United States Ski Mountaineering Association Randonee Race Results
There’s a unique breed of skier that enjoys the uphill as much as, if not more than, the descent.
A posse of these incredible athletes gathered under bluebird skies this past Saturday to compete in the USSMA Randonee race.
Photo courtesy Jeanette Boner, Valley Citizen
The racers started at the base of Dreamcatcher chairlift and ascended Sweetwater to the top of Fred’s Mountain. The first descent took competitors through Lightning Trees and Instructor Chutes where they began the second climb in the race, skinning up the Teton Vista Traverse to the top of Mary’s Nipple. After skiing to the saddle between Mary’s and Peaked Mountain, the rec category competitors descended into Fourth of July Bowl and finished the race. The Race and Heavy Metal classes hiked the backside of Peaked, skied Booshway and finished it off with a 2000 ft skin up Colter’s Run before heading into Fourth of July bowl and back to the base area.
Total uphill vertical = 5000 feet. Total course distance = 7.5 miles.
(no time to check out the great views of the Grand - it’s a quick switch from uphill to downhill mode for these competitors)
photo courtesy Jeanette Boner/Valley Citizen
Congratulations to all of the winners and competitors, all of whom displayed admirable athleticism throughout the event. The top three finishers from the race class are now qualified for the worlds in Andorra. Best of luck to them!
