On Sunday, December 20, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail hosted the first competition in the season-long Bolle Age Class Series.  Over 250 boys and girls ages eight through thirteen representing ski clubs throughout the Rocky Mountain Division competed in two exciting single run races at Golden Peak.

On slalom skis, these young racers charged down a slalom style course past short, soft age appropriate gates, slalom gates and giant slalom gates, navigating a small jump along the way.  The course was akin to a playground on skis, making for a fun kick-off to their competition season.

 For aspiring eight-year-old racers, Sunday’s event was a significant moment in their snow sport careers.   Since all the age groups raced on the same course, it provided the young racers with an opportunity to compare themselves against the older ages.

Karen Ghent, SSCV Alpine Program Director and coach for ten- and eleven-year-old full-time SSCV racers shared, “It was exciting to see our youngsters out there for the first competition of the season.  They have been training hard to this point, many having participated in summer training, so they were excited to go against the clock and see how their efforts are paying off.”

“More importantly”, Karen continued, “competition is a wonderful setting for athletes to learn life lessons, with their coach’s guiding influence, through the vehicle of a competitive snow sport and experience the “team” nature ski racing.  There is nothing more rewarding than seeing these children support each other, from cheers and high fives for those celebrating a personal best or podium performance to warm smiles and hugs for those who were disappointed with their runs.  At the end of the day everybody is smiling and having fun which is why we are all out there in the first place!”

For top three results for both races and all SSCV results click here.  For a complete list of results go to www.ussa.org under “Live” in the left hand column.