Skidding to a stop in the finish area, I thought I had won my second run. My opponent, a former Olympian, arrived a few seconds later. He extended a handshake, remarking time had passed since he competed in the 1956 Winter Olympic Games. He then extended an invitation to his 80th birthday party.
My invitation to ski race came with no Olympic experience or tenured skiing career. Instead, I had been invited to race in the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation's ninth annual Bill Janss Pro-Am Classic to enjoy the social racing experience.
As the ski team's biggest fund-raiser of the year, the Janss Pro-Am combines racing with entertainment to support nearly 500 student-athlete participants. The SVSEF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing snow sports programs for Wood River Valley youths.
To commemorate the Olympic year, the three-day affair March 16 through March 18 went global with the theme "Race around the World." The Olympic-inspired race allowed each team to represent a country. Thirty-two registered teams raced for established nations, along with imaginative republics like Margaritaville, BarBabeous and Banana Republic.
I was invited to ski with team Austria. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a part-time Wood River Valley resident, generously sponsored our team. He advised the event organizers to compile a team of contributing community members.
Each team consists of five racers (skiers or snowboarders), led by one professional captain. Many notable Olympians, like Sondra Van Ert, Christin Cooper, Kyle Wieche and Edie Thys Morgan, arrived to guide the teams.
Jim Taylor captained team Austria. A former U.S. top-20-ranked alpine ski racer, he applies his racing experience as a sport-, business- and parenting-related psychologist. As a consultant for the U.S., Japanese and Sun Valley ski teams, he came from San Francisco to transform five strangers into an Austrian powerhouse—or at least ensure a good time.
"I always say it's about the fun and the fund raising, rather than the fast," said Kate Berman, event director.
Participants converge to support the foundation and enjoy—really enjoy—the social racing experience. This year, costumes highlighted the festivities, infusing an infectious light-hearted spirit into all events, from the Taste of the Nations après-ski party to the International Masquerade Ball to the races on the Warm Springs side of Bald Mountain.
Team Sayonara—whose members assumed the names of Wong Duk Dong, Sum Ding Dong, Mi Lyki Sake, Chow Down and Wong Way—arrived to the slopes wearing inflatable Sumo wrestling suits.
Hummer's Swiss Misses skied in dirndls accessorized with braided pig-tail wigs. The quintet sang a harmonious "ricola" before leaving the start gate.
My team, Taylor, Philip Erlanger, Dan Hunt and Adi Erber, wore traditional Austrian leiderhosen. The direct-from-Hollywood costumes fit snugly over our ski pants, uniting our team over a few good-humored jokes.
The dual-giant-slalom race began with training runs on Friday. Organizers use Friday's two timed training runs to apply a handicap scoring system, which gives skiers of all levels an opportunity to win. The results of the handicapped runs establish the margin one skier must beat another by during the official race on Saturday.
The racing maintains a jovial tone, with playful team rivalries taking a back seat to good times.
"Its fun to be able to contribute to the program, which I really value. And, to connect with old friends," said Taylor, who participated for the second time.
The event generates incredible support for young athletes.
"People realize it's a great way to support the organization, while having fun. That's what it's all about, skiing and the community," Berman said.
The International Masquerade Ball and Awards Celebration Saturday honored a forefront community contributor and the event's namesake, Bill Janss. Janss owned Sun Valley Co. from 1964 to 1977. As an accomplished ski racer, he brought a passion for skiing and support for Sun Valley's junior race programs.
The movie "A Skiers Passion," produced by David Butterfield of Diamond Sun Productions, detailed Janss' contributions.
"His contributions to the sport of ski racing—they are unmatched," Sun Valley Co. General Manager Wally Huffman said during the movie. The movie recalled Janss' efforts to add seven new chair lifts at Sun Valley, double the number of ski runs, pioneer snowmaking and host the 1974 World Cup ski races.
"This town needs to stand apart and stay connected to skiing, no matter what changes," said famed ski racer Christin Cooper, Janss' stepdaughter.
Attendees did just that. New this year, the "Sponsor and Athlete" opportunity exemplified community support. With a show of hands, Janss participants at Saturday's event sponsored foundation athletes for the upcoming season, raising $122,500 to expand financial aid packages. (Total fund-raising figures for the entire event were not available at press time.)
In the past, the foundation has provided financial-aid assistance to offset tuition costs. Advanced athletes' total costs, including travel and equipment expenses, can range upwards of $15,000 per year.
"It gives us the opportunity to extend our giving for families that need financial help," Berman said.
As a former ski racer, I appreciate the foundation's dedication to enable all athletes, regardless of economic levels, to partake in winter sports.
"At the end of the day, what this experience is about, is life experience ... Getting up and doing it again," said Don Wiseman, the foundation's executive director.
The Janss fund-raising effort enables aspiring athletes to get up, over and over again. And, it inspires skiers like me, to remember how to get up after a humble loss to an older friend.
Top 3
The top three teams and their competitors are, in order of finish:
· France—Pro: Maggie Acker. Racers: Tom O'Gara, Michel Rudigoz, Ed O'Gara and Scott Wheeler.
· Sayonara—Pro: Nate Galpin. Racers: John Droege, Muffy Ritz, Karoline Droege and John Koth. (Also known as: Wong Duk Dong, Sum Ding Dong, Mi Lyki Sake, Chow Down and Wong Way.)
· Frank's World—Pro: Jenna Hall. Racers: Judy Jellinek, Rick Davis, Robert Hall and Peter Jellinek.
Other awards include:
· Janss speed cup winner—the fastest team calculated with no handicap: Italy—Pro: Nick Maricich. Racers: Kipp Nelson, Steve Brown, Robin Sarchett and Matt Murphy. Awarded for the second year in a row.
· Fastest amateur female: Sonja Huntsman.
· Fastest amateur male: Robin Sarchett.
· Best crash: Peter Jellinek.
· Best team theme race costume: Team USA.
· Most inspirational male: Peter Smith.
· Most inspirational female: Glenn Janss.
Team France won the Janss Pro Am Classic this weekend. The team included, standing from left, Ed O'Gara, Tom O'Gara and Michel Rudigoz, as well as Scott Wheeler and pro Maggie Acker, in front. The team is standing in front of a rare Bugatti race car.
Photo by Willy Cook
