Far West Racing Association (FWRA) Championships

By Ken Williams

At Mammoth Mountain April 5th and 6th, 2008, blustery days were made much colder by incessantly blowing winds. Yet, the ski and snowboard racers gathered there for the 2008 Far West Race Association Championships (FWRAC) stood their ground (literally!) prior to launching themselves onto icy slopes in pursuit of victory. Every one of them braved the challenging conditions with the hope and desire for a position on the Winners’ Podium and a much coveted FWRAC Winners’ Plaque, or two!

Held annually at various ski sites around the western United States, the FWRAC draw the best recreational ski and snowboard racers from several western states a la the Winter Olympics.

Despite the competitiveness of the races, a carnival atmosphere and high camaraderie
amongst the racers characterize the weekend.

So, each morning of this year’s event, each racer took his/her turn standing in the start gate awaiting the word “Go!” while trying NOT to be bowled over by intermittent gusts of harsh wind. Then, each racer darted down the Slalom (Saturday) and/or careened around the Giant Slalom (Sunday) race gates jutting from the hard-packed, glistening white faces of Fascination, Far West and Terry’s Run. More than a few did not finish both of the required two runs of the combined time competitions, but those that did deserve high praise.

The results, with congratulations to the medalists (both competing in their first ever
FWRAC!):

April 5th – Slalom: Aril 6th – Giant Slalom:
Ed Monteiro, 2nd Place, 6 Vet Male Jamic Hamlin, 1st Place, 10 Vet Male
Jamic Hamlin, 3rd Place, 10 Vet Male
Ed skied so well – and fast! – in Saturday’s Slalom race that he was “bumped” up to 5 Vet Male for the GS race on Sunday.
Jamic medaled in both races in his first appearance at the championships – a rare feat!!