February 10, 2022 – Slinger, WI – It was the slalom and giant slalom season final for the Slinger Snowboard team and they finished stronger than ever.
Racers traveled to one of the most challenging courses in Wisconsin located at Mt. Lacrosse. This snowboard race weekend was unique because it was in collaboration with the Upper Midwest Best series. Snowboard racers are members of the Midwest Best series which is a team under the USASA club which is how the national scorings are counted.
In order to boost national rankings, racers were able to take part in a fifth race under this series based in Minnesota. The competition-hungry racers took this wonderful opportunity to their advantage and sent it hard both days.
The course was set on the typical terrain that the WIARA High school State championships take place at; this was to the advantage of the Waukesha, Hartford, and Slinger teams as they will be facing this course again in two weeks.
This hill features a slow and steady slope that quickly turns 90 degrees into one of the steepest terrains in the state of Wisconsin. While most racers fell during the giant slalom race, all the competitors enjoyed the experience.
Gavin Braun, a Slinger freshman, had his first experience with this terrain this weekend. “I enjoyed the experience, but it was very difficult and an unusual course. I feel prepared to face this terrain in the future looking towards the state competition,” Braun said. However, most of the experienced racers excelled and the results showed just that. On Sunday, medalists included Slinger freshman Emma Smith with bronze, Slinger Junior Ava Stortz taking gold, Slinger sophomore Mickey DeLong with silver and Slinger Junior Delaney Braun with Gold. Sydney Kebbekus, Slinger sophomore, had her first podium of the season finishing third place. For the boys, medalists included Slinger sophomore Jack Bullis in second, and Slinger seniors Ethan Smith and Isaac DeWalt finishing in second and third.
To relieve the racers from the hardships of the morning, the slalom course was set on a smaller terrain very straight and surfy. This resulted in many close times making competitive energy very high. Medalists included Emma Smith with bronze, Stortz and Braun both with another set of golds, and DeLong taking yet another silver. Bullis and Ethan Smith both secured second once again and Luke Schmitt, Slinger sophomore, secured a bronze. Jackson St. Antoine, Hartford sophomore, took third in giant slalom.
Next weekend is the final weekend for the Midwest Best series events. Saturday and Sunday are the final boardercross races before the high school snowboard racers take on the WIARA State Championships at Mt. Lacrosse in Lacrosse Wisconsin. After the state championships, the top qualifiers for the USASA Snowboard Club will be invited to the 2022 USASA National Snowboard Championships at Copper Mountain in Colorado at the beginning of April.
