“ I encourage them to just show up,” says Barton, adding that the ones who show up solo require both parties to“ put a lot of trust in a stranger.”
“ We try to keep it fun.”
Scenes from the Sundance Winterfest show how intense the action is. Photo courtesy of Sundance Winterfest
“ I encourage them to just show up,” says Barton, adding that the ones who show up solo require both parties to“ put a lot of trust in a stranger.”
Competitors get two tries to win prize money. They compete in a long race, before the top qualifiers do a short sudden death race. Those watching the races get to bet on their favorite racers with a Calcutta in between the long and short races. Competitors are looking to get the fastest times as they maneuver three to four jumps, whizz in between cone g ates set up slalom style or grab rings hanging off of poles. All competitors must finish across the finish line in an upright position, either on the ground or in mid air, no small feat given a big jump at the end.
“ The jump gives incentives to go a little wild,” Barton says. Competitors are judged and are given time penalties for missing a jump or dropping a ring. The referees are not professionals.
“ They ' re mostly a bunch of dumb cowboys,” Barton jests.“ They’ re supposed to watch their gate and keep an eye on the gate below,” he says, admitting sometimes a competitor does not agree with a call.
“ We try to keep it fun.”
That fun comes not just from the skijoring but from the rodeo-like atmosphere of the announcer who plays music in between races, vendors who set up booths outside businesses and food trucks brought in to feed the many attendees. Open container wristbands allow those 21 and older to grab a favorite drink quickly so they don’ t miss any of the action. Barton says most years the streets are packed five or six people deep with locals supporting the community, visiting with friends and neighbors, and breaking up the monotony of the winter season. myblackshillscountry. com Down Country Roads
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