Close to 70 racers cheered on by spectators and revelers came out to Rotarun Ski Hill Friday evening for the annual on-snow, off-snow hijinks known as the Rotarun Ripper.
Amazingly, there was no horrible weather and other poltergeists that usually haunt the event, which is part of the 25th annual Sun Valley Telemark Series—longest running telemark series in the U.S.
The mob of darkside bombers enjoyed a night of bombing downhill on Chris Page's challenging and fast hybrid course, and they also drank Sun Valley beer and wolfed down 20 pounds of sloppy joes. The racers retired to Sun Valley Brewery afterward for Ripper booty.
Also known as Bucky Biechele's 50th birthday bash, the Ripper raised $1,200 for the Galena Backcountry Ski Patrol, and the patrol turned around and gave $500 to Rotarun.
Co-race directors Michael Kraynick and Lance Levy thanked all the sponsors and volunteers, including Page, Tim East, Nancy Linscott, Laura Levy and Scott McGrew.
Next: Bob Marley's Birthday Reggae Race sponsored by Black Diamond and Scott USA and the All-Terrain Telemark Powder 8s race sponsored by Tully's is Sunday, Feb. 20 at Soldier Mountain, Fairfield.
Results from the Ripper:
Women's telemark: 1—Jen King 40.00. 2—Amy Oelerich 45.50. 3—Gretchen Peter 45.91. 4—Bruce Smith (ha,ha) 47.49. 5—Laura Kulik 48.91.
Men's telemark: 1—John King 38.21. 2—Lance Levy 38.90. 3—Dan McGregor and Ben Mackay 38.94. 5—Ryan Casey 39.30. 6—Scott McGrew 39.75.
Women's snowboard: 1—Kara Hankes. Men's snowboard and other: 1—Guy Robbins 42.45. 2—Mike Connelly 44.61. 3—Jason Kuehn 47.42. 4—Chris Verill 47.94. 5—Andrew McCabe 49.11.
"Best Dressed" went to Ben Mackay, especially natty in his velour dinner jacket and winter wool army pants, and Juno Farsucchi decked out in leather pants. "DFL" was Todd Krankkala in 68.31.
The "Oldest Returning Veteran," was Rando Edgar, the doughboy, of Escargot Construction, back on skis again after years of being without insurance. He received a set of boot dryer/warmers to keep his old toes warm.
