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The SASA Masters have been in action again, with great success; many thanks to Big Nige for the following report:
The SASA Masters, consisting of:
turned up in the chique French resort of Megeve for the Kandahar British Masters races. Although the races were the British Masters they were still a full F.I.S race attracting Masters from around the world.
After three days of training in the nearby resort of Thollon les Memises the team were apprehensive of what was to come as only one of the group, Chris Clarke, had competed before in Giant Slalom and Super G.
Thursday saw a very useful Super G training day. For the less experienced racers this was vital. Although poor visibility seemed to be the order of the day, Pete, Nige, and John managed to put in some well needed training runs on the women’s World Cup downhill piste where the Super G was going to be run the following day. The three of them received a stark reminder of the dangers of the Super G when Pete took a nasty unscheduled trip into the safety netting. Thankfully Pete had no serious damage.
The following day was the Super G race itself with the start around 75 meters lower down than the Downhill start. With Chris not going to start, it left the other three to fly the flag for S.A.S.A. and with the women and the Group B men starting first, the piste was likely to become very rutted by the time S.A.S.A ‘s Masters would be called to the start gate in their Group A.
Pete was first of the three to go and made it down safely, followed later by Big Nige and then John. All three put in great times for their first Super G’s and after all competitors had gone it emerged that Nige finished 7th overall in the A4 category and John 8th. Within the British racers Nige was 2nd and John 3rd in Category A4.
Saturday was slalom day. First run inspection showed that the course setter was not taking things lightly just because it was Masters racing. Using all the terrain of the hill the setter then inserted three combinations down the final steep pitch which was sheet ice all the way down. Chris was first to go and negotiated his way down the course very well until he took a tumble halfway down the steep which cost him several seconds, but he managed to regain his composure and finish well. Pete was next to go and confidently made it down with a decent time. John was next and skied from the start gate with determination. Skiing the top section really well John caught a tip on a tricky part of the course and found himself up close and personal to the snow, with his skis detached. Nige came out of the start gate finding a clean path to the finish, putting in a great time to be up amongst the best British racers after run one.
Course inspection two was interrupted with the course having to be reset at the early point due to it not being possible to ski. After the reset and subsequent inspection, eventually it was Pete’s turn and he put in yet another steady but sure run to finish with a good combined time. Chris’s second run saw him produce an accomplished performance and even managed to pull of some air as he approached the finish line awarding himself a much improved overall time. Nige’s turn saw the snow falling harder, but spurred on by his first run, came out of the gate in an attacking frame of mind, which was his undoing as the gates bit back and dumped him on his back sliding down and out of the course. However the S.A.S.A. Masters had came up trumps again with Pete and Chris finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively within the British contingent of the A5 Category.
On the last day of racing, Giant Slalom was the discipline, and with Masters only having one run it was time to leave everything on the hill and go for it. Chris was first of the S.A.S.A group to go and found a great line on the top section of the course. Leading onto the flat with great speed he took a wobble and dumped much of that hard earned speed, causing himself to have to work hard the rest of the way down. Chris finished the course and was safe. Up stepped Pete to the start gate and found the same great line on the top section of the course and carried that speed through the flats and all the way to the finish giving himself another great performance. Nige was next and again the line was excellent on the steep top section but into the compression could not hold onto it and got spun onto his back and slid to the next gate but managed to get up and carry onto the finish. John having watched this was determined to stay in the course. Once again the new S.A.S.A. man found great line on the top section and carried right through to the finish putting down a good time. John and Nige finished 2nd and 3rd respectively within the British in Category A4.
All the S.A.S.A Masters had skied very well and coach Arnie said how pleased he was with the performances of all four of them. The performance of the races was Pete Gash who finished overall 2nd in the combined disciplines of Super G, Giant Slalom and Slalom, within all the British racers who attended. Well done Pete!! |