Notes from the Washington Ski International Banquet 4
Author thumbnail By Connie Lawn, DCSki Columnist

A racer catches some air at Colorado’s Vail Resort. Photo by M. Scott Smith.
Even on a beautiful, warm spring evening, many in the Washington, D.C. area continue to savor skiing. That is certainly the case of part-time racers, who abandon their humdrum existence to cruise down the local mountains as fast as they can. They were honored for their efforts at the annual banquet of the Washington Ski International (WSI), held on April 18, at the Tysons Corner Holiday Inn.

The WSI is the brain child of Sam Mantis. He labors hard to put together ski races - predominantly in the local areas, but with others scattered throughout the nation. Sam has been organizing races for 27 years, and shows no signs of stopping. Last year he organized 10 races, and if the weather had not been so cold, there would have been four more. Races are geared towards both skiers and boarders, and hundreds of enthusiasts participate.

In the WSI, skiing is truly a family affair, with racers as young as 10 and older than 70. In fact, the senior division looks so tempting, I may compete myself, if the classes remain small enough. I was pleased to see people I had skied with 30 years ago, still in shape, still enjoying skiing, parties, good food, friends and drinks!

At the WSI, there were winners listed in 22 separate age categories. In the interest of fairness, I will not list all of the individual names, since I don’t want to leave anyone out. But these were the ten winning ski clubs:

  • Columbia Race Team
  • B.S. Bombers
  • Fagowees
  • Zardoz/Renegades
  • Ski Club of Washington D.C.
  • Baltimore Ski Club
  • Flying Dutchman Ski Club
  • Mon Valley Ski Club
  • Wisp Resort
  • Pittsburgh Ski Club

    I will make an exception and list some names - Chris Price won in the Men’s Overall Division, and Lisa Draper in the Woman’s. Two dynamite brothers are also doing brilliantly - they are 16 year old Andy Caron and his 13 year old brother, Tristan. Andy - hope that cast comes off soon, and you get a new Spiderman racing suit!

    For a full report on all the events, please find my friend Bill Clapper’s Winter Sports column in the March 7, 2004 issue of the Washington Times.

  • About Connie Lawn

    When she wasn't skiing, Connie Lawn covered the White House as a reporter since 1968.

    Author thumbnail

    Reader Comments

    JohnL
    May 19, 2004
    As an FYI, the link to WSI in the Related Links section is bad. Or good, if you're a fan of Taos Ski Valley. :)
    Crush
    May 19, 2004
    Nice job Connie! It was so good to meet you finally at the WSI award banquet ... looks like you might become a racer yet! Just remember:
    1) Your start and finish are the most important.

    2) Just figure out if you go left or right around the first gate, then just alternate and no worries!

    3) Always try to look ahead past the gate you are about to turn around

    4) Tuck the finish!!!!!!!!!!!

    5) Have fun and go fast!
    Scott
    May 19, 2004
    I removed the offending link. I was actually flying on an airplane at the time I put Connie's story together, and assumed I would find a link when I was connected back to the Internet, but of course forgot to. (I'm sure Taos doesn't mind. :)
    Connie Lawn
    May 23, 2004
    Thanks friends for all. And Crush - great to meet you! Thanks for the tips - don't know if I would really be much of a racer! Yours, Connie

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