JD: US Ski Mountaineering National Championships/Grand Targhee Classic

1-7-2012 Jackson

With low snow conditions the SLC crew was expecting a challenging, moguled course. Jackson did not disappoint. The start for some reason had everyone sprinting. Once that settled Scott Simmons and Marshell Thompson were out and pushing hard. I slowed worked my way up and pulled even with Luke in 3rd, thinking the guys up front would come back over the next few hours. Right then I started having trouble skinning. This was likely due to my poor technique but since I waxed my skins that morning I couldn't help but blame them. After several switchbacks on the groomer and a lot of wasted time and energy I found myself changing skins mid climb. I had a pair of unwaxed full coverage BD mohairs complete with toe and tail clips which I used the rest of the day (I know Brian, shameful). This little mishap took me from 3rd to roughly 15th place and I completely lost contact with the lead. Feeling like I had ruined the race before it started I was stuck playing catch up the rest of the day. Slowly working my way up I eventually shared a few transitions with Marshell towards the end of the race. He got out a touch before me on the second to last descent and I lost sight of him. At the next transition he was no where to be seen. Apparently a wrong turn put Marshell in the middle of nowhere and out of the race. Unfortunate. The last up felt a lot longer than I would have hoped but was uneventful (as was the down) and positions stayed the same. Once again, the guys at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort put on a great event. Hopefully they're showered with snow storms for their efforts.

Results:

1. Luke Nelson 2:38:58

2. Scott Simmons 2:40:59

3 Jason Dorais 2:43:42

4. Brian Wichensauser 2:47:32

5 Ben Parsons 2:48:47

A brief video of the race:

Andy paying respect

1-8-2012 Targhee

Coming off the Jackson race I don't think anyone I talked to was too psyched to race again. At least this one was a little shorter. The first up I found myself slipping again. I topped out in 4th hearing Jared scream, "Junkshow Dorais." He was right. I was lucky enough to come out of the transition to climbing in 3rd and position stayed the same throughout the next up. The second descent was eventful. Ben Parsons and I followed Luke for the first half. We all pulled even when Luke and I began to struggle. At one point I found myself on my head looking at my skis and the sky. Apparently Luke found himself in a similar situation and was asking himself weather or not he was concussed. We both watched Ben rip the rest of the descent. I figured we just gave him the win. My transition before the last up was pretty quick and Ben only had 5 secs on me. Right after he started going, his skins popped off. His great DH was erased with a simple skin malfunction. Because of that I got out of the transition 1st with Luke about 80 feet back, Ben still struggling with skins. Feeling pretty blasted from the last days effort I was lucky to hold the other guys off for that last short climb. A long descent to the finish had us all laughing and feeling cold. Again big thanks to the Targhee guys especially Andy Williams for putting on a great race. It definitely had a good backcountry feel with the majority of the race off piste. A few pictures.