Mount Hood’s Mitey Mite Racers and their families were treated to perfect weather for the season-ending Candy Cup Race March 26 at Mt. Hood Meadows.

After several spirit-testing rain, wind and sleet days earlier in the season, the Candy Cup went off in pure sunshine with almost no wind on Stadium run. The course was a long, fast giant slalom with a knoll leading into a blind turn on the transition to the steep section, and racers got to test their courage and aerodynamic efficiency down a long tuck section to the finish.

Here’s U12 girls winner Shelby Willet photographed by Mike Juliana, demonstrating some serious gliding form:

As you can see, these young racers can rip it. Shelby is one of many young Mt. Hood-trained racers with serious potential, along with fellow U12 girls Bergen Rust and Mackenzie Walker and U10 boys standout Porter Sullivan of Meadows Race Team, U8 boys champ Matthew Kafka of Cascade Winter Sports Club, Mackenzie Greenslade, Jackson Spadaro, Colt Musgrave and Henry Rogers of Mt. Hood Race Team, Annie Hendrickson and Sutton and Cassel LeFever of Cooper Spur Race Team, Kiera Bertell, Maxine Fuhrer and Tatum McKinley of Multnomah Athletic Club, to name just a few.

The Meadows Race Team won the Candy Cup trophy for the overall Mitey Mite team championship for the third season in a row, edging out the MAC club and Mt. Hood Race Team. Many of these young racers will continue training through the spring and even into summer on Mt. Hood, taking advantage of the longest ski season in North America on the Palmer Snowfield at Timberline.

Thanks to Mike Juliana for the action photos. You can browse through his ski racing season archives to find shots of your favorite Mt. Hood kid racer at his website.

Last modified: April 2, 2016