Masters: Jans Cup underway in Intermountain

A host of eager Masters racers kicked off the New Year in style Jan. 3 and 4 by competing in a pair of slalom races at Snowbasin.
Saturday’s action saw Jenny Badger take first place overall among women, with Amy Lanzel and Judy Gooch coming in 2nd and 3rd respectively.A host of eager Masters racers kicked off the New Year in style Jan. 3 and 4 by competing in a pair of slalom races at Snowbasin.
Saturday’s action saw Jenny Badger take first place overall among women, with Amy Lanzel and Judy Gooch coming in 2nd and 3rd respectively.

On the men’s side Bob Skinner came from behind to squeak out first place over Craig Norton by 0.12 seconds, while newcomer Tim Witman captured 3rd place.

Sunday greeted the racers with a beautiful and sunny, but very cold day. Under perfect snow conditions Norton and Skinner again battled for the top spot.

Norton skied a perfect 2nd run and outclassed the field for his first career victory in Intermountain competition. Bob Skinner beat out his brother Bill for 2nd place in competitive racing action.

Dana Alexandrescu-Leach took first in the women’s race, Dasha Kadulova landed in 2nd, and college racer Eliz Babilis narrowly held off Amy Lanzel by a mere 0.15 seconds for 3rd place.

After the first races of the 2009 campaign, Amy Lanzel and Dasha Kadulova are tied for first place in the women’s Jans Cup standings, with Bob Skinner and Craig Norton tied for first on the men’s side.

Given the tight competition during the opening weekend, it promises to be an exciting season for all. The Jans Cup this year features 9 events in Utah at Park City Mountain Resort, Snowbasin, and Wolf Mountain. The overall winners receive gift certificates from Jans Mountain Outfitters and their names engraved on the coveted Jans Cup trophy that has been running continuously for 14 years.

The next scheduled event is the Pendleton/Loritz memorial races Jan. 17-18 at Park City Mountain Resort.
Registration is open for all competitors over 21 at the Park City Resort race department, or contact Bill Skinner (bskinner@ussa.org) for more information.