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Beckedorff, Irwin and Berube claim wins at Pico and Okemo by Barb Brumbaugh
Pico GS: It’s not just the history and charm that make it a favorite stop on the Sise Cup Tour. The B Slope doesn’t seem intimidating to the average ski racer, but the hill has it all - a steep pitch on top, a compression followed by a killer long flat, then a crucial money turn going into the final decent. But an easy slope can be deceptively difficult to ski fast because there’s no room for error. Finishing her first run with eyes as big as pizza trays, and shaking her head, Carolyn Beckedorff (W3) battled back from an astonishing first run recovery, stealing back Lisa Densmore’s (W5) first run lead. Kerry Brennan (W2) 1.67 off the pace settled for third place overall to round out the podium. Two solid runs by fourth place finisher Nadine Price (W6) fought off Margaret Vaughn (W5). Brian Irwin (M3), never at a loss for words, didn’t need to say anything as he could have let his skiing speak for him. Irwin left the men’s field scratching their heads after his run. Then, just to add to the excitement, he did it again on the second. Energetic and as animated always, Irwin dove off the top pitch only to realize he wasn’t on his “optimal line”. He said, “there’s a mixed crowd here, I definitely can’t say what I was really thinking!!” In this GS Superseed format, Bob Hill (M5) hung onto second. Taking advantage of a clean course, class 2 Steve Ouellette managed to pull ahead of Doug Tucker (M6). Overall men’s leader Mark George (M6) finished fifth on the day and continues to lead the season overall. Other racers making the Superseed were Matt Aeschliman (M2), Doug Carpenter (M5), Terrence Fogerty (M4), and Brian Reimer (M2). The closest age group race pitted Class 9 Steve Foley against the rapidly improving John Lussier with Lussier taking the win by 0.42. Never one to gloat, Lussier, quietly stated “I have no idea, just seems to be coming together.”
Okemo GS: It’s been years since New England Masters have raced at Okemo. Two weekends in a row on Chief was a welcomed pleasure as Peter Cornish and his race crew brought out their A Game to make a perfect day for Masters. Cornish and crew set two very different and challenging courses, one wide open and one deceptively turny on a firm but grippy surface. Again it was Beckedorff for the women’s win followed by Sally White (W6) with Price only 0.58 behind in third. Another top five performance for Kerry Brennan as she held off Kim Wolff by 3.74 seconds. With the win, Beckedorff took over the Sise Cup lead from injured Jessie McAleer. Bob Hill wrestled back for the fastest second run, but it wasn’t enough as Scott Berube (M4) took the win. Steve Masur (M4) was a surprise third overall as he held off Ouellete and Tucker. Berube joins a lengthy list of eight other men who have at least one win this season Berube currently coaches Berwick Academy in Soutern Maine. He says he was introduced to Masters Racing in 1989 at Sugarloaf. “It was great to be able to race with peers again, and I had admiration for the guys and girls who could rip off fast times through the ruts.” A thought he shares with many a masters, Berube says, “The best part of Masters that remains consistent are the members who bring forth a passion for racing with a competitive spirit and a friendly atmosphere.” New England Masters takes the weekend off as the first major snowstorm of the year is around the corner. See you at Cannon and Loon! Full results at www.nemasters.org |