully Brewed” 187 Main Street, Lincoln, NH,
on the left as you’re heading up to Loon. Not only great coffee, but also
sandwiches, breakfast goodies, etc.
I’ve gotten some positive feed back on The “MET” in the center of No Conway and
the coffee shop beside the post office in Bethlehem NH on Rt. 302.
ARTECH SPECIAL - George Merill from Artech is now offering a special 10%
discount to New England Masters on all orders! www.artechski.com
MESSAGE FROM EVERY RACE SECRETARY OUT THERE
Please, a separate check for each racer in each event
entered helps immensely. (There
are of good reasons why.)
OUR SPONSORS!
Artech, Buchika's Ski and Bike, Denby, Swix
Please send your $25 annual race fee to:
New England Masters Skiing
186
Haverhill Road
Topsfield, Ma 01983
Name__________________________________ Birth Year:_________ M_____F_____
Address:__________________________________ State:_______Zip:________
Tel #: Home________________________ Work _____________________
e-mail ____________________________
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