The sunshine and 50 degrees forecasted last week did not slow deter the Clarkston Ski teams from beginning their season.
They opened with their first wins – the boys team went 2-0 for the week. They beat Cranbrook, 14-25, and Detroit Country Day, 10-33.
The girls team lost to Cranbrook, 12-24.5, and beat Detroit Country Day, 13.5 to no score, putting their record at 1-1.
“They were good considering we didn’t have a lot of training time,” said Clarkston Ski Head Coach Mike Foyteck. “It’s been 50 degrees every day. It has been really tough for game time. It is state wide because I know there is no snow up north, either.”
He added fortunately Pine Knob Ski Resort had snow, while other places didn’t.
“I was getting nervous we wouldn’t be able to race because it was raining and 50 degrees,” Foyteck continued. “Pine Knob has by far done a tremendous job getting us up on the hill with the weather. My hat off to Rob Schick, the general manager, and his crew for doing that.”
Grant Huber led the team, finishing in first place overall with a combined time of 36.29.
Derek VanItallie finished fifth overall with a combined race times for 36.84; Ryan Callahan, sixth place, 37.03; Lance Holsbeke, 12th place, 37.74; and Alex McIntosh, 17th place, 38.05.
“Derek is doing quite well,” said Foyteck. “The boys team is the same team I had last year with the addition of Derek.”
Olivia Dunn led the girls team, finishing in eighth place with a combined time of her two races of 39.65. Karoline Holsbeke, 11th place, 39.85; and Lauren Martion and Caroline Spytman tied for 19th place, both with 41.13.
The teams opened this week on Tuesday with a Slalom against Notre Dame Prep and Rochester Adams.
They were able to train during the weekend with Pinnacle Racing and Thunderbolt Racing and get extra gate time to prepare.
“It should be a competitive race for both teams,” said Foyteck. “It is suppose to get cold this week and Pine Knob blew snow on Sunday. Unless we get 50 degrees and rain, we will be racing. We haven’t missed a beat.”
They have their Giant Slalom against the same two teams on Wednesday at Pine Knob, 4:30 p.m.