![Photo of 2007 Junior Race team [from photo Terry Dryburgh]](images/HoriSlice_2007Juniors.jpg)
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.
To assist with your bookings for this year please refer to schedule of events.
2009 was a great season for the club. Our Race teams performed extremely well and proved superior on race days. Both Junior and Senior teams were victorious in winning the major trophies respectively. Well done Illabunda.
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.
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 |
Mon 5 - Fri 9 July |
Downhill and Cross Country Training |
Sat 10 - Sun 11 July |
Snowboard Training |
Sat 28 August |
Illawarra Junior Interclub Races |
Note: The Illabunda Junior Club Champions are determined from the Illawarra Junior Interclub Races.
This year’s Illawarra Junior Interclub races were held on Saturday 5th September.
The weather was fine and sunny with a cool breeze and a softish cover of snow. This formula must have been just right because WE ARE THE 2009 JUNIOR CHAMPIONS!!!!
The Giant Slalom and Snow Board events were contested on the ‘Race Course’ at Blue Cow in the morning followed by the Cross Country contest which was fought over at the Nordic Shelter on a revised track due to limited snow cover in the afternoon.
Our team was mentally prepared for a tough day. Two of our skiers were representing the junior’s for the last year and will be sorely missed in 2010. William Edmonds and Lauren Carr were good role models for the younger crew and were very proud captains when lofting the major trophy at the presentation.
William competed for the seniors as well this year are showed what he is capable of by finishing well in the mix in all events. He will be valuable to our senior team for many years.
The recruitment phase continued this year with Grace and Emily Dawson joining the team as well as young Olivia Gracie.
Thanks you to the parents / helpers who provided me with great assistance on the training and race periods. Also thank you to our Illabunda managers, Luanne and Matt who looked after us with fine food and great hospitality.
I must also praise the Juniors who trained and raced for the club this year. I’m sure they all had a great time and fostered the team spirit we are renowned for at Illabunda. I look forward to seeing them all next year.
Our team spirit was again commended on the race course by many onlookers for their very vocal encouragement of each other and for their gracious and well mannered behaviour at the host club for the presentation.
We at Illabunda, continue to enjoy a very good relationship with Rhythm Snow sports at Cooma. Mick, Rolph and Nick who kindly donated many items for our presentation night as they have done now for many years. Let’s show our appreciation by continually supporting Rhythm in the future. Tell them you’re from Illabunda.
Illabunda’s results in the Illawarra junior Interclub 2009 were as follows:-
The Illawarra Interclub Race results also determine our own Illabunda results. These are as follows:-
Club Captain
Terry Dryburgh, Committee Member
Mobile: 0408 802 539
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