Few people ever want to go to their college reunion. After so many years and so many changes, it’s just awkward. You’re over the beer drinking. You’re over living in a dorm with roommates. And, you’re probably over most of your peers.
But what if your college reunion involved fewer people, better parties, and ski racing in Sun Valley? Welcome to the Holding Cup, a three-day series of ski competitions and fun shindigs all for college alums from March 27-29.
The idea behind the Holding Cup was to create a fun activity on the mountain that raised money for college ski programs. “A lot of people raced in college,” Don Wiseman, director of Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation explains. “In fact, a lot of people went to college so they could ski. Our idea was to show our support for these programs and to put money back into schools that facilitate skiing and racing.”
In its first year there were nine teams. By the second year, there were ten. But during a morning training session, a competitor, Paul Gianera, was killed in a crash. Rather than racing, all the teams agreed to donate the money in his memory to the Mount Shasta Ski Team. While it was a sad and scary event, it has not deterred the skiers or the Holding Cup. As Wiseman explains: “We’ve canceled races before when people have been hurt …But it goes on. It’s like do you not drive anymore because there have been accidents? No. You do reflect on it and you learn to incorporate it into your life.” And in 2007 the race continued.
With just two complete years under its belt, the Holding Cup is a young race. Yet it is not just for babies. With a handicap that adjusts the time by a half percent for every year over age 21, it seems the older you are, the better you will do. Additionally women get 5% just for being female. Wiseman suggests putting together an all female team with good skiers in their forties. “You could have a ripping team and just kill the guys.” (Like the women really need all that help!)
Each team is comprised of 4 skiers, all 21 years of age of older who attended the same university. The top three places win money for their colleges with $1500 for first, $1000 for second and $500 for third. Sadly, each year the same team manages to take home the cup: The University of Colorado. So, rally the troops, strap on your skis and make another college take home the cup. To learn more, click here.
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