The JFBB U12 team kicked off the season on January 31, 2026, with a slalom race at Camelback in truly frigid conditions. With temperatures sitting at zero degrees at the start, the day tested not only technical skills but also mental toughness and teamwork. Eleven boys and twelve girls braved the cold, guided by Coach Jerre, Coach Phil, Coach Jordan, Coach Morgan, and Coach Billy, with invaluable help from volunteers Tanya and Martha. Frozen toes may have been a given, but so were some unforgettable performances.
Race Day Setup & First-Time Racers
The day started early, cold, and colorful. Before racing even began, the girls added their signature touch: glitter on their faces, shining bright and bringing good luck for the day ahead.
That energy carried into a day of firsts. This race marked the first-ever competition start for Zaven, Larson, Erik, and Alex, all of whom handled the nerves, the cold, and the atmosphere like seasoned racers. Adding to the challenge, the second course featured a startling 67 gates, demanding focus and endurance from start to finish. (This author is tired just thinking about that many gates, and therefore too tired to make a 6–7 joke.)
Run 1 Highlights
As the racing got underway, Run 1 brought its share of adversity but never defeat. Zaven had a tough break, popping out of his ski near the top of the course, but came back with a strong second run. Kenji showed remarkable composure and grit, missing a gate, hiking back up, and still managing to make the flip, an early sign of what was still to come.
Ultimately, five boys made the flip: Kaydin, John, James, Kenji, and Keegan. On the girls’ side, seven racers flipped: Samantha, Estelle, Ella, Kenzie, Delia, Hope, and Gabby. For Delia, Estelle, Sammy, Ella, and Keegan, it marked their first-ever flip, an important milestone for any racer.
Run 2 Drama & Big Moves
Run 2 picked up the pace and reshaped the leaderboard. Gabby put together a strong second run to secure her place on the podium, earning the first podium finish of her racing career. Amazing work, Gabby!
Strong second runs also reshuffled the racers just outside the top 10. Both Ella and Keegan made big moves in Run 2, with Ella climbing six spots and Keegan three spots to each land at lucky number 13. (TSwift would approve.)
Still, I think we can all agree that Run 2 belonged to Kenji. Starting the second run in 17th place, he laid down a blazing 57.33-second run, the fastest of the field and seven seconds ahead of the next closest competitor. That effort vaulted him all the way to 1st place, a powerful reminder that every run counts and you never give up until the last gate.
Podiums & Placements
By the end of racing, the results reflected the momentum built throughout the afternoon. The JFBB U12s finished the day with two podium results:
• Kenji – 1st place (Boys)
• Gabby – 2nd place (Girls)
Just off the podium, Hope finished an impressive 5th, less than a second shy of the podium. And Delia capped a strong day for the girls with a top-10 finish.
Team Spirit on Full Display
While the results were impressive, the team spirit may have been the true highlight.
One of the loudest moments came between runs at the lodge, when Kaydin—who drew a tough start, going second to last after nearly 100 racers—walked back in from Run 1. His teammates erupted in cheers as if he had just won the World Cup, celebrating not only his run but the fact that he would finally get a chance to eat after such a long wait in the cold.
That same energy carried into the awards ceremony, where the cheering sections for Kenji and Gabby rose well above the rest of the crowd. Together, this group showed what it means to race hard while supporting one another just as fiercely.
Great job, racers! And thank you to all the coaches – Jordan, Morgan, Billy, Jerre, and Phil – for your time, guidance, and support, with special recognition to Coach Jerre and Coach Phil for coaching their first race. If this first race is any indication, it’s shaping up to be an exciting and memorable season.
Looking Ahead
The JFBB U12s now turn their focus to a double-header next weekend:
• GS at Elk on Saturday
• SL at Montage on Sunday