Vintage Ski Fest and The Jimmie Heuga Memorial Ski Race Returns to Beaver Creek on Saturday April 16

11 April 2011
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Beaver Creek, CO. – A celebration of ski history, racing and tradition returns to Beaver Creek with Vintage Ski Fest and The Jimmie Heuga Vintage Ski Race on Saturday, April 16 held in honor and memory of ski racing legend Jimmie Heuga. The event is a throwback to the 1940s featuring a lineup of competitions on the Haymeadow Race Course complete with canvas competitor bibs, hand-painted banners, natural bamboo gates, an old fashioned scoreboard and more. So dust of the ol’ skis, gear and vintage fashion apparel and join the competitions for a chance to win great prizes including Epic Passes and American Airlines tickets, or just stop by as a spectator to enjoy the final weekend of the ski season.

New this year, Vintage Ski Fest will feature a Classic Bumps Competition honoring the anniversary of the first moguls competition that took place 40 years ago on March 10, 1971 in Aspen, CO and a Vintage Vendors Fair in the Beaver Creek Village where guests can browse and buy original, replica and retro-styled gear, furnishings, artwork and clothing.

Vintage Ski Fest is an all-day event that begins with the Vintage Vendors Fair at 9 a.m. followed by the competitive portion of the day which kicks off at noon with the Celebrity Slalom race featuring legends of the sport as they race downhill on wooden and straight metal skis. The lineup continues with The Jimmie Heuga Vintage Ski Race at 12:30 p.m. where participants can test their old-school slalom skills in the wooden or straight metal race categories for men, women and children 13 and under, and the new Classic Bumps Competition at 1:30 p.m. judged by a panel on style and form.

The race courses will start at the top of the Buckaroo Express Gondola and finish near the base of the Centennial Express Lift. Ski race participants can pre-register online at www.beavercreek.com/vintageskifest and the entry fee is $20 for any or all competitions. All racers and competitors must compete in wooden or straight metal edged skis and all skis will be inspected by the Chief of Race prior to the event. Only straight skis will be allowed in the Classic Bumps Competition. Vintage ski equipment and costumes will be available for rent the day of the event.

The day’s competitive events will be followed up with an awards ceremony and Après Party located on the McCoy’s Patio at the base of the Centennial Express Lift with music, food and drink from 2-4 p.m. Top honors will be awarded to the fastest wooden and metal ski racers and best bump riders, best costume honors will be awarded to spirited spectators and competitors, and there will be one award for the vintage skier with the oldest ski pass. In addition all race and contest participants will be entered into a drawing for great raffle prizes including Epic Passes and American Airlines tickets.

Vendors of vintage ski gear, ski memorabilia, alpine or Nordic antiques and European or retro-inspired items are invited to take part in the Vintage Vendors Fair and set up a complimentary 10x10 tent space with table at the event. Set-up time is 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. and the fair will be open to the public from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event will be limited to six vendors and vendors will be subject to approval. This is a great opportunity to become a part of this growing Beaver Creek tradition and those interested should contact Cat Coughran at [email protected] or 970-754-5296.

The Jimmie Heuga Memorial Vintage Ski Race is an annual spring event at Beaver Creek.  As a ski racer representing the United States, Jimmie took home Olympic bronze in the slalom at the 1964 Games. Later he was recruited to compete for the University of Colorado powerhouse ski team and while his success on the slopes is greatly admired, his impact on humanity after his ski racing career is one that has touched many. In 1970 Jimmie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In 1984 he founded the Jimmie Heuga Center in Edwards to help those suffering from MS pursue an active lifestyle while living with the disease. The Vintage Ski Race pays tribute to a man who shared his deep competitive spirit and passion for the sport of skiing with all.

For more information and complete details about Beaver Creek’s Vintage Ski Fest and the Jimmie Heuga Memorial Vintage Ski Race visit www.beavercreek.com/vintageskifest.

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