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by Laurie Puliafico

Increase font  Decrease font    Printable format  Email to a friend The Hannes Schneider Meister Cup Race, annual fund raiser for the New England Ski Museum, took place at Mount Cranmore, NH on March 8th and 9th under beautiful, bright sunny skies. The event was filled with enthusiasm and excitement from the first moments of the opening ceremony to the final moments of the dinner and awards banquet held at the North Conway Grand Hotel. Opening ceremonies began at 9:30 am with the introduction of the 10th Mountain Color Guard from Fort Drum, NY standing at attention across the finish area from the platform where various speakers spoke and welcomed the racers and spectators. Glenn Parkinson from the New England Ski Museum spoke about the history of the annual race and gave a brief history of Hannes Schneider and of the 10th Mountain Division. Parkinson then introduced Herbert Schneider, son of Hannes and his wife Doris. Schneider gave a brief but hearty Austrian welcome to the guests and the racers. General David Meade (retired) from the 10th mountain division spoke briefly about the division and it’s history and current assignment in Afghanistan. The color guard from Fort Drum’s 10th Mountain Division marched across the finish area to the platform area and took a prominent place at the front displaying the 10th Mountain Flag along with a United States flag. Members of the 10th Mountain Division team that would be participating in the race, skied down with Old Glory waving proudly behind them as a large United States flag was slowly opened and displayed at the finish line. The Fryberg Academy Singers sang the Star Spangled Banner. Next, the Canadian flag was skied down the hill to join the other flags and Canada’s national anthem was performed. Members of the Schneider family were then introduced and skied down the hill where the Austrian flag was presented and the Austrian anthem was sung. To honor Hannes Schneider’s homeland of Austria, the Bavarian Brothers performed Edelweiss, complete with a cowbell choir preformed by two of the members. A proclamation and citation by New Hampshire governor Jean Shaheen was read and presented and the race was officially opened. The first run of the race began at 10 am. In all 30 teams participated in the race. Participants ranged from the age of 10 to over 80 and were of varying levels of ability. Under brilliant blue skies and warm temperatures, spectators and participants cheered the racers on as they wound their way through the gates toward the finish line. Following the first round of the race, lunch was served in the hospitality tent for racers and guests with credentials. The ice carving competition continued in front of the base lodge, participants in the vintage ski wear parade got ready and the New England Ski Museum tent remained open with souveniers of the day and of ski history for sale. During the break the Fryeburg Academy Singers entertained the spectators and racers with several musical numbers. At noon, the vintage ski wear parade began. Ski wear from the 30’s to the 80’s was presented. Several participants wore Olympic and college team uniforms from various years. As each participant was introduced, their attire was described. The Caroll Reed family dressed in outfits from their personal collection from the retail store the family once owned. It was an impressive collection of vintage ski wear. The ice sculptures were judged and the winners announced before the racing resumed. The second round of the race began at around 1 PM. Because of the warm temperature, the snow on and around the course now resembled mashed potatoes, but this did not affect many of the racers. Times were close to those achieved in the first round of the race. At the conclusion of the race, a small awards ceremony took place, then most racers and spectators left to get ready for the banquet. The awards banquet took place at the North Conway Grand Hotel. From 6 to 7:30 there was a cocktail hour and a silent auction. The silent auction had many items donated by various sponsors and local merchants. After this was completed, participants and guests were served dinner, then awards were announced. The New England Ski Museum announced the recipients of their grants and scholarships, followed by the announcement of the winners of the Schneider Meister Cup Race. In first place, Cranmore 1 team (Andrew Mahoney, Stephan Karnopp, Dave Clancy, Jeff Millett and Andy Dickinson) with a team time of 2:00.26. The second place team was the team from Gunstock (Matt Found, Allan Bishop, Andrew Kierstead, Kevin Beattie and Jim Kott) with a combined time of 2:01.11 . Canada 1 took third place with a time of 2:03.17, Nashoba Valley was fourth with a combined time of 2:04.18. Other teams that participated were, Willis Mtn.Guard, Cranmore II, Cannon Cruisers, AtomicI, RSN, The Carroll Reed Family, The Schneider Family, Delaney’s, Regs, WPKG, 86th-10th Mountain, Fleet Bank, Canada II, Fort Drum, The Mountain Ear, The Wal-Mart Weavers, 87th-10th Mountain, Judd Gregg Comm., The Flakes, NESM, The Toni Matt Team, Labatts, The Gate Smashers and three teams (A, B, and C) made from individual participants. After the awards were given out, a live auction took place. Many items, from trips and ski equipment to ceramic plates, posters and jewelry were auctioned off. The proceeds from the auction will benefit the various programs and daily operation of the New England Ski Musuem. Contributing writers Laurie Puliafico and Betsy McDonough attended the event.

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