Whitefish skiers at Telemark World Cup

The U.S. Telemark Ski team put together a strong performance at the Telemark World Cup in Colorado on Feb. 21-23 at Steamboat Ski Resort and Feb. 25-28 at Keystone Ski Resort, including a top-10 performance from Whitefish skier David Hobbs.

At Steamboat in the sprint classic event, Hobbs, who now trains and coaches in Steamboat, took 15th in a time of 1:52.76. He was the third best American racer on the course, while former Whitefish resident Eric Lamb finished in 18th. Lamb is a long-time member of the U.S. Telemark team and moved to Boulder last year to train and work.

The sprint classic includes giant slalom gates with a Nordic jump in the middle of the course. Racers must jump past a line put on the snow or seconds will be added to their time. Following the giant slalom gates, the racers ski through a 360-degree banked turn and then complete a Nordic skate section.

At Keystone, Hobbs moved up five spots to finish 10th in the classic. His performance at Keystone afforded him the second-best accumulative score on the U.S. team at the week-long event.

Lamb was 18th in the classic and another Whitefish skier, Cole Schneider, took 25th. Schneider was recently named to the newly formed U.S. Regional Team and this was his first World Cup competition.

All three racers are looking forward to being back in Whitefish for the 2010 U.S. Telemark National Championships March 18-21. Whitefish is also home to U.S. team members Kelsey Schmid-Sommer and Peter McMahon.

The free-heel event is expected to bring about 40 racers and families from out of town. There will be race categories for all levels, from novice to expert. No race experience is necessary.

Volunteers are needed during the event. To volunteer, contact Linda Hobbs at 862-3303. For more information, visit online at www.ustsa.org.

World Cup results:

Steamboat Springs

Sprint Classic, Hobbs 14th, Lamb 20th, Schneider 29th

Giant Slalom, Hobbs 16, Lamb 20, Schneider 27th

Sprint Classic, Hobbs 14th, Lamb 18th, Schneider 29th

Keystone

Classic – Hobbs 10th, Lamb 18th, Schneider 25th

Classic 2 – Hobbs 14, Lamb 22nd, Schneider 29th

Giant Slalom – Hobbs 19th, Lamb 27, Schneider 28th

Giant Slalom 2 – Hobbs 14th, Lamb DNF, Schneider 24th