The Birds of Prey Talon Crew |
Ice Sculpture |
Each year, in late November, the volunteer Talon Crew assemble at Beaver Creek Colorado to build and maintain the Birds of Prey downhill, which is usually the second stop of the ski racing season for the World Cup's White Circus..
The Birds of Prey downhill at Beaver Creek is one of steepest, most technically challenging alpine race courses on the World Cup circuit. Designed by Swiss skiing legend Bernhard Russi, it was completed in December, 1997. Birds of Prey debuted with the 1997 World Cup Men’s Downhill and Super-G, and hosted the World Alpine Ski Championships in February of 1999.
In Dec 2007, the Talon Crew celebrated the 11th anniversary of the Birds of Prey Race, which has been well documented by Keith Ruebsam, the Talon Crew's new official photographer. Check out Keith's work here.
The Talon Crew is anxiously awaiting the announcement on Beaver Creek's bid for the 2013 World Championships.
| For information: | Kent Everett Hkeverett@aol.com | Dick Pownall marpow70@msn.com |
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In 2006, a dozen Whistler Weasel Workers travelled to Beaver Creek to observe and learn the operation of one of the best course crews in the country. We were met with the warmest hospitality and greatest assistance possible. We had a great time and made many friends. The Weasels were not the only people to travel from afar to work on the Birds of Prey downhill. Read this Vail Daily News report for more.
We're looking forward to reciprocating in Whistler during our February 2008 race events. A few Talon Crew joined us for the "Canadians" in 2007, and we are hoping to welcome quite a few more in 2008.
For more
information from the Talon Crew, click
the
eagle logo (to the right) to read the latest Talon Crew
Newsletter.
Also, take a look at this Really,
Really Unofficial BOP Volunteer's Website
it has great photos of some of our BC friends playing around at
the
2005 Hannenkamm. There's also a photo from Mike Janyk's big
day at BC and
some very kind words about the Weasels. Credit is not taken
for
this site, but we suspect it might be Rick Roach. Also check
out
the bikes on the root Website.
Also, here's a Vail Valley Foundation Volunteer blog. Keep in touch with your friends!
One of the highlights of the start area of the Birds of Prey downhill in 2006 was the extraordinary "eagle" ice sculpture, pictured below. The competitors climbed the ramp to the left of the head to the start hut, which sat on the shoulder of the bird, behind the head, next to the flagpoles. The clear ice eyes with black pupils were quite startling. .
