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 Thunderbird Ski Club
RACE TEAM       

Wanna’ Be Racers>>>>Listen Up!
The Thunderbird Race Team is a group of app 50 members of the Thunderbird Ski Club who participate in downhill ski racing (slalom and giant slalom) in the Metropolitan Detroit Ski Council [MDSC] – Michigan Alpine Competition Committee [MACC] ski race program.  The program consists of 12 races over 5 weekends, primarily at Boyne Mountain in northern Michigan, with one weekend at the Searchmont Resort, outside of Sault St. Marie, Ontario. 

Am I a good enough skier to race?
The answer is an emphatic, “YES”!  You need no prior race experience to jump right in. Coaching by the TBird veterans will help you along.  Racing is done versus other persons of the same gender and similar ability [adjusted with handicaps] on courses that are set for the ability level of that class.  If racing has ever, even remotely, entered your mind, you need to try it!

Why participate?
It's FUN to race, and it will clearly make you a better skier.  There are also after-race activities on race weekends like Hot Tub parties, a pizza party, spaghetti dinner, and an on-the-hill barbeque with your fellow racers.  The last race weekend features the MACC Awards Banquet.  We are working on other activities for next season.  The emphasis, however, is still on having fun.

When do the races take place?
See the 2007 schedule below.  You don't have to make all of the races.  Make as many as you want or can.  And being a “GUEST RACER” for your first time out makes trying it easy and inexpensive.

Check out more information about racing on the  MACC Website.

How do I sign-up?
At this time, just provide your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address, to
Jim Michon, Director of Marketing/Recruitment, 313-258-4522 Email: Jim Michon.  He will make sure that you receive the information and registration forms when they become available as the race season approaches.

 

Racing Schedule for 2010

January 9-10 Boyne Mountain
January 23-24 Boyne Mountain
February 5-7 Searchmont
February 20-21 Boyne Mountain
March 5-7 Boyne Mountain
   

Thunderbird Race Team Newsletter
Fourth Race Weekend: February 20-21

 The fourth race weekend of the 2010 season took place at Boyne, where we had excellent conditions, with sunny days and great snow.  It was also a success, with 26 T-Bird Racers going through the courses on Saturday and Sunday.  We continue to be the largest race team in the MACC program. The T-Bird's that made the podium (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) are as follows:

Slalom (Saturday):
1st            Tom Klaban (VE2M), Frank Dusina (E2M), Zach Jablonski (AM), Ted Jablonski (BM), Bob Rossi (CM)
2nd           Patrick Smithbauer (SVBM), Gary Sonnenberg (SVCM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)
3rd           Janie Guiliani (E2W), Steve Vollmer (SVCM)

Giant Slalom (Sunday):
1st            Scott Tater (E), Zach Jablonski (AM), Scott Soucie (BM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)
2nd           Ted Jablonski (BM), Steve Vollmer (SVCM),
3rd           Janie Guiliani (E2W), Mike Haffey (VAM), Patrick Smithbauer (SVBM), Chuck Trewin (BM)

Our “racer of the week” is Zach Jablonski (AM) with two 1st place finishes.  Other T-Birds with two podium finishes include Ted Jablonski (BM) and Dick Synowiec (SVDM) with a 1st and 2nd, Patrick Smithbauer (SVBM) and Steve Vollmer (SVCM) with a 2nd and 3rd, and Janie Guiliani (E2W) with two 3rd’s.  The T-Bird’s had an excellent 54% of our racers (14 of 26) make the podium at least once this weekend.


The Past Weekend’s Party:


We had 11 T-Birds attend the Saturday night dinner at the Vollmer condo in Boyne Falls.  We feasted on roast chicken with potato salad, with dessert of Judy Sullivan’s brownies and a chocolate iced pudding cake. Gary Sonnenberg, who has taken over the organizing of the party menu, had done a great job.


The Marks Weekend’s Barbeque:


Coming up for the final race weekend is the annual on-the-hill barbeque, featuring Kowalski kielbasa dogs and hot dogs, Angus burgers, Better Made potato chips, and beer and pop.  As always, it should be a great time, and if the weather cooperates, it should be a fantastic time.  Any racer that doesn’t participate is missing a great finale to the race season.


The End of Season MACC Awards Banquet:


Coming up on Saturday is the end of season MACC awards banquet.  It is always a fun evening with a great dinner, many racing awards, and LOTS of nice prizes.  This is the place to get your moment of fame as you receive your awards for the season.  Even if you aren’t one of the victors, you can still cheer for your team members as they receive their awards.  Maybe even the team will receive an award for all of our performance.  Tickets will be available until noon on Saturday.  Prices on Friday are $30 for adults (age 13 and older) and $14 for youth (ages 5 through 12) and free for children 4 and under.  Prices go up to $35 for adults and $15 for youth on Saturday.  No tickets will be sold at the door.


Mike’s Musings:


As you may have noticed from the race results, Scott Tater has returned to the land of the ski racers.  Scott hurt his foot playing soccer and needed a plate and screws to put his foot back together again.  The Sunday GS was his first race of the season and he smoked all of the Elite racers in the fastest class on the hill.  Hopefully, this is an indicator of what to expect for next season.  Welcome back Scott.

In addition, Judy Sullivan, after a number of health issues, returned to the ski hill (but not the race course).  She was skiing and feeling fine and we look forward to seeing her return next season to the race course.  Welcome back Judy.

The battle of the brothers this weekend was a tie.  Ted smoked me (and everyone else in B) in the slalom.  Sunday’s GS went to me by over a second.


Your Thunderbird Race Team Director:

           
Mike Jablonski         
                                     

 


Thunderbird Race Team Newsletter
Third Race Weekend: February 5-7

Third Race Weekend (Searchmont): February 5, 6, & 7:

The third race weekend of the 2010 season took place at Searchmont, where we had the best conditions that I have ever experienced there.  Because of the clear nights, the early morning temperatures were as low as -15 F, but the sunny, clear, blue skies made for pleasant afternoons with mid-20 F temps and NO wind, a rarity for Searchmont.  It was also a success, with 16 T-Bird Racers going through the courses on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  We are still the largest race team in the MACC program. The T-Bird's that made the podium (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) are as follows:

Super Giant Slalom (Friday):
1st        Tim Loula (VAM), Patrick Smithbauer (SVBM),
2nd        Jill Jablonski (E2W), Mike Haffey (VAM), Zach Jablonski (AM), Ted Jablonski (BM), Gail Kovaleski (CW), Ron Glowzinski (SVCM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)
3rd        Janie Guiliani (E2W), Will Heckman (E2M), Mike Jablonski (SVBM), Bob Rossi (CM)

Slalom (Saturday):
1st        Janie Guiliani (E2W), Patrick Smithbauer (SVBM), Ted Jablonski (BM), Steve Vollmer (SVCM), Bob Rossi (CM)

2nd       
Will Heckman (E2M), Mike Haffey (VAM), Zach Jablonski (AM), Art Ellwanger (SVBM), Gail Kovaleski (CW),
3rd        Tim Loula (VAM),

Giant Slalom (Sunday):
1st        Mike Haffey (VAM), Zach Jablonski (AM), Patrick Smithbauer (SVBM), Steve Vollmer (SVCM), Bob Rossi (CM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)}
2nd        Janie Guiliani (E2W), Art Ellwanger (SVBM), Ted Jablonski (BM),
3rd        Tim Loula (VAM), Mike Jablonski (SVBM),

Our “racer of the week” is Patrick Smithbauer (SVCM) with three 1st place finishes.  Other TBirds with three podium finishes include Bob Rossi (CM) with two 1st and a 3rd, Mike Haffey (VAM), Zach Jablonski (AM), and Ted Jablonski (BM) with a 1st and two 2nd, Janie Guiliani  with a 1st , 2nd, and 3rd, Tim Loula (VAM) with a 1st and two 3rd .  The TBirds had a phenomenal 100% of our racers (15 of 15, with 1 guest and 1 injured) make the podium at least once this weekend.  Though a bit unrealistic, it would be nice to continue this success for the rest of the season. 


The Past Weekend’s Parties:

We had 11 TBirds staying at the Villas at the foot of the hill at Searchmont.  Gail Kovaleski coordinated the dinners for each of the three evenings, and made the lasagna and chili dinners, with Patrick and Karen Smithbauer bringing fantastic filet steaks for the other dinner.  Desserts included Yvonne Glowzinski’s chocolate chip cookies, Art Ellwanger’s oatmeal cookies, and Mike Jablonski’s pumpkin pies.  The TBirds are winners in the food category as well as on the race course.


Mike’s Musings:

The battle of the brothers this weekend went to Ted in all three races.  I raced all the races with my shoulder in a brace to restrain it in the event of a fall, which I took in Saturday’s slalom as my ski came off in a deep rut.  Unfortunately, I fell on my bad shoulder, but fortunately it was in soft snow and I did no damage.  Ted, always good in slalom, greatly improved his GS form this weekend after receiving tips from the Boyne City High School coach.

Another of our racers had a notable race this past weekend, as Zach Jablonski got the first 1st of his young MACC racing career after getting all 2nd and one 3rd in the previous races.


Your Thunderbird Race Team Director:

           
Mike Jablonski
734-283-5510                     
 (Home)
231-582-7339                     
 (Cottage)
mtjablonski@wowway.com

Thunderbird Race Team Newsletter
Second Race Weekend: January 23 & 24

The second race weekend, with the fine snow and moderate temperatures made for an interesting weekend. It was also a success, with 20 TBird Racers going through the courses on Saturday and Sunday. We are still the largest race team in the MACC program. The TBirds that made the podium (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) are as follows:

Slalom (Saturday):
1
st Eric Klaban (E1M), Tom Klaban (VE2M), Ron Glowzinski (SVCM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)
2
nd Jill Geyer (E2W), Zach Jablonski (AM), Patrick Smithbauer (SVBM), Scott Soucie (BM), Bob Rossi (CM)
3
rd Will Heckman (E2M), Ted Jablonski (BM), Steve Vollmer (SVCM)

Giant Slalom (Sunday):
1
st Janie Guiliani (E2W), Mike Haffey (SVAM), Steve Vollmer (SVCM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)
2
nd Eric Klaban (E1M), Zach Jablonski (AM), Patrick Smithbauer (SVBM),
3
rd Chuck Trewin (BM), Bob Rossi (CM)

Our “racer of the week” is Dick Synowiec (SVDM) with two 1
st place finishes. Other TBirds with two podium finishes include Eric Klaban with a 1st and 2nd, Steve Vollmer with a 1st and 3rd, Zach Jablonski and Patrick Smithbauer with two 2nd, and Bob Rossi with a 2nd and 3rd. The TBirds had an amazing 75% of our racers (15 of 20) make the podium at least once this weekend. Hopefully, we will continue this success for the rest of the season.

In addition, Eric Klaban, due to his phenomenal performance in Saturday’s slalom, was upgraded from E1M to Open Elite, putting him with the fastest racers on the hill. Most of us can only imagine what a 13.7 handicap feels like.  Congratulations Eric!!!

The Past Weekend’s Party:
We had 14 TBirds in attendance at the lasagna and salad party at the Vollmer Condo in Boyne Falls. Though it wasn’t home-made, one of the highlights of the evening was a great, triple chocolate bundt cake. In addition, Tim Loula treated everyone to some of his home made grape wine. As always, the spirit of the Race Team made it a fun event.

Extracurricular- The Boyne Bash:
In addition to the usual goings-on, some team members partied with the club’s group of Boyne Bash participants from their trip to Boyne on this same weekend. A great time was had at the Snowflake Lounge with some of our racers “helping” the Bashers add to their party level!

S
ick Bay:
I
n the last newsletter, we wished Steve Vollmer as speedy recovery from his bad fall. Obviously, he took this seriously as he skied to a 3rd in Saturday’s slalom and smoked everyone in Sunday’s GS, getting a strike in the process. This is amazing, since if you saw him after his return from the hospital on Saturday of the first race weekend, you wouldn’t believe that he could recover so quickly. I guess that he is a tough old bird!

Doug Fellman, while training at Mt. Brighton, jammed his ski on a gate. He went home feeling a bit sore and when he got up during the night, couldn’t put any pressure on that leg. A visit to the doctor showed a possible torn meniscus. The injury caused him to miss the second Boyne race weekend and the trip to Searchmont.  He plans to be on the race course for the February 20
th race weekend.

Arlene Bellas has been under the weather, forcing her to miss the second Boyne race weekend and Searchmont. She also expects to be back on the race course on February 20
th
Judy Sullivan has been on the mend, but complications have forced her to miss most of the ski season so far. Though she is not racing this year, she was planning to cheer Chuck on to victory on the race course. She plans to be around for the last couple of race weekends and plans to ski at Mammoth in March.

And finally, yours truly, while running a slalom practice course after the Wednesday night race league at Boyne Mountain on January 20
th, hit a gate straight on, ripping off one ski and launching me hard to the snow, landing on my left shoulder. I couldn’t get up without help, but was hoping that it was just a bad bruise. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a bruise as the x-rays at the hospital in Petoskey showed a dislocation (about 1.5 inches out of the socket). The very painful resetting process popped it back into the socket and 90% of the pain went away. This forced me to miss a couple of weeks of skiing and racing, but I plan to be back on the race course at Searchmont, though possibly in a bit more conservative mode. The moral of this story is for old guys to not run tight slalom courses in your GS skis. Oh well.

Mike’s Musings:
There was no battle of the brothers this weekend, as I was not racing with my shoulder in a sling. Ted did have a podium finish (3rd) in Saturday’s slalom and a 5th in Sunday’s GS. The battle will resume at Searchmont, though I do have an excuse if he wins.

A number of our other racers had notable races this past weekend. Jill Geyer’s 2
nd place finish in slalom was her first podium finish in E2W. Will Heckman’s 3rd place finish in slalom is his first podium finish in E2M. Congratulations Jill and Will!!! In addition, Janie Guiliani returned to her championship form from last season with a 1st in E2W and Mike Haffey returned from a one year rest to return to his previous form with a 1st in SVAM. Good going Janie and Mike!!!

See you at Searchmont.
Your Thunderbird Race Team Director:
Mike Jablonski
734-283-5510 (Home)
231-582-7339 (Cottage)
mtjablonski@wowway.com

 
Thunderbird Racers January 23-24


















 

THUNDERBIRD RACE TEAM
NewsLetter:  January 11, 2010

First Race Weekend: January 9 & 10:

The first race weekend, with the great snow, sunshine, and blue skies made for a fine start to the season.  It was also a success, with 24 TBird Racers going through the courses on Saturday and Sunday.  We are still the largest race team in the MACC program. The TBirds that made the podium (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) are as follows:

Giant Slalom (Saturday):
1st        Frank Dusina (E2M)

2nd       
Eric Klaban (E1M), Mike Jablonski (SVBM), Scott Soucie (BM), Gail Kovaleski (CW), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)
3rd        Zach Jablonski (AM), Ron Glowzinski (SVCM), Bob Rossi (CM),

Slalom (Sunday):
1st        Ron Glowzinski (SVCM), Dick Synowiec (SVDM)
2nd        Frank Dusina (E2M), Zach Jablonski (AM),
Gail Kovaleski (CW)
3rd        Patrick Smithbauer (SVBM), Scott Soucie (CM), Gary Sonnenberg (SVCM)
 

Our “racers of the week” are Frank Dusina (E2M) and Dick Synowiec (SVDM), each with a 1st and 2nd place finish.  Other TBirds with two podium finishes include Ron Glowzinski with a 1st and 3rd, Gail Kovaleski with two 2nd, and rookie Zach Jablonski and Scott Soucie, each with a 2nd and 3rd.    The TBirds had 46% of our racers (11 of 24) make the podium at least once, a great start for the 2010 season.  Hopefully, we will continue this success for the second race weekend and the rest of the season.


Welcome New TBird Racer:


The TBird Race Team welcomes our new racer, Zach Jablonski (AM).  As you can see by the results, Zach jumped right to the podium twice this weekend, with a 2nd and 3rd in the tough AM class.  He is off to a great start and will probably get better during the season.  Of course, he has been following his dad, sister, and uncle racing for years and had also been a course forerunner for years.


This Weekend’s Party:


We had 12 TBirds in attendance at the pizza and salad party at the Vollmer Condo in Boyne Falls.  One of the highlights of the evening was a great, home made cherry coffee cake made by Mary Ann Jablonski.  As always, the spirit of the Race Team made it a fun event.


Sick
Bay
:

The season started off on an unfortunate note, as Steve Vollmer, while doing a practice run before his race on Saturday, fell hard and ended up taking an EMS ride to Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.  I didn’t see the fall but heard that it was quite spectacular.  When I inspected his skis when they were brought back to the Othmar Chalet, it was quite apparent what happened.  The new Fischer race skis had very sharp edges from tip to tail, something that Steve (the king of dull edges) was not used to.  He apparently caught an edge, which flung him off the skis.  Fortunately, it appears that he didn’t break anything, but he really jolted his head and shoulder and is really sore.  Of course, a couple of Vicodin help.  We wish Steve a speedy recovery and return to the ski hills and race course.


Mike’s Musings:


The first race weekend came off very well, with a LOT of TBirds skiing fast and making the podium.   Combined with the great snow and sunshine, it was a pleasant start to the season. 

The battle of the brothers ended in a tie this weekend, with me smoking Ted by almost 5 seconds in the GS and him smoking me by 2.6 seconds in the slalom.  My first GS run was a strike (an A level handicap) and I was hoping that the massive 0.01 second lead that I had over my nemesis Bruce Johnson would allow me to coast to victory, but he beat me by 0.3 seconds on the second run to get the top spot on the podium.  However, both of us beat ALL of the Supervet A racers, which is fun (and fast).  As I’ve said many times before, I’ve got to continue working at getting faster, especially in slalom.  

See you on January 23rd.


Your Thunderbird Race Team Director:


           
Mike Jablonski
734-283-5510                     
 (Home)
231-582-7339                     
 (Cottage)
mtjablonski@wowway.com




For more information about TBird Racing contact:
Mike Jablonski
Director - Thunderbird Race Team
Chairman - MACC

h734 283 5510
 
or Jim Michon
Director of Marketing/Recruitment
313-258-4522