YOUR AD HERE »

Rahlves Banzai Tour to conclude on historic Silver Belt Gully

Sylas Wright
Sierra Sun

The Rahlves Banzai Tour wraps up this weekend at the place it all originated and#8212; Sugar Bowland#8217;s Silver Belt Gully.

Now in its second year as a multi-resort series, the big-mountain, ski-cross-style race will take to the historic course on Mount Lincoln and#8212; site of the original Silver Belt giant slalom race held from 1940 to 1975 and#8212; for the fourth and final stop. Individual time trials will be held Saturday to determine seeding for Sundayand#8217;s four-person heats.

and#8220;Iand#8217;m looking forward to this one,and#8221; said event founder Daron Rahlves, a former Olympic alpine skier who now serves as Sugar Bowland#8217;s ski ambassador. and#8220;Iand#8217;m hoping we can get lucky one more time with this weather.and#8221;



After scrapping to design alternate courses on the first three stops due to low snow conditions, Rahlves said he looks forward to getting away from his organizer duties long enough to get in on the action as a competitor.

Heand#8217;ll get his chance in Sundayand#8217;s Super Final, after the final menand#8217;s ski winner has been decided. Like last year, Rahlves will take on the menand#8217;s ski winners from all four events in a one-run, winner-takes-all heat worth $10,000. So far, John Bochenek, Kyle Smaine and Todd Disbrow have earned starting spots in the race, with the last spot to be determined Sunday.



and#8220;Itand#8217;s not about the money; itand#8217;s more about the pride for me,and#8221; said Rahlves, who won last yearand#8217;s Super Final against Bochenek, Greg Lindsey and Marcus Caston. and#8220;I think for them, too, I mean itand#8217;s a big payday if they can beat me, but I think itand#8217;s more to say they did. I better be on my game.and#8221;

Rahlves said a new starting gate was built to accommodate all five skiers in the Super Final.

Due to the thin base of snow, Rahlves said the Silver Belt course may be altered slightly, most likely at the start and finish areas if necessary. But he still hopes to stick as closely as possible to the original route, he said.

The Silver Belt Banzai is open to skiers and snowboarders 18 years and older. For details, information and registration forms, visit http://www.rahlvesbanzai.com.


Support Local Journalism

 

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.