Mountain Dew competition challenges all ages
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A skier, above on the left course, and a snowboarder race down the dual slalom course during Saturdays Mountain Dew Challenge at Killington Ski Resort. Right, a snowboarder maneuvers her way down the modified giant slalom. Photos by Albert J. Marro |
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By Josh O'Gorman Staff Writer - Published: January 4, 2009
KILLINGTON Neither high winds nor slick roads could keep competitors of all ages and abilities from the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge.
Now in its 18th year, Saturday's race was one of 35 qualifying events held in the Northeast between December and March. There are 52 divisions based on age and gender as well as divisions for disabled riders and the top three finishers in each division are invited to the finals March 28 at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, N.H.
"It's all about the kids," said Frank Tansey, national accounts manager for Pepsi and event founder. "It teaches them respect, good sportsmanship and that it's OK to not win."
The events also serve as fundraisers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and usually collect about $35,000 for the foundation annually, Tansey said.
With free registration and no prequalifications, the race drew competitors of all ages and ability levels. However, the 6 inches of snow that fell overnight was both a blessing and curse. While it was nice for the skiers, slick roads might have kept some people home, said program coordinator Linda Fontaine.
While the Killington race usually draws more than 300 competitors, only 198 raced Saturday, Fontaine said, despite a one hour longer registration to accommodate late-comers. Still, the nearly 200 racers who did come were a testament to the popularity of the event, Fontaine said.
"People will come out no matter what. It doesn't matter," she said. "Whether it's raining or a blizzard, they come out."
In addition to qualifying for the finals, the top finishers in each category can win a variety of prizes, both snow related skis, snowboards, boots, bindings and helmets and geared toward children, such as toys and puzzles.
"We have people who raced with us 18 years ago who are coming back with their kids," Tansey said.
One multigenerational family of racers was the DaMore family from Burlington, Mass. Trae DaMore was one of two 2-year-old children racing Saturday.
"We got him out a few times last spring, so we'll see if he can do the course," said Trae's father Peter DaMore as he affixed Trae to a leash. Trae's brother, Tyler DaMore, 4, was racing for the second time. Last year he took second in his division, said his mother Gayle DaMore.
While the DaMores got ready to hit the course, Kevin Osinski, of Fairfield, Conn., prepared to head out with his daughter Montana Osinski, 5.
"She qualified last year. I didn't. She skis old-school on straight skis," Osinski said with pride.
Montana finished the day second in her division.
By 11 a.m., most of the racers had made their way to Yodeler an easy "green" trail where the course was located. It was a dual-slalom course meaning two racers wove in an out of sets of flags at the same time that spanned about 200 yards from top to bottom.
The early morning snow flurries blew away as if upon request at the start of the competition, leaving a dome of blue sky overhead, but the wind swept up the newly fallen snow and blew it into small drifts and left spectators shivering.
Michael Larson, 38, of New York City, celebrated his run as he exited the course.
"I smoked it," he said, noting it was his first Mountain Dew race. "I haven't done any racing with them, but sure drink a lot of it."
While there were competitors as young as 2, there was one much older. Walter Gorgas, 72, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., left the race course smiling.
"This competition is a blast," said Gorgas, who teaches children to ski at Ramshead at Killington. This year was the first he was free to compete.
"The people who run it are great, and everyone here is just having a really good time," he said.
Gorgas took first place in the men's 71-75 division, due in part to his being the only person in his division.
Despite the good times, there were a few tears. Trae DaMore was crying as his father carried him from the bottom of the course.
"He's crying because I wouldn't take him off his leash," Peter DaMore said.
The Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge will continue today at Pico Mountain on Lower Pike trail. Registration is from 8 to 11 a.m. at Pico Lodge.
Complete race results and photos will be available next week at www.snocountry.com.
Contact Josh O'Gorman at josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com.
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