The FIS World Masters Criterium, held on Baldy last week with over 350 racers from 18 countries, was declared a success by the Sun Valley Ski Club, the hosts of the event.
Saturday, April 9, was the final day of racing with slalom and giant slalom races on Hemingway and Cozy. Sun Valley locals were a visible force during the event and the final days of races were no different.
On Thursday, Steven Linck earned a second place silver in his M2 class slalom with a time of 1:24.52 and Matt Murphy also took second in his M4 on Friday's slalom with a time of 54.31, the day's fourth fastest time. In the same race, Brent Ellis found gold with a first in his M3 class at 58.86.
Eighty-four year old John Droege raced in every discipline, turning in three top three finishes. In the entire week of racing, Droege didn't miss a single gate.
With three firsts and three second place finishes, though, it was Sun Valley women who truly dominated in Friday's slalom race. Ketchum sees its fair share of inspirational, older skiers; many of these were in the gates over the weekend.
Mary Inkster, 76, took first place in slalom and 74-year old Virginia Reed finished second in her division. Glenn McConkey, Rosie Moschel, and Abi Fisher-Gould each took first in their respective classes while Fisher-Gould's combined time of 1:22.83 was the sixth fastest female time on the course.
Final Masters Races:
Slalom: A Men: M5(50-54): 5—Cliff Cunha, 1:28.65. M4(45-49): 7—Matt Murphy, 1:24.46. 15—John Summers, 1:33.66. 26—Ken Dreyer, 1:47.48. M3(40-44) 9—John Campbell, 1:28. 08. M2(35-39): 2—Linck, 1:24.52. 8—Steven Masur, 1:35.37.
Slalom: B Men: M11(80-84): 4—John Droege, 3:09.99. M7(60-64): 6—Bob Sarchett, 1:28.55. M6(55-59): 13—Jim Ruscitto, 1:36.02.
Slalom: Women: F10(75-79): 1—Inkster, 2:19.36. F9(70-74): 2—Reed, 2:05.77. F7(60-64): 1—McConkey, 1:25.60. 2—Nancy Auseklis, 1:26.22. F6(55-59): 1—Moschel, 1:35.30. 2—Kim Verde, 1:48.84. F5(50-54): 5—Nancy Dreyer, 1:31.00. F4(45-49): 1—Fisher-Gould, 1:22.83. F3(40-44): 5—Lauri Reutimann, 1:25.10. 15—Heather Black, 1:44.67.
Giant Slalom: A Men: M5: 15—Cunha, 58.71. 29—Greg Moore, 1:04.41. M4: 2—Matt Murphy, 54.51. 17—Sean Murphy, 58.99. 21—Ken Dreyer, 59.73. M3: 1—Ellis, 58.86.
GS: B Men: M11: 4—John Droege, 3:09.99. M7: 6—Bob Sarchett, 1:28.55. 13—Ruscitto, 1:36.02.
GS: Women: F10: 2—Inkster, 3:09.36. F9: 2—Reed, 1:24.28. F7: 1—McConkey, 58.57. F6: 1—Moschel, 1:01.98. F5: 6—Dreyer, 1:01.77. F4: 2—Fisher-Gould, 55.86.
