The Hingham Ski Team has made an impressive start to their season, leaving the second race with a strong overall standing: 2nd place for the girls and 3rd place for the boys.
Ragged Mountain in New Hampshire welcomed teams from Massachusetts towns, including Needham, Cohasset, NDA, BC High, Arlington, and others, for the January 11th race. The competition was fierce, and the mountain buzzed with energy as racers prepared for the day.
The day began with an 8:30 a.m. course inspection, known as a “slip.” During this time, racers from all teams carefully reviewed the course, identifying key strategies and tricky sections to watch out for. Slips are particularly valuable for high school racers, many of whom are new to competitive skiing. They provide an opportunity to build confidence and refine race techniques.
Hingham is fortunate to have experienced racers Libby Rogers, Becca Kardoos, Delaney O’Horo, Asher Tarby, Ryan Klein, and Tony Ciceroni, as their team captain to make these inspections highly informative. Asher Tarby reflected, “Slips are essential to a good race. It’s very helpful to see the course beforehand as a way to know what lies ahead of me.”
After the slip, the girls’ varsity team kicked off the races around 9:15 a.m., followed by the boys’ varsity; then the JV boys and girls.
(Gabi Magner)
Between races, the team enjoyed downtime together in the lodge, sharing a tasty lunch and warm conversation around one table. This camaraderie is a hallmark of the Hingham Ski Team, fostering a sense of unity and support.
The afternoon brought new challenges as the varsity racers faced a second race on a newly designed course. A fresh slip at 12:30 p.m. prepared them for the 1:15 p.m. start. Captain Becca Kardoos shared her thoughts on the second race: “It was icy, but it felt good to get an edge in. It was a fun, fast race with the chance to improve your time from the first run.”
The day concluded with the awards ceremony, where the top ten varsity racers were recognized. Hingham celebrated a strong showing, with Eva Perine earning 10th place, Isabel Dubose taking 9th, and Libby Rogers achieving 1st place.
After a successful day, the team embarked on the two-hour ride home, spending the journey chatting, scrolling through their phones, or catching up on sleep.
With their remarkable performance, the Hingham Ski Team continues to leave its mark on the season, exemplifying teamwork, dedication, and competitive spirit.
