ticularly in the Class 3, 4 and 5 brackets and a greater concen-
tration of racers in 2012 in the 6, 7 and 8 Classes.
I was curious to see if a corresponding trend might be found
in USSA licensed competitors over the same time span, but
USSA figures have remained steady. Looking more locally here
in the East, the number of racers competing in Vermont Alpine
Racing Association programs has actually increased. To fur-
ther muddy the waters, it’s interesting to note that the highly
popular “ski bum” racing series at most major areas are also
as strong as ever, as is
NASTAR participation,
which brings us back to
the “why.” Why has mas-
ters ski racing not kept
pace with the national
ski racing population?
The most obvious clue
comes in 2007 and
2008, which saw a pre-
cipitous drop in masters
membership. This came
at the same time the
national economy went
in the dumpster and
USSA imposed a dues
increase. Undoubtedly,
bumping up the dues
played a role, but it’s an expensive sport and compared with
the money spent in equipment, travel, and entries, a $25 in-
crease is not going to break the bank. It’s more probable, how-
ever, that those working-aged racers in their 30s and 40s no
longer had the disposable income necessary to continue to ski
race. But that’s not the entire story.
“In my day many racers would race in college, spend a few
years skiing pro, and then move into masters ski racing,” said
national masters coordinator and Park City masters coach Bill
Skinner. “That’s just not happening anymore. Sure, most racers
“They’re not coming back
to racing the way they used
to,” says national masters
coordinator Bill Skinner.
BILL SKINNER/U. S. SKI TEAM
take some time off from ski racing when their kids are young,
but they’re not coming back to racing the way they used to.”
In an effort to bring in more young racers, Rocky Mountain has
reduced entry fees for those under age 25 to only $7, and the
East has been heavily recruiting among the college ranks. Both
efforts have met with little success. Younger racers are simply
not making the transition from college into masters ski racing,
despite the aggressive divisional efforts.
Perhaps parenting becomes more of a full time job, particularly
when sports are involved. “Are kids’ sports schedules becom-
ing more robust?” said Kaufman. “Are parents more hands-
on than in the past?” This could be the case, as a number of
MIA Eastern masters racers are now coaching their children as
they move through the junior ski racing ranks, while other for-
mer racers have become inactive due to chasing their children
around an endless succession of hockey rinks.
There are no easy answers, and finding solutions is equally
elusive. National masters divisions are universally committed
to keeping costs down, recruiting younger racers, and upping
the social interaction. But Skinner might have hit on something
when he said, “Maybe we should be bringing the races to the
racers.” He noted that in Park City, where there is a huge mas-
ters training program, the races are always well attended. The
same holds true for Sun Valley, Vail, and Mammoth Mountain.
In the East, organizers have noted that turnout is generally
stronger for giant slalom, and some of the more popular sites
are also some of the easiest. Is masters ski racing too com-
petitive? Too difficult? Should organizers schedule a few more
entry-level races to attract newcomers?
Skinner is concerned by the declining numbers, but not quite
ready to hit the panic button, looking instead at those elements
that have made a positive impact. “The rise in masters training
programs has been critical in maintaining our numbers,” said
Skinner. “Good skiers can learn to race, enjoy competition, and
have a great time doing it. They might be reluctant to travel at
first, but as their confidence grows, they will become full-time
racers.”
Gone But Not Forgotten
Pat McNamara
Melissa Patterson
Patterson was the women’s winner at Stratton in 2000, which
was her last season skiing masters before having kids. Skiing has
always been in her blood. Her parents ski, her father is a noted
Vermont Alpine official, and Patterson grew up in Rutland, Vt.,
where she raced out of Pico and then UVM. Patterson keeps her
hand in skiing by coaching hopefuls at Pico, but the remainder of
her spare time is spent chasing her son and daughter from hockey
rink to hockey rink around the greater northeast. “I hope to get
back into ski racing in maybe 10 years, when the kids are grown,”
said Patterson. “I still love to ski.”
Bob Wigglesworth
“Wiggy” did not win the 2000 Stratton GS, but he did win his Class
7. Wigglesworth, from Manchester, Mass., was a popular fixture on
the masters tour for decades, often dominating his class, but then
quietly stopped coming. “Well I’d love to race, if not for these three
joint replacements,” said Wigglesworth, adding a booming laugh.
He raced after his first knee replacement, but soon thereafter, he
found he couldn’t even go up to inspect. That’s when he called it
quits. “I still love to ski and I ski as much as I can, but racing is so
much more stressful,” said Wigglesworth. “I miss seeing everyone
and hope to stop in at one of the races sometime this year.”
