![Photo of 2007 Junior Race team [from photo Terry Dryburgh]](images/HoriSlice_2007Juniors.jpg)
To assist with your bookings for this year please refer to schedule of events.
2011 was another strong campaign for the junior and senior race teams. Although we were not crowned champions in the juniors, we competed at a very high standard in a very close competition. Congratulations to the senior team who were crowned champions in a hard fought contest.
As well as being a constitutional requirement, the training program also proves to be a strong base to the racing commitment of our club.
The Junior race training program has been developed over the years to improve the technique of members and their children racing for the club. It is not free ski school for all children. The aspiring participants, most of whom have done their time in ski school, have to be capable of skiing all over the mountain un-aided to a pre determined standard. They will be placed in one of two groups by Perisher Blue Race coaches. The coaches must tutor to the lowest ability of the group so it is important to group the kids of similar ability. Please contact me for further information. Whilst the training budget is limited, all levels of skiers are encouraged to race for the club and enjoy the team spirit we share at Illabunda.
Due to bed limitations, it is preferred that parents accompanying juniors be limited to one per family or we may have to utilize other lodges near-by, if available.
It is very important to let me know asap once bookings have commenced of the intentions of racers for the season. This will enable me to work out numbers for bed allocations etc. on the training and racing dates.
Lisa Askie will be managing all junior racing fixtures from 2012 and will be a welcome and very capable addition to the team. Todd Fairbrother will also play an assisting role.
The Club supports racing by the following:-
NOTE: All equipment is to be organised prior to training and races. It is encouraged to participate in at least 2 disciplines.
HELMETS ARE COMPULSORY for Downhill and Snowboard.
Each participant and officials are required to complete Waiver forms for Perisher Blue and Illabunda.
These dates are subject to confirmation of the dates of the Illawarra Interclub Race meetings.
Dates |
Junior Event |
Monday 2nd July – Friday 6th July |
Downhill and Cross Country Training |
Saturday 7th July – Sunday 8th July |
Snowboard Training |
Saturday 1st September |
Illawarra Junior Interclub Races |
Note: The Illabunda Junior Club Champions are determined from the Illawarra Junior Interclub Races.
The Illawara Junior Interclub races were again held this year on the Upper Rollercoaster course at Blue Cow on Saturday 3rd September. It was another sunny day and the snow coverage was quite good on course despite being very patchy elsewhere in the resort.
As was the case last year we were a little lean in terms of older racers, with the added disadvantage of the unavoidable late scratchings of Jared Dryburgh (who had to attend his footy grand final) and Lara Edmonds. The team captains, Paige Davis and Jonathon Chicaro, led the team by example with some great individual performances. The more ‘junior’ juniors also did a wonderful job and raced their hardest, putting in some fantastic (and often ‘personal best’) times. Overall, our club placed third in the combined Championships after a very large and strong Illawarra team and the Maranatha club.
The Junior team welcomed a new member this year, Rory Fairbrother, who trained hard and kept up with his older team mates without any problems. We wish to thank the outgoing Junior Race Team members, Jared Dryburgh, Paige Davis, Jonathon Chicaro and Lara Edmonds, for all their outstanding contributions to the team over many years. We hope to see them continue their racing in the Seniors next year.
A special mention for the bravest team member this year, Remy Condran, who, despite breaking her arm on her first snowboard run (which required an evacuation by the ski patrol on a banana boat), returned for the evening presentations with her arm in a plaster caste! Evidence that the Illabunda team spirit is very much alive and well!!
Thanks again this year to Rhythm Snowsports in Cooma who continued their support for Illabunda via special assistance with ski hire and donations of gear for our presentation lucky dip. Importantly, thanks to all the parents, without whom neither the training nor racing would be possible. And finally, this year there is a very special thank you to Terry Dryburgh who served his final year as Junior Race Team Captain. His untiring efforts over many years has kept the team going from strength to strength. Terry will continue as Illabunda Club Captain next year, with Lisa Askie and Todd Fairbrother assisting him with the Junior Race Team duties during training week and race weekend.
Illabunda’s results in the Illawarra Interclub Junior Races in 2011 were as follows:
The Illawarra Interclub race results also determine our club championships results. These were as follows:
The team arrived at Illabunda to a very bleak looking landscape where grass skis may have been more appropriate than snow skis. However the show must go on.
We welcomed Jonathan Chicaro to the team this year. He showed good commitment and will contribute nicely on race day.
Snow was virtually limited to the man made areas but was of good quality.
Instead of the normal Giant Slalom program at Blue Cow, Perisher Race Department offered us an alternative arrangement at Perisher on a makeshift course under the Village 8 chairlift. A racecourse was set up and our juniors had access to it at 7:00am, prior to the mountain opening for normal business. The alarm clocks were sounding at 6:15am where the troops were mustered for roll call. Good effort kids!
The coaches were demanding and sought constant improvement from our team…and they got it. The coaches gave a generous report and commended the team for their early morning efforts.
We strayed from our usual Cross Country training program slightly this year and enlisted the skills of Ian Gracie who surprised us all with his knowledge of the skinny skis and the techniques required to get them going forward. Due to the zero snow on the Nordic trails, Ian set out a course just above the mid station of the Quad Chair. In brilliant sunshine he put the juniors through a rigorous session which was rated as enjoyable by the team. Thank you to Ian.
Snow Board training was conducted on Friday and Saturday by Perisher coaches and the report cards were very encouraging, particularly the youngest members of the team.
It’s great to see pretty well all of our juniors now participating in all three disciplines which is essential if we are to remain competitive in the coming years. I would also like to thank the senior members of the team who are great role models to the youngsters and support them during training and racing.
Special thanks to Matt and Luanne who stepped up to meet the extra demand for this torrid week. Their meals were first class as usual and some new dishes were added to the menu with very positive feedback.
Thank you to the committee for their continued support of the racing program within the club. This satisfies the requirement to promote skiing within the club.
Last but not least, thank you to the attending parents for their assistance during the week.
Club Captain
Terry Dryburgh, Committee Member
Mobile: 0408 802 539
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