The last several weeks have provided numerous strong snow systems that have covered the Ponderosa State Park trails just outside downtown McCall, Idaho with a strong snow base of two feet heading into the new year. Good news on the early snow front (hardly unusual in McCall, but still nice to hear these days) comes as early USA entries to the world's largest traveling winter championship event surpass the 250 skier mark.
The March 1-7 MWC2008 event will mark the first ever visit by the the Masters World Cup to the western United States — and the first time the MWC has been held in the United States in a decade (1998 in Lake Placid, NY was the last time). With such a long layoff, the McCall MWC2008 event has attracted unprecedented interest from master skiers of all abilities from literally every corner of the North American snow country. USA registration already covers over 18 states with skiers ranging in age from the minimum 30 years to the first-ever USA skier in the M13 category — 90 years young!
Gregg Lawley — Chief of Competition for the MWC2008 Organizing Committee — reports that the early snow conditions are outstanding throughout the McCall area and looks for more of the same in the coming months. “As far as snow conditions we are in a major snow cycle right now and the skiing is great already and will only get better. Things are shaping up to have one of the best Masters World Cup events ever come March!”
J.D. Downing — U.S. National Director to the World Masters Association — is equally upbeat says that the early USA registration numbers are well ahead of projections for the MWC2008. “In 1998 the total USA field was a record 376 USA skiers so at the pace we are on right now, we have a good shot at getting ahead of that total by early January. We also know that the Canadians are looking to bring down a large contingent of skiers and the word outside North America is that as many 20 other nations intend to have skiers on the McCall trails come March. This is truly shaping up to be one of the most exciting ski events in North American history. Absolutely an event no master skier should miss!”
MWC2008 registration will continue to remain open until midnight on February 4, 2008 with the next late fee step-up taking place after Wednesday, January 2. Registration is possible via a print-and-mail form found on www.MWC2008.com as well as via a newl on-line secure payment system set up just for USA skiers.
