Rather than another somber story of yet another sport canceled, this year the University of Idaho Ski Club races on through the pandemic. As their events are taking off soon, club leaders tell of the recent triumphs and what is to come.
Roan Willson, UI Ski Club president, said they recently pulled off the annual basic training camp for the club and are ready to begin racing.
In years past, Willson said, the UI Ski Club would typically be partnered with Washington State University to do their basic training, but because there are obstacles with large gatherings this year, the UI Ski Club stuck to itself.
This required having “all hands-on deck,” Willson said. “I think because of it, we had some great participation.”
The training usually lasts a week or longer, Willson said. Its purpose is to teach new skiers who have never competed before the logistics and technicalities of racing, as well as fine-tune the skills of more experienced racers.
“Every year … the amount of improvement in our athletes is always impressive,” Willson said.
Katie Fischer, the club’s vice president, said basic training went well due to Willson’s efforts. It could have been easy for Willson to call off the season due to COVID-19, Fischer said, but she made sure they would still be active.
As the basic training suggests, the club is not just made up of people with ample experience speeding down the slopes.
“We have people that have never raced before a day in their life,” Willson said.
Of all the promising new members, Seth Bowen and Jenna Randolph are two Willson and Fischer spoke highly of.
Bowen is new to racing on skis, Willson said, but after basic training, his skiing “improved immensely.”
Randolph, while new to the club, is more experienced and used to be on the ski club for the College of Idaho, so her new team is looking forward to seeing where she ends up, Fischer said.
Last year the ski club placed second in dual slalom, which is a timed race on a zig-zagging course, at regionals. Willson went on to compete in nationals.
The club is made up of five women and three men, and their first races for this year have been confirmed for Lookout Pass Ski Resort, MT, on Jan. 30 and 31 against College of Idaho and Rocky Mountain College.
Cody Roberts can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CodyRobReports