Toe the line this Sunday for the 42nd Annual Al Johnson

“9-0 or don’t go”

by Than Acuff

What can be said about the Al Johnson Uphill/Downhill Telemark ski race?

Why?

Good start. To which the only answer would be: Because.

Because this year there is snow falling the week prior to the race and the forecast is for sunshine and warm temps the day of the race.

Because there’s a chance that a misogynistic xenophobe might become president.

Because there appears to be a large part of the U.S. population that supports a misogynistic xenophobe for president.

Because, while everything around us appears to be changing, the AJ is not.

Because Avery is the official beer sponsor and if you race, you get free beer.

Because the goodie bag is worth the price of the race alone.

Because it’s a fundraiser for the Crested Butte Avalanche Center.

Because, let’s face it, Telemark skiing was reborn here and it’s going to die here so get it while you can.

This year marks the 42nd Annual Al Johnson Memorial Uphill/Downhill Telemark ski race, presented by Irwin Guides, and if all goes well, it’s back to the original course. Last year, due to low snow and warming temperatures, the Last Steep was closed come AJ time.

Thanks to the brain trust of Crested Butte Mountain Resort and the Crested Butte Avalanche Center, a plan B course was designed, keeping the same uphill and much of the same downhill with an exit out Easy Out and a finish on the skier/boardercross course. It was the second time in the race’s history that has happened.

It was a worthy plan B, but with current conditions it looks like the race is returning to the original course, bringing back the thrilling descent down the Last Steep and up into the woods to the finish line.

Last year the AJ world crowned a new champion, as local homegrown skier Drew Holbrook edged out the win over six-time AJ winner Pat O’Neill.

“That kid still owes me a vocabulary assignment from 1998,” says O’Neill. “Isn’t that grounds for a 2015 DSQ?!?”

“I don’t know what he is talking about,” responds Holbrook. ”I was an A student. It’s talk like this that makes me think that Pat might be losing it… mentally, not physically, of course. Every time I’m on his heels he threatens me with this mysterious ‘missing vocabulary assignment.’ The threat held me back for years. I’d have nightmares about him giving me an F for beating him. Last year I finally came to my senses and acknowledged that Pat doesn’t have that power over me anymore so I decided to blow his doors off on the descent down the North Face in the AJ.”

The uphill is part of one’s success and you have to be willing to taste blood. But the downhill is ultimately where champions are crowned as racers must swallow the blood from the uphill, tip into the North Face and “let ‘em run.”

“When in doubt, straighten’ ‘em out,” says O’Neill. “9-0 or don’t go.”

And while a small but committed group of men and women continue to battle it out for the podium each and every year, the other 150 or so participants dress up for the occasion in a variety of timely and time-honored costumes.

Don’t have Telemark gear? Both the Alpineer and Wilderness Pursuits at WSCU have gear for rent. The president of the CBAC also has a small collection of skis, skins and boots for use as well.

The cost to race is $30 for individuals and $50 for tag teams. Early registration for the race is currently available at the Alpineer through Friday, March 18 and saves you $10. Day-of-race registration and the mandatory bib pick-up will be at the Brick Oven on Sunday morning from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

The tag team starts at High Noon with the individual race kicking off at 1 p.m. The awards party, complete with free beer from Avery for all participants, and the incredible raffle will be at Butte 66 starting at 4 p.m.

Sure, nobody cares that you tele. Then again, nobody cares that you can’t tele. All that’s asked is that at least one day a year, you wear the gear and, at the very least, pretend to tele.

Because the good old days are fleeting and this is one of the good old days.