Flathead ski racers with strong finish at Bridger Bowl
With the Western Regional Championships and Tri-Divisional Championships concluded for the season, the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation (FVSEF) ski racers took to the race hill for one last weekend of fun at Bridger Bowl, April 1-3. The Over the Hill Gang (OHG) series is typically a fun, costume-filled weekend of races for ages 12 to 22 with middle-school racers stacking up against entrants from Rocky Mountain College in Billings.
Over the three-day event, one giant slalom and two slaloms were held. FVSEF racers climbed onto the podium for their respective age classes on several occasions. On the boys’ side, Jordon Jurasek took third for the U18 class in giant slalom. Otto Lund was second for the U16 class in the giant slalom and won the second of two slaloms. Melody McNalley took third in both U16 girls’ slaloms. Greta Lund podiumed in all three races with a second in the U14 girls’ giant slalom, then a second and a first-place finish in the two slaloms.
The Northern Division which governs ski racing in Montana, western South Dakota, and northern Wyoming, recognized some FVSEF athletes with their annual awards. For the season-long Gold Cup which is open to all senior (21 and older), U21, U19 and U16 age classes, Otto Lund in the U16 division was second in the overall standings and received a scholarship of $300.
The division also recognizes athletes who were selected for the Western Region Championships while also maintaining a 3.5 grade point average or better on a 4.0 scale. Kellie Klepper and Otto Lund met these criteria and received academic awards.
The Northern Division also presents the “AK Rocket Award” in support of a passionate U14 or first-year U16 alpine skier that exhibits a dedication to the sport, determination to skiing improvement, positive inter-division sportsmanship and support of fellow athletes for success. This year’s winner was FVSEF athlete Valerie Cross from Eureka.
For more information contact Hilary Lindh, FVSEF Director, at hilary@fvsef.org.
