Tough competition for junior racers at Spirit Mountain

Caleb Phillips navigates the slalom course. Caleb finished sixth in the 8 – 9 yearold boys’ races at Spirit Mountain.

Race five of the Northland Junior Race Series was held at Spirit Mountain on Sunday, February 7. Twenty-three racers from the Lutsen Mountains Junior Ski Team skied one run of giant slalom and one run of slalom. They raced in a field of 115 area skiers on two fast and icy courses set by Team Duluth. Racers under eight skied two runs of giant slalom.

This race was loaded with Central Division USSA athletes who were having a bye week in their schedule. Our racers held their own, especially in the first run of giant slalom against tough competition. The slalom run led to a number of falls by some of our best racers, which led to mixed final results.

Slalom was introduced to the program last year and the racers have been training this difficult discipline every Tuesday evening under the Lutsen Mountains lights on Ullr. The next race for Team Lutsen will be two runs of slalom at Mont Du Lac on Sunday February 21.

Race results:

Boys

Halle Lamb speeds through the giant slalom course, earning first place in the 6 – 7 year-old girls competition.

J ust like the Ol ympian s, th e North land Junior Race Series par ticipants fa ce d fast a nd icy cou rses at Spi rit Mo untain this week. (L-R) Haley Lau ren Thompson and Ava Mc Milla n re laxing after the race.