The JFBBRT U14s continued their season on Sunday, February 1st, at the Rob Corchnoy Memorial Slalom at Camelback Resort’s Pocono Raceway trail. If you thought the previous races were cold, this one took it to another level. Single-digit and teen temperatures combined with strong wind gusts created frigid conditions that tested every racer from start to finish. And this wasn’t just any slalom course—it was a leg burner of epic proportions, challenging both the focus and endurance of every athlete who pointed their skis downhill.
Podium Power
JFBBRT owned the girls’ podium with a stunning one-two finish! Gabby B. claimed 1st place overall, continuing her dominant season, while Riley grabbed 2nd place right behind her. On the boys’ side, Noah battled his way to a 2nd place finish, showing the kind of grit this brutal course demanded.
Making the Flip
After the first run, JFBBRT had strong representation in the top 30. Seven girls made the flip: Riley, Gabby B., Josetta, Erin, Kylee, Addison, and Greta. Nine boys punched their tickets: Noah, Jack, Kellan, Sawyer, Julian, Jake, Preston, George, and Emraan. Sixteen racers in the top 30—that’s how you show up as a team.
Other Standout Performances
Beyond the podium, several JFBBRT racers cracked the top 10 in the overall standings. Erin finished 9th overall for the girls, and Sawyer came in 6th overall for the boys. Special recognition goes to Jack, who posted a 3rd place time in Run 1, and Kellan, who finished 7th in Run 1. Impressive performances on a course that left plenty of racers gasping for air at the finish.
Superhero Story of the Day
Sometimes the best racing stories aren’t about perfect runs—they’re about heart. Mackenzie didn’t finish her first run, but she came to the start of Run 2 with one thing on her mind: redemption. She exploded out of the gate, attacking every turn with determination. Along the way, she missed a gate and had to hike back, but that didn’t slow her down. She pushed so hard that she caught the racer ahead of her—which, according to the rules, meant she had to pull off the course and request a re-run.
The entire race paused at the top as everyone waited in the freezing, frigid winds for Mackenzie to make it back to the start. Once she arrived, she laid down a masterful second run, posting a 7th place time in run 2. That’s the definition of resilience, determination, and refusing to quit. Superhero, indeed.
Coaches Keep the Team Warm
A huge shout-out to Coaches Trevor, Kurt, Connor, and Liz, who kept the athletes motivated and did everything possible to keep them warm, wrapping them in ski race capes as they lined up for their starts. When you’re wearing thin layered speed suits that can’t protect against strong, cold winds, those capes make all the difference. Special thanks to Coaches Bill and Liz for shuttling jackets and pants down to the lodge so athletes wouldn’t have to take an unnecessary ride up the chairlift in the brutal cold after the first run. Those small acts of care make all the difference on days like this.
Thank You
As always, none of this happens without the incredible parent volunteers and race organizers who braved the elements right alongside our athletes. Thank you for making this event possible, even when the conditions made it tough to be outside for more than a few minutes at a time.
Great job, team. You faced brutal cold, a relentless course, and moments that tested your mental strength. You showed up, you fought, and you proved once again that JFBBRT doesn’t back down. On to the next one!