Saturday, January 23, 1999 -- Snowshoe
Giant Slalom Snowboard Competition
Race coverage and photos provided by Carrie Wickline.

[Coverage/Recap w/Pics] [Results by Class] [Results Overall]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2]

Paul Lyttle falls victim to the less than ideal conditions

The record-breaking warm temperatures that swept the state in late January didn't hinder the turnout for the first annual Giant Slalom Snowboard Competition at Snowshoe Mountain Resort. The unusual weather did provide less than perfect trail conditions, with areas of ice and even exposed grass plaguing the racecourse, but the enthusiasm of the racers made for an exciting day of competition. More than 40 boarders challenged the slalom course that traversed the Cascade trail in Snowshoe's Silver Creek Area. Skies were clear when the race got underway at 11am, but sleeting rain and strong winds made an appearance midway through the racers' first run. Each competitor attempted two runs and both times were combined to determine final standings.

Kelly Bostian handles the top of the course in style

In the men's division, ages 17-20, Joel Lewis blew away the competition on his first run with a time of 58.94 seconds, but his disqualification on the second run allowed William Dorning to take first with a combined time 2:12.37. Danny Hall's time of 2:17.88 was good enough for second.

Men aged 21-30 boasted the most competitors and fastest times of the day. First place finisher Bryan Marshav posted the fastest single run of 50.33, and the best overall combined time of 1:47.34. Brian Safine was a close second with a combined time 1:50.65.

After the first run Phillip Duncan and David Copeland held the first and second rankings in the men's division age 31+ with only a 0.25 second difference. However, Phillip fared 2 seconds better in the second run to take first with a combined time of 2:00.71. David's final time added up to 2:02.95, in what was the closest match-up of the day.

Elizabeth Mills gave the women (and most of the men) all they could handle

All the females on the course fell into the 21-30 age category, and boasted the only division without a DQ. Elizabeth Mills seemingly breezed to a first place finish with an overall time of 2:00.16, the 5th fastest combined time among all competitors. She also posted the 6th fastest time for an individual by maneuvering through the gates in 57.39 on her first run. The stiffest competition among the women was for second and third place. After the first run Kirsten Keller's time of 61.79 gave her a comfortable lead over third place Mary Lou Legg who completed her first run in 67.70. After Kirsten's slower second run of 74.24 Mary Lou needed a time of 68.32 to move up to second, but crossed the line at 69.30. Kirsten held on for second place with a combined time of 2:16.03, and Mary Lou took home third, less than a second back, with an overall 2:17.00.

Sharks (like Stephen Scott) know good times are had in any weather

While waiting for results to be tabulated many racers headed over to Silver Creek's Mountaineer Terrain Park where they could catch the big air that boarders are famous for. At the awards ceremony door prizes were in abundance as every competitor walked away with gear worth more than their $15 entrance fee, including new bindings and boards! Thanks to race organizers Kirsten Keller and Brian Marshall, and race sponsors Airwalk and Spy for providing area boarders with a challenge they won't soon forget.