The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Expect pow since it always snows during Prater Cup
[ by Stan Cola ]
As COVID takes a dive in numbers the Prater Cup resumes its place on the Rocky Mountain Division USSA schedule with a twist as it is now the U16 Championships taking place Thursday through Sunday, March 3-6.
Longtime friend of Dan Prater and attorney Paul Puckett created the Prater Cup in 1980 after Dan passed away suddenly on October 6, 1979. Dan was a financial supporter of the local ski club in Crested Butte and loved driving his motor home to the ski races, which served as a support vehicle where kids, parents and coaches could enjoy hot cocoa and warm up. The memory of this support has lasted for 41 years, Crested Butte’s longest standing event to date.
The race this year differs from the former U14 qualifier that the Prater Cup has been titled for decades and has been replaced with the U16 Championships, the grand finale for this age class. This year represents the 41st annual with more than 120 athletes coming to town for a long four-day weekend.
“It’s been a bit of a scramble,” says Dan’s oldest daughter Stephanie. “We hope to recreate a version of the past Prater Cup, but with the short notice things will look a little different this year. I’ve reached out to some past sponsors to help create the event t-shirt, goodie bag and swag that the Prater has always been known for, we love giving the racers a token of this great race. This event will have some sort of a similar feel to years past and hopefully moving forward we can get back to the traditions of the Prater that have given it the uniqueness that separates it from the standard weekend races.”
The Crested Butte Mountain Sports Team has three athletes competing this weekend as Kenny Bullock, Ebbet Weinberg and Emma Commerford will all be racing in the U16 championships on their home hill. Local Conor Brown will also be skiing in the race.
Thanks to the local forerunners, the Welcome Ceremony parade, the Crested Butte Mountain Sports Team, Vail Resorts and the Crested Butte Ski Patrol for putting on a great weekend of safe ski racing.
Additional thanks to Faith and Garrett Smith, John Norton/TAPP, Vail Resorts, Gene and Martha Bryson, Joe Garcia, Molly Eldridge-Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties, Alan Eldridge/A & A Mechanical, Puckett family, Carnahan Family, Amy and George Hurst, Linda Rodney from Giro, and Prater Family for sponsoring this long standing, iconic event.
Schedule for the weekend:
All races on International and Buckley
Thursday- Super G training, BBQ at 1 p.m. Opening ceremonies on Warming House Hill at 4 p.m.
Friday – Super G race, 1 run
Saturday – Giant Slalom
Sunday – Slalom and awards/raffle
