Good luck to all of our U12 racers who will be competing at U12 Championships this coming weekend at Blandford Ski area!!!
For our U14 racers, we will be training SL on Saturday on Race Slope (and Lower Alley Cat with the U16’s and U19’s for racers going to Piche/Easterns) and GS on Sunday on Lower Alley Cat with the U16’s and U19’s. If the weather does not hold up or there is not enough snow, then GS training will occur on Race Slope.
Coach Pat
“Ski fast…Take chances…”
Greetings,
Headed for the annals of alpine ski racing, February 5, 2017, will be heralded as a banner day on all fronts. Our course crew had the course set and ready for inspection by 8:30, missing gate judges accounted for and in place for the first run, forerunners at the start area and on course by 9:00, timing system fully operationally after a day of trial-and-error on Saturday, coaches and racers ready to go for a 9:10 first run start, no delays impeding a second run, parents cheering section fired up, Dohr family antelope stew simmering and savored by many, no protests filed, results tabulated and ready for coach review in record setting time (thanks Glen and company), award ceremony capping the end of an exciting and fun-filled day, families safely heading home with several hours of day light to navigate by.
Catamount’s IC attendance of 115 racers surpassed the previous record which stood at 105 competitors; both records were set at our home course. Sixty two boys and 53 girls accepted the formidable GS challenge. Aside for a few minor lapses, Catamount racers finished clean and unscathed from their experience.
Trips to the podium were equally represented by our girl and boy teams. A total of 31 racers (29%) earned this recognition;16 girls (30%) and 15 boys (24%) respectively. An additional 28 competitors (59 total or 51%) turned up the heat and raced to top 10 finishes. Separated by gender, 31 girls (58% of their total) and 28 boys (45%) demonstrated that they posses the requisite skills to advance up the ranks and avoid playing second fiddle to any and all challengers.
An equal number of classes exist for girls (7) and boys (7). In other words, there is the opportunity for 14 racers to reach the top rung (first place honors) in their respective divisions (U7 thru U13/15). Ten Catamount racers effectively managed their resources, e.g., attitudes, skills and tactics and definitively earned the accolade of first place finisher. Viewed in other terms, Catamount racers were only 29% shy of completing a sweep of first place finishes.
Posting the 2 fastest combined efforts for the day were celebrated by Catamount racers. On the boys side of the ledger, U12 Ryan O’Claffy’s execution of combined skills and effort accomplished this feat. The Glatt Bros were on a mission and close in pursuit to attain the honor. Sydney Dohr persevered and out performed the remaining field of girls to claim overall recognition.
Training attendance and our team’s work ethic has been impeccable this season. Factors such as these contribute to the overall enthusiasm and team achievements. Bravo!
“If there were an instrument by which to measure desire, one could foretell achievement”-
Willa Cather
Regards,
John Greaser
Hey everyone!
Sorry about the late notice however we just found out that the race tomorrow has been postponed. Tristates will let us know when the race will be rescheduled.
In the meantime please bring your slalom equipment (poles with guards, helmet with chin guard, shin guards and slalom skis). It’s ok if you don’t have everything. We realize some of you may not have all of your slalom equipment. We will be training on Race Slope from 8:30am – 11am and then from 12pm – 2pm.
Ski you tomorrow!
Coach Pat
“Ski fast…Take chances…”
Catamount host’s its Interclub Race on February 5th. It is may be the biggest race of the season as Catamount attendance is very 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.
Holding this race, as with all the races, is dependent on volunteers. Many of these volunteers you may never see such as the Chief of Race and Referees, which require certification, but many of the positions rely on parent volunteers.
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 Gate Keepers.
Please help recruit your fellow parents. The more people we have the better the race will be and we can break things down into shorter shifts.
please contact me at peterchudy@mac.com
Peter Chudy
Head of Parents Association
For those of you who are interested in getting more involved there is a demand for trained Alpine Officials at TriState events. I would be glad to speak to you about what is involved.
On Saturday, January 14th at 3PM after practice we will have our annual Interclub Pizza Social at Four Brothers in Hillsdale, 2.5 miles from Catamount on route 23. This is a great opportunity to meet teammates and parents. $20 per family $10 per person. The kids have a blast and staff at Four Brothers is very accommodating to us.
Important; As we our coming up to our first race please ensure that any child that is racing has a hard eared race helmet. This is a USSA insurance requirement. If in doubt check with your coach. Ensure they are registered with USSA and register for the race through adminskiracing.com
We made it through a cold weekend with some great snow conditions. A couple of items to keep in mind. Boots get wet inside and wet boots are cold boots. When there are multiple days of skiing, it is helpful to dry boots by using a boot dryer, or by taking out the inserts overnight. Don’t leave boots in cold mud rooms or cars overnight as they will never dry out and it is like putting your feet into a refrigerator. In cold weather mittens are alway appropriate and much warmer. A good breakfast provides the energy to stay warm in the morning. Cold dry air also requires good hydration. Dehydrated kids are lethargic and sometimes constipated. Staying focused and having fun for two long days of practice on the weekend is our number one goal of athletic development. That requires all out effort on the physical preparation of rest, nutrition, hydration, proper clothing and equipment. Part of the burden of ski racing Mom’s and Dad’s but it is worth it.
Peter Chudy, Catamount Ski Racing Parents Association
2017 Tri-State/NJ Speed Elements Camp
Date: Monday, February 6, 2017 Age: U16 & U19 Athletes
Date : Tuesday, February 7, 2017 Age: U14 Athletes
Time: 7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Location: Stratton Mountain
Registration: Registration on AlpineReg (click on “State – TriState” and “Club – TSASRA”)
Fee: $85 per athlete (includes lift ticket)
Limit: Open to Tri-State and NJ athletes (number of participants will be limited)
Coaching: Experienced coaches supplemented with development coaches
Goals: Introduce athletes to speed through coaching, short sections of courses and elements that teach proper movements; provide educational opportunity for less experienced coaches by working side-by- side with experienced coaches
Equipment: SG or GS skis only
Stations (tentative):
(1) Glide Track
Description: This is a relatively straight section of the trail where the athletes run in a tuck position Objective: Learn aerodynamic position; develop feel under foot, ankles and legs; build confidence
(2) Phantom jump (dyed)
Description: This is a moderately sloped section which has dyed lines simulating the preparation, take- off and landing of a jump
Objective: Learn the phases and movements of jumping
(3) Pole jumpers
Description: This is a section of poles set across the snow on a moderate to gentle slope; the athletes jump the poles in a medium to high tuck position
Objective: Pressure management and balance; learning to clear the snow with both tip and tail
(4) Wave track
Description: This is a section of rolls groomed into moderate to gentle terrain; athlete skis in a straight run maintaining a consistent high tuck position such that they can absorb the “waves” through flexion and extension of the lower body
Objective: Using flexion and extension of the lower body to manage pressure against the snow over undulating terrain in an aerodynamic position
(5) Short course sections
Description: This is a short section of course that is set on moderate terrain (25-40 meter distance between gates)
Objective: Learning to run gates set at a SG distance; build confidence
(6) Introductory jump
Description: This is a section of the trail with a small jump and landing drop-off that will enable the athlete a low level of flight at a moderate speed
Objective: Learn the phases and movements of jumping; build confidence
Time: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm

Due to the potential for the storm to be more severe tomorrow we are going to postpone the interclub pizza social at Four Brothers