VARA
GALA WEEKEND RECAP
VARA
Many thanks to the people who helped to make the VARA Gala a huge success! The Quechee Club and staff were quality professionals! They hosted the event with nothing but smiles and great service! Thanks to all the attendees for making the trip to Quechee in support of our honorees. A great night was had by all!
VARA Gala Evening Recap

With Tom Aicher serving as emcee for the night, the 2011 VARA Gala was a storied night of honoring the contributions and accomplishments of Vermont ski racers, both old and young. Held in the cozy, family-like atmosphere of The Quechee Club, attendees were regaled with tales of skiing success dating back, in some cases, to the 1950s. Newly appointed President of the Board of Directors at VARA, Tao Smith, reminded the packed house that "ski racing is about people," and he lauded the strong community feel and resource sharing among all the ski teams and clubs in Vermont.

 

The young racers had their time in the spotlight during the naming of the 2011 VARA Team and the presentations to scholarship recipients who received over $15,000 in aid this year. Barry Cupoli of the Pico Ski Club, who was recognized as the Alpine Official of the Year, credited his contributions to the numerous workers who enable race days to go off smoothly: "The race crew works hard to make the races easy." Chuck Hughes, VARA icon and Volunteer of the Year, delivered a belly-laughing, stand-up routine in lieu of an acceptance speech in which he volunteered the sage advice to heed Daylight Savings Time that evening.

 

Coaches of the Year, Mike Kerwyn and Kirk Dwyer, were short of words but full of appreciation, and we all hope Mike is able to stay out of trouble with the mountain this winter despite his rogue course setting at Bromley. Sometime between the coaches receiving their awards and the VARA Hall of Fame inductions of Trow Elliman and Bill McCollom, two ski journalists who have certainly kept ski racing first in Vermont, it became evident that the VARA Gala was, in fact, a room of legends.

 

All were reminded that ski racing is not about the wins and loses, the times on the scoreboard, or even a place on the podium. As Bill McCollom gazed over his shoulder at a picture on the projector behind him, a shot from 1958, he remarked, "I don't remember specifics of any single race. But I remember the name of every single person in that faded, yellowed photo."

 

The 2011 VARA Gala was all about the people who make this sport a worthwhile pursuit, day in and day out.

 

Professional Writer  |  CJFeehan.com

2011 VARA Gala Award Recipients


2012 VARA TEAM
Dec/2011

VARA Vermont Cup racing begins Dec 3-4 at
Killington and Okemo
 
MVP SM
Join Our Mailing List!
Contact Information

 Fall Alpine Official Events

Nov 12-3 Burke
Entry Level RA & Hands on Timing Clinic
Nov 19 - Bromley
Level 1 T& C  - AO Clinic
Dec 14 - Pico - AO Clinic