The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation's 10th annual Bill Janss Pro Am Classic was a smashing success, organizer Kate Berman said Monday.
"We were just blown away," Berman said of the participants' largesse. According to Berman, the weekend event raised more than $200,000 for the Sun Valley Ski Education's "Sponsor An Athlete" program—funds which go directly to athletes in need of financial support. Approximately $150,000 was also raised and earmarked for the foundation's operating budget, academic support and insurance.
In a field of 32 teams consisting of five people each, the "D.L. Evans/I Love Lucy" team was the Janss Cup champion with John Evans Jr., Paul Wilcox, Jim Evans, Phebe Thorne Wilcox and pro Petr Kakes, who was named the "Most Enthusiastic Racer."
With ringers like Zach Crist, Matt Murphy, Robin Sarchett, Kipp Nelson and Steve Brown, The Honda Ski Tour squad captured the Speed Cup with the fastest non-handicapped race time.
In a dual giant slalom format, Robin Sarchett and Christine Cordeau turned in the single fastest runs. Koth Sports Medicine channeled "Austin Powers" to win "Best Costume."
The Janss Pro Am Classic Ski Race and associated gala dinner is a fund-raiser for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, which has been providing winter sports programs for 40 years. There are the nearly 500 student athletes that participate in the foundation's alpine, cross-country, freestyle and snowboard programs.
The event is staged in honor of former Sun Valley Co. Bill Janss.
(For additional coverage, see Page B8 in Sports.)
