The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Sees success on World Cup circuit as well
Crested Butte resident and veteran alpine ski racer Erik Klemme finished the 2008 racing season with his fourth overall masters national alpine racing title, his second in a row, as well as a fifth-place overall finish on the World Cup circuit.
Klemme, 49, races in class five of the masters division ages 45-49 and closed the national series with a dominating run at the U.S. Nationals in Mammoth, Calif., March 16-22 winning the downhill, Super G and Giant Slalom and taking fifth in the Slalom.
In addition to winning his class, Klemme posted the fastest time of all racers, the masters ages range from 21-90, and the second fastest time in the Super G.
Amidst his time on the national racing circuit and working as a pilot for Frontier Airlines, Klemme was one of 15 skiers named to the FIS U.S. Masters Team and opened the World Cup schedule racing in Chile in September.
Following the South American races, Klemme spent his winter traveling throughout North America and Europe to compete, setting his sights on the overall World Cup title.
“This year I decided to get out there and compete,” says Klemme.
The decision led to an incredibly hectic schedule including one weekend in which he flew to Italy for races, only to find out they had been moved to Austria due to a lack of snow.
With his race skis missing, Klemme was forced to compete on his “rock skis” after driving to Austria for two races.
The time and effort paid off though, as Klemme found himself in third place in the overall points standings, heading into the finals, the World Cup Criterium held in Reiteralm, Austria March 30 through April 4.
“I thought I had a pretty good chance at the overall title,” says Klemme.
Unfortunately, the races didn’t pan out as hoped. Klemme took the bronze medal in the Super G, eighth place in the Giant Slalom and 10th in the Slalom dropping him into a fifth place finish overall.
“I did the best I could,” says Klemme. “Fifth isn’t bad, but it was hard watching it slip away.”
Despite sponsors lining up to help Klemme return to the World Cup circuit for the 2009 season, he and his wife are expecting a child in July and Klemme realizes it’s time to retire from racing.
“Being an airline pilot and a ski racer is tough,” says Klemme. “It’s a lot of time. I love to compete but I really need to back off and stay closer to home. I have a lot to look forward to.”
