Snowboarder race gates at NASTAR this winter

[gymnast46]

For the second year in a row, Okemo's NASTAR course will be setting snowboard gates on one course on weekends in a bid to encourage more boarders to try recreational racing.

If you find yourself at Okemo on weekends, please stop by the NASTAR shack on Lower Blackout and ask for me, Pat Moore.

Last week was seriously foggy but we had fun nonetheless. Check out the two photos I took with my IPhone.

 

[Starter Jackets Rule!]

Ah, Rats!
I just sold my Proton GS Yesterday...Oh Well!

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Nice...Nastar is a blast!!!

 

[hardline]

im going to be there on the 9th and 10th so ill do a few runs. actually i dislike the snowboard gates on short couses. they should just just use use slalom gates.

 

[davidhowland14]

love that second pic.

 

[Sky]

love that second pic.

+1

For the ignorant (me)...what's the difference between regular GS gates and boarder gates?

Wachusett had a nightleague category for boarders...haven't seen many paticipants. In fact, I don't recall seeing that category on this year's app.

Congrats on getting the mt to buy in on carving out a trail for the course. Hope it works out.

 

[gymnast46]

+1

For the ignorant (me)...what's the difference between regular GS gates and boarder gates?

Good question. Look at the top photo in the post above. The triangular gates are for boarders and the double pole traditional gates are for skiers.
Racers on boards tend to lean in toward the gates. See photo below of US Olympian Tyler Jewell.

If they were to do that with traditional ski race gates, they'd have to give the gate a wide berth. I once caught a ski gate full in the chest when racing on my board it was painful. At the NASTAR Nationals in Steamboat this past March, boarders had snowboard specific gates for the regular races on Friday and Saturday but had to use ski-specific gates for the Race of Champions on Sunday. Photo below shows me giving the ski gate a wide berth.

Okemo has been very supportive of the NASTAR program and has offered weekend recreational races since the seventies. Come join us!

 

[gymnast46]

Ah, Rats!
I just sold my Proton GS Yesterday...Oh Well!

Say it isn't so! The Proton is a great board. Do you still have a hardboot setup?

 

[Sky]

Okemo has been very supportive of the NASTAR program and has offered weekend recreational races since the seventies. Come join us!

Great pics...and thanks for the clarification...and I definitley see the need for the triangular gates.

As for joining you guys on a weekend for a few gates....I usually try to get to Okemo mid-week vs weekends. Love the place, love it best with fewer folks (just like every other place)!

Happy New Year and Bon Chance!

 

[Greg]

Photo below shows me giving the ski gate a wide berth.

Nevermind the NASTAR thing. Just look at that bump course in the background... :razz:

 

[Roscoe Beans]

Nevermind the NASTAR thing. Just look at that bump course in the background... :razz:

Be a MAN and do both, one should never limit their snowsports adventure!

 

[roark]

Be a MAN and do both, one should never limit their snowsports adventure!

The finals for the corporate/adult leauge at Pat's featured a couple kickers 2 years ago - I'm told it will again this year (with a bail out option). Should make things interesting.