Vertfest is something I look forward to every year - even though I still haven't raced in it! But I've gone over the course countless times, helping set it up for the races in 2011 and 2012. This year I helped manage the course on race day, then its wiped away in the afternoon.
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| Dawn Patrol to do a final condition check of the course. This year we had a lite rain that actually made the up-track very sticky for skin contact, but poor edging. The result was that proficient skinners (who use edges and heal lifters less) had a great advantage over those with less experience and technique. |
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| Take-off! This is a 2000' climb to the top of the ski area, then a ski down experts runs to the bottom - racers in the expert division turned around and climb a second 1700' up a more technical up-track. The winner completed both laps in under 40 minutes each. Wicked impressive. |
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| Afterwards, we had some fun - like blowing off a BCA Float pack in this crowd... |
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| Everyone hung out for the beer and celebration despite the rain. I was particularly impressed with the women's division - two of the podium winners were new moms! |
