Masters: PNSA opens its season

PNSA held its first race of the season at the Summit at Snoqualamie, the Kickoff Classic.  We put it at the start because it was confusing to have a Kickoff Classic in the middle of the season.  Day 1 was a GS training session. A good number of racers came out to test new skis, feel out the competition, and generally get the bugs out.  Some did, some didn’t.  Some complained about the snow condition.PNSA held its first race of the season at the Summit at Snoqualamie, the Kickoff Classic.  We put it at the start because it was confusing to have a Kickoff Classic in the middle of the season.  Day 1 was a GS training session. A good number of racers came out to test new skis, feel out the competition, and generally get the bugs out.  Some did, some didn’t.  Some complained about the snow condition.

Day 2 had a hill that was groomed and held up better. Of course, “better” is a difficult term to corral.  The start gate was smothered in fog.  Could see a gate or maybe two but not much more than that.  It wasn’t a “put your ski pole out in front of you and feel the way down time”, but some described it that way.  Then, in the middle of the course the fog disappeared.  And the speed and attitude of racers improved immensely. 

The rut structure around the gates was well formed, but some ruts shot the racers into the air – not a lot but enough that when they landed it caused breakage of the snow, leaving clumps to navigate.  So we had a smooth turn through the gate, then a thump-thump-thump, then the next gate, etc..  Most of the racers got through this but there were a few impressive launches.

The fastest racers were tied:  Grant Haugen (class 4) and Knut Olberg (class 9).  Grant had a great run, especially being so close to the end of the start list. But I don’t think I’ll ever figure out how that old man Knut can ski that fast.

Link to the results:  https://www.pnsamasters.org/2009_1-4kickoffclassicgs.htm