After the excitement of the White Circus being in town, it was the turn of our club racing.
Our Inferno team started arriving throughout the week, the clubroom was busy with the chatter and banter of tactics and preparations.
On Friday 20th January we held the Eastwood Trophy Super G on the Lauberhorn race piste, from the start hut to just after the Russi Sprung. We had 50 competitors including a small team from the Kandahar Ski Club. Conditions were excellent, clear, cold and a firm course.
A successful Eastwood Trophy Super G, thanks to the race helpers Helen and John, Andrew on the finish, the Kandahar racers for coming across the valley, and Bob Eastwood for presenting the prizes.
Very cold temperatures were forecast for the morning of the Inferno, with overnight summit temperatures of -29Deg C warming up to a mild -18degC.
We briefed the skiers to cover up all exposed skin at these temperatures.
The team start times were spread throughout the day from forerunning at 08.30 until the last cable car at 15.30.
After helping prepare the DHO finish area, I headed up to watch a few skiers down the Hogsback and then went to Woodcutters to give the team some encouragement on the climb.
The DHO Inferno team endured extreme temperatures and poor visibility. 54 finished, and many fell due to the ruts, bumps, and difficult light with falling snow in the afternoon. Elizabeth Gay and Rosie Lawrance both lost a ski and one stage but still managed to achieve Bronze awards! 2 were injured we wish them a speedy recovery. The team achieved 3 Silver and 19 Bronze awards. Fastest female – Catherine Gay 10.16.12 and fastest male Alex Maienfisch 8.43.14
WELL DONE Downhill Only!
Ski Club
Since 1925
