The Chattanooga Ski Club's racing team is celebrating its third place win in the Crescent Ski Council's western division.
Chattanooga Ski Club Racing team members are, front row from left, Dan Carroll, Megan Wigginton, Chuck Corey and Butch Cook. Middle row from left are Cody Cleek, Angelika Roden and Marla Hood. Back row from left are Paul Shoun, Kevin Cleek, Buddy Jones, Roy Brunner and Tom Edwards. Not pictured is team member Rob Lewis.The win was the result of high scores over six skiing weekends this season, according to Chuck Corey, captain of the Chattanooga Ski Club racing team.
"[Racing's] like dancing on the edge of a volcano," he said. "If you fall there's going to be pain involved, but if you don't it's a lot of fun."
In addition to the team's third-place showing, individual racers Cody Cleek, Chuck Corey, Tom Edwards, Marla Hood, Rob Lewis and Angelika Roden qualified for the NASTAR national championship races in Winter Park, Colo.
The Chattanooga Ski Club is a social organization with an emphasis on skiing, but Corey said it's also a way to get involved in the community. He said the club is active all year, participating in a range of activities from dragon boat racing to raising funds for local charities.
Members of the ski club come from a variety of backgrounds, abilities and ages, ranging from 13 to 80.
"We have people who have just started out skiing and we help teach them where to go and where to find the best instructors," Corey said.
The ski club also organizes three or four trips each year to different ski locations across the country and abroad, he said.
Becoming a member of the Chattanooga Ski Club costs $25, and the club meets the first Tuesday of every month at Finley Stadium.
Members are not obligated to attend meetings or go on a ski trip, Corey said.