I have mostly been spending my time and energy on trying to find a way to get that one training run done. What is our best shot at it? It is not our wish to have to reschedule everything. So we are focused on securing the DH race for Wednesday. And for that we need the training done, no matter how creative we need to get with the options.
The situation on the course is dramatic: we have lots of new snow on top, wet and sticky snow in the middle and rained snow at the bottom. The middle part is the most challenging for us. We have been trying to push out as much of the snow as possible. Mix the old snow with new to change its structure a bit. We are hoping to make sure that there is no snow providing insulation on top of the course when it clears so that it can freeze evenly. This is tough work: stepping the course from the middle part all the way to the finish. For us and the many many volunteers. Stepping helps pack the snow so that its structure changes and it freezes well.
Within the jury, Jan is doing most of the detailed work with the Chief of Course Rick and the head of snowcat drivers Dale. They are definitely the main players right now for ensuring proper course preparation, they decide when and what is being done. Markus is assisting Jan in this. I am trying to keep the overview of the plans and the big picture of our possibilities for the 2 weeks ahead. Bruce, Chief of Race is managing the ladies' race organization while Pete as Chief of Competition is overall in charge of the entire Alpine venue at Creekside. So it is a good team.
Right now what we need is a break from Mother Nature. Luckily there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel and Monday is lucking good, clear with the freezing level decreasing from the GS start all the way down to Creekside.
Author: Atle Skaardal
It's hard work
I have mostly been spending my time and energy on trying to find a way to get that one training run done. What is our best shot at it? It is not our wish to have to reschedule everything. So we are focused on securing the DH race for Wednesday. And for that we need the training done, no matter how creative we need to get with the options.
The situation on the course is dramatic: we have lots of new snow on top, wet and sticky snow in the middle and rained snow at the bottom. The middle part is the most challenging for us. We have been trying to push out as much of the snow as possible. Mix the old snow with new to change its structure a bit. We are hoping to make sure that there is no snow providing insulation on top of the course when it clears so that it can freeze evenly. This is tough work: stepping the course from the middle part all the way to the finish. For us and the many many volunteers. Stepping helps pack the snow so that its structure changes and it freezes well.
Within the jury, Jan is doing most of the detailed work with the Chief of Course Rick and the head of snowcat drivers Dale. They are definitely the main players right now for ensuring proper course preparation, they decide when and what is being done. Markus is assisting Jan in this. I am trying to keep the overview of the plans and the big picture of our possibilities for the 2 weeks ahead. Bruce, Chief of Race is managing the ladies' race organization while Pete as Chief of Competition is overall in charge of the entire Alpine venue at Creekside. So it is a good team.
Right now what we need is a break from Mother Nature. Luckily there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel and Monday is lucking good, clear with the freezing level decreasing from the GS start all the way down to Creekside.