Skiers Participate In Silver Mt. Competition

KELLOGG, IDAHO -- Alex Naylor skied to victory in the second heat of his Skier Cross race at Silver Mountain, on Jan. 7.

Second place, National Women's SkiCross Champion Sarah Koehler is right on his heels.

The WOO CREW from the Touchet Valley, Walla Walla and Tri-Cities competed at the first of four United States of American Snowboard Association (USASA) sanctioned races this past weekend at Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho.

Snow conditions were challenging with less than 50 percent of the annual snow pack normally received at this time.

Icy conditions let to many crashes. Blake Morasche left the mountain in a ski patrol sled after losing control on an icy bump and careening out of control into the crowd.

The snowshoer observing the race event was unharmed.

He injured his shoulder and was treated at the base lodge for a torn rotator cuff muscle and he was unable to ski his second heat.

Mike Koehler, of Kennewick, donned a bib and finished first in his age class, 19 and older. This was his first competition and the father of three was elated about his experience.

"This course was fast, but great fun for an old guy, WOO WOO!" he exclaimed. Koehler will celebrate his 51st birthday in March.

Sarah Morgan, 22, of Cheney, finished first in her series, Skier Women 19 and older. She is the national second place champion from 2010 and 2011 and trained with the U.S. Olympic Skier Cross team at Mt. Hood last summer. She is vying for a spot on the 2014 Olympic Team. The 2014 Games will be held in Moscow, Russia.

Naylor was paired with other ski cross racers outside his age group. His race was uncontested in the men's 16- 18 age group.

The USASA is a nonprofi t organization supporting competitive snowboard and ski cross racing in the United States. The Inland Northwest Series is led by coach Nick Morgan of Kennewick.

Ski Cross is a fast paced, competitive sport. Skiers compete with skiers and snowboarders with snowboarders through a course of bumps, jumps, banked turns and flats.

Competitors earn points for finishing their races and compete for the opportunity to race at Nationals in Copper Mountain, Colo., April 2-6. The USASA will hold its first ever sanctioned race at Bluewood on February 11-12. Entry fees for one time heat races are $25. If you have ever dreamed of boarder cross or skier cross racing, this is your time. Non-monetary awards are presented to the first, second and third place finishers and corporate sponsors donate lots of gifts given via a raffle.

Other scheduled races are Jan. 21-22 at Mt. Spokane and Feb. 25-26 at 49 Degrees North, near Chewela.