The JFBBRT U14 racers kicked off their season on Saturday, January 11th, facing one of their toughest tests right out of the gate—a rock-solid icy slalom course at Big Boulder. The conditions were unforgiving, testing the nerves and technical skills of every racer who pointed their skis down the hill. But our team showed up with heart, determination, and the kind of fight that makes coaches proud.
As always, the Incline Lodge deck was packed with cheering parents, creating an electric atmosphere that pushed our racers to dig deep when the going got tough—and it definitely got tough out there!
Podium Power
The day belonged to our podium finishers! Gabby B absolutely dominated the girls’ field, claiming first place overall with two stellar runs on the ice. For the boys, Noah battled his way to a third-place finish, showing the kind of technical precision that slalom racing demands.
Making the Flip
After the first run, JFBBRT had strong representation in the top 30. Eight boys made the flip: Noah, Jack, Sawyer, Kellan, Julian, Jake, Elliot, Preston, and Ben. On the girls’ side, Gabby B and Mackenzie both punched their tickets to the second run.
Heroic Efforts
Sometimes the best stories aren’t just about the podium. Jack deserves special recognition for securing fifth place overall after a first run that included a missed gate and a hike back up. That’s the kind of mental toughness that defines a racer—shake it off and come back stronger.
Welcome to Racing!
A huge shout-out to our first-time racers who stepped up to the challenge of icy slalom conditions—talk about jumping into the deep end! Emma J finished both runs cleanly to secure 32nd place overall in her first-ever race. Emma Wahlen also completed two clean runs, and Grayson finished her first run. These racers showed tremendous courage facing down a demanding course in their debut.
Bouncing Back
The true character of a racer shows when things don’t go as planned. Several of our athletes didn’t finish their first run but came roaring back with solid second runs that earned well-deserved applause. For the girls: Riley, Cassidy, and Kylee. For the boys: Emraan. That’s what we call resilience.
Thank You
None of this happens without the incredible support network that makes race days possible. A huge thank you to all the parent volunteers and race organizers who dedicated their time to make this event run smoothly. Your efforts behind the scenes are what allow these young athletes to chase their dreams on the hill.
Great job, team. You brought the grit, you brought the fight, and you showed that JFBB racers don’t back down from a challenge—even when the course is as hard as concrete. Onward to the next one!