New England Masters - Densmore and Sorel Lead Sise Cup - by Jennifer Calder

The New England Masters skiers have a break in the schedule for Presidents’ Weekend, and notwithstanding the need to re-establish communication with significant others and attend to domestic tasks, many among us in need of a weekly race suffer withdrawal as we regroup for the final races of the tour. Close contests wage both within class ranks and for the overall top slots.

Consistent and persistent competitor Mark Sorel leads the men’s overall standings to date, in precarious contention with Chris Johnson and with fellow Class 1 racer, Hans Schemmel. Class 4’s Bob Hill, invariably combining grace and technical accuracy, holds fourth. John Pierce in fifth place won at Okemo and again, in a thrilling display of athletic dexterity, at Killington’s GS. Former World Cup Racers Tyler Palmer and Troy Watts have dazzled spectators with their dynamic finesse, and Patrick McNamara came, saw and conquered two of the season’s most challenging slalom courses.

Lisa Densmore dominates the overall women’s standings with five first place finishes. Karen Nash, with steady and solid top five finishes ranks second overall, a strong first among Class 3 women. Presently in third place, Margaret Zuccotti, with two powerful first place finishes, threatens Nash’s hold on second. Class 4’s Margaret Vaughn in fourth place faces a challenge in both class and overall results from perennial rival Nadine Price. Patti Lane is coming up fast with some outstanding and aggressive skiing. The women’s field welcomes the infusion of new blood with the consistent participation of young and feisty Tracy Boulton. A slalom specialist, she defeated more seasoned athletes to take a first at Cranmore and a second at Wildcat.

To race or not to race was the question January 23rd at Bromley, and again Sunday for the Janeway Cup Race at Stratton. Rain and fog rendered visibility too great a risk, and these races, that weekend, were not to be. Fortunately, the Stratton GS course is not lost to us in l999, and has been rescheduled for Friday, March 12th.

The competition resumes February 20th and 21st with the popular Cannon and Loon races, for which the largest turnouts of the season are anticipated. Cannon hosts the Hochebirge Challenge Cup, scoring as both a team and an individual race. One of the oldest races in the country, the Hochebirge course has historically thwarted the efforts of teams to advance the requisite number of their members through two runs, and promises some serious spectator sport.