After the Lauberhorn weekend, our own club racers started to arrive in Wengen, preparing for the Eastwood Trophy Super G and the Inferno.
Cold weather has ensued for the last 2 weeks, making for good skiing on firm pistes with occasional polished areas
There has been a definite increase in members using the club-room with most evenings having 30 members in attendance, Inferno team members checking in, collecting race suits, signing up for the Eastwood Trophy and Inferno reconnaissance.
Andrew Davies has joined me to assist with ski leading and early in the week he set off with a group to build their stamina and speed in preparation for the Inferno by skiing all 3 areas in the one day!
Most of us were over at Murren on at least one or two days, to practice our fast skiing on longer skis and have a look at the Inferno course. I joined a group with Peter Wyss, who gave us some excellent advice and tips on line choice and tactics for the Inferno, the longest open downhill race in the world.
On Thursday morning we awoke to 10cm – 15cm of fresh snow, which made for tricky conditions for the Eastwood Super G, it meant that competitors had to clear and slip the course as well as inspecting.
We had members of the Kandahar ski club competing as well as many of the DHO inferno team, so a good turnout with around 40 entries. The race went well without mishap and the following taking the honours – Ed Robinson, Rosie Lawrance, Toby Francis, Lara Hirst-Malin, Rory Francis and Cerys Francis. Thanks to the gate keepers and helpers.
The Inferno is one of the oldest surviving ski races in the world, the first time it was held was on 29th January 1928 with 17 competitors. This year the DHO team had 48 entries out of the 1800 total. DHO start times were spread through the day from 09.00 until the very end at 15.30. As the day progressed new friendships were made as our team members met in the Birg station or café with others of similar start numbers. As the excitement was building and personal preparations were being we had one eye on the Kitzbuhel Slalom on the TV.
The earlier runners had to contend with overcast conditions and flat light in places the later runners had clear conditions but had to contend with a strong headwind on the upper mountain.
All the DHO team completed the course safely, some fine times being recorded. Fastest male club member was Toby Francis – 8.47.39 fastest female member Rosie Lawrance – 10.56.82
5 Silver badges (Category winner time + 30%) and 24 Bronze badges (Category winner time + 60%) were achieved within the DHO team. A special thanks to club members that came to support and cheer and host the ice bar at the finish Katriona Clayton, Sarah & Roger Hoyle, Susie Davies, Deborah Flindall, Richard Lawrance & Marc Osbourne.
