Meet Director Notes from Garnet Hill

So much about putting on a ski-o meet is about hoping for the right weather and this one was just that.  Monday the day before was do or die day and the snow delivered.  An inch of wet snow froze and then was topped by a little powder.  Not really knowing what conditions to expect I decided on a score-o rather than point to point to point so I could skip certain locations if they turned out to be unsuitable.

There were 17 controls worth one point.  The Orange had a 60-minute limit while the Red course had a 75-minute max and those skiers also had to punch #17 first.  #17 was way down at the far end of the map.  The overtime penalty was 1 point per minute.

Score-O brings out different reactions in people.  Some, like my wife, play it safe and get back early, avoiding penalties.  Others cut it really close, and often are just overtime and lose a point or two- that proves the last control isn’t worth risking.  Then there those who seem not to care about penalties at all and just keep on visiting controls regardless.  Even though we had only 15 skiers, the results show excellent examples of all these types.

Note also stellar times of Alison Crocker and Adrian Owens, only two to punch all 17 controls.  It shows why they’re on the US team and we’re not.

Many thanks to the great staff at Garnet Hill and to Don and Mindy the owners.  We are always made to feel welcome there.

-Aims