Wednesday, July 21, 2004

Ketchum skiers head to New Zealand’s steeps

Deuter, Daluiso, Crist in the Coronet 50k

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By MICHAEL AMES
Express Staff Writer

For most of us, skiing all winter satisfies our snowy cravings. For an even vaster majority, skiing during daylight hours alone is sufficient.

For Brett Deuter, Reggie Crist, and Brian Daluiso, neither summer’s heat nor night’s dark veil will block the passage to round-the-clock, summer-time ski racing. To these hard core Ketchum skiers, August brings to mind not long hot days, but mid-winter, midnight skiing on the southern hemisphere’s steepest slopes.

The Hewlett-Packard 50K of Coronet Peak, New Zealand, is held each August and Deuter, Crist and Daluiso are traveling to the Kiwi resort for the all-night downhill marathon as Team USA. They depart July 24 for the Aug. 2 race.

The 50K challenges each team—one male team and one female team from each country—to an 18-hour, non-stop downhill starting at 6 p.m. in the evening and wrapping up at 10 a.m. the following morning.

The teams of three have two racers on the course at all times, while the third alternates out for rest, food, water and "aggressive rubdowns" from the massage therapists provided by the event.

In addition to the on-site support, each team includes technical and non-technical assistance.

Technical assistance for Team USA will come from Ketchum’s Caleb Baukol and a pair of Jackson Hole technicians. Non-technical support will aid the team with energy rich food, water, and general moral support during the grueling 18-hour race.

Team USA

The last time Deuter raced in the New Zealand 50K, Team USA finished fourth and only 1,000 feet short of the 50K goal.

Team captain Olin Glenne of Ketchum was slated to bring his team back to Coronet this year. But when Glenne suffered a knee injury this spring in Sun Valley, Deuter took over as captain and recruited seasoned veterans Crist and Daluiso.

Deuter and Crist, both professional free skiers, have competed in Big Mountain Extreme events as well as SkierX races. Daluiso and Crist are both former Sun Valley ski team members; both have raced in World Cup events and Crist competed in the speed events for the US Ski Team.

A Wood River High School English teacher, Daluiso coached the Wolverine boys’ varsity soccer team to three state championships before stepping down late last year.

Jet lag? No such thing

To beat the adverse effects of jetlag, Team USA is denying that adversity exists.

"We basically power through the night," said Deuter. By embracing a nocturnal lifestyle, whether quietly or otherwise, Team USA plans on using its travel handicap to its advantage.

"One we get there we take advantage of the jetlag—get on a schedule that supports staying up all night," Deuter said. "And drink a lot of Red Bull."

A charity event

All proceeds from the HP Coronet 50K will be donated to a New Zealand charity called Cure Kids, an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of children suffering from terminal illnesses.

Each team brings a gift to be auctioned at the race with proceeds also benefiting Cure Kids.

Team USA is seeking a sponsor to donate a gift for this cause. Any interested individuals or businesses should call Brett Deuter at 720-0952.

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