1st Ski Race Of Season - Fri. Jan. 20th 5pm

RACER READY ! 
At 5PM Tomorrow
The Sparta Varsity Ski Teams Are Going To Send It

What a challenge it's been to get to the starting gate. By now we should have completed all of our slalom conference races and training giant slalom. Instead, after three canceled races, we are still focusing on the first race of the season. The fourth time's the charm! 

Our 1st race of the season is just one day away. Come cheer on the Sparta Ski Teams. 

There is nothing more thrilling than watching our young athletes compete in a Slalom Ski Race. I hope to see all of you on the mountain tomorrow cheering on your children and rooting for the Sparta Ski Teams. Over the past few months, your kids have worked super hard, both at dry-land training and mountain training, and they are looking impressive and ready to race.

Varsity Slalom Race #1 Details:

Date: Friday, Jan 20th
SHS Departure: 1pm
Team Inspection: 4 -4:45 pm
Race Start: 5 pm
Mountain: Blue Mountain Resort, 1660 Blue Mountain Dr, Palmerton, PA 18071

Western Conference Varsity Race | 10 Teams Competing
Girls Seed Order: Wayne Valley, Morristown Beard, Blair, Sparta, Ridge, Pingry, Jefferson, Bernards, Wayne Hills & Newton
Boys Seed Order: Wayne Hills, Blair, Pingry, Morristown Beard, Ridge, Jefferson, Newton, Sparta, Wayne Valley &  Bernards
Race Order: Girls run #1, Boys run #1, Girls run #2 and Boys run #2

12 Sparta Varsity Racers Competing: David Baker, Madison Campisi, Devon Dobbs, Ava Dyrsten, Patrick Fitzsimmons, Elizabeth Flint, George Flint,  James Kressman, Julia Mooney, Kanna Pasunuri, Drew Young & Aubrey Zimmermann. Additionally, Ryan Grycuk & Brynne Cashion will be racing seventh as JV non-competitors. Remember to bring in your speed suits.

The rest of the ski team will attend and observe race day protocols, assist with coat running and help support the ski team as needed. Only racers competing should be wearing race suits.

For more information about the race visit: https://spartaski.com/event/varsity-race-slalom-2023

SPECTATORS:

• No need for a lift ticket - Parents should park in the lower parking lot at the Valley Lodge and walk up to the finish.
• All Spectators are REQUIRED to complete the Blue Mtn Spectator Waiver and email it to Racing@skibluemt.com or bring it with you and give it to guest services at the Valley Lodge before walking up to watch the race.
• Spectators will NOT be permitted on the race trail or in the race arena.
• Dress WARM and bring something to keep your feet off the snow like cardboard or a carpet square so you don't freeze.  
• Live results can be viewed on https://livetiming.usskiandsnowboard.org/. 

Bring those cowbells and make some noise at the finish line! 

RACE SUITS:
Sparta race suits have been issued to all racers. Race suits are only to be worn on race days. When not being worn please take good care of them and hang them up. All race suits will be collected at the end of the season. Do not change race suits with other racers and do not remove the safety pads from the race suits.

TRANSPORTATION NOTE:
All racers are expected to ride the bus with the ski team to and from the event. Although taking your child home from a race is discouraged, should you need to take your child home, you may do so once all of our racers have finished racing and our post-race team meeting is over provided a parent-signed and dated note requesting permission to drive home your child is handed to Coach Calafati before we depart the Sparta high school for the event; NO exceptions. Please note your child is required to stay and support their teammates until the end of the event. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

I am proud to announce the appointment of seniors Elizabeth Flint and James Kressman as our Assistant Captains.

From left to right:  Asst. Cpt. Elizabeth Flint, Captain Kanna Pasunuri, Coach Calafati & Asst. Cpt. James Kressman

Ski Fast, Ski Strong, Ski Proud!