Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation racers travelled to Big Sky, Montana, last week for the first of several qualifying races for end-of-season championship events to be held in March. Teams from Red Lodge, Bridger Bowl, Big Sky, Great Divide, Discovery, Missoula, and Blacktail provided plenty of competition. 

The Flathead ski team racers had multiple winners and podiums throughout the race series. Complete results are listed below. 

The race series was one of several this winter that count towards qualifying Northern Division athletes to the Western Regional Championships at Schweitzer, Idaho, for U16s, and Mammoth Mountain, California, for U14s, and the Tri-Divisional Championships at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for U14s and U16s in late March. 

Whitefish Mountain Resort is also set to host Youth Ski League YSL races for U8s, U10s, U12s, and U14s on Feb. 22 - 23. Watch the races and support your local ski racers from along the course on Ed’s Run or at the finish, near Ed & Mully’s restaurant. Those interested in volunteering for the races can email hilary@fvsef.org for available positions. 

GS1--U14 Girls: Sierra Nelson 3, Finlee Klocke 8, Ella Elliott 12, Kessa Drendel 16. U16 Girls: Kira Paatalo 13, Avery Retz 15. U18 Girls: Greta Lund 1, Guinevere Tomblin 5. U14 Boys: Colter Bengtson 1, Nolan Shaw 12. U18 Boys: Parker Retz 1 

GS 2--U14 Girls: Sierra Nelson 3. Finlee Klocke 7, Ella Elliott 12, Kessa Drendel 19. U16 Girls: Sydney McPhie 6, Kira Paatalo 13, Avery Retz 15. U18 Girls: Greta Lund 1, Guinevere Tomblin 9. U14 Boys: Colter Bengtson 1, Nolan Shaw 12. U16 Boys: Leo Bungener 2, Rylan Hoover 9. U18 Boys: Parker Retz 3 

SL 1--U14 Girls: Claire Graham 3, Finlee Klocke 5, Sierra Nelson 9, Ella Elliott 16, Kessa Drendel 22. U16 Girls: Kira Paatalo 9, Avery Retz 15. U18 Girls: Guinevere Tomblin 9. U14 Boys: Colter Bengtson 2, Nolan Shaw 19. U16 Boys: Leo Bungener 1, Rylan Hoover 8, Grayson Galle 9. U18 Boys: Parker Retz 2 

SL 2--U14 Girls: Claire Graham 3, Finlee Klocke 4, Sierra Nelson 7, Ella Elliott 18, Kessa Drendel 21. U16 Girls: Kira Paatalo 8, Avery Retz 18. U18 Girls; Greta Lund 5. U14 Boys: Colter Bengtson 2, Nolan Shaw 14. U16 Boys: Leo Bungener 1. U18 Boys: Parker Retz 2