Sports

Sagrada Familia Basilica

Return to Barcelona

Barcelona. I haven’t been there since 1992. Today’s Barcelona is sprawling and majestic, much as it was in 1992, just more. When I gazed across the cityscape from the patio of Fabra Observatory, near the top of Tibidabo, the tableau of city and Mediterranean stretched along the coastline.

Matt Dodge races to win the 84th Hochgebirge Cup Challenge on January 20, 2024, at Mittersill. ©Mark D Phillips

Ski the East: The Hochgebirge Challenge

The Hochgebirge Challenge began in 1931, running continuously except for a few years because of war and lack of snow, and is recognized as the longest running team event in the US. The race has been an Olympic qualifier event, a National Championship, a National Championship qualifier event, and most recently, the qualifier for the Masters National Championship. The trophy is spectacular and makes you want to kiss it just like the Stanley Cup.

Matt Dodge in the Masters GS Race at Berkshire East on February 3, 2023. ©Mark D Phillips

The Top of the Race Pyramid: The Sise Cup 2023

The Sise Cup is the most prestigious award within the New England Masters and is bestowed to the top man and woman points holders at the end of each season. With an epic battle between two top women and a dominant seven-time winner for the men, 2023 was an amazing race season.

Masters Eastern Championships at Stratton

In a challenging season for ski racing, Stratton Mountain was the scene for the 2023 Masters Eastern Regionals from January 25 to 28, 2023. Friday’s scene was set for the Slalom Championships with Giacomo Migliori taking first overall, a feat he would accomplish in Saturday’s GS Championship as well. Jason Beland came in second at +0.82, followed by Bastien Martini in third at+1.00. Alexandra Mitchell finished first for women and fourth overall. Maggie Sellar came in second at +8.72 and Deborah Adams at +11.29.

NEMS Race at Waterville Valley NH

NEMS races two New Hampshire legendary mountains

For East Coast ski racers, Waterville Valley and Canon Mountain are the places where East Coast ski racing came of age. After a five year hiatus, New England Masters Skiing returned to Waterville for 2 GS races on Friday, Jan. 20th. The races took place on the legendary World Cup trail, an opportunity that drew some of the best Masters skiers in the region. On Saturday, Jan. 21st, Masters moved to Canon Mountain for the Hochgebirge Challenge Cup Slalom race, the oldest team ski race in the United States.