Many in Rye may not know that Rye has an alpine race team. Two brothers from Rye High, Jason and Michael Chen, race independently. They train with the Mamaroneck ski team.

   

 

By A.J. Chabot

 

Many in Rye may not know that Rye has an alpine race team. Two brothers from Rye High, Jason and Michael Chen, race independently. They train with the Mamaroneck ski team.

 

The Mamaroneck team is very popular, attracting upwards of 60 teens, forcing coaches to make cuts and keep only 40 skiers.

 

Jason, a senior at RHS, and Michael, a sophomore, represent Rye throughout the ski season on and off the slopes. They drive to Mamaroneck three times a week for various “dry land” workouts. Once snow begins to fall, the Chen brothers drive to Thunder Ridge twice weekly.

 

On race days, Jason and Michael leave during the middle of eighth period to get to Mamaroneck by 2 p.m. The team inspects the course, which takes less than a minute to cover on skis. By the second run, when it’s getting darker, the racers ski under the spotlights.

 

Only one of the runs count, so there isn’t too much pressure on the racers. There are usually four different races going on at once: boys’ and girls’ varsity, and then boys’ and girls’ junior varsity. On a speedy day, the Chen brothers get home by dinnertime.

 

The best team in the League qualifies for Sectionals, which is hosted at Catamount, and consists of a giant slalom (GS) and a slalom race. Last year, Jason placed fourth in the GS, and fifth overall, just missing States.

 

Excited about the upcoming season, Jason said, “I love the team and have had a ton of fun. I have made really good friends.’’