US Telemark Ski Association
Following on the heels of the Telemark World Championships held in Steamboat Springs this last week, the US Telemark National Championships are being planned for March 13-15 at Sunlight Mountain Resort. This event will be hosted by the US Telemark Ski Association and Sunlight Mountain Resort. The resort has held a number of Telemark races over the years and will be a great location for these National Championships. While the top racers in the US will be competing for the title of National Champion telemark skiers of all levels are invited to compete in the Citizens class or the two Junior Classes.
Telemark ski racing is the skiing discipline that tests all forms of competitive skiing in one top-to-bottom event. Each discipline includes alpine, jumping, and Nordic skiing components. Competitors complete telemark style (lunging) turns through gates; fly off a Nordic jump, complete a reipelykkje (Norwegian for knot of rope, American for a large 360 banked turn a.k.a., the Rap);and to add to the challenge there is a skate ski (Nordic freestyle) section, which is often at the finish. Time penalties are assessed by gate and jump judges if racers fail to achieve boot space while turning (i.e., complete a fully telemark turn); fail to land past the jump line (distance); and fail to land the jump in a Nordic stance (just like ski jumping).
The schedule for the weekend is:
Friday, March 13 -Sprint (2 runs with combined time).
Saturday, March 14– Parallel Sprint – This is the exciting new head-to-head competition event. The day will begin with a qualifying run or runs. Then the top 16 men and 8 women will race head to head in the finals.
Sunday, March 15 – TwoClassic Races – one run each (2 runs total) – This race is at least twice as long as the Sprint.
Racers of all ages from across the country will converge at Sunlight for this event and a number of new racers are expected to compete for the first time.
Last years National Champion, Cory Snyder of Franconia, NH will be challenged by Tanner Visnick of Steamboat Springs, CO. The two were very close last year and both are skiing very well this season. Madi McKinstry of Steamboat Springs, CO was last seasons Champion will be challenged by Lyta Foulk, also of Steamboat Springs, CO, who had some break out racing at the World Championships last week.
US Development Team member, Henry Barth of Glenwood Springs, will be a local favorite in the Junior division. Henry was able to forerun at the World Championships last week and gained valuable experience at that event.
Other US team members from Colorado who will be competing include, Taylor Finn of Colorado Springs as well as Charlie Dresen, Jeffrey Gay and Jack Rosenthal, all of Steamboat Springs. Brendan Duram of Steamboat, while not a team member this year, will race following his strong showing at World Championships. Tommy Gogolen of Breckenridge is out for the season with an ACL injury.
Volunteers are needed for this event.
For more information, to register or to volunteer visit: www.ustsa.org or email info@ustsa.org.
