(Editor's Note: This is part of a series of occasional columns written by students participating in a children's writing group at Inklings Children's Books in Waitsfield).
The Junior Race Program at Mad River Glen is almost done this year. During the season, teams competed at Cochran's, Stowe, Smuggler's Notch, and others. But at Mad River Glen, ski racing is not just about going fast. It’s also about having fun, building friendships, and becoming a better skier.
I interviewed Jim Komarmi, the director of the Junior Alpine Race Program. When I asked what makes a great racer besides being fast, Jim said sportsmanship is very important. He said the clock shows your time, but what really matters is improving your own best time and cheering for your teammates.
Jim told me the race program began a long time ago as something called the Valley Race Club. It was once shared with nearby Sugarbush Resort.
Today, about 90 kids are in the race program. Kids can start as young as 5 years old in the U8 group. There are also U10, U12, U14, and high school racers.
Jim said the most important thing is becoming a great skier first. “Great skiers make great ski racers,” he said. Racers spend time skiing all over the mountain, not just in the race gates. “We’re interested in playing on the mountain as much as we are playing in the gates,” he said.
A normal training day starts with a good breakfast. Jim joked that breakfast is very important. Then racers warm up with free skiing, practice in gates, eat lunch, and spend the afternoon skiing more runs around the mountain.
But the program teaches more than skiing skills. Jim said kids learn independence and responsibility. They learn to take care of their gear, be on time, and respect their teammates.
At Mad River Glen, the race program is about more than winning. The real lessons are about becoming a better skier, a good teammate, and a responsible person.
