January 23, 2008

The giant slalom contest for the HRVHS ski team last Saturday was one of skill and endurance.

The HRV girls won handily as expected, and good news is the boys placed second, putting the team in a tie for first place with Sandy in the Mt. Hood conference.

The long, rolling, race course on Middle Fork used turns to its advantage, with gates set on the roundabout that forced racers to keep a high line or they’d be late. The course also had a few flat sections, and finished on the steep pitch of Show Off.

The Hood River boys team effort worked for a second-place standing in the first GS race of the season, after finishing third in its earlier slalom event. Colton Swearingen’s second place individual result, sandwiched between Sandy’s powerhouse boys, was boosted with a sixth place finish by Freshman Pierce Whalen, and a ninth place by Sam Mears.

“The fact we placed all of our varsity boys in the top 13 is the most important thing for the team,” HRV coach Peter Nance said.

On the girls’ side Whitney Fox kicked it up a notch on her second run that pulled her up from third to second place between teammates Toby Carrattin first place and Ashley Kastner in third place.

“Whitney had a break through run for her best high school finish ever,” Nance added.

As a team effort, this moves the Eagles into a tie with Sandy for first in the conference.

“Sandy has raised the bar so high, their boys are a dominant force, and Hood River girls are a dominant force. We have to get our boys skiing better as a team than Sandy’s girls, and we have a chance to win the league overall,” Nance said.

This Saturday the Eagles return to Mt. Hood Meadows for slalom competition.

The ski team is also fielding a Freestyle discipline this year. Michael LaMaita placed first in his division, representing Hood River Valley, in a Meadows-sponsored contest. Freestyle is coached by Dan Ingerson.