Ski & Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV) Youth Ski League (YSL) alpine racers enjoyed two days of spring racing at the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) Rocky Mountain Division YSL Championships in Vail this weekend, and what a championship it was for SSCV!  SSCV’s boys and girls were the defending champions for the overall YSL race circuit for the season and walked away with the First Place Overall for the Boys, the First Place Overall for the Girls and the First Place Team Overall at the end of the day on Sunday.  The championship attracted 290 athletes ages six through fifteen to compete in five different age classes in Slalom and Giant Slalom.

“The Rocky Mountain Division YSL Championships are always a fun event for these athletes,” beamed Rika Moore, SSCV Head YSL Coach.  “On Saturday, the boys skied one Slalom and one Giant Slalom race, with the girls competing in those events on Sunday. Under warm sunny skies, SSCV’s athletes skied well in spring conditions and defended their first place overall titles for boys, girls and the team.”

The championships also included a USSA SkillsQuest challenge, in which the athletes performed a series of drills to demonstrate their competency of fundamental skills that lead to long-term success and enjoyment of ski racing.  The challenge included eight Giant Slalom turns “freesking with pole usage”.   SSCV athletes performed well in this skills based scored event.

The top three boys and girls for the U12 and U14 age groups were awarded a complimentary entry fee to the GS Spectacular age class races in Beaver Creek in early April.  SSCV’s Boet Van Den Berg took 1st place for the boys U12 racers, earning him this complimentary entry.

“SSCV’s YSL program is aimed at fun, friends, skills development and a love of skiing,” said Moore.  “This weekend showcased all of that.  I’m so proud of all of our athletes, who have improved tremendously throughout the season.”

Mike Wolfson, Head SpeedQuest coach for SSCV stated, “I am extremely proud of all the kids.  Our U10 and U8 athletes skied very well this weekend, helping to lead us to an overall YSL Championship.”

Karen Ghent, Alpine Program Director, stated, “It is exciting to see the enthusiasm for ski racing at the YSL Championships.  The kids had fun and their parents were into it.  The future looks bright!”

For a complete list of results go to www.live-timing.com.