Racers savor season-ending Loveland Derby

Racers gathered April 14-15 for one last chance to bash some gates at the 47th annual Loveland Derby.
    Overall, the races went well, said Loveland race director C.B. Bechtel. The resort received 40 inches of snow during the week before the race, but the course crew was able to clear it off. “We have a great crew that puts on a great race,” Bechtel said.
LOVELAND SKI AREA, Colorado — Racers gathered April 14-15 for one last chance to bash some gates at the 47th annual Loveland Derby.
    Overall, the races went well, said Loveland race director C.B. Bechtel. The resort received 40 inches of snow during the week before the race, but the course crew was able to clear it off. “We have a great crew that puts on a great race,” Bechtel said.
    This year’s races attracted an enormous turnout — 617 racers coming from all over the United States and even beyond. This year’s derby consisted of eight races: one women’s race, one age-class race and two men’s races both days. With nearly 250 men, organizers opted to split the field between two races, sending the pace team down both.
    The derby gives racers a last chance to lower their points. Bechtel said the event typically attracts some top racers. “We basically ran minimum penalties all weekend,” he said. He also explained that the derby brings together racers who don’t usually race against each other. “Younger kids who don’t race nationally get to see their competition from across the country,” he said.
    One tradition with the Loveland Derby is racing in costume, and this year, one of the highlights, according to Bechtel, was a cowboy who lassoed his competition while freeskiing. He also noted that all the Teletubbies showed up.
Ben Brown won three men’s slaloms, with Eric Davis taking the fourth, while Kate Hosking topped the field in both women’s slaloms. In age-class action, Peter Papineau Jr. won two slaloms, and Katie Hostetler won two on the female side.
    Awards for each race were given within age classes. Full results can be found at lovelandracing.com/derby/derby_results.htm. You can also find pictures at skipix.com.