Thank you to event volunteers
As a spectator at the 2009 US Alpine Nationals, I was impressed with how the crews (pun intended) pulled off these races. Paul Crews and crews dealt with just about everything possible weather wise that came their way, and seemed to take it in stride. There were Girdwoodians helping out everywhere - operating the score-board, setting up and slipping the courses, hand timing, and gate keeping – let alone all the slope grooming and ad-ministering of details done by Alyeska. I don’t even know what all it takes to stage this kind of event – but I suspect it is huge, and I am proud. I smile about the kids I saw. Local girls Gwen and Molly were there handing out cookies and collecting bibs as the skiers completed their races. Dylan and Tanner were forerunners, and Laura got interviewed by KTUU’s John Carpenter after completing a downhill race on the big stage. The Girdwood junior high track and field team shared their gym time when the US Men’s and Women’s ski teams needed a place to work out–and Annika showed them a thing or two about core strength! I am a bit surprised more fans did not come out to cheer on the racers–but the word is getting out that Alyeska, along with its awesome crew of local volunteers, is the place to hold a big event. Check out what the athletes and coaches are saying on the U.S. Ski Team website; they concur that Girdwood-ians stepped up to the plate and were responsible for putting on great races under trying con-ditions. As a spectator, it was fun; thank you!
Julie Jonas, Girdwood, AK