US Racers Gearing Up For 2008 Race Season

USSMAThe United States Ski Mountaineering Association (USSMA) announces the 2008 race calendar: comprised of 15 races including new events at Grand Targhee, Whitefish and Whitewater Canada. For the first time on the US race calendar there are team events: at Grand Targhee and the Silverton Mt. COSMIC race at Silverton.

Classic US races like the North American Championships in Jackson Hole, the Black Diamond Wasatch Powder Keg and the Crested Butte event all return, but this year’s most important races will most likely be the Snowmass and Sunlight events in January, which also part of the COSMIC series.
The top 2 finishers in these two races will automatically be selected for the US ski mountaineering team that will compete at the 2008 world championships.
Ethan Passat, 2007 N. Americain Champs, Jackson HoleLast year’s USSMA and COSMIC series winner Ethan Passant has already booked his place on the team, along with winner of the 2007 N. American champs, Cary Smith and Chris Kroger, who placed 2nd at the 2007 Powder Keg.
It will be with great interest to see weather Passant, Smith and Kroger will line up in these two world champ qualifying race’s against other US hopefuls like Steve Romeo, Todd Glew, Bryan Wickenhauser and Zahan Billimoria.
For the women, Breckinridge local Monique Merrill has already qualified for the worlds. Jeannie Wall will be back on the race circuit and look for 2007 new-comers Amy Fulwyler and Wendy Wagner to put in strong performances at Snowmass and Sunlight as they make bids for the US team.