U.S. Ski Team

Joe Discoe (Telluride, CO) bested teammate Jeremy Cota (Carrabassett Valley, ME) Sunday, to win the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championship dual moguls event. Eliza Outtrim (Steamboat Springs, CO) topped the women’s standings beating Heather McPhie (Bozeman, MT).

Sunny skies marked the final day of competition at Stratton Mountain. The men’s side saw Cota blast past the competition on his way to the finals. Discoe, scrapped his way to the finals with back-to-back 18-17 wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals. However, it was all Discoe in the finals, winning with a convincing 21-14 score. Joining Discoe and Cota on the podium was the consolation final winner Zak Watkins (Telluride, CO).

For Discoe, who was the 2010 U.S. moguls champ, Sunday’s win marked his first dual moguls U.S. title.

“It was a great day. I’m pretty stoked,” said Discoe. “I skied to have fun, and just laid down the run I knew I had.”

The women’s final, between Outtrim and McPhie was a real barnburner, with Outtrim just edging her way past McPhie 18-17 to win the U.S. title. Heidi Kloser (Vail, CO) made her first career podium at U.S. Championships, finishing in third. Sunday’s victory was Outtrim’s first U.S. Championship title.

“I felt unsatisfied that I had not been on the podium yet this season, so I used that to motivate me,” said Outtrim. “It was really cool, because I grew up skiing 20 minutes from here. It felt like skiing on home turf.”

“Everybody did a great job,” said U.S. Freestyle Ski Team Coach Scott Rawles about the 2010-11 season. “I think we are on the right track for good things in the next couple of years.”

World Cup overall and moguls champion Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT) did not start in Sunday’s competition. Kearney ended the season with a total of 10 wins including nine World Cup wins and a U.S. Championship.

With the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships in the record books, the competition season comes to a close. The U.S. Freestyle Ski Team will take a short break with training and summer camps picking back up in late April, early May.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships

Stratton Mountain, VT – March 27, 2011

Dual Moguls

Men

1. Joe Discoe, Telluride, CO

2. Jeremy Cota, Carrabassett Valley, ME

3. Zak Watkins, Telluride, CO

4. Bradley Wilson, Park City, UT

5. Cody Tempel, Missoula, MT

6. Dylan Walczyk, Frisco, CO

7. Sho Kashima, South Lake Tahoe, CA

8. Bryan Zemba, Bridgewater Corners, VT

Women

1. Eliza Outtrim, Steamboat Springs, CO

2. Heather McPhie, Bozeman, MT

3. Heidi Kloser, Vail, CO

4. Alison DiGravio, Farmington,

5. K C Oakley, Park City, UT

6. Kelsey Albert, Newburyport, MA

7. Alyssa Lawson, Boulder

8. Ali Kariotis, Novato, CA

U.S. Ski Team

Cross country World Cup sprint powerhouse Kikkan Randall (Anchorage) added another U.S. Championship to her belt Sunday winning the U.S. SuperTour Finals 30k classic technique race in Sun Valley. It marks Randall’s 16th U.S. Championship.

A hard, fast track coupled with rays of sun shining down on the course made for a perfect day to end the 2011 U.S. Cross Country Championship series. Under bluebird skies, Randall once again proved why she is one of the best topping a packed field of women competitors.

“We lucked out today. The boys had really tough conditions yesterday,” explained Randall. “We’re all pretty psyched to wake up this morning and see clear blue skies and get out on the trails and find really nice hard and fast tracks. The wax stayed pretty consistent.”

Randall looked strong from start, submerging herself in the lead breakaway group. In that group was the University of Utah’s Maria Graefnings, junior phenom CXC Team’s Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN), hometown favorite Morgan Arritola (Fairfield, ID), APU’s Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) and Holly Brooks (Anchorage).

“I was really just trying to focus on my own rhythm and skiing relaxed,” said Randall. “I knew with the altitude the fatigue would set in before you knew it.

With the lead group stacked with talent, the tempo was fierce forcing the skiers to slowly drop off the back leaving Randall and Graefnings to dual it out. Graefnings, who has been dominant on the NCAA circuit this season ending it with winning the NCAA 5k freestyle technique title, stayed close, but did not have enough to best Randall. Finishing with a time of 1:31:27.4, just 9.7 seconds ahead of Graefnings, Randall clinched the U.S. Championship crown and the $1,200 purse.

“Maria Graefnings was skiing with me, I was kind of hoping she’d take the lead on a couple sections but she was content to follow,” explained Randall of the race. “I just kept skiing my own race and then I started to feel cramps coming on and that concerned me a little bit. But I was able to kind of push through it.”

Joining Randall on the podium was Sweden native Graefnings in second and Diggins in third. Arritola crossed the line in fourth to a cheering crowd, while U.S. SuperTour leader Brooks closed out the day in fifth.

Brooks was crowned U.S. Grand Champion, a title that is awarded to the woman with the most cumulative points in the five race U.S. Championship series.

“It’s really fun to come back after being on the World Cup all year and see all the domestic racers and have some fun here in Sun Valley,” said Randall.

The U.S. SuperTour Finals resume Tuesday with the men’s and women’s prologue race and continue through next Saturday, April 2.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

U.S. SuperTour Finals/U.S. Cross Country Championships

Sun Valley, ID – March 27, 2011

30k Classic Technique

1. Kikkan Randall, Anchorage (APUNSC/U.S. Ski Team), 1:31:27.4

2. Maria Graefnings, Sweden (University of Utah), +9.7

3. Jessie Diggins, Afton, MN (CXC Team), +28.1

4. Morgan Arritola, Fairfield, ID (SVSEF/U.S. Ski Team), +42.7

5. Holly Brooks, Anchorage (APUNSC), +2:10.2

6. Kate Fitzgerald, Palmer, AK (APUNSC), +2:57.8

7. Sadie Bjornsen, Winthrop, WA (APUNSC), +3:42.7

8. Chelsea Holmes, Truckee, CA (Sugar Bowl Academy), +4:54.0

9. Nicole Deyong, Ketchum, ID (SVSEF), +5:43.3

10. Becca Rorabaugh, Fairbanks, AK (APUNSC), +6:39.0

A wind advisory is in effect through 8pm. Upper lifts will operate weather permitting. Check out the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

U.S. Ski Team

Devin Logan (West Dover, VT) sailed above the competition to take her first U.S. title, winning the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships women’s halfpipe skiing event. David Wise (Reno, NV) earned his third U.S. crown in four years with a win Saturday at Stratton Mountain.

With back-to-back podium finishes in last weekend’s halfpipe World Cup double header in France, both Logan and Wise were brimming with confidence and full of momentum going into Saturday’s competition.

Standing with Wise on the podium was Marshall Lacroix (Bondville, VT) who came in second and Aaron Blunck (Crested Butte, CO) who finished third.

Logan, who was runner up at the U.S. Championships in 2009, was joined on the podium by Dara Howell (Canada) in second and Maddie Bowman (S. Lake Tahoe, CA) third.

Sunday, March 27 will be the final day of the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships. Dual moguls will close out this action packed season ending competition.

Halfpipe skiing is one of five events being considering for possible inclusion in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. The International Olympic Committee will announce it’s decision next week.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships

Stratton Mountain, VT – March 26, 2011

Halfpipe Skiing

Men

1. David Wise, Reno, NV, 46.00

2. Marshall Lacroix, Bondville, VT, 45.80

3. Aaron Blunck, Crested Butte, CO, 44.90

–

4. Broby Leeds, Vail, CO, 39.10

5. Bily Mann, Truckee, CA, 38.60

6. Alex Ferreira, Aspen, CO, 38.1

7. Daniel Rosenblum, Stamford, CT, 38.0

8. John Leonard, Vail, CO, 37.80

9. Even Schwartz, Weston, CT, 37.40

10. Ben Parker, Bellevue, ID, 33.60

11. James Campbell, Windham, NH, 31.10

12. Evan Walls, Manchester, MA, 31.00

Women

1. Devin Logan, West Dover, VT, 36.80

2. Dara Howell, Canada, 31.80

3. Maddie Bowman, Lake Tahoe, CA, 31.60

–

4. Kendall Deighan, Vail, CO, 31.30

5. Annalisa Drew, Andover, MA, 30.50

6. Chloe Lee, Park City, UT, 25.10

7. Hannah Haupt, Sun Valley, ID, 23.30

8. Keni Maras, Lake Geneva, WI, 21.80

9. Blake Peterson, Park City, UT, 19.50

10. Emily Simpkins, Salt Lake City, UT, 16.50

11. Jeanee Crane-Mauzy, Waterville Valley, NH, 14.50

12. Eden Netelkos, Underhill, VT, 14.00

13. Peaches Harrison, Park City, UT, 13.70

By Kathryn Reed

Frustration isn’t the emotion one should have while cross country skiing.

But this particular day it was my word of choice – at least initially. So I took the skis off, stuck them in the snow hoping no one would walk off with them, and decided to walk the golf course.

Sue Wood uses the disc golf basket at Bijou to clean her skis. Photos/Kathryn Reed

Sue stayed on her skis, which eventually turned out to be the better choice.

Not too long into my walk and her ski we came across a woman on skis wondering where mine were. I said I took them off because I wasn’t able to glide with all the snow piling up on them and that it was easier to walk. She suggested using cooking spray on the bottom, saying it will seem like the best wax job ever.

I plan to take her advice before I venture out on my skis again.

Plenty of snow on this particular day had me sinking knee deep. Sue glided in the tracks laid by earlier recreationists. At that point I was frustrated again – wishing I had my skis.

Despite my poor judgment in what to have on my feet for the outing, the beauty brought me out of funk.

Like most golf courses, this municipal facility is in a scenic location. And like most golf courses – it’s flat.

That combination makes it a great trek for all ability levels.

It also allows for short or long outings; out and backs; loops; and various entry points.

Trails are all over Bijou Golf Course. This is a perfect trek for people living in the neighborhood. They don’t have to drive anywhere.

And although the park has an area just for dogs, the golf course provides them an even larger playground.

The nine-hole course usually opens in May. The city’s Parks and Recreation website still has the opening day for 2010 listed.

Getting there:

From the Y in South Lake Tahoe, turn right on Al Tahoe Boulevard. Go through the intersection at Johnson Boulevard. Turn left into Bijou Community Park. Go straight and park as far down as you can.

ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder (Click on photos to enlarge.)

By Jeff Delong, Reno Gazette-Journal

Awesome. Stunning. Wild.

Superlatives described the Sierra’s snowy situation Friday after a powerful spring storm layered the mountains in feet of fresh snow, building on amounts already deposited during what many are calling the heaviest winter season in years.

“It’s so crazy,” said Penny Pritchard as she and her roommate Christina Medefesser shoveled several feet of fresh snow that had buried cars overnight at their Donner Lake home.

A native of Bend, Ore., and a Tahoe-area resident for seven years, Pritchard knows something about snow. Or thought she did. “This is by far the most snow I’ve ever seen,” said Pritchard, 25. “I’ve never seen snow this high.”

At Alpine Meadows ski resort — which received more than 3 feet of fresh snow over the 24 hours prior to Friday morning — this winter is one for the record books. Seasonal snowfall at Alpine’s lodge thus far is more than 46 feet.

It’s the most snow Alpine has recorded since a record winter of 1994-95, when the lodge received 55 feet over the course of the year.

At Alpine’s upper elevations, some 65 feet of snow has fallen so far this season.

“We’re on track to have one of the snowiest winters in our history,” Alpine spokeswoman Rachael Woods said. “It’s incredible to see the change here over the last three weeks.”

At Soda Springs west of Donner Summit, entire houses are buried in snow, sitting by the road as hummocks of white.

Read the whole story

A winter weather advisory is in effect through 5pm. Snow and wind are already impacting upper lifts. See today’s ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

U.S. Snowboarding News

AROSA, Switzerland – U.S. Snowboarding landed two athletes on the final snowboardcross World Cup podium of the season Friday in Arosa with Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton, VT) second and Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, MI) third.

After missing the podium on Thursday, SBX star Jacobellis wasn’t going to let another podium spot go by Friday. Jacobellis qualified for the finals in first, setting the pace for the rest of the day as she raced her way into the large finals.

“It was really challenging with the warm weather,” said Jacobellis, “I have had a tremendous season and won some important events.”

Jacobellis charged out of the start taking the hole shot and leading most of the way before Thursday’s winner Alexandra Jekova made an impressive pass to clinch her second victory in 24-hours.

“I wasn’t planning on competing in the World Cup as intensely this year,” said Jacobellis. “I am very proud of my season, after missing the first couple of World Cups I was able to come back and have some success.”

Jacobellis ended the season placing third in the SBX World Cup standings with 3610 points. Dominique Maltais of Canada won the SBX World Cup globe with 4800 points, while Alexandra Jekova of Bulgaria was second with 4040 points.

In the men’s large finals, Baumgartner, who qualified for finals in third, kept the momentum going advancing to the large finals. With many of the top SBX riders eliminated to the small final, the six riders in the large final charged down the course with eyes set on the podium.

Baumgartner ended an incredible season grabbing a podium spot in third. Luca Matteotti of Italy finished second and Alex Pullin of Australia took the top spot in Friday’s final world cup winning his first World Cup.

“Getting on the podium springboards me into the next season” said Baumgartner, 2011 X games Gold Medalists. “I’ve learned what I need to work on, and next year I am going for everything.”

Pullin took full advantage of the opportunity clinching the SBX overall World Cup title with 3270 points. Followed closely behind in second was Pierre Vaultier of France with 3210 points. Jonathon Cheever (Saugus, MA) ended his incredible season finishing third in the overall standings with 2690 points.

This concludes the SBX World Cup season. Competition will continue Saturday with men’s and women’s halfpipe competition.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

FIS World Cup

Arosa, Switzerland – March 25, 2011

Snowboardcross

Men

1. Alex Pullin, Australia

2. Luca Matteotti, Italy

3. Nick Baumgarnter, Iron River, MI

–

10. Jarod Minghini, South Lake Tahoe, CA

13. Alex Tuttle, Stratton, ME

17. Nate Holland, Squaw Valley, CA

35. Jayson Hale, Sierraville, CA

41. Jonathan Cheever, Saugus, MA

42. Seth Wescott, Sugarloaf, ME

45. Robert Minghini, South Lake Tahoe, CA

Women

1. Alexandra Jekova, Bulgaria

2. Lindsey Jacobellis, Stratton, VT

3. Nelly Moenne Loccoz, France

–

11. Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, Girdwood, AK

17. Chloe Banning, Steamboat Springs, CO

19. Jenna Feldman, Linwood, NJ

–

Did not qualify for finals

25. Carries Uren, Randle, WA

For complete results: www.fis-ski.com

Final SBX World Cup Standings

Men

1. Alex Pullin, Australia, 3270

2. Pierre Vaultier, France, 3210

3. Jonathan Cheever, Saugus, MA, 2690

Women

1. Dominique Maltais, Canada, 4800

2. Alexandra Jekova, Bulgaria, 4040

3. Lindsey Jacobellis, Stratton, VT, 3610

For final standings: www.fis-ski.com

By Jeff Delong, Reno Gazette-Journal

The road over a dam at a popular Sierra reservoir will be closed next week because of security concerns, blocking access for many Reno-area boaters come summer.

With Boca Reservoir expected to fill to the brim for the first time in years, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is forced to close the road to cars and trucks beginning April 1 and through the summer, bureau spokesman Pete Lucero said.

“We’ve reached that level where it’s a security concern issue,” Lucero said. “When the water gets that high, it’s something we do.”

It’s something the bureau last did, for the first time, in 2006. It wasn’t necessary any of the subsequent four years because dry winters kept water levels at Boca low, Lucero said. A heavy winter year changed things.

Lucero declined to discuss specific security concerns regarding the dam but acknowledged the move is associated with a study of all the bureau’s dams and reservoirs ordered after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“It’s not something we can say,” Lucero said. “We just can’t disclose what the serious issue is. That would be a breach on our part.”

Read the whole story

By Gretchen Weber, Climate Watch

Environmental groups are criticizing the Obama Administration’s new proposed rules for managing the country’s nearly 200 million acres of national forest, arguing that they weaken current standards for protecting wildlife and watersheds.

More than 100 organizations, including the Natural Resources Defense Council and Defenders of Wildlife, signed on to a letter sent to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Monday, arguing that the proposal “fails to provide critical, concrete protections for the most precious resources of our forests — water and wildlife,” and that it “weakens the strong standards for safeguarding water quality and wildlife viability first issued in 1982 by the Reagan Administration and currently still in place.”

In a February press release announcing the new proposed rules, the USDA (which manages the Forest Service) touted the new proposal as creating increased protections for water resources and an “improved ability to respond to climate change and other stressors through provisions to restore and maintain healthy and resilient ecosystems.”

Read the whole story