Ever dream about the good old days, when it meant everything to see your college team eke out a victory over a top rival?
If so, then an annual ski race being promoted by Sun Valley Resort and the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation just might be the event for you.
After successfully inaugurating the Holding Cup last spring, the resort this year has renewed its commitment to making the friendly competition an annual event. The amateur ski race challenges alumni from colleges and universities across the nation to compete for pride, prestige and prizes.
The second annual Holding Cup, named to honor Sun Valley Co. owners Earl and Carol Holding, will kick off with a social gathering Thursday, March 30, continuing with races and other events Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1. Race qualifying runs will be held Friday and the Holding Cup finals races will be held Saturday, all on the Warm Springs side of Bald Mountain.
Registration for the event has begun and will continue into March.
The basic format for the Holding Cup is simple. Teams comprised of five alumni of the same university or college will compete in dual giant-slalom races for money prizes that will benefit skiing or sports programs at their alma mater. A handicap system for calculating race times will benefit older skiers and female skiers.
"It's not just a race. It's an event for everybody," said Jack Sibbach, Sun Valley Resort director of marketing and public relations. "If you're not a past NCAA athlete, you can still participate in this event."
This year, a new element of the event will allow teams that do not qualify for the finals to compete in "Carol's Consistency Cup." The team member with the closest relative time on two ski runs will earn $500 for his or her alma mater.
Race organizer Will Hovey, development director for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, said the competition last year brought out a heavy dose of school spirit.
"It's about bringing back the competitive spirit of college," he said. "It gives bragging rights."
Each collegiate team must have five members, with at least one member being female. Four of the individuals must be 35 or older. Multiple teams from any college or university can enter and compete.
Last year, eight teams competed in the inaugural Holding Cup. Teams from the University of Colorado, Montana State University and Middlebury College took the top three spots, respectively.
This year, Sibbach said, the goal is to increase the number of teams to 15, with the top eight teams competing in the round-robin finals.
The first-place Holding Cup team will earn an award of $1,500 for the school it represents, while second- and third-place teams will earn awards of $1,000 and $500, respectively. All racers will receive gifts for participating and will be eligible to win larger prizes during a drawing on race day.
Team members will also be given an opportunity to "up the ante" and win additional prizes, Sibbach said.
The Holding Cup—which will be engraved with winners' names—is kept on display at Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge, in Sun Valley.
"We hope to do it every year and build on it," Sibbach said. "We think it's a good thing for the future."
How to register
Registration for the Holding Cup costs $100 per team. Individual racers must pay an additional $75 fee, which covers participation in all events. Events will take place from March 30 through April 1, concluding with an awards party at Apple's Bar & Grill, at the base of the Warm Springs side of Bald Mountain. To register or get details, visit www.holdingcup.com or call Will Hovey at the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, 726-4129, ext. 112.
