For the week of February 12-18, 2003

Ski joring nationals come to Hailey

Saturday and Sunday

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Smokey Mountain Ski Joring Association organizers had already planned to hold a weekend race event in Hailey on the weekend of Feb. 15-16.

Now the winter event that matches horses with skiers and boarders is bigger and better than anticipated.

On Feb. 3, the North American Ski Joring Association notified local organizers that due to race cancellations nationally, the Feb. 15-16 Hailey event had been chosen as the official 2003 North American Ski Joring Championship.

The course will be set up at the Wood River BMX track three miles west of Hailey.

Smokey Mountain director Kurtis Stutz of Hailey and Fairfield said his group welcomed the big event with open arms. "This is a perfect opportunity to show the national circuit that we are capable of holding a championship-level race in the Wood River Valley."

This weekend’s event will benefit Rotarun Ski Area and Wood River BMX. Admission for spectators is $3 adults, free for kids under 12.

Last season Smokey Mountain Ski Joring Association raised $2,000 for the Sagebrush Equine Training program for the Handicapped, and another $1,200 for lights for the Fairfield football field.

Here are the details about the big weekend:

• Friday, Feb. 14: Pre-registration from 7-9 p.m. at Red Elephant Saloon, Hailey.
  
   
• Saturday, Feb. 15: Race day sign-ups at the track from 9-10:30 a.m. and racing at noon. Dance and auction at 7 p.m. at Sam’s Club, Bellevue.
  
   
• Sunday, Feb. 16: Racing at noon. Awards afterward at Red Elephant Saloon.

 

Divisions for competitors:

Sport, Women and Open (NASJA point events) for 18-and-over: Cost is $75 per team for Open (Pro); $50 for Sport; $30 for Women (both rider and skier female).

Junior divisions (both rider and skier 17-and-under): Cost $20 per team, trophies awarded. Pee Wee (don’t have to go off jumps) for 12-and-under—No entry fee.

Long Jump ($40 per team) is an event where a skier sees how far he or she can fly off a six-foot jump. There are Snowboard classes as well, for 18-and-over and 17-and-under.

The new Local Beginners (18-and-over, $40 per team) race is for those teams who want to try Ski Joring for the first time and don’t want to go into the tough competition.

For information on the national circuit contact North American Ski Joring Association at www.nasja.com.

 

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