Mark your calendar for these iconic races

I never knew former Vermont State Senator Edward Janeway, who served on Stratton Mountain’s board of directors. He died in 1986, five years before I joined the masters circuit, but I sure knew his name.

That’s because the Janeway Cup at Stratton (Jan. 23, 2016) was one of the first races I ever entered. The event dates back to at least 1970, and remains special on the New England schedule because the top man and women over age 40 get their names on a perpetual trophy that reads like a Who’s Who of masters ski racing.

Perpetual trophies such as the Janeway Cup at Stratton Mountain read like a Who’s Who of masters ski racing.

“The hill is really fun, easy to ski, but hard to ski fast,” says Nadine Price, the president of New England Masters Skiing.

Racing the Janeway Cup has become a tradition for me and many other masters. Here’s a look at some other iconic races around which athletes schedule their winters.

The Wolf Cup, Jan. 16, 2016, Ski Cooper, Colorado

Bratwurst at the finish line? That’s just one of the draws of this downhill, which lures a large field of 60 to 70 racers from several divisions nationwide to the slopes of Ski Cooper. Originally held at Loveland, the event and its Swiss brats were the brainchild of Hans Wolf, whose widow, Lori Hamilton, and son Jonathan, carry on the traditions. The winners are determined by the “Sportage” system, which adjusts times for racers’ ages, and there are topnotch door prizes along with a “guess the top speed” raffle.

Last year, that was 68 miles per hour. Graham Smith, former chair of USSA Rocky Mountain Masters division and a longtime participant calls it “a gentleman’s downhill.” Racers can get NASTAR points, if not 90 mph. Expect adrenaline, says Smith: “Maybe a minute long and no air.”

Wolf Cup founder Hans Wolf modeled the start house after those used for World Cup races in Switzerland.
Courtesy Lauren Beckos

The Memorial Cup, Jan. 22 to 24, 2016, Sun Valley, Idaho

This three-day event, formerly known as the Skoch Cup, has a super G, GS and slalom that annually draws between 90 and 130 entries — among the largest masters fields in the division. The combined male and female winners of all three events get their names engraved on a trophy that lists 20 years of fast Intermountain masters racers. “People come out of the woodwork for the Memorial Cup,” says Meri Stratton, Intermountain-Northern masters race coordinator. “For locals, it might be their only masters event of the winter. Everyone loves to go to Sun Valley. People come for the venue, and the mountain supports it.”

Sun Valley local Jesse Foster races in the slalom on the final day of the 2014 Skoch Cup. Jack Ballard photo

The Don Brooks Memorial, Feb. 25 to 28, 2016, Schweitzer, Idaho

This event draws about 80 masters racers each year, one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest fields, in part because everyone can race three super G’s, a GS and a slalom in four days. Organizers put on a good show, too, including a potluck dinner. “You get lots of starts, which is a big part of it,” says Robbie Cravens, Pacific Northwest Masters Chair. “But the hill is cut. The slopes are prepped. Everything runs well. The club takes ownership in the event.”

Longtime masters racer Bill McCollom puts on a good show at Suicide Six — not unlike the good show put on in Schweitzer, Idaho. Lisa Densmore Ballard photo

Ironman Trophy, Season-long, Central Division

“What we don’t have in terms of vertical, we make up for in volume,” says Ryan Fuller, Central Masters Chair, “Whereas most masters divisions in USSA schedule five to 25 races a season, we have 30 to 45. The Ironman celebrates the male and female racers who attend the most races each season. We allow racers to hike if they fall on a course. If there’s a tie, the racer with the most hikes wins!”

TRADITIONS WORTH ENTERING

Can’t decide which masters races to enter? These are some other classics, and the scheduled dates for 2016:

EASTERN

Hochebirge Slalom: Cannon Mountain, N.H. Oldest team trophy in the U.S. and best après-ski party on the New England masters schedule. (Feb. 20)

Bunny Bertram Memorial Slalom: Suicide Six, Vt. Since 1974, in honor of Wallace “Bunny’” Bertram, who created the first rope tow in the U.S. four decades earlier. (Feb. 27)

INTERMOUNTAIN-NORTHERN

Loritz-Pendleton Cup: Park City. Started by Gary Loritz the year before he died. Age-handicapping system. (Jan 29 to 31)

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Summer Fun Nationals: Mount Hood. GS, slalom on the Palmer Snowfield. Families race together, all ages. (Dates to be announced.)

CENTRAL

Cyr Cup: Buck Hill, Minn. Named for legendary Buck Hill race director Gabe Cyr. Night series with both team and age-handicapped winners. (Feb. 22 and 23; Feb. 29 to March 3; March 7 to 9)

FAR WEST

Bernard Cup: Squaw Valley. Two slaloms and a GS honoring former USSA Masters Chair and masters FIS delegate Bob Bernard. (Feb. 20 and 21)
McKinney Cup: Mount Rose, Calif. Double GS sponsored by U.S. Ski Team legend Tamara McKinney in memory of her family members. (March 5 and 6)

Central’s Cyr Cup, at Buck Hill, is among the most coveted trophies in the division. Courtesy of Ryan Fuller

RECIPE FOR A SKI RACING TRADITION

A ski race doesn’t need to honor someone to become a must-attend annual event, though it helps. Here are the ingredients for creating longevity and high participation:

• Give it a twist, such as age-handicapping, that gives different racers in the field a chance for glory.
• Plan a fun social event in conjunction with the race. Good food and camaraderie make racers smile regardless of their results.
• Get the mountain and local ski club on board. They prep the hill and run the race. It’s gotta be a smooth, welcoming operation for people to return year after year.
• Create a perpetual trophy, especially something that looks really cool, like the carving of a wolf that’s awarded at the Wolf Cup.
• Display the trophy in a central location, like the McKinney Cup, which lives on the fireplace mantle in the Mount Rose base lodge.
• Name the race for a colorful athlete, beloved official or coach, or local race supporter.
• Organize a multi-day or combined competition, which gives racers more starts in one road trip.
• Add a training day or camp in conjunction with the event. Masters racers are thirsty for training opportunities.
• Keep the entry fees reasonable and provide a lodging discount if possible.
• Give away door prizes. Everyone loves the chance to go home with a gift.

The winners of the 2009 Bunny Bertram Memorial with Bunny’s daughter, Lynn Bertram. From left to right: Terrence Fogarty, Carolyn Beckedorff, Rick Cesati, Lynn Bertram, Mark George, Katie George Green. Lisa Densmore Ballard photo