MASTERS SEASON ENDS
The Intermountain Masters closed the 2007-2008 season with a cup, two GS's, and a party where the coach brought the elk he had hunted down and cooked to perfection.
But the final race was a showpiece for the Snowbasin race department, which proved that it is the best RD in the Rocky Mountain west, if not the entire country.
Despite freezing temperatures, with more than a foot of heavy, wet overnight snow, the long (average 70 seconds) GS course was kept smooth and rut free by constant slipping and gate maintenance from RD staff and volunteers. Many of the racers put their bibs over jackets or vests and raced with them on, despite the increase in time from the extra bulk.
Saturday's race was marked by the fact that for once, top racer Dana Leach didn't win. Her 2:16.70 was topped by Weber State racer Natalie Brower, with 2:11.10. Brower would have been third in the 10-man superseed of fastest racers.
On Sunday, the season's final awards were given out. Thunder Jalili, who has become a serious contender since last year, won the most improved title for the men. Intermountain's rising star Donna Allen, in only her second season racing, won for the women. Allen also was awarded a red bib, given to the fastest six women racers.
The most serious competition over both days was between the top two men, Ryan Leach and Bob Skinner. Saturday, Leach took Skinner 2:06.32 to 2:10.20. Sunday, Skinner was determined to kick Leach's booty. It looked like a tie as Leach came down with the seconds ticking away on the timer and a crowd at the finish shouting in excitement. The final results were close enough to really hurt--Skinner, 2:09.47; Leach, 2:09.33.
At the Masters National Championships 10 days earlier, Intermountain Masters won the division cup, despite being vastly outnumbered by the Far West division and others. The victory was celebrated at the traditional season end party, to which excellent hunter Bill Skinner brought cuts of delicious and tender elk meat and tasty smoked wild goose he had caught. Skinner was off to Austria for the Masters World Championships on Saturday, but he sent an email to everyone wishing them all a good race.
His wish was granted.