Reviewing the news: Grand Prix skiers take on Boyne Mountain

Feb. 21, 1924: Baseball men plan for games 

The executive committee of the men’s indoor baseball activities of the city for this winter, at its February meeting Wednesday decided to make ready for several games with outside teams. Challenges are expected from East Jordan, Traverse City and Harbor Springs for games during the early spring. Following the completion of the present series of games two strong teams will be selected for two practice games before taking on any out-of-town teams. The remaining players will make up four more teams to play a two or three game series between the four squads.

Finances were discussed and the report of Treasurer Williams showed enough funds on hand to care for about five more games. The question of securing additional funds will be taken up at the March board meeting. Umpire Stannard, Scorer Wahl and President Johnston form a committee to fill the places on teams which are short of players when their games open. Captains will report to this committee as to what positions on the teams are vacant because of absent players, and the committee will proceed to make up the required number of players from among the other teams.

The regular official Spaulding playing rules will be fully explained to the players at the next regular games by Umpire Stannard, and these will be enforced. Ground rules were also discussed by the executive committee. Balls going into the rear bleachers will give the batter two bases, the same as balls hit into the rear gallery.

The locker erected in the high school locker room by the American Legion basketball team was purchased for $5 for use of the men, and supplies will be kept stored there.

Feb. 25, 1974: Top skiers battle it out at Boyne Mt. 

BOYNE MOUNTAIN — Perry Thompson, who joined the Benson and Hedges Grand Prix race tour last fall, raced to victory in slalom competition here yesterday in the $30,000 Hanson Challenge.

Thompson beat out fellow American Spider Sabich in the finals down the 575 foot Hemlock slope.

Sabich had won the giant slalom Saturday and was shooting for a perfect weekend when he went into the finals again Sunday.

The 22-year-old Thompson took the first heat in the Sunday finals when Sabich fell and then had little trouble hanging on to his 1.5 second advantage in the second heat.

After Sabich fell on the fast, short course, Thompson said he felt “pretty confident” about wrapping up the victory.

The Boyne Mountain race was covered by ABC Wide World of Sports and attracted several notables. Among the crowd lining the steep course were Claudine Longent, Jerry Quarry and Tiny Tim.

Thompson was asked if the television cameras spurred him on at all.

“No, I don’t know. I really can’t say that it helped,” he said.

The victory pushed Thompson closer to fourth place in the overall Grand Prix standings with total earnings of $16,700 and 142 points.

Sabich moved into second place with his performance, boasting total earnings of $22,300 and 181 points.

Tour leader Hugo Nindl — who has total earnings of $27,700 with 209 points — failed to qualify Sunday and was bumped early from Saturday’s races.

Nindl, a 31 year-old Austrian, aptly described the challenge of Boyne Mountain.

“The Hemlock slope at Boyne is poison to a lot of skiers,” he declared.

The course is steep, short and fast and allows little room for error.

Harold Stuefer, who finished third in the slalom behind Sabich, was asked about the Boyne Mountain course.

“Longer courses are more to my taste,” he said. “You have more time to react to mistakes.”

Sabich was awarded the Hanson Challenge trophy for his first and second place finishes. The prize money pushed him into second place, nudging Renzo Zandegicomo into third place.

Sabich was asked if his successful weekend would turn the tide in his winnings for the year.

“It’s too competitive to say this weekend is going to turn everything around,” he replied. He said that the excellent caliber of the racers would keep the Grand Prix competition stiff to the end.

Zandegicomo finished second in the giant slalom. Third went to Eberhard Schmalzl and fourth place was won by Harold Rofner.

The slalom was won by Thompson, followed by Sabich. In third place was Harold Stuefer and in fourth, Lasse Hamre.

The next stop on the pro tour will be Heavenly Valley, California next weekend for the Atomic Cup races.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Reviewing the news: Grand Prix skiers take on Boyne Mountain