Nor Am Cup Finals Wrap Up in Waterville Valley

WATERVILLE VALLEY, NH- Spring was in the air as the Nor Am Cup Finals wrapped up on Thursday in Waterville Valley, making it evident that winter and the 2009-2010 ski season were coming to an end.  Skies were sunny and clear on the third and final day of the event, which had both the men and women competing in Slalom.

The men finished their day first, with the fourth through seventh places separated by only hundredths of a second.  Canadian Paul Stutz took first place overall, followed by Patrick Biggs and American Nolan Kasper. On the women’s side, Marie-Michele Gagnon was at the head of the pack once again, followed by US Olympian, Sarah Schleper, and Katie Hitchcock.

The Nor Am Cup overall series awards were also given away at Waterville Valley, with local girl, Julia Ford, coming in second in the women’s division. When asked what helped make her so consistent throughout the series, Ford responded “whenever I was in a little slump, being able to come home and train and fix it before traveling to the next set of ski races [made me consistent].”

At the awards ceremonies, athletes were given flower bouquets and plaques that allowed the athletes to bring a little piece of New Hampshire home with them. Host of the competition, Waterville Valley Black and Blue Trail Smashers Ski Educational Foundation (WVBBTS) thought that it was also the perfect time to show off the state: “New Hampshire has so much to offer and all of us at BBTS are so proud to host this event,” said Peter Stokloza, CEO and Executive Director of WVBBTS.

Beautifully crafted bouquets were supplied by Mountain Laurel Florists of Ashland, NH, which New Hampshire native birch and pine elements. Gleason/Ineson Stone Suppliers of Merrimack, NH donated granite plaques, representing New Hampshire as the “Granite State.” Artech, a family run business out of Enfield, New Hampshire supplied top athletes with ski tuning kits. And Wild Coyote Grill of Waterville Valley hosted a lovely athlete reception to honor US and Canadian Ski Team members.

While the constants of the championship event, like the awards, were under control, the variables began to make WVBBTS officials nervous as the finals grew near. The weekend’s weather drenched the ski area with rain, creating sloppy snow conditions. Hard working coaches, employees and volunteers worked around the clock to make sure they had a successful race from start to finish.

“The snow was good, the sun was out and the skiing was extraordinary- it can’t get any better than this,” said Stokloza after day one. The same could be said for days two and three as well.

For all Nor Am Cup Final results, including men and women’s GS, please visit www.wvbbts.org/NORAMFINALS2010.