BART Skiers Finish At Top

NORTH POWDER, OR - The Bluewood Alpine Race Team youth skiers attended their only nonleague event this past weekend, February 19- 20, at Anthony Lakes Ski Area.

Bluewood skiers captured 12 podium spots over the weekend, which didn't surprise their coach. "I saw a lot of our skiers make their best runs so far this season" said head coach Hal White, who hopes they will carry new confidence back to league racing next weekend at Mt. Spokane.

Hosted by the Anthony Lakes Ski Racing Association, last weekend's event is a favorite of the team each year, according to White.

"Anthony Lakes is a less competitive venue that is perfect as a first race or for building confidence", he said. "For most of our skiers, this is the first place they will ever race."

This year, Katie Mc- Michael of Walla Walla started her racing career with first and fourth place finishes in Slalom and Giant Slalom, respectively.

Topping the list of athletes that may benefit from this experience is White's son, Hayden, who shook off the specter of incomplete runs that haunted his early season and finished first in both events, not only winning his age class but beating the entire field in Giant Slalom and all but one racer in Slalom.

"We have been waiting for Hayden to have a break-out event," said Program Director Curtis Siess, who shares White's pride in Hayden's results. "He is one of our best athletes and perhaps the most naturally gifted skier on the team, but he has had a hard time putting together two successful runs. His results haven't reflected his talent."

Several other BART skiers had weekends that may propel them on to better finishes the rest of the season. Maxim Pellet continued his steady improvement, sharing the podium with Hayden both days and with teammate Cody Worden in Giant Slalom. All three of the team's J6 skiers finished strong, with five podium spots between them.

Another member of the White family, Halle, had to hike to complete her Slalom run but rebounded with a second-place finish in the Giant Slalom.

The Bluewood youth team will be competing in two Slalom events at Mt. Spokane February 26-27.

Bluewood Alpine Race Team Stats from Anthony Lakes, February 19-20:

Name | Class | Slalom | Giant Slalom

Mackenzie Davis | Ladies J-6(7-8) | 3rd | 2nd

Evangeline Siess | Ladies J-6 | 1st | 1st

Sophie Pellet | Ladies J-5(9-10) | 4th | 6th

Halle White | Ladies J-5 | 5th | 2nd

Katie McMichael | Ladies J-0(13 and older) | 1st | 4th

Andrew Worden | Men's J-6 | 4th | 2nd

Tyler Abramson | Men's J-4(11-12) | DNS | DNS

Maxime Pellet | Men's J-4 | 3rd | 2nd

Jonathan Rasch | Men's J-4 | 5th | 6th

Max Vandersloot | Men's J-4 | 4th | 7th

Hayden White | Men's J-4 | 1st | 1st

Cody Worden | Men's J-4 | 6th | 3rd

DSQ - Disqualified, (Run Number), DNF - Did Not Finish, DNS - Did Not Start