Master the Mountains!

Inspired by the Olympics? You might be 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 years old but you know how young you feel when you are on the mountain. You love new challenges and you’ve finally got some time and freedom to try things you didn’t get around to when you were young. Well Masters Racing might be the next challenge for you!

There are a growing number of skiers aged between 30 and 80 who are taking the challenge to have fun in the gates.

For David, it’s partly the camaraderie and that he “just loves going fast.” “I train and race because I know, even at 73, I can still be better, faster and more skillful” “I just wish there were more people in my age group” he sighs.

There are Masters Races in every resort and each race is broken into age categories. This gives everyone a fair chance of winning prizes in their division.

65 year old Herman grew up in Austria and has spent his life in the mountains. He races because he likes to prove himself. “The race focuses my concentration and performance much more than free skiing. It’s a great adrenalin boost and keeps me young” he grins with his charming Austrian smile.

His wife Mary, otherwise known as the pocket rocket, says she only races “because my husband races and I’m didn’t want to just stand around and watch, or just ski on my own all day so I went to the training and then I figured I might as well go in the races.”

There are so many different reasons that skiers have joined the Masters races but one thing they all have in common is a love of the mountains and a belief that their skiing can always improve. Furthermore there is always a like minded friend on the mountain that you’ve shared special times with, someone to ski with and challenge you in all conditions. There is great camaraderie and support even throughout the competitions.

Mike initially joined the Hotham Master Training Program because he wanted to ski with other enthusiastic skiers. He caught the race bug after the exhilaration of going through some training gates. The training gave him the skills and confidence and now he travels around to most of the masters races in Australia.

“I just love it,” enthuses Marg, 59. “If I see a gate I have to run it, even if it’s someone else’s course”

For others, it’s to test and prove themselves against like minded people and for the feeling of freedom.

Kim, an ex boxer in his 30s, tells me he “especially loves the adrenaline rush you get when you go as hard as you can.” He also believes that only racing gives you a chance to benchmark yourself. “You need competition to do that.”

Kerrin, a physiotherapist, who started masters racing a few years ago, says that she has found it very motivating for keeping fit throughout the year. “It helps me focus my exercise program. I find that I just have to visualize and feel the excitement of a memorable ski race and I can put so much more effort in to my training “.

Most resorts have Masters Race training programs held on weekends with an intensive course during one week. Many of these programs allow casual days for those who cannot commit to a whole program.

Kerrin, who is not able to regularly join the classes because of her children’s commitments, joins in as a casual when possible. “Even as a casual I have learnt so much and improved and got confident in a race course. “ I used to be scared of gates but I’ve always loved the adrenalin buzz of going fast. Now I feel confident and when I’m in the gates no mountain manager can take my ticket away for speeding. Yahooo!” She adds “ It’s also fun to have your kids still have to chase you down the hill and I love being able to share and understand their feelings when they are racing in the Interschools competitions.”

Written by Kerrin Bleicher