Stratton BX

Another day, another cold mountainside. It was 12* today when I was standing on the side of Stratton Mountain waiting for Whitney to race. I can't wait until next weekend when she's racing in Virginia since it should be warmer. After today she's decided that this is the last time she's racing at Stratton. The course isn't that great, the mountain isn't that hospitable to competitors, the organizers aren't that organized, and the competitors are left unsupervised and behave badly. Just not a good experience.

There were two open class women today and they raced with the one open class man. Whitney ended in third overall, second of the women. Since the course is narrow the best way to win is to get out of the gate first, hit the hole shot, and go. There are no places to pass so if you're first out of the gate you're golden. Whitney said that she could have finished second and beat the guy but it would have taken more effort than it was worth today. She fell at practice this week - snowboard gripping water leaking from a snow gun but a body in motion stays in motion so she face planted in the snow. She cleared concussion protocol but has a minor case of whiplash. Because of those things she didn't want to push it too hard in a race that doesn't really matter. Her neck is kind of sore today but otherwise she's feeling good.

Another race day tomorrow, slalom and GS at Mount Sunapee, then we both have long drives on Monday (although mine is a lot longer than hers). We will be together again next weekend in Virginia for more boardercross.