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Alpine Skiing: Racing for the playoffsOn Sat., Feb. 13, and Sun., Feb. 14, the Yale alpine ski team hits the slopes in the year's final race with hopes of qualifying for regionals for the second straight year. Both the men and women's squads enter the race in fourth place in the nine-team McBrine Division and must finish in the top three to extend their seasons. Should they qualify, Yale will race against other teams in the U.S. Collegiate Skiing Association, which, according to women's captain Amy Mechur, SM '01, "is made up predominantly of varsity teams, [which] has made life difficult."As a club program, the ski team receives far less funding than varsity squads. In the past, a lack of funds has prevented the team from getting enough coaching, a serious disadvantage considering the importance of form in skiing. Most of the team's members come to college as advanced recreational skiers, but many have no racing experience. Races for the ski club are a two-day affair with two events: the slalom and the giant slalom. From each team, 10 men and 10 women compete. Each skier is given two runs in each event and scored based on his or her best times. This year's team is deep. "I can't really think off of the top of my head people who have been leaders this season," Mechur said. She did mention Mike Friedman, ES '99, who has been "the top racer for the men and has had one of his best seasons." Eric Shelov, JE '01, has also performed well. For the women, Lauren Stark, JE '00, and Lydia Pace, JE '01, have been key contributors to the team's success. --Sara Sani
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