Barbara Lawlor

A new year, a new ski season, new coaches and a state qualifying slalom race which will be held at Eldora Mountain Resort on Thursday. The cold snap will be gone, the sun will shine and it will be a perfect time to see what this year's alpine team has to offer.

The course will be on La Belle and the finish on Hot Dog Alley. The first run will be at 9:45, followed by the mens' first run; and the second run will be at 1 p.m.

Nederland's new head alpine coach is Chantal Knapp, a World Cup racer who has coached the Eldora Mountain Ski Club team. Kevin Hueth, NHS's boys' soccer coach and Mike Harding are the assistant coaches.

Returning varsity senior racer is Dayna Larsen who will more than likely lead the team to state competition. Junior Bailey Kuechenmeister returns after two spectacular years of growing and winning and reaching peak performance. Her brother freshman Quinn joins the high school team after working hard with the middle level group. Juniors Elizabeth Ball and Ian Hastings and sophomore Anne Cox add to Ned racers.

The other 33 members of the team come from just about every other Boulder Valley School District schools.

Spectators are welcome and encouraged to walk or snowshoe to the finish area at Hot Dog Alley to ring their cow bells and support the athletes.