Flathead Valley ski racers post fast times in qualifier
Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation racers travelled to Red Lodge, Montana, for the Predator Cup, the second of several qualifying race series for the U16 Western Regional Championships and the Tri-Divisional Championships to be held at Schweitzer, Idaho, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, respectively, in March.
University athletes from Montana State and Rocky Mountain College pushed the field, which included teams from Red Lodge, Bridger Bowl, Big Sky, Great Divide, Discovery, Missoula and Blacktail, in three slalom races over the two-day event to earn valuable qualification points.
FVSEF had a small team but several podiums, with U18 racer Parker Retz winning all three slalom races in his age group. Leo Bungener, U16, was second in the first race but, unfortunately, became ill and was unable to compete in the remaining two races. Kira Paatalo, U16, had a breakthrough weekend with fourth, fifth, and seventh places in her age group. Sydney McPhie had strong fifth place and ninth place finishes in the U16 girls and Avery Retz finished with two 14th places and a 17th in the U16s.
This week FVSEF racers in the U14, U16, and U18 age groups are in Big Sky for a speed camp and Super G races and the U12s spent last weekend at Showdown for their speed camp.
Whitefish Mountain Resort is set to host Youth Ski League races for U8s, U10s, U12s, and U14s this Feb. 22 - 23. Spectators can watch the races and support local racers from along the course on Ed’s Run or at the finish, just up from Ed & Mully’s restaurant. Contact hilary@fvsef.org for available volunteering opportunities.