Randonee race winner Matt Irons (PHOTO PHIL SCHAEFER)

Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol hosted the 3rd Annual California Ski Patrol Olympics last week at Mammoth’s Main Lodge. On April 18 and 19, ski patrols from Squaw Valley, June Mountain and Mammoth Mountain competed for regional bragging rights. The competitions covered many of the skill sets that ski patrol professionals use in the execution of their job duties.

The first day of competition started with the Randonee Race. Beginning at Chair 11, up to the top of the Paranoids via White Bark Bowl and down Scottie’s to the Chair 11 finish. The first place men’s finisher was MMSP’s own Matt Irons with second place going to Squaw Valley’s Zebulon Blais. The first place women’s finisher was Robin McElroy of Squaw Valley.

In the Bomb Toss event, the top results in distance reaching 150 feet was David Glidden of Mammoth Mountain. In the accuracy competition, bull’s eye at 75 feet, was Kirk Maes of June Mountain with a direct hit, with skis on, in the wind, with a 2.2 lb. simulated hand charge. Quite a feat!

At the Avalanche Dog Search event, Erik Knudson and Boon from Squaw Valley were the winners, with Sean Macedonio and King from Mammoth Mountain the runners up.

The last event for the day was the All Mountain GS, with the fastest time posted by Corey Denton of Mammoth Mountain, winning by 8 seconds! Second place men’s finisher was West Vane of Mammoth Mountain. First place women’s finisher was Robin McElroy of Squaw Valley with Kelly Miller of June Mountain second.

Day two brought the Avalanche Transceiver competition with Neil Satterfield of June Mountain winning in 2 min. 25 sec. for three buried beacons.  Eric Diem of June Mountain was a close second, posting a time of 2:37. Top women’s finishers were Robin McElroy, 2:47, and Coryl Dolfin MMSP, 3:01.

In the Recco Search with a double burial, the winner was Erik Knudson SV, ripping it up with 55 sec. total!! Second place Kirk Maes JM in just 1:27. First place for the women, Robin McElroy SV edging past Kelly Miller JM by only one second!

In the complicated Toboggan Race, involving not only GS gates, but picking up a patient too, first place went to Jason Torlano/Jeff Fox/Ryan Copenhagen of MMSP. Second place, Corey Denton/Mitch Dreese/Scott Donaghey, MMSP.  The women’s winner was Kelly Miller/K. Maes/E. Diem JM, runners up Coryl Dolfin/Amy Grahek/Mandy Fels, MMSP.

The last event of the day was the, just for fun, Bamboo Toss from the moving chair at various targets.  Winners were Zebulon Blais and Robin McElroy, both of Squaw Valley!

In the overall standings the men’s winner was Corey Denton MMSP, second Zebulon Blais SVSP, and third Neil Satterfeild JMSP. The women’s top finishers, first Robin McElroy SVSP, second Kelly Miller JMSP, and third Coryl Dolfin MMSP. Team overall finish order was; first Mammoth Mountain, second Squaw Valley, and third June Mountain.

All of the participants had a great time and would like to thank our sponsors: Alpha Explosives, Clif Bar, Edge Rescue, FallLine, Mammut, Mountain Uniforms, Patagonia and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area.

Meanwhile, Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol would like to thank all the local establishments that donated awards to its 2011-2012 Awards Banquet, including: Clocktower, Petra’s, Convict Lake Resort, Giovanni’s, Hair and Now, Kittredge Sports, Lakanuki, Mammoth Mountaineering Supply, Mammoth Outdoor Sports, Nevado’s, Rafters, Roberto’s Café, Slocums and Anonymous.