Ashburn Siblings Win WV Governors Cup

Two Ashburn siblings achieved an honor this past weekend shared by a brother and sister only twice before in the 52-year history of the West Virginia Governors Cup ski races by taking home the overall trophies.

Victoria and Jimmy Waldo finished atop the field. The Waldo family has started a tradition of making their name, and Ashburn, well known in Davis, WV; their father won the men’s division a year ago.

Ninety-eight racers competed under clear skies and in moderate temperatures on a challenging Giant Slalom course set on Lower Thunderstruck trail at Timberline Four Seasons Resort. Despite the day’s warmth, the course stayed firm and fast as racers from West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, Indiana and Pennsylvania competed for the first half of the Cup.

Temperatures cooled on Sunday for the 94 racers that opted for the more technical Slalom event. Governor’s Cup officials determine the winners by calculating the fastest combined time for two runs on the Giant Slalom course and two runs on the Slalom course. The top three finishers in eight age groups (both male and female) received trophies both days and the fastest overall man and woman racer won a pair of skis courtesy of Timberline Resort, a handcrafted West Virginia glass trophy, their names on the Cup and bragging rights for one year.

The Alpine Festival produces the event as well as the Celebration of the Arts (Wheeling Symphony Orchestra) and the Leaf Peepers Festival.

[Thanks to William “Bill” Smith, Executive Director of Tucker County CVB for providing this information and the picture.]