The third day of competition in Steamboat crowned the overall winners in the Race of Champions (RoC). Each competitor that won a national title in their age and ability group earned an invitation to compete with their winning handicap. 

The ladies raced first and it was impressive to see young and old competitors gunning for the overall win. Addison Splinter qualified for the Nationals in the Bronze Division, but she skied so quick during the first day of competition that she was bumped to the Silver Division. The seven year old skied fast again during the second day of competition to win the silver division and qualify for the Race of Champions on day three. Just two days after celebrating her eighth birthday she skied even faster during the RoC and found herself standing on the top of the podium, as racer after racer tried to bump her off her perch. When the last racer crossed the finish, Addison's discounted time was the fastest and she was awarded the Overall Liberty Mutual Insurance NASTAR National Championship title. Eleven year old Ella Miller took second place and twelve year old Shae Yendrek earned the bronze medal.

Ladies Race of Champions podium

The race for the fastest raw time was won by Jenna Muchow. Jenna had the second fastest raw time last spring during the RoC and she was second at the Regional Championships at Welch Village, MN during the RoC. She was determined to record the fastest time in Steamboat and she did it, besting Mina Walters and Beth Sarazine to take the win.

Ladies RoC Raw Time podium

 

The guys lined up next to race for the overall title. Five year old Xavier Corbin charged the course, and with a dinosaur wrapped around his head, he grabbed the top step of the podium and held on to it as racer after racer tried to bump him off.

Xavier Corbin

The competition was close as Silver and Gold Division racers swapped places on the podium until two time winner Steven Coulter posted the fastest discounted time to win the race. Fifteen year old Ian Hutchison skied a great race to take the silver medal and Scott Freidheim held on for third place.

2017 guys discounted time podium

The race for the fastest raw time promised to be red-hot with former pro racers and collage racers all eager to take the win. Former Colby College racer Rory Kelly came into the race with the lowest handicap (HCP 0.43) and was clearly the favorite, but he ran into trouble near the bottom of the course allowing Danny Elkins to snatch his third raw time victory ahead of Jim Kohler and Chris Probert.

RoC Men Raw Time Podium

The Combined Division was the next event and the ladies took to the course first. Snowboarders, telemarkers, snowbikers and adaptive racers are all grouped together and with their handicaps the playing field is leveled. Emma Poper used her telemarking skills to record the fastest discounted time and her raw time was good enough for third place. Catherine Racicot recorded the second fastest discounted time but the adaptive racer had the fastest time to win the raw time race. Hillary Bond had the third fastest discounted time but her raw time put her into second place as the ladies swapped positions for the raw time podium.

Combined Division ladies

The guys combined division race was the final competition of the morning and the adaptive racer Drew Boglioli took the win ahead of telemarkers Wayne Haddad and Tom Degroff.

RoC Combined male

The fastest time and the raw time win went to snowboader Kevin Eisenman followed by Wayne Haddad and adaptive racer David Stansbury grabbed the bronze.

Combined Division guys

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