CSU Wins!!

Go ahead, fly the proud colors of CSU in front of your house today. In a very competitive race with difficult waxing issues (it is the closest I have seen our waxologist Rob Bradlee's hand move toward the panic button), CSU won the Mens' Championship. Our women were holding onto first until the some of the final skiers crossed the line, giving Maine victory in many of the older age groups and bumping us to a second place tie with Northwest Vermont. But we had the determined Sarah Gates (Frank Feists lovely bride) who broke the tie in our favor!!! We woke up to cold temperatures (5F) but with little wind. Jackson has been in a snow drought until this week when they received about two feet. The problem was that by the very end of the storm, the snow had turned to drizzle.

Consequently, the snow consisted of cold dry powder with a good amount of ice crystals. In Frank's usual matter of fact manner he urged all to "just deal with it". Short of klister, I am not sure anything worked great.

Okay enough of that OCD. Our heroes. The John Sakalowky Story: As many of you know John was one of this country's most successful bike racers who has recently switched over to the other side. He has pushed himself incredibly hard and attempted to get as much information as possible from the more experienced CSU members. In only his fourth classic race, John won his very competitive age group. Frank, Rob and I have commented that we have never seen someone learn how to ski so well so quickly. Also winning her age group was our own Dr. Ann Burnham who was happy to finally come out on top in a group that has some phenomenal skiers. Oh, and Alex Jospe won the race. Yup, our own graduate student, junior coaching, never ending commuter from Amherst extraordinaire won the entire race!!!!! All those Dartmouth skiers in their green suits were behind our Alex. Way to go Alex!!!!! Irene Melnikova, Lisa Doucett, and Jody Newton also earned CSU critical points. Now we need to discuss the important issue. Our founding mother, and CSU ringer SaraMae has has some joint surgery.  I need to talk to the doctor on his timing, but I think I can get SaraMae into double session training soon, and hopefully CSU women will bring home the trophy next year. Get well soon SaraMae!!!

DasBoyzes: If I wasn't always trying to catch him, I would enjoy more just how beautiful Frank Feist skis. He shot out of the starting gate and hooked up with some young buck. He reported that he was able to draft him up until the second time up the Wave. I was in a group of four chasing Frank, and we had a crazy double finish to the finish line whereby I barely won my age group. Rob Bradlee, a member of, by far, the largest and toughest age group in the entire race skied a brilliant race and got third. We also got invaluable points from Big Victor, Albert I. our favorite Canadian and new Master's Committee member Robert Faltus, Alex I. Papa Greg Werner, Wes Denering, Bill A., Dave A, and former Dartmouth captain Bob Burnham. I would like to welcome a new member, and former bike racer Steve Lake. Watch out, Steve has a motor. So all in all, we did great. I got the okay to order real plaques, so you should be able to see it at Weston soon. Rest up for Granddaddy Craftsbury this Saturday. Signing off until next year - Captain Andy Milne

 The Winners!!

 Victor cruises

 Lisa chases Dave Boucher

 Sarah

 Mr. Smooth

 Alex and Mt. Washington

Anne looking relaxed on lap 2 of the wave