U.S. Masters shine at international series in Chile

By Published On: September 26th, 2008Comments Off on U.S. Masters shine at international series in Chile

Czech native and Utah resident Dasha Kadulova grabbed two victories and two second-place finishes in international Masters racing action earlier this week in La Parva and Valle Nevado, Chile. On the men’s side, Park City’s Bob Skinner won three GS races and one slalom to lead U.S. racers.

Czech native and Utah resident Dasha Kadulova grabbed two victories and two second-place finishes in international Masters racing action earlier this week in La Parva and Valle Nevado, Chile. On the men’s side, Park City’s Bob Skinner won three GS races and one slalom to lead U.S. racers.
    A total of 24 Masters racers from the United States competed in the race series, which consisted of FIS Masters Cup slaloms  (2 men, 1 women) at Valle Nevado and FIS Masters Cup super G’s (2 men, 1 women) at La Parva. South American Cup Masters super G’s (2 men, 1 women) were run at Valle Nevado, and SAC Masters GS races (2 men, 1 women) were run at La Parva.
    Kadulova, 37, swept the women’s races at Valle Nevado, winning the slalom by nearly seven seconds and edging American Anna Nordhoy in the super G. Kadulova finished second behind Italy’s Doranna Melegari in the super G and GS at La Parva, with Nordhoy finishing third in the super G. Click here for a link to full results .   
    While Skinner led the way for the North American men’s contingent, Canada’s Mike Robbins had a solid showing with second-place GS finishes at both venues in addition to a third place in GS at La Parva and a slalom victory at Valle Nevado.
    The American racers in attendance for the series also took part in the annual Skinner Brothers Masters Preseason Race Camp at Valle Nevado. Bob and Bill Skinner, who serves as the USSA Masters program director, put on the camp.
    Jenny Badger, an aspiring Class 1 (ages 21-29) Masters racer, submitted this first-hand account of the camp experience:

As a young professional in my 20s, you’d think I’d pursue vacations with my friends to places like Cabo San Lucas or Hawaii, but I instead chose to join my dad and the Masters group for an annual preseason race camp in Valle Nevado, Chile.
My father joined the Park City Masters program about 10 years ago. With a small background in racing myself, I’ve tagged along as his wingman to the races, parties and camps. This camp to Valle Nevado has become somewhat of an annual trip for us.
    Even after six trips to South America with the Masters, my dad has yet to miss a camp (This last camp was my fourth). Every year my mom asks him, “Aren’t you bored with Chile? Wouldn’t you like to go somewhere new instead?” Nope, he loves Chile and the Masters camp. And I couldn’t agree more. It’s also my favorite vacation.
    First of all, it’s easy to get there. After an overnight flight from the East Coast that crosses no time zones, you’ll be skiing by noon the day you land. My only complaint would be “the 70 switchbacks from hell” that climb 10,000 feet from Santiago to Valle Nevado. By the time the van pulls into the resort, everyone will be skiing within the hour—and it doesn’t stop until we go home. The camp consisted of 10 focused, down-to-business days of gate training, freeskiing, drills and video.
    “These folks had the most incredible days of training I have ever seen—60-second super G runs in the morning and two hours of slalom in the afternoon plus freeski sessions. I was whupped,” said University of Utah racer Scott Veenis, one of the coaches at the camp. Other coaches included Chad Wolk of the Park City Ski Team and Nate Schwing of the Sun Valley Ski Team.
    The highlight of the camp has always been the races. Every September, Valle Nevado and La Parva host a series of International Masters FIS races. Racers from all over the world come to compete at these venues, which have almost as many banners and sponsorships to compete with the U.S. Nationals. I, unfortunately, could only cheer on my dad and older friends, as you have to be 30 years old to compete internationally.
    Still, even if all my young friends are lying on the beaches of Mexico, this is my favorite vacation. I just finished skiing a week of perfect snow and bluebird skies. It’s the only time I tell myself I can’t wait to turn 30.

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About the Author: Pete Rugh