Monthly Archives: January 2015

Interclub Race Details

The big weekend is here, We will be giving out race bibs at tomorrows practice so we can reduce the numbers at registration. Timing to be posted.

We will work hard to get the race started early and finished early. The Blandford race went off very well. Registration volunteers need to show up btwn 6:30-6:45 for a 7AM registration.

Morning Gate Keepers should be at the timing shack at the bottom of the course at 8:45.

I will send out a list of volunteers through a separate email, as well as, gatekeeping information. We will look to have another short gatekeeping background meeting tomorrow for those who could not attend last week.

Please thank our parent volunteers for helping us host this race.

TriState Support & Sunday Training

This weekend will be complex with away races and Sunday’s interclub GS race.

On Saturday we need fencing help from available parents. Please be ready at 8:30 on Ally Cat.

All Tristate racers training at Catamount this Sunday, please make a special effort to arrive early since the mountain is hosting the Interclub GS. The Taconic lodge will be a very crowded, so the sooner we can suit up and get out of the lodge, the better. We will be training SL on Lower Alley Cat, so once again, we will be asking that you help bring equipment to the pump house, including gates, fencing, drills, etc. Parents who can help with fencing would be appreciated.

Also we are looking for 3 or 4 forerunners for the interclub GS on Sunday, no chin bars nor shin guards. SL skis should be ok since these gates will be set for little guys.

Thanks in advance – Coach Doug

Blandford Race Review

Greetings,

After completing a productive month of training in every imaginable form of climatic episode, Catamount IC racers traveled to Blandford for the perennial kick off to the race season. 78 (38 girls & 40 boys) racers brought family and friends to enjoy the first GS of the season. Although natural cover was sparse, Blandford operations personnel managed to provide adequate cover; in spite of repairing broken water lines through the night and grooming the freshly made snow only a few hours before the start of the first run.

Ten of our newest and youngest racers (U8s) tested their skills and knowledge at this inaugural race event. An equal number of girls and boys charged out of the start gate. The five U8 girls skied to a top ten finish with one racer, Lillian Dase, achieving a podium spot. Two U8 boys raced to a solid top 10 finish.

Looking at our total girl contingent, we can identify 21 top 10 finishers (55% of total) while 11 advanced to a top 5 (29% of total) finish. In both of these result categories boys were a few shy of matching the girls results. At the end of the day, 16 boys (40% ) raced to a top 10 finish, whereas 8 (20% of total) climbed onto the podium.

Top honors for the most consistent results of the day belongs to the 5 girls comprising our U12/11 contingent. The entire group secured a top “6” finish. Given that 14 total divisions exist, 7 girl and 7 boy, 14 first place awards are possible (excluding ties). Catamount racers achieved 3 of these notable awards. As noted in an earlier posting, Pia Whyte (first year racer) earned recognition for the fastest girl on the hill.

Congratulations to all competitors for your commitment to become better skiers and racers. Next race is on our home turf. Parents please note that it’s not to early to inform Peter Chudy of your preference for race day duties.

Regards,

John Greaser

Help Needed

One of the key positions that needs to be filled for Catamount’s home race on February 1 is that of gate judge. If you are interested in taking on this responsibility please email me this week. An informational meeting will be held in the small room located in the Taconic Bubble this coming Saturday @ 11:30. If anyone has volunteered as a gate judge in the past and would like to serve as a “chief gate judge”, please let me know via email or this weekend.

Thanks.

John Greaser

TriState Party

Tri-State Racer Party

All racers, coaches, helpers, families and others….

Please join us for food and drink to celebrate our Tri-State Racers:

[Saturday, January 17th at 6:00 p.m.] (Note: It’s MLK weekend)
Hosted by Caroline, James and Culton Koster

Address:
1260 Lake View Road
Copake‎, NY‎ 11516*

We will provide lasagna, salad and garlic bread and non-alcoholic drinks. Please just bring your beverage of choice. And, if a couple of people can bring desserts, it would be great!

Please RSVP to ckoster@cantor.com so we can get a head count.

Hope to see you there!

Directions:

*Some have had issues with GPS so here are directions. Call us at 917-751-5575 (cell) or (518) 329-5185 (house phone) if any issues.
When you reach the intersection of Routes 23 and 22 in Hillsdale, you’re about 10 minutes from the house. Keep heading south on Route 22.
About one half mile after the big curves, turn right onto Farm Road. (There will be a pig farm–Pigasso Farm– on both sides of the road.)
Farm Road makes a sweeping curve to the left – just past this curve, turn right onto Twin Bridges Road. Twin Bridges Road weaves around for a mile or so until it T’s into County Route 7A.
Turn left onto County Route 7A (this will be a very sharp/oblique turn).
Drive south on Route 7A for roughly 1.5 miles (just past the transfer station). You will pass Viewmont Road on the left.
Take the next left after Viewmont onto Fairview Road.
After a couple short curves to the left, Fairview Road T’s into Lakeview Road. Turn left and follow Lakeview around Robinson Pond to 1260.

You’ll see our two black Explorers out front.

Interclub Race Volunteers

Race Volunteers Needed

Now that we have the first race under our belt, it is time to plan for our home race on Feb 1st. This race depends on Parent Volunteers for its success. It is may be the biggest race of the season as our attendance is so high.

Being able to have a home race really helps our kids as they will have the opportunity to train on the race hill and there is a large comfort factor. It is something our Tristate racers unfortunately have to live with out.

Right now I am drawing up the volunteer lists: We will need people to act as gatekeepers, run scoreboard, registration, take bibs and set up the awards. You do not have to have any experience. We will also provide written instructions to score keepers.

I am also looking for individuals how have helped out previously to manage registration (1) and be available to ensure the volunteers are in the right places during the day (1).

please contact me at peterchudy@mac.com

Peter Chudy
Head of Parents Association

A message from Steve Adams

Thank you John, Your recognition of Shiau-sing’s contribution sums it up perfectly. I can’t ever remember when a young first time coach impressed so many veteran staff members. Just being near by and overhearing the comfortable confidence with which she guided her group during a training session, it was obvious that she was the right person to inspire the girls in our program to do their best.

Shiau-sing be proud of the skill and talent that you brought to our program, I am glad that you could be at the race to see your girls do so well. I agree with John the you are welcome back anytime and simply THANK YOU !

Steve Adams

Race Director

Shiau-Sing

During the course of the past month, we have been fortunate to have Shiau-Sing as a member of the IC Coaching Staff. She has enriched our program with her racing experience and knowledge applied to technical and tactical aspects of ski racing. In particular, she has been a dedicated role model for our aspiring higher-level female racers. Her inspiring work ethic and tenacious attitude has affected her students in a positive manner. From observations, it is evident that her prodigies respectfully respond to her teaching style. Although results do not paint the total picture of one’s contribution to any endeavor, the recent Blandford score card validates Shiau-Sing’s complete contribution to our program. By my count a total 13 of girls benefited from Shiau-Sing’s coaching this past month. The entire contingent earned a top 10 finish. Eight of these racers achieved a top 5 finish. In the girls U11/12 division, Catamount racers were one shy of coming away with a sweep of the 5 podium spots. The over all female finisher was Pia Whyte, Catamount U13/14.

We would like to extend our gratitude and well-wishes as Shiau-sing resumes her academic pursuits and embarks on her racing schedule for the 2015 collegiate season.

Shiau-Sing, we welcome your return when your schedule permits you to do so. “May the Force Be With You” as you address challenges both in the class room and race course.

Coach John and Staff