Giovanna Fichera, Lindsey Patterson, and Charles Manzari represented Cornwall in the New York State ski meet last week. Although each had difficulties on the slope during the two-day event, they agreed that it was great just to be among the state’s elite varsity skiers.
Patterson, a senior, was happy to end her high school career with a trip to Bristol Mountain Ski Resort.
“I didn’t think I was going to be able to make it to states by myself,” she said. “I thought I was going to have to have my team behind my back. I was really sad all of the girls couldn’t make it, but I was also very happy I made it myself, that I actually pushed myself to that point after hurting my knee and after all these years of racing and not making it to states.”
Patterson tore the MCL in her knee during a powder puff football game earlier in the school year, but was cleared by her doctor just as the team started practicing for the season.
The first day of the ski meet featured the slalom, but Patterson only completed one of two races. In the other, she missed going around one of the gates.
“By the time I realized it, it was too late. I tried to hike back up to redo the gate, because you can, but it was so much work. A couple people passed me. At that point it was game over.”
Trying to hike back up the mountain proved to be difficult because of the icy snow. Each time she took a step up she would slide back down without gaining any ground.
Making her third trip to states, Fichera also had her difficulties with the slalom, even if the problems weren’t her own. The sophomore was disqualified from her first run and was unable to compete in the second. The judges said she missed one of the gates, but Fichera believes they mistook her for another skier. She and her coach tried to protest, but to no avail.
Patterson and Fichera were able to complete both runs in the giant slalom the following day, finishing 52nd and 47th, respectively.
Unlike his teammates, Manzari had a bit more luck finishing his two runs in the slalom. Leading up to the state meet, Manzari set a goal of finishing in the top 20 in slalom. He finished 18th overall. But the second day of the competition proved more difficult for the junior.
Manzari came close to his goal in his first run, finishing in 22nd place. Four gates into his second run, however, his pole snapped in half. Thirteen turns after his pole snapped, Manzari lost one of his skis.
“When I broke the pole I didn’t realize it at first. I went to initiate my next turn with a pole plant and I didn’t have anything there, so I was a little off balance, but after that I just knew I didn’t have that pole plant, that I’d have to set my edge in hard on my left hand turns. Right before my ski popped off I pretty much knew it was going to happen. I was pretty upset right after that, but I couldn’t do anything about it.”
When the ski came off, Manzari made his way off the course. He was unable to finish the race and dropped to 52nd place in the giant slalom.
“To go all the way up there and not be able to get all four runs in, it’s a bit of a let-down, but I had fun,” Manzari said. “I reached my goal in the slalom, so overall I was pretty happy with my results.”
Manzari has one more shot of making it back to states next year as a senior. He plans to train harder and compete in sanctioned races again with the United States Ski Association. His one goal is to beat Hans Poelmann, from Warwick, who edged out Manzari in the division and section championships.
Fichera has two more years to try and make it back to states. Her goal next year is to finish first in the section championships.
