Wtf

[reefer]

What th F is speed training? Give me an F'n break....................this shit shouldn't happen. Not blaming anyone, but I see these kids flying by me at 80mph while "freeskiing". Let's teach them that the speed belongs on the course - which I would hope is fenced in dangerous areas..................

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/18549320/detail.html?taf=bos


Teen Skier Dies After Crashing Into Tree
Girl Was At Resort For Speed Week Training Camp

POSTED: 12:45 pm EST January 23, 2009
UPDATED: 12:53 pm EST January 23, 2009


CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine -- A 16-year-old girl from Connecticut has died after crashing into a tree at the Sugarloaf ski resort in western Maine.

Officials said Rebecca McGill, of Barkhamsted, a student at Stratton Mountain School in Vermont, was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine, following the accident on Tuesday. She died at the hospital on Wednesday.

The girl was at the resort with other students as part of Sugarloaf's annual speed week training camp for competitive ski racers. A Sugarloaf spokesman said that at the time of the accident, she was "free skiing" and not participating in sanctioned training activities.

Stratton Mountain School Headmaster Christopher Kaltsas said the school has made counselors available to students and is planning a memorial service.

 

[hardline]

they are not being taught right from wrong. its a shame.

 

[tcharron]

What th F is speed training? Give me an F'n break....................this shit shouldn't happen. Not blaming anyone, but I see these kids flying by me at 80mph while "freeskiing". Let's teach them that the speed belongs on the course - which I would hope is fenced in dangerous areas..................

Dude, there was squat information on what happened.

A) You are, as part of the sport, flinging yourself down a hill on something with no brakes.
B) Trees are very resistant to human impact forces.

There was *0* information provided which said she was going too fast, or skiing recklessly. As a matter of fact, she was on Spillway just below the snowfields.

 

[deadheadskier]

I don't know the specifics, but speed training is fairly common practice for High School racers. I went to a HS that raced in the same league as this girl was in. At that time in the early 90's the only Super G race of the season was at the end of season New Englands event. To prepare for this race we were instructed to 'open' race at a very high speed throughout he year. At the end of the year there would be a few days of course Super G training to tune up for the New Englands.

We trained at Okemo and our GS or slalom training courses would be set up on either lower War Dance or lower Nor'easter. Throughout the season, racers would ski Upper Nor'easter as if they were skiing Super G. There were no gates and the line of thinking was that in such a setting the risk would be lower than an actual course as the skiers wouldn't have icy ruts to contend with.

I only raced my senior year. In early January on a bitter cold day during this 'open race' format of training, I collided with another racer and crashed badly. Dislocated shoulder, fractured C-7 verterbrea and compressed nerve in my neck. Season over

The accident this girl had was just that, an accident. It happens in our sport with tragic results in numerous ways. You really can't place fault or blame; it is what it is.

Vibes to her friends and family.

 

[Newpylong]

My first Super-G race was on an icy Spillway. I was like 15. I practically soiled myself after that one.