Recent snowfall on Baldy has come at an opportune time, with many of the world's top citizen alpine skiers converging on the Sun Valley resort for a week of top-level racing.
The FIS (International Ski Federation) World Masters Criterium officially begins Monday, April 4, with giant slalom and slalom training on the Warm Springs side of Baldy.
Considered the most prestigious event of the International Masters Circuit, the race attracts competitors between 30 and 90 years old. Large delegations from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Sweden are expected in Sun Valley.
Also called the Masters World Cup, the race stops in the U.S. only once every five years.
An opening ceremony and Parade of Nations will kick off the event Monday at 5 p.m. on the Sun Valley Lodge Terrace and Ice Rink. Everyone is invited to attend. It's followed by an opening party Monday at 6 p.m. in the Sun Valley Inn.
Competition begins Tuesday, April 5 at 8 a.m. on Baldy with races continuing each day through Saturday, April 9 on Warm Springs, Hemingway, Greyhawk and Cozy ski runs.
Racers are divided by class into Group A (men 30-54), Group B (men 55-and-over) and Group C (women).
Group A racers have a criterium giant slalom Tuesday, super giant slalom Wednesday, slalom Thursday and an FIS giant slalom Friday.
For Group B, the events are SG Tuesday, criterium GS Wednesday, FIS giant slalom Thursday and slalom Saturday. And for Group C, events are SG Tuesday, criterium GS Wednesday, slalom Friday and FIS giant slalom Saturday.
The final awards ceremony, international buffet and Closing Festival will be held at River Run Lodge Saturday, April 9 at 7 p.m.
Nearly 30 Sun Valley Masters are in the field. They are:
Jackson Allred, Nancy Auseklis, Heather Black, Drury Cooper, Cliff Cunha, D.D. Davidson, Ken Dreyer, Nancy Dreyer, John Droege, Brent Ellis, Abbi Fisher-Gould, Carl Fullman, Ben Harwell, Scott Levy and Greg Moore;
Also, Matt Murphy, Sean Murphy, Kipp Nelson, Virginia Reed, Jim Ruscitto, Bob Sarchett, Jeffrey Sogard, John Summers, Jim Tallackson, Keith Thompson, Gene Timmons, Kim Verde and Hank Minor.
