Great start to the slalom race season in Mammoth.  Even with soft snow conditions and relentless winds the race went on the the guys did a great job.  Pete Spangler got on track with a 8th place, 1st for U18 class.  Dan Martin, with a tough second run got bumped to 15th overall just missing the U21 podium with the SNC guys.  Johnny Schwartz, stepped up his game second run to hold on to 16th, Jeffry, a great day in 18th.  Tommy Shebell, 23rd and a U18 podium, excellent results for him.  Ryan Z., after a hike first run, showed his speed from 40th start second run to 10th fastest for the run, overall 24th.  Spencer Wood in 49th and Graham, 51st. 
Stodgell and Tomasso will have another crack at it today. 

Consider us lucky, ski racing!  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families impacted in this tragedy in Newtown, CT.

Peace, JB

Sorry to break the news, no training today, but 18 inches of soft, dry, fluffy powder.  Hey, I didn't have to think twice.  But rest assured we did take a lap down Terry's once the ski patrol was done blasting just to check it out.  But no way!

The kids enjoyed another powder day of exploring the mountain, hitting cliffs, shoots and just having some good ole fun.  SO important for development. 

Here are some shots, don't get to jealous, just enjoy!

jb

It's almost race time, race fans.  Mike, Andrew, Shane and Wyatt, travel day tomorrow, as they head to Jackson, WY for four tech starts.  The rest of the crew will be racing Friday thru Sunday here in Mammoth.  One more day of slalom then "Showtime". 
Mother nature is throwing a little more snow our way but just a couple inches tonight, then clearing until Saturday night.  We'll hope she keeps it light so the racing surface resembles what we've been training on.  If not, the gang is ready to deal.

stay tuned!
jb 

Congratulations and job well done to the guys that headed to the far North and are just arriving back East. 

Kyle, Cam and James traveled up to Alaska for four slalom starts.  The boys returned with some experience, results and satisfaction of a job well done.  A great start to the year for them and I am sure we'll see some more good skiing in the near future.  No pics but the last day each stepped up in their own way.  James in 5th (great result -46), Kyle in 7th (51) and Cam in 8th (52).  A small field up there but a star-studded field with many UAA guys in attendance. 

Great work guys!
jb

GS clips from a few days ago. 

jb

Split schedule today in Mammoth as the guys heading to Jackson at the end of the week took the day to recharge their batteries before their race series.  The whole Mammoth racing crew training slalom today on ADG.  I cannot tell you how good the snow is and i guess i won't with what i am hearing about the weather in the East.  I'll try to send some sunshine your way. 
Being the third day of slalom and the third day of this block we cut the volume down some for a good last day of GS race prep timing tomorrow on Terry's. 

The girls getting race ready!

Sights of Mammoth and some SL.

Chow!

jb

Much of the same today, except shorter skis.  Great grippy snow, sunshine and slalom training.  We ramped up the volume a bit today and the guys rose to the challenge.  Great training, thanks Beat.  Check out the pics.

jb

Some fantastic pictures from yesterday's GS session in Mammoth!

Mike, Dan, Ryan and Jeff in the course on ADG.

The new coats look Good!

Pavel and Andrew coming up for another run.

jb

GS, GS, GS on ADG today.  After the hill watering, the reverse till and cold nighttime temps, this hill is in "Prime" shape.  Coach Brower was out today as well, just to keep everyone honest and see where they were at.  Andrew had the 2 fastest runs, Mike and Shane were not far off the pace and big improvements go to Jeffry and young guns RZ who stayed quite competitive on a couple runs.
A little workout and Bball at Snow Creek, beef stew on the stove and a good night of Thursday NFL rounds out a great day.

OFF day tomorrow for the guys, I'll be working on getting some video and pictures up, after a early morning skate ski up the top of Minaret road.

Chow!
JB 

Training in Mammoth cannot get much better; excellent free skiing, sunny skies, no crowds and SHHHHH!, no other teams training!!

Great day today, the older boys trained GS in the first block and the younger boys in the second.  Quality studyhall time, conditioning, video, super stir fry by Dan.  Couldn't get much better.  Oh yes, the Mammoth crew is watering down ADG to provide a even better training surface by the end of the week. 

Signing off for bed, but not before some of today's pics.

jb

Snow subsiding out in Mammoth but not before a couple feet dropped and the boys had a great time free skiing the mountain.  Don't worry though, the surface will be back suitable for training in no time.

jb