Ski Posted November 6, 2007 Report Posted November 6, 2007 Anyone looking for a friendly racing atmosphere with lots of fellow racers happy to give tips should consider trying out an ASRA race this season. The schedule is still in the works, but there are usually races from Sugarbush all the way down to Roundtop. The courses are more challenging than NASTAR (some race days have included a slalom event, or are a stand alone slalom), but nowhere near the over-the-top set that you might find at a Masters race. Generally, the biggest hurdle for wannabe new racers is just that they aren't sure what to expect, so they blow off giving it a try. So here's how simple it is: 1. Check the schedule at ASRA Website 2. Stop by the sign-up desk on the morning of the race BEFORE you buy a lift ticket (racers get a great discount) 3. Tell either Mel or AJ you're new and they'll hook you up with any of a dozen friendly racers who will be more than happy to inspect the course with you and explain the start structure. Do it once and you pretty much know all there is to know...you're only job is to keep getting faster. And anyone can feel free to PM me here at PASR (although I'm temporarily retired from ASRA to gatekeep for my little one). Here's the fall email to all racers: Hi ASRA racers. It's almost November and openers isn Quote
Bobert540 Posted November 6, 2007 Report Posted November 6, 2007 I will def. have to go to a few of these races! Quote
Ski Posted November 6, 2007 Author Report Posted November 6, 2007 I will def. have to go to a few of these races! As long as it doesn't interfere with your Thursday night committment I'll add things as I think of them...usually questions people have asked at one time or another... **Helmets are often mandatory by ski area rules. **If you want to try a slalom course, or attend a slalom training, you'll get the most out of the day if you invest in a set of pole guards, which are about $35. I prefer a full guard, as opposed to half guard, since it absorbs 100% of the impact. As you improve and start cutting off gates, then drop the $75 on a pair of shin guards. **Do you need a speed suit? Will you feel out of place without one? Well, about 95% of ASRA racers will be sporting a speed suit (a fair percentage will be proudly jammed into them over beer guts, while others have owned the same one for so many years that we all know the color of their long johns). The typical ASRA racer is a white collar adult who looks at the big picture and sees a new racer as a benefit to the growth of the ASRA race circuit. In other words, any sense of feeling out of place is in your own head. Now, if you tie a veteran and you're in a jacket and he/she is in a speed suit, you may be told you never need to buy a suit ... My advice is to be more concerned about your technique and worry about a $300+ race suit when you know you're addicted to gates. Layer enough that you can drop your jacket at the start house. **If you know you'll be attending more than one race, seriously consider the ASRA membership. It's cheap and pays for itself pretty quickly by giving an extra discount off each race. Plus, it supports the fund for all the gates you'll be smashing to pieces. **Who do you compete against? Well, the Zen answer is that you'll be competing with yourself on a long journey of self-improvement. Less than Zen, there is a competition for overall female and overall male. Then, you also compete for medals in your age class (ie Men 40-44), with the top three racers in each class getting a gold, silver, bronze medal. The ASRA honchos are making some changes this season, so check the website for the tweaks. **When are the awards? About 90 minutes after the race, everyone gathers---usually at the resort bar---for medal presentations and some snazzy door prizes. **Do you need race skis? Nope. If you are hitting a slalom, you aren't gonna be happy on 185's, but any short turn radius ski that's a manageable length is fine. Giant Slalom is known as the closest thing to recreational ski turns, so just make sure you have a decent tune and some fresh wax and you're good to go. Quote
AtomicSkier Posted November 6, 2007 Report Posted November 6, 2007 Eh, ASRA is just a beer league. No thanks. Good stuff ski! I'll make it out to one or two this year just to see how much faster I am then you this year. Quote
Bobert540 Posted November 6, 2007 Report Posted November 6, 2007 Coach, Don't worry I won't miss Thursday nights! Jeff, What else is around for a beginner racer besides NASTAR, ASRA and Beer Leagues? Quote
Ski Posted November 6, 2007 Author Report Posted November 6, 2007 Eh, ASRA is just a beer league. No thanks. Good stuff ski! I'll make it out to one or two this year just to see how much faster I am then you this year. Ha, my Thursday nights are a beer league and we're proud as hell of it. Hell, we may even turn it into a vodka league. Quote
AtomicSkier Posted November 6, 2007 Report Posted November 6, 2007 Coach, Don't worry I won't miss Thursday nights! Jeff, What else is around for a beginner racer besides NASTAR, ASRA and Beer Leagues? ASRA is probably the best league around here for a more laid back racing environment with some guys that can rip. It's fun to beat Ski by 6 seconds a run on a 30 second course :rofl I'm only bustin your ballz ski. Quote
Ski Posted November 6, 2007 Author Report Posted November 6, 2007 ASRA is probably the best league around here for a more laid back racing environment with some guys that can rip. It's fun to beat Ski by 6 seconds a run on a 30 second course :rofl I'm only bustin your ballz ski. (i'm gonna go hide, now) Quote
AtomicSkier Posted November 6, 2007 Report Posted November 6, 2007 haha I remember that night. It was slushy as hell and I was on 160cm slalom skis. That huge hole formed at the second to last turn. Quote
Bobert540 Posted November 6, 2007 Report Posted November 6, 2007 It would be nice to make it into Nationals in ASRA but I know there is some steep competition in the 21-29 age bracket. Quote
Bobert540 Posted November 6, 2007 Report Posted November 6, 2007 Jeff, Have you ever raced Bernhard Resch? Quote
AtomicSkier Posted November 6, 2007 Report Posted November 6, 2007 Jeff, Have you ever raced Bernhard Resch? Yes, I actually raced him head to head in the year ending "Go Pro" where I was in top 16, which then go into a bracket. In the second round, I went head to head against him, and was slower by about 2-3 seconds each run. He's freakin good. Quote
Bobert540 Posted November 6, 2007 Report Posted November 6, 2007 yea he is, I always hated going behind him at Nasta, he is an incredible skier! Quote
Ski Posted November 6, 2007 Author Report Posted November 6, 2007 haha I remember that night. It was slushy as hell and I was on 160cm slalom skis. That huge hole formed at the second to last turn. Not that it matters, but that was from 'Montage'...I remember the Blue race you're talking about, but I don't think I ever beat you on your hill. Quote
AtomicSkier Posted November 6, 2007 Report Posted November 6, 2007 Not that it matters, but that was from 'Montage'...I remember the Blue race you're talking about, but I don't think I ever beat you on your hill. All I remember was you dropping your jacket, and I didn't, since it was too cold. Quote
Metz the Jersey boy Posted November 16, 2007 Report Posted November 16, 2007 Hell Doug, I remember when you used to be able to beat me... Quote
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