This weekend is the first race in the Intermountain Masters JANS Cup series. Started in 1993, the JANS Cup determines the top Masters alpine ski racers, both male and female, in the state of Utah. Even if you don’t have aspirations of claiming the overall title, three days of competition, camaraderie, giveaways and daily award parties, make this a race to check off your bucket list.
Open to adult skiers 18 years and older, the race takes place starting Friday, January 11th and runs through Sunday, January 13th. Held on the Payday ski run at Park City Mountain Resort, this Masters-friendly course features Super G competitions on Friday, Slalom events on Saturday and Giant Slalom on Sunday. Deemed “the most party festive” race of the season, awards parties take place each evening at various venues throughout Park City.
Friday evening participants can enjoy beer and pizza at a private home located close to the ski resort while Saturday evening a B.Y.O.B. party takes place at the Utah Olympic Park. Sunday’s gathering is held annually at Adolph’s restaurant with a cash bar and extravagant food buffet. For the price of the race entry fee and heavily discounted lift tickets, participants can enjoy a weekend’s worth of festivities with an equal measure of giveaways.
Participants should keep an eye out for 2012 Intermountain Masters winners, Craig Norton and Donna Alexandrescu who are expected to compete in this event, as well as runners up Chris Probert and Beth Sarazine. Jenny Badger is another local favorite and “one to watch,” in addition to Bill and Bob Skinner, Masters racing veterans and previous JANS Cup winners.
If your racing skills are in need of a tune-up, the Intermountain Masters folks are offering their standard training schedule for the week from 9:30am-3:30pm. These daily clinics include a combination of drills, running gates, video review and free skiing with expert coaches, who are highly decorated racers themselves. Race registration is open through Thursday, January 10th and you can register at www.skiracereg.com.
If you’ve considered racing on the Masters circuit and haven’t yet pursued it, or if you are a veteran who has taken some time off, consider participating in the most heavily attended race series of the year. You’ll be glad you did.
Liz Yokubison, Senior Editor of JANS.com
