Action Snowboarding

Nationals were held at Northstar at Tahoe again this year, both racers and course officials had to battle the weather. The last snow that fell on the course came on March 26th and the temps had been in the 60’s for weeks. Racers were not allowed their practice days and officials had to remove a table near the finish because parts of the course began to show dirt. Reports from pharmphresh’s own Darrin Kolka, a Midwestern hopeful and good friend from Sun Prairie, WI, say that the course was more technical than last year. “It was very turny and big this year with a lot of rollers.”

In the time trial Kolka qualified in 5th, one second behind the leader. The quarter finals held four heats of five with Kolka finishing 2nd. With six racers in his semifinal heat Kolka got the hole shot and lead through the first five turns to the middle of the course when making a toeside turn at the gates the second place rider tried to make an unmanageable pass. Both racers locked bindings and were ejected off the course. Kolka hobbled back to the gate and rode to a 4th place finish before getting an ambulance ride to the ER.

After racing open class for a number of years seeking the better competition in the Midwest, Kolka competed this year in the masters division with his eyes on a national title. Even though his season ended in an unfortunate crash, Kolka was happy overall with his season and had this to say, “I couldn’t have done anything different.”

Kolka says that he won’t be racing next year and would like to coach other racers and also hold his own BoarderX race event with cash prizes next season at one of the Madison area ski resorts. Thank you, Darrin and best of luck in the future. To find more results from 2007 nationals click www.usasa.org/Northstar07/index.lasso