This weekend we're looking forward to taking in some ski racing action! The UVM Winter Carnival starts today and goes through Sunday. It features the best collegiate skiers in the eastern US taking on the slalom and giant slalom courses at Stowe, and the nordic racing trails at Trapp Family Lodge.
The University of Vermont has a strong ski team again this year. Some of the racers have been competing across the country in NorAm races, and a few have even competed in their first World Cup races.
We're not sure how the trails are after another session of rain this week, followed by cold temperatures. A few resorts picked up a couple inches of snow, as well. We'll let you know what we find, and we'd love to hear what you find. Trail grooming will be key, for sure.
We've continued to be on a rollercoaster with the temperatures. Maybe this was the last "thaw" of the season. Let's hope!
Other Vermonter ski racing news
Speaking of racing, Vermonters have been tearing it up on the World Cup scene.
<link http: freestyle.usskiteam.com athletes hannah-kearney>Hannah Kearney of Norwich, Vermont, won her 13th straight World Cup mogul competition on Thursday in Utah. Incredible consistency! <link http: nordic.usskiteam.com athletes ida-sargent>Ida Sargent of Orleans, Vt., recently moved up to competing in World Cup cross-country races and she placed an extremely strong 12th in the sprints in Moscow this week — a career best.
<link http: nordic.usskiteam.com athletes andy-newell external-link-new-window>Andy Newell of Shaftsbury, Vt., skied to 7th in a World Cup XC sprint in Otepaa, Estonia, in late January. <link http: nordic.usskiteam.com athletes liz-stephen external-link-new-window>Liz Stephen of East Montpelier, Vt., placed 21st in a World Cup 10km classic race in Otepaa.
Also with Vermont ties ... <link http: alpine.usskiteam.com athletes nolan-kasper external-link-new-window>Nolan Kasper placed 14th and <link http: alpine.usskiteam.com athletes jimmy-cochran external-link-new-window>Jimmy Cochran 19th in January's World Cup slalom in Kitzbuehel, Austria. (Kasper skied to a 4th place finish at the Beaver Creek slalom WC race in December!)
Photo: Ida Sargent of Vermont (at center) flanked by her US Ski Team teammates Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall, who all placed in the top 12 in Moscow this week.
