Ethan Passant (Crested Butte) and Karen Kingsley (Silverton) are crushing the race divisions with decisive victories in the first two COSMIC races. Crested Butte athletes Bryan Wickenhauser and Jari Kirkland have also climbed the podium in the first two races. Wickenhauser came in 2nd place just 24 seconds behind Passant in the first race at Sunlight and third at Snowmass. Kirkland has placed third in both races. Jon Brown, also hailing from Crested Butte, tied for third at Sunlight and nearly caught an opponent during the final fifty meters skate-skiing across the brige at that base of Buttermilk in Aspen. He finished in 6th place by a ski tip.
Crested Butte seems to have the strangle-hold on COSMIC for the time being … as does the ski-mountaineering manufacturer C.A.M.P. To date, nine of twelve podium spots have gone to athletes sponsored by C.A.M.P. They have come to rely on C.A.M.P.’s lightweight leaders like the XLP 290 pack, Starlight helmet, and Carbon Fiber Probe.
Pictured From Left: Jari Kirkland, Bryan Wickenhauser, Ethan Passant, Jon Brown and Eric Sullivan … all from Crested Butte.