Dave Gibson, Nederland. Having conducted their first practice on January 20, 2021, in a season delayed due to the pandemic, the Nederland High School Ski Team had little time to prepare for their first race of the year at Keystone a week later. Happy to be competing again, senior Team Captain Carson McCue placed 1st in the Boys Giant Slalom and sophomore Emily Creek 3rd in the Girls Giant Slalom. With their boards finally back underneath their feet and a good showing behind them, the student-athletes were excited to head home where they most love to ski. 

At Eldora on Friday, February 5, the Panthers defended their mountain against strong rival Evergreen. An event that would normally host several teams and 200 racers, this year there would be 70 in compliance with Boulder County Board of Health’s restrictions. Fifteen-degree temperatures and a 40-mile per hour snow-laden wind welcomed the athletes – in other words, a typical mid-winter ski day. 

Continuing their winning ways on the Giant Slalom course, sophomore Ellie Boye took 3rd place with a combined run time of 1:10.70. In a solid effort, to their great credit, the girls landed 9 of the top 15 finishes. 

The fresh blanket of snow didn’t seem to slow the boys down one bit in a sweep of the top three spots. Carson McCue added to his trophy case with a 2nd place finish to go along with his 1st place result from Keystone. Gio Busulini took 3rd and Stanley Buzek captured top honors after registering a blistering time of 1:01.93. The future looks bright for the ever-formidable Nederland Ski Team with Gio and Stanley only freshmen.

 The next competition on tap will be held February 18 at Ski Cooper with hopes of later scheduling another slalom race to conclude the year.  

(Originally published in the February 11, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)