Gibson Cup Awarded at Cranmore

McAleer and Aeschliman Victorious

By Brian Irwin

The New England Masters returned to the Mt. Washington Valley for the annual battle for the coveted Gibson Cup. Stellar fields battled for the chance to have their names added to prestigious trophy as winners of the famed Gibson Cup. When the dust settled at the end of Saturday, it was once again Jessie McAleer who defended her title from the past year, and Matt Aeschliman that was able to wrestle it from several former winners and a handful of capable challengers.

Racing started on Friday with a GS at Cranmore, where the mercury failed to even approach zero for the day. The woman’s race saw McAleer race to commanding first run lead and then extend it with a stellar second run. Not for lack of skill or effort Kim Wolff, a former Sise Cup champion, and Lisa Densmore tried their best to unseat Jessie atop the heap, but it was for not as there would be no stopping local favorite McAleer. The remainder of the top 5 went to Margaret Vaughn in 4^th and the ageless Anne Nordhoy in 5^th. The men’s race was a hotly contested affair with no less than 8 to 10 in the field that could possibly stand on the top of the podium. Tip Kimball, making his season debut put in a valiant effort, but could only manage 3^rd. Matt Aeschliman threw down two awesome runs, but it would only be good enough for 2^nd on this day. Steven Ouellete, however, was not to be beaten on this day. Winner of both runs, he took the overall by nearly 2 full seconds and the overnight lead in the quest for the Gibson Cup. The balance of the top 5 was made up of Marc Sorel, making his way back to Masters racing after an extended absence and Mark George in 5^th, showing that he can do more than just ski really fast Slalom. It should be noted that the annual battle for the Gibson Cup brings ski racers of all ages back to the race arena, most notably the welcome return to racing of Gary Colwell, the Executive Director of New England Masters Skiing who admitted that he a little nervous after a seven year lay-off as he slid into the gate at the start of his GS run on Friday morning.

When the fields returned to Cranmore on Saturday, the temperature had risen a bit, but by the end of the day the competition would certainly heat things up more. It was a new day, a new discipline and the same story in the woman’s field with everyone chasing Jessie McAleer yet again. The winner of both runs and a combined time good for 6^th best overall, Jessie wrapped up yet another Gibson Cup. The battle for runner-up was close too. Kim Wolff just edged Margaret Vaughn and Meg Nutter with Anne Nordhoy just edging Michele Woolshin by a tenth for the final spot in the top 5. Over in the men’s race, Steve Ouellete tried to cement his hold on the Gibson Cup with a second place finish in the mornings’ portion of the Slalom. Ouellete turned back challenges from such noted Slalom aces as Mark George, David Wolff, Tip Kimball and Chris Johnson, who was returning to Sise Cup action after a 4 year lay-off. First run leader Matt Aeschliman must have got Ouellete thinking that his accumulated lead was not safe and when Matt posted a good second run time, he put the pressure on Ouellete who unfortunately developed a case of the “staddles” about half way down the second course. With victory going to Aeschliman the balance of the top 5 went to David Wolff, who just edging his good friend Chris Johnson for second overall. Tip Kimball, the second run course setter, snuck by Mark George to finish 4^th and relegate George to 5^th.

At the half way point in the season overall points are being led by Jessie McAleer for the woman and Mark George for the men. Racing resumes on the February 2^nd with a Super G at Okemo, get ready to go fast!

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