All Winners at 2015 Carter Classic

"16 teams, 63 racers, sunshine, awesome lunch and prizes," was how Laurie Spearin, this year's organizer of the Carter Classic, summed up the event which was held February 21.  The Carter Classic Memorial Dual Slalom, an annual fundraiser for Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports (SSASS) is named in memory of Danielle Carter, one of the first SSASS students whose mother, Donna, organized the first funding and training of volunteers.  It offers the thrill of skiing a slalom course to able-bodied and disabled skiers who are willing to give it a try. 

 

Based at Silver Star, SSASS is a completely volunteer-run organization of trained instructors who are matched to students with disabilities so they can learn and enjoy the thrill of skiing or snowboarding.  Lessons are scheduled throughout the winter and are also offered to out-of-town guests with disabilities who are visiting the Resort.  Once during the season SSASS invites the public to join them for the infamous Carter Classic. 

The event, a major source of funding for SSASS, raised over $16,000 this year.  "It covers about 1/2 of our yearly expenses",  says Marian Bexton, treasurer for SSASS.  Another priority over the next season will be reassessing all the sit-skis; refurbishing some, selling others and buying  new ones.
  A sit ski is a bucket seat suspended over  one or two skis used by a skier who does not have the ability to manoeuver skis with his legs.  The skier can guide himself with his arms using outrigger skis or be "stage-coached" down the mountain by an able bodied skier.

 
Again this year the Silver Star Mountain Resort staff helped set the stage for a successful event. Lower Big Dipper was groomed to perfection, and the dual courses were set up to accommodate both the recreational skiers and the SSASS students.

No racing skills are required for the Carter Classic.  All team members do the course once, are given their time and then predict their time on the second run.  The team with the closest estimate win.  So it doesn't matter if it takes you 30 seconds or 5 minutes to do the course.  everyone has a chance to win.

Awards were given out at the luncheon following.  The Mad Hatters Tea Party team won for best guesstimation this year and also brought in the most pledge money.

  

  However they were edged out by  the "Three Little Piggies (and Kermitt)"  for best costumes.  There were plenty of door prizes.  And judging from the laughter and smiles all round, everybody was a winner!

To find out more about SSASS programs or how you can participate in the Carter Classic next year visit www.ssass.bc.ca, email ssass.info@gmail.com or call 250-260-3737