Stowe Derby – a 2013 Ski Challenge for you, you and YOU!
Make 2013 the year when you take on the Stowe Derby challenge! Surely, you can ski down the 4 mile Auto Toll Road in your sleep but… can you do it on a pair of cross-country skis AND avoid all potential “hazards,” i.e. other skiers and perhaps a bumpy patch or two along the way? After negotiating a couple of air pins you most certainly never noticed before, the rest of the course is a piece of cake, especially for most of us experienced skiers: a few ups and downs in the Stowe Cross Country Center and Trapp Family Nordic Center before skiing the flat Stowe Rec Path all the way to town.
Choose to ski the 20km course in the skate or the classic division, or be creative… split snowboards, tele gear, even alpine ski gear is an option – although not recommended unless you consider yourself as fit and adventurous as our dear friend George Tormey who mastered the challenge more than once back in the day. If you prefer, simply join the kids in the 6km short course and avoid the descent altogether.
The Derby is on Sunday, February 24th, 2013 and this will be the 68th edition of the Mt. Mansfield Ski and Snowboard’s only Nordic production. The legendary race attracts hundreds annually and originated from a personal challenge between two good friends and amazing skiers – Austrian, Sepp Ruschp who was hired to come to America and head the new ski school at Stowe and Erling Strom, world famous mountaineer from Norway. The challenge was the same as it is today – to race from the top of Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak to the historic village of Stowe… on ONE pair of skis – the ultimate test of a skiers ability. Ruschp was the winner of the first Stowe Derby, will you be the winner in 2013?
Prices go up February 8, so sign up soon. Also consider entering the EverBank Challenge by forming your team of four. Race for bragging right, for fun, for the challenge! Hope to see you in Stowe on Sunday, February 24th.
For more information or to sign up online visit: http://www.stowederby.com/home. Contact Pascale Savard at stowederby@teammmsc.org for further questions. Also follow us on Facebook for up-to-date information as we get closer to Derby Day!
