MMSC soars around New England

McNabb podiums

The race week was highlighted by the annual U16 Qualifier race at Main Street on Spruce Peak. This age group of 14- and 15-year-olds often rivals the speed and aggressiveness of older athletes.

As a result of the recent cold weather, Main Street brought its share of aggressiveness, as close to 40 percent of racers failed to finish both runs. MMSC sent four girls and nine boys to navigate two giant slalom runs on a day with below-zero temperatures that delayed the start for two hours to allow the sun to make more of an appearance.

After first-year U16 girls Rachel Smith and Nicole McNabb scored second and fourth fastest first runs, McNabb pulled in the second fastest second run for third overall to grab her first podium finish of the season, an outstanding feat.

The boys had three athletes in the top 10: David Johnson, Trent Gutstein and Lucien Bryan. Finnegan Simpkins and Gianni Jeannie were also able to crack the top 20.

Next for the U16s is the final qualifier race, a slalom at Sugarbush Feb. 9.

U10s at Smugglers

Fortunately, the U10 age group was able to anticipate the cold weather by moving its race up one day to avoid frostbite on young faces. Twenty-one MMSC girls and 26 boys, by far the best showing of any participating race club, navigated two runs on a giant slalom course in the falling snow.

Eight MMSC athletes scored top-10 results for single runs, including Poppy Sargent (fifth both runs), Isabella Mitchell (fourth, sixth), Lindsey Devir (eighth) and Juliette Hoder (ninth) for the girls, and Cailin Apple (first both runs), Max Hoder (sixth, 10th), Anthony Marron (fifth), and James Rosenbloom (seventh) for the boys.

Next up is a giant slalom race at Cochran’s Feb. 9.

Older racers fan out

MMSC racers 16 and older raced at a variety of venues, including a USSA slalom race at Suicide Six, the University of New Hampshire Carnival race at Cannon Mountain, and the University of Vermont Carnival slalom at Burke.  

The mid-season is also characterized by a shift to speed races. This began with a two-day Super-G Eastern Cup FIS race at Okemo, which also served as a qualifier for U18 Nationals. MMSC sent three girls and eight boys to the event. The first day saw excellent finishes by Griffin Brown (sixth), Sean Higgins (12th) and Charlie Harrison (13th) for the men, and Sandra Schoepke (12th overall, ninth for U18s) for the women.

After a cold first day, the second day brought even colder weather and gusty winds. The second race was moved to Speed Week at Sugarloaf, the second chapter of speed season that includes the only FIS-sanctioned downhill race in the East.

Also on the docket were the UNH and UVM Winter Carnivals. Sean Higgins continued his UVM Carnival dominance with a second in the slalom. Other top-30 results included Charlie Harrison, who was 14th at the UNH giant slalom.

For the women, Michelle Connacher placed 29th at the UNH giant slalom, and Courtney Hayden followed up with a 29th in the UVM slalom.

The USSA slalom at Suicide Six included two women and 13 men from MMSC. MMSC men dominated by taking four of the top 10 places, which included Ryan Collopy sweeping both runs, Calvin Dixon not far behind in second, Colby Jordan in fifth, and Brian Mangiacotti in 10th.

Next up for older athletes is the Speed Week at Sugarloaf (two downhill and three super-G races), a four-day NorAm race at Sunday River and Stowe, and a U18 qualifier slalom race at Cranmore.

NorAms in Stowe

Of great significance is the North American Cup competition coming to Spruce Peak’s Main Street at Stowe Mountain Resort Feb. 3-6.

NorAm races are one step away from the World Cup series and will feature some of the best racers (including some former MMSC athletes) in the United States and abroad.

The men’s competition gets underway with two giant slalom races, followed by two slalom races. Prospective participants include former MMSC athlete and U.S. Ski Team member Tim Kelley and former U.S. Ski Team member Warner Nickerson.