Sugarloaf readies for Wescott homecoming

Wescott is scheduled to address the crowd, along with Governor John Baldacci. An autograph session is slated for 2-4 p.m. in the base lodge.

Smith wins downhill

Leanne Smith

followed her 18th- and 21st-place Olympic finishes by capturing the downhill title at the US Alpine Championships in Aspen, Colo. The Conway, N.H., skier beat US Ski Team members Stacey Cook and Laurenne Ross with a time of 1:38.24 last Saturday.

The remaining events in the championships will be held March 19-22 in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Nor-Am finals coming

Before reaching the level of the World Cup and Olympics, there are the Nor-Ams, and the finals are coming to northern New England.

Sanctioned by the International Ski Federation, Nor-Am races are important steppingstones for high-level American and Canadian skiers.

Burke Mountain in Vermont hosts super-G and super combined March 14-15, while giant slalom and slalom are at Waterville Valley March 17-18.

Burke offers discounted $25 lift tickets during the Nor-Ams, while Waterville Valley has scheduled a meet-and-greet with athletes from both countries March 17 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Coyote Grill.

Fashion, skiing, salute

It’s a sure bet ski fashion trends from traditional leather lederhosen to bold and flashy 1980s neon jackets will be worn by skiers and snowboarders in the Hannes Schneider Meister Cup Race at Cranmore in North Conway, N.H., Saturday and Sunday. A fund-raiser for the New England Ski Museum, the event, open to racers of all ages, honors the legacy of Austrian skimeister Hannes Schneider, who in 1939 brought his trendsetting ski techniques to America. The event also promotes the memory of the skiing soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division who fought during World War II 65 years ago. Herbert Schneider, son of Hannes, is a 10th Mountain Division veteran expected to attend.