47th Annual Atmore Memorial Ski Race Draws in Skiers From Across the Nation

DULUTH, Minn. — At Spirit Mountain, one of the biggest ski traditions continued this year as competitors from across the nation participated in the 47th Annual Atmore Memorial this weekend.

The event is hosted by Team Duluth and named in memory of Dr. William Atmore, one of the original founders of the Duluth/Superior Alpine Club, now known as Team Duluth.

Team Duluth members Madeline Barnes and Nadia Tessier skied in their first ever Atmore Memorial, and were nervous but excited to compete.

The Atmore Memorial is a slalom ski races, which sees competitors skiing in a zig zag motion between poles.

“So it’s the one pole in the ground and it’s the fastest turns, so the shortest, quickest turns. And then we all have our pole guards so you can block the poles. It’s the shortest radius of turns of ski events,” said Barnes.

The race is a part of the International Federation of Skiing and draws skiers in from coast to coast, ages 16 and up.

“There’s a point system, the lowest would be the people who ski the most and the fastest, and you all race in that order,” said Barnes.

The race even brings in College skiers, Olympians, US Ski team members and Team America members.

All competing to take home the top prize.