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Posted on Monday September 21st at 9:06 p.m.
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Annie looking very stylish
AT LAST!
It arrived this weekend the ski ulitmate race event of the season
It was the Rainbow Atomic Masters!
Waaaa!!!!!!!!! Training day on Friday arrived and oh yuck!
No Vis and the dreaded word,RAIN
It was a yes, to lee's yummy coffe and no to training.
Drinks f(un)and dinner (delicious) at the Alpine lodge, that evening, but still the rain druuuummed on the roooooof. It was not a good sleep.
Saturday dawned!
Hooray,blue sky, sun, no wind. A perfect racing day. The St Arnaud ski Racing Foundation (average age 60) was on the hill and setting the course bright and early. Min, stylish, wife of Rod was in the Mt Robert Hutt orchestrating the lunch (provided by Boris's cafe) and setting the early season tulips on the tables. Maureen was organising her bar (very important). Philippa, Queen of the foundation, was taking money, entries and ably assisted by Carmel, handing out bibs.
Gary A in the gates!
The G.S was set, Jackie was stationed at the finish with our new wireless timing all put in place by Sean. Gary, Pete ,and kerry had the course all in place and Alan was at the start.
The young mums organised their babies (with willing babysitters), and the real Masters (the over 70's) linned up! Racing was under way.
After the 1st run was over it was straight down to make sure the soup was on and thst Jo and Sarah had someone to mind 6 month old Max and Rosa while they had their 2nd run. Lucky me got to play with Max this gorgeous fat and jolly baby.
Race finshed
Lunch was eaten,everybody embibed of the delicous Founders organic beer and of the Forrest wine. A little more skiing then it was prize giving . The sun shone, we gave out medals we drank more wine. we played games, gave out heaps of prizes, and Chris Chisnall won a pair of Atomic skis which he immediately gave to his son (who apparently slept with them that night). It was such fun.
the Masters waiting at the start
The next day was the slalom and it happened all over again, still with sunshine.
The Rainbow Masters may not be the longest or scariest race in the Alps, But I think we embody the reason why everybody loves Masters racing. Fun, and friendship mixed with a dollop of competition, a great deal of encouragement, and the hope that we will all be back next year to do it all again!