Park City & Deer Valley

Series Continues to See Growth from Week to Week

The Smartwool Wasatch Citizens Series broke new ground on Saturday.

Four sit-skiers from the University of Utah's Rehabilitation Center participated in their race at Mountain Dell. Victims of skiing, tubing, or auto accidents, these athletes are involved in a program that includes adaptive sports activities.

Winner Robert Ackerman was enthusiastic in his praise of the experience.

"Thank you for giving us an opportunity to compete with everyone else," he said. "We had a great time and hope to do it again soon."

The able-bodied athletes were also excited to be able to watch and cheer for the sit skiers.

It was a particularly good day for a couple of local families. White Pine Touring Center manager Isaac Wilson kept his series winning streak alive with his third in a row, posting an excellent time of 35:37 for the 10 kilometer classic technique event. His wife Dodi also won her age group for the first time this winter, as did daughter Sabine, who beat the other 5-7 year old girls.

The Palmer-Legers were equally successful. Sydney remains undefeated among the 8-9 year old girls, as does Drew in the 10-11 boys group.

Mother Lisa entered her first race of the season, and easily came out ahead in the novice women's class.

The track at Mountain Dell was questionable until the day before Saturday's race. Rain early in the week washed out a few sections and turned the rest to mush. Cold weather in mid-week left a sheet of ice that was much too hard to be even dented by the grooming machine.

Fortunately, it warmed up on Thursday, and a few inches of snow fell on Friday, so the volunteers were able to shovel snow into the gaps and grind up the surface.

Weather on race day was also a factor. Waxing for a classic race in near freezing temperatures is definitely a challenge. It would have been even worse if the heavy snowfall that fell during the day hadn't waited until after the race was over and awards were mostly handed out.

Fastest time of the day, 31:57, was turned in by Ben Sim. The former Australian national team member and World Cup skier had an easier time of it in this race, with Bill Demong home enjoying his new baby, and the University of Utah contingent at their own event at Soldier Hollow.

Best time by a woman was Emma Garrard's 38:53, with rival Roxanne Toly just 1:42 behind. Other Park City female winners were Leah Lange in the 12-13 class, Tanya Swenson in the 45-49 group, Deborah Wagner in 60-65, and Marit Glenne in 65-69.

On the male side of the ledger, Christopher Putt came out ahead in his first appearance in a series event this winter, taking the oldest junior class in a fine time of 36:46. Tom Noaker and David Wagner were easy winners at the other end of the age spectrum.

The next event in the Smartwool Wasatch Citizens Series will be a 10 kilometer skate race at Soldier Hollow on Feb. 12. In the meantime, the top 500-600 junior skiers from around the western United States will be on hand at Soldier Hollow for a Junior Olympic qualification race this Friday and Saturday. This is a great opportunity to see some of Utah's finest young athletes in action.

by Dave Hansom for THE RECORD STAFF : The Park Record

For More Information on Park City and Deer Valley Contact:
Michael Lapay
Prudential Utah Real Estate
Mobile: 435-640-5700
Toll Free: 888-410-7653

mlapay@pureparkcityrealestate.com