Contributed Story
BRIDGEVILLE — February 19, 2013 – The Holiday Mountain Ski Club will be hosting the 2nd Annual Bob Whipple Classic on Saturday, March 2 at Holiday Mountain. The combined giant slalom and slalom race honors Bob Whipple, the longtime proprietor of Bob Whipple ski shop and legendary ambassador to the sport in Sullivan County and beyond.
Last year, the inaugural event (affectionately known as the Whip Classic) drew 100-plus competitors and friends for the race and celebration.
The giant slalom (2 runs) will start at 10 a.m. followed by the slalom (2 runs) at 1 p.m. Entrants can compete in either event; to have a chance at the Skimeister award, you must enter both.
Categories will include:
High School – (including middle school athletes on a high school race team or U14 USSA** and older competitors)
Graduated – any competitor 18-34 who would like to participate.
Masters – any competitor 35 and over.
The race is $40 per racer and includes lift pass, entry to both races and bib raffle. (Only $25 race fee for competitors with season pass).
Awards will be given to the top three males and females in all age categories by discipline. The “Skimeister Award” will go to the fastest combined high school male and female skier.
You can reserve your bib and start position by sending an email with name, age and date of birth to race administrator Tara Hulse at tarash70@yahoo.com or 845-701-3599. Payment for registration will be collected the day of the event at the registration table. This is not a USSA or NYSPHSAA sanctioned event.
The 2012 kicked off with a dedication of the start house built by the Holiday Mountain Ski Club (HMSC) to honor Scott Coleman, a longtime friend and former athlete of HMSC. The Scott Coleman Start House is used each week during the winter ski season by hundreds of young athletes in Ski Club and High School for training and racing.
Through the generous support of friends, family and local businesses the inaugural Whip Classic in 2012 raised more than $3,000. The funds raised helped HMSC to continue its mission of “providing the best possible coaching and training environment in which to motivate young athletes to acquire and develop snow-sports skills to their fullest potential.”
Specifically, last year’s beneficiary was the purchase of brand new Brush Grip Slalom Gates for the HMSC U14 athletes to train and race with.