Alpine racers slosh through slalom

The first slalom race for the Sisters High School Alpine race team was held last Saturday, January 17, at Mt. Bachelor ski area.

The weather proved to be a challenging factor, with freezing rain, high winds, and over eight inches of heavy, wet new snow. Normally two runs are completed, but due to the weather, the second race was cancelled.

The Outlaws teams showed true grit, and performed well in spite of the nasty conditions. Yasha Saldi, a senior, lead the men's team placing 16th, with a time of 42.05 seconds for his one slushy run. Lachlan Wood placed 27th, and Ethan Ferwalt placed 33rd. The Outlaws placed 4th out of seven teams in the men's division.

The women's team placed four racers. Betsy Ausman led the pack, placing 14th with a time of 44.22 seconds. Cammi Benson was 16th, Emily Ausman placed 28th, and McKenzie Banks placed 31st. This put the women's team in fifth place out of the seven school teams.

"Every member of the team crossed the finish line and got a time," said head Coach Greg Ausman. "That is very impressive, given the conditions. A lot of kids missed gates and disqualified today, but none of them were Sisters kids."

The alpine teams will be racing their second GS race at Mt. Bachelor this Saturday.