Spokane Ski Race Association

COMMITTED TO SKIING EXCELLENCE

For more information, contact Chuck Holcomb: 509-979-7499 chholcomb@hotmail.com
Spokane Ski Racing Association | P.O. Box 678 | Spokane, WA 99210

ELLINGWOOD TESTS CANADIAN COMPETITION

March 3- Rianne Ellingwood competed in the 2nd Annual CanAm races taking place at Panorama, BC, Canada on February 27-March 3. Ellingwood qualified through the PNSA U16 qualifiers and only 5 women from PNSA competed. "I loved it. The field was incredibly deep. I felt as though I walked into somebody else's territory. They were all gunning for each other," said Ellingwood who finished 34th in super G and 61st in the giant slalom. " In the super G, there were a lot of rollers, there was big air!" "It was one of the best races I have ever been to," said SSRA U16 coach Van Brassington who accompanied the American contingency of PNSA racers. "The snow was injected. I could hear my skis make rough sounds like you hear on TV when you watch world cup," said Ellingwood. Needless to say, the race was an eye opening glimpse into exciting things ahead for this talented racer.

SL Results

GS Results

SG Results

SSRA U16'S QUALIFY FOR CHAMPIONSHIP RACES

Elyse Burandt Nic Dixon Michael Estrella Rianne Ellingwood

Three SSRA U16 Alpine Team athletes qualified for the Western Region U16 Championships. Elyse Burandt, Nic Dixon, and Michael Estrella will represent SSRA and PNSA in the prestigious event on March 19-23 at Alyeska, Alaska. Only 21 women and 26 men, ages 14-15, qualify from the PNSA division (Oregon, Washington and North Idaho). SSRA Coach Mark Burandt will serve as the PNSA men's head coach for the event. Selections for the race were calculated using three U16 qualifier races, the first of which took place at Mt. Spokane in January, before the remainder finished up in Oregon late last week. Congratulatiions and good luck in Alaska!

In addition, Rianne Ellingwood will compete in the CanAm championship races taking place on February 28-March 3. This is the first time that PNSA is sending a group to compete in this international competition taking place at Panorama, British Columbia. Van Brassington will be on the PNSA staff for this event. Go fast in Canada!

BURANDT WINS SUN CUP DOWNHILL; ESTRELLA GRABS 9TH, THOMPSON 26TH AND 29TH

Sun Cup Downhill Champion, Elyse Burandt

Michael Estrella: 9th- DH #2

Brliley Thomspon

February 22-24- Mt. Bachelor, Oregon: SSRA U16 athlete, Elyse Burandt, struck gold with an unprecedented win in her first ever downhill race in the Mt. Bachelor Sun Cup on Friday, February 22. Burandt topped the field, which included U18 and U21 racers from around the division, with a time of 1:04.23. This was especially notable since it was the fastest time of the day for men and women. Phoebe Rogers of WPSC was second in 1:04.43 and Ali Gunesch of MHA was third in 1:05.19. Briley Thompson (SSRA) finished 26th in 1:11.03 (15th for U16's and 7th for 1998 women) and Berkely Guenzel ranked 28th with a time of 1:11.17 for 17th place amongst U16 women and 9th for her year of birth.

On the men's side, Nicholas Wurden of CMAC won in 1:04.39 followed by Tanner Olsen (MBSEF) 1:04.81 and Gunner Stoltenow (WPSC) in 1:04.76. Tops for SSRA was Michael Estrella who finished 13th in 1:08.29, supported by Nic Dixon (SSRA) in 1:09.44, good for 32nd (17th U16). Adrian Markewych led the SSRA 1998 men with a 40th place in 1:12.07 (25th U16 men; 12th 1998 male) followed by Connor Peck in 57th (40th U16/20th 1998) with a time of 1:16.83.

In downhill #2, Ali Gunech (MHA) took the womens race in 1:05.57. Phoebe Rogers (WPSC) finished in 1:05.61 followed by Carina Bracy (MBSEF) in 1:15.92. First for SSRA was Elyse Burandt registering a time of 1:06.47 in 5th place (3rd for U16's). Briley Thompson was again the SSRA women's runner up in 29th (19th for U16's and 11th for 1998's) in 1:11.98. Rianne Ellingwood (SSRA) tucked to 30th place/20th u16/12th 1998 in 1:12.51 while Berkeley Guenzel was barely edged in 31st with a time of 1:12.57.

Mens downhill results were led my Joseph Prachar of SPAC in 1:03.51. Second place was Nicholas Wurden (SPAC) in 1:03.69 and third was Trevor Maxwell (CMAC) in 1:04.10. Estrella had a stong showing in his second downhilll with a 9th place and bronze medalist for the U16 men with a time of 1:05.24. Adrian Markewych was solid in 35th (22nd U16 and 9th 1998) with a time of 1:09.54 while Connor Peck finshed the race in 1:12.63; good for 52nd overall, 34th for U16's, and 17th for his year of birth.