Skiing trumps age at 26th annual Town Downhill

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

By Brigid Mander

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-In front of one of the biggest and most enthusiastic crowds that have ever turned out for the event, skiers from every age group (18 to 75) gave their all. The Town Downhill provides the perfect example of skiing passion transcending age, and bringing the community together to have a good time. Skiing and ski-racing is truly a lifetime sport, and this is what the club seeks to acknowledge with this race.

The course was perfect, racers said - it was fast and stayed fast all day. First time competitor and snowboard coach for the JH Ski Club Charles Turquie was the only snowboarder to begin his race in the chute, the ungroomed, bootpacked start reserved only for the pro classes. Decked out in a 1980s one piece speed suit, he got it done in his freestyle gear and survived the chute on one edge. “It was fast!” he said, grinning, and after the first time could definitely see himself doing it again. He wouldn’t be the first to get addicted to the speed and the stoke of the event and to return year after year.

As usual, the men’s pro ski division boasted a plethora of fast skiers, but hometown native and ski racer Shayne Hansen bested the rest of the men by more than a second, with podium staple Sean Clark in second place, followed by Bob Kilmain in third.
The women’s pro ski division saw the most competitors yet, with five women who took up the challenge of starting in the notoriously gnarly chute. Another Jackson ski racing native, Crystal Wright, took the top spot, and was 10th overall in time for pro racers in men’s or women’s. Elisha Stephens and Chelsea Robinson rounded out the podium.
The festivities ended the day with prizes given out to the top finishers in each category and an after party at 43 North, as well as plenty of parties that followed that après session for another successful race.

Sponsors like Red Bull, coveted prizes like Igneous Skis, and DJ Cutter spinning at the bottom made for one of the most festive Town Downhills yet. Full results can be found at www.jhskiclub.org. Next up for big time community competition is the Pole Pedal Paddle, coming up April 5, with registration and information available on the Ski Club website.


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Skiing trumps age at 26th annual Town Downhill | Planet JH News Article: Sports & Recreation

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