Monday, February 1, 1999 -- Snowshoe
Cupp Run Challenge

[Coverage/Recap w/Pics] GS Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4]
Dual Slalom Results: [By Class and Overall]
Giant Slalom Results: [By Class and Teams] [Overall]

Nathan Schwing negotiates his way through ever changing conditions

Snowshoe Mountain hosted the 25th Annual Cupp Run Challenge Giant Slalom alpine ski race on Monday, February 1st. After beautiful weather settled over the mountain for the previous day's Dual Slalom, the night had brought drastic changes. The morning brought chilly temperatures with blustery winds and a heavy, wet snow. As morning grew into afternoon, the temperatures often rose just enough to turn the wet snow into a cold rain. Depending on the mood of the wind, the time of day, and the location on the mountain, racers contended with weather conditions ranging from nothing more than clouds and a light drizzle to a blinding snow storm. Not only did this make racing tough on the competitors, but the crew at Snowshoe had their hands full as well.

Paul Schade carves through the wet snow

The Pro racers were first to attack the over 1000 feet of vertical drop that makes up the Giant Slalom course. Everyone had only one chance to reach the bottom as fast as possible in an attempted to share in the $5,000 cash purse. Eric Archer, from Colorado, was the second racer down the course and posted an excellent time of 1:07.11, a tough time to beat. A few runs later, Sverre Melbye, part of a large contingent from Sweden and Norway, posted another sub-70-second time with a 1:07.41. Melbye's hold and second didn't last long. Two runs later, the Norwegian, Anders Wiggerud, flew down the mountain in a time of 1:07.11 tying Archer down to the hundredth of a second. A few more fast runs of under 70 seconds followed with the next handful of racers. However, the times of Archer, Wiggerud, and Melbye held out as the day's top three with Archer and Wiggerud sharing the top spot.

Pro racer Donovan Carroll bombs down the mountain

Wiggerud's share of first also helped contribute to the overall team victory of "Team Pro-Jocks". With the help of his Nordic pals, Eric Anderson (1:08.18), Emil Englund (1:08.94), Anders Larrson (1:15.20), and Michele Meucci (1:36.96), they were able to post a winning team time that dominated all competition.

As the pros finished their runs, the amateur classes waited and watched as the weather and conditions continued to deteriorate. But the toughness of the alpine racing crowd couldn't be broke as one after another they attacked the challenging course. Posting some impressive times were Men's J1 winner Keith Poore (1:12.05) and Men's J2 winner Nathan Schwing. Andrea Dearborn (1:26.46) took the Women's J1 victory uncontested.

Vanessa Seed waits to make what would be the fastest women's run

In the adult age brackets, Women's 20-26 racer Vanessa Seed (1:21.74) posted the fasted female time for the day. Other women's winners were Beth Goode (1:38.49), 27-34, Jan Starr (1:46.06), 35-44, Mary Dell Joyner (2:07.84), 45-54, and Carol Dalton (2:11.88), 55+.

The men's adult classes saw the fastest overall amateur time posted by Ryan Locher (1:12.03), 20-26, just two hundredths of a second faster than J1 winner Keith Poore. The remaining men's amateur winners were Rick Cellich (1:23.72), 27-34, Jerre Harris (1:17.94), 35-44, Philip Perkins (1:26.94), 45-54, and Horst Locher (1:28.81), 55+.

After all the racing, everyone retreated to the comfy confines of "The Connection" located in Snowshoe's main lodge. Warm food was provided, refreshing beverages were served, and the awards were presented. The wonderful treatment the racers received after a difficult day of racing is a tribute to this fantastic event, Snowshoe Mountain Resort, and the race sponsors including Rolling Rock and Draper Aden Associates.