The East at the Nationals at Winter Park
by Bob Butler
The Nationals at Winter Park, from my vantage point, were a challenge. With eight regions participating, the number of top racers is a multiple of that in the races at home. A fair number of the skiers are in strong weekly training programs in addition to the weekend races. Skiers from the masters programs at Park City, Sun Valley, Mammoth and the Tahoe area come and compete. The courses are long, there is spring snow at this time, and there is altitude. I think that being a participant in these races is something significant to do whether one is at the top, in the middle or in the lower tier.
The East, as we are called at the Nationals, placed second in the scoring system for the eight regions participating. I feel that this was very good. I think that we should be and are proud of our skiers who scored points for us.
In the base lodge one day, the President of one of the other regions asked me how we attract the large number of participants that we have in the races in New England. There were many aspects and people who contribute that I might have told him about, but on the spur of the moment and to put it in a few words, I told him that we have a very good spirit.
I'd like to tell you a little about how your fellow Easterners made out.
Duffy Dodge likes an assist in getting a sleeve of his GS suit off, but he doesn't need any help in how to ski the gates. Duffy was one of our best, winning gold medals in the three events he entered plus in the combined. Nate Grifkin won gold in the downhill, an event involving terror, and a third in the Super G and combined. In the slalom, Dick Wood finished ahead of Nate.
Jane Cooke won the bronze in the slalom and the combined and had the welcolmingest smile. Jim Cooke enjoyed the GS and the slalom and being with Jane.
Bob McGrath had consistently good runs and was always in the top half of class 9. Bob went to Denver between events to breathe air, a still permissible performance enhancing substance. Larry Young was in the middle of the (very tough) pack in Class 9. Between runs, Larry utilized a performance enhancing nap, also still permissible.
Anne Nordhoy, one of the East's high point providers, won the silver in the Super G, the GS and the combined -- with style. Steve Foley outskied people like Keith Thompson, Ned Dolan, Rich Robertson and Jim Dugan from Pacific Northwest, Intermountain and Far West, and was first in the Super G, GS and combined. In the slalom, Haldor Reinholt took the gold and Steve the silver. I watched Haldor ski slalom in training at Bromley this year, and he is quick and smooth -- just a little understatement there. The GS was Klaus Hass' best event, and he was fifth of 19 entrants in Class 8. Tom Hauk's best event was the slalom, which he skied very well through the ruts in the spring snow. My best event was the banquet. In it, I won two head bands. They are very nice.
Phil Boulter told me that he purchased a GS suit and is thinking of racing with us. I suspect he will be tested if he is thinking about trying to outdo Sue. Sue Boulter was third in the Super G and then moved up to second in the GS. Pepi Neubauer was our very best racer, winning three golds and a silver in the four events and gold in the combined. In the Super G, Helge Lien made the top five in Class 7. Bill Van Atten skied well against a strong class. Tom Maynes entered the GS and the slalom and finished ahead of Bill in those events. It was nice to see Sue Maynes.
Barb Settel was first, second and third in the Super G, GS and slalom, respectively, and second in the combined. Robert Andree was second in the GS, third in slalom and third in the combined. Thank you for providing us good points. James Mueller, Rick Walters, Greg Gill and Roger Salmons skied in Class 6, more or less in that order.
Sally White from Mount Snow was another of the top point scorers for the East -- she was first in the Super G, second in GS and slalom and first in the combined. I enjoyed becoming acquainted with Sally for the first time going up the lift. I believe that this was Meg Nutter's first Nationals, and she was fourth in each of the three events she entered. I think that Meg might be persuaded to go again. George Anderson wanted to make the top 10 in the downhill, and he did. George told me that he likes the Nationals a lot.
It was very nice when, before the slalom, a young woman went up to Lisa Densmore, introduced herself, and told Lisa how helpful Lisa's book had been to her. Lisa was second in the Super G and first in the GS, slalom and combined. Patti Lane is a skilled racer and is ready to take on the challenges. Patti took fifth in the Super G and GS. Mark Sertl was in the top 10 in Class 4 in all four events
Barbara Brumbaugh was first in the downhill and third in Class 3 in the other three events and the combined. Deb Adams is in Class 1 where the times are very quick -- she was third in the downhill.
We appreciate those who helped, including Mark Sertl, Steve Foley and Pepi Neubauer, and sponsors, including Atomic skis, Honey Brown beer, Inglenook wines, Swix wax and Charles Schwab. Cheers!