Eve places first in giant slalom at Discovery

by Bigfork Eagle
| March 13, 2013 5:35 AM

Blacktail’s Jacques Eve dominated the slopes at Discovery Area Resort by beating out over 190 racers in the USSA Northern Division YSL Giant Slalom competition on March 2-3.

While balmy 45-degree temperatures and sunny skies made a great day for spectators, it was not so for the racers. Slushy and slippery slopes created a challenging course for these young athletes.

Eve led the team with two strong races, placing first and second in Saturday’s competitive U14 men’s heat.

Fellow teammate Dawson Rinehart landed ninth place, followed by L.J. Stringer, skiing well to complete the course.

For the male 10-11-year-olds, Rayce Neill took eighth in his first run, with a strong performance in the afternoon. Camas Rinehart came up from his morning crash with a third-place medal in the last race of the day.

For the ladies’ U12 group, Kegan Stringer took home double eighth-place finishes.

Young teammate Audrey Metzler made the podium with her second- and third-place medal finishes, and won the 6-7 age group.

Several inches of snowfall overnight and a 30-degree drop in temperature dramatically changed the course for Sunday’s single giant slalom run.

Stepping up to the challenge, Eve blew away the competition, taking first place in the men’s 12-13-year-old heat.

His time ranked him in first place over the entire field of over 190 contestants for the final race in this giant slalom event.

Dawson Rinehart pushed hard to earn a ninth-place finish. Rayce Neill took to the course to keep his eighth-place standing for his age division.

Kegan Stringer maintained her position on Sunday with another strong eighth-place finish. Medaling in fourth place was Audrey Metzler for her final run of the weekend.

Morgan Kelley completed the course in her one race of the U14 giant slalom event.

Blacktail Ski Team will be training giant slalom, slalom and technical kombi courses the next week and a half in preparation for the Northern Division YSL State Championships at Big Sky Ski Resort on March 15-17.