Unexcused Absences

“Don’t worry about this one. If you miss it, we lose.”

– Ty Webb, from the movie “Caddyshack”

I got an unexpected vote of confidence from my Race Department colleagues today, which presented itself in the form of “hey, Kent, you’re subbing for Rupert today on the Coyote Cafe team.”  “Oh, great,” I thought, “that’s all I need.” I was happy to just quietly participate as a solo racer in the weekly Beaver Creek “Town Series” races, otherwise known as the “Locals’ World Cup.” Individuals can race solo, although the real action is in the team competition, where local businesses put together and sponsor teams of five.

The Bear Trap Race Course

I mostly participate in these races so I can attend the after parties, which are fantastic (what’s not to love about free beer, great food and lots of prizes?). Instead, now I’m on the spot with my colleagues and teammates (the bulk of the Coyote Cafe team is made up of Race Department folks). These teams mean business, and our team (I can say “our” now that I’ve raced for them) has been flirting with first place standing all season. At stake is bragging rights for the entire off-season. There is no room for error, all five team member’s times count on each day. To win the season, every team member basically has to score gold every week, because there are a dozen other teams right there behind waiting to pounce. And to top it off, a place with the Coyote Cafe – THE local apres ski joint on the hill – is one of the most coveted spots in the series. I was two runs away from either glory or disgrace.

After-Party at "D'Oro Restaurant"

I checked out my competition around the start of this week’s race, a dual format Giant Slalom run down Bear Trap, a short but steep race hill.  There were a surprising number of former NCAA Div-1 racers, state champions, even some folks from various national teams, who participate.  At my skill level I didn’t really belong here, but the series is open to everyone, and anyone who’s been around me at a ski slope knows that I find it very difficult (if not impossible) to pass up the opportunity to race.

Fortunately, I’ve got one thing even more valuable than years of high-end coaching, race academies, and the latest equipment that most of my competitors seem to have. I’ve got, ahem… age. The way the race is scored, you get your individual gold, silver or bronze standing (for coveted team points) through an age-adjusted handicap. So while these young hot-shots have 2-4 seconds on me, I’ve got 20 years on them. Which means that in the quest for gold, I leave the starting gate each run with a distinct advantage.

I’ve been secretly wondering all season how to score a spot with the Coyote Cafe team, and now here I am!  I wandered over to my fellow teammates.  “Thanks, guys, for putting me in.”  “No problem,” Burke said, grinning, “just get a gold.” My first run I was a little tentative, right on the bubble between silver and gold, but on run #2 I dropped the hammer just a bit and got my gold with over a second to spare (a second is a long time in ski racing). Fear of failure in front of your peers is a wonderful motivator!

So all is well. As of this evening, Coyote Cafe is now tied for first place in the season standings.