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Girardelli, Monahan turn out for Town Series races

Aspen Times Staff Report

Former Olympic skier Kate Monahan and five-time World Cup overall champion Marc Girardelli made cameo appearances in The Aspen Times Town Race Series on Saturday at Aspen Highlands.

The retired World Cup racers were among a field of 69 competitors in the third race of the Advanced Division series. Monahan won the women’s advanced division and finished fourth overall.

The Men’s A Division was won by Aspen native and former U.S. Ski Team racer Dave Stapleton. His closest competitor was Aspen native Johnathan Mika of the Gorsuch Raiders, a little more than a half second back, followed by Aspen native Billy Madsen, also of the Gorsuch Raiders.



The strong finishes by Madsen and Mika helped propel the Raiders to first in the team competition, tightening the team’s grip on the overall lead for the season.

Skiing a red parka, in contrast to many speed suit-clad competitors, Girardelli posted the third-fastest first run. The Austrian native, who was in town visiting Aspen clients, did not start his second run.




The Town Race Series returns next weekend, Feb. 7-8, with slalom races at Highlands.

Highlands race department director Scott Nichols urges skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers of all levels to come compete in the remaining races of the season. Race-day registration is 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Thunderbowl Cafe, with races starting at 11:30. The cost is $20 per race. For more information contact the Highlands Race Department at 544-3005, or the Racer Hot Line at 544-3029.