Nine (9) racers competed in the Wisp Classic GS.  Congratulations to J. Allegra (J5) as he finishes His 1^st USSA Race after a tough 1^st try a week ago.  S. Rost (J5) returns to the podium with her best effort of the year with a 3^rd place finish.  Sloan becomes the 8^th HVRC racer to bring home a USSA trophy this year!  R. Bigatel (J4) earns her second consecutive 3^rd place finish and appears to be in line for a State Derby bid.  J. Bigatel (J6) medals for the 3^rd week in a row with a 3^rd place finish.  C. Bigatel (J5) wins his second race of the year making it a Bigatel sweep for the day!  N. Blasey (J3) appears to be writing his own State Derby invite with another 2^nd place finish.  R. Manson (Alpine Referee) set the 2^nd course for this race and he’s very happy to say that all of our racers finished that course successfully.  For the racers that competed, race photos are available at www.deepcreekphotos.com. 

We have one practice on Saturday.  The morning practice will be a GS practice on Imperial from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  This will be a GS style practice.  Meet outside old Glaciers booted up and ready to go. 

Open Cup Race is scheduled on Comet at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 28^th.  The Open Cup assignment spreadsheet is here Open Cup Volunteer Schedule   Please make sure you are available to help or have arranged for a substitute when you are scheduled to assist.  Set-up begins at 11:00 AM and teardown usually occurs about 3:00 PM.   

J1 – J6 racers planning to compete in the Critchfield GS at 7 Springs on Sunday, January 29^th should be registered by January 24^th.  We normally recommend that racers have competed in a USSA GS event before trying slalom so this is a good race for first-timers.  Please let the coaches know if you are planning to race so we can advise you on procedures.  

J1 – J2 racers planning to compete in the PA Cup #3 (GS, #4 (SL, and #5 (GS) at Blue Mountain on Friday/Saturday/Sunday, February 3^rd – 5^th should be registering by January 25^th .  Please let the coaches know if you are planning to race so we can advise you on procedures.   

J1 – J6 racers planning to compete in the Dupres Slalom at 7 Springs on Sunday, February 5^th should be registering by January 31^st .  Please let the coaches know if you are planning to race so we can advise you on procedures.   This is the final regional qualifying race for state derbies. 

J1 – J2 racers planning to compete in the PA Cup #6 (GS, #7 (SL, and #8 (GS) at Elk Mountain on Friday/Saturday/Sunday, February 24^th  – 26^th should be registering by February 10^th .  Please let the coaches know if you are planning to race so we can advise you on procedures.   

Our annual Race Clinic is scheduled for Saturday/Sunday, February 11-12.  HVRC Racers attend at no incremental cost.  Club parents should plan on assisting with clinic activities.  The clinic will run from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Saturday and from 10:00 AM – Noon on Sunday.  The clinic concludes with an Open Cup Race at 1:00 PM on Sunday.   

The Open Cup Race on February 12^th will be the inaugural running of the Critchfield-Hidden Valley Race. Critchfield Construction is sponsoring this race and there will be t-shirts for all competitors.   As many of you know, Rich Critchfield was one of the charter organizers for HVRC and was a part of the coaching staff for several years after a longtime association with Hidden Valley as a ski instructor.  Critchfield Construction has been a sponsor of HVRC in other ways dating back to the origination of HVRC in late 2004.  If you are planning to race at this Open Cup, please let us know by Sunday, February 5^th.    

Rebecca and Sandy are organizing a ski swap for clinic weekend.  

Special Olympics is scheduled for Monday/Tuesday, February 13^th-14^th.  Set-up on both Monday and Tuesday starts at 6:30 AM.  This is the 1^st of our volunteer efforts for HV.  If you are available to help with set-up and teardown, please advise either Ralph or Steve. 

Croatian Race at HV will occur on Saturday, February 25^th.  We will need help setting and running this race.  This race is our other volunteer effort for HV.  Please advise J.Eicher or. R. Manson if you are able to assist.  We are also asking that our J1-J3 racers assist with this event.