Greetings,

Seventy of our U9 and older racers competed in the formidable Otis SL race. In spite of the robust challenges, the Catamount Team managed to complete 119 runs (75%) out of a possible 140 combined runs. Top 5 finishers totaled 19 (10 boys and 9 girls) or 27% of our racers made a trip to the podium. Stretching race times out to include top 10 finishes, we find that a total of 35 racers, that’s right, 50% negotiated the course with vigor to accomplish this result. Breaking the top 10 finishes into a girls and boys designation, we find that both genders pushed hard enough to place 50% of their respective class into this elite category; not an easy feat. Our US ski team can’t boast of a similar accomplishment. Of Catamount’s 21 DSQ/DNF for the day, twelve (12) occurred during the first run. A 75% completion rate, given the high degree of technical and tactical challenges, is quite respectable. Of the 12 racers who misjudged their line, mismanaged their tactics, or whatever, during their first run, all but two returned to attempt to improve with their second run. Over the course of the season, we have witnessed a willingness and determination form our racers to advance their technical skills and race tactics. As evidenced by the display of persistence at Otis, we are reminded that an underlying quality is frequently not given enough attention. As coaches and parents we need to stay vigilant with our encouragement and continue to reinforce the attitude to persist when in the eyes of our racer the choice might seem easier to avoid the bumpy road. Koodos to the 10 who got back in the start gate to take on the 2nd run.

Regards,

John