BY HEATHER FOSTER
Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation XC Gold Team Member Peter Wolter and Coach Peter Holmes are heading to Italy for the OPA Cup Finals.
Peter Wolter has been selected to compete for the U.S. Ski Team in the OPA Cup Finals being held March 17-19 in Dobbiaco/Toblach, Italy. Wolter, who recently traveled to Les Rousses, France, for his first World Cup, is thrilled to have the opportunity to again represent Team USA in this race series.
“I’m excited to be racing the OPA Finals in Italy because it’s a pretty big step up from SuperTour level racing but not as giant of a leap as the World Cup,” said Wolter. “It provides an opportunity to take it up a notch but not get totally thrown into the deep end.”
SVSEF Assistant Comp Team Coach Peter Holmes, will be joining the U.S. coaching staff for the trip. Holmes, who retired as a competitor from the SVSEF XC Gold Team last winter, has seamlessly moved into the coaching realm.
Holmes said he is “really excited” to go to Toblach and work with Wolter and the other U.S. athletes who will be there. “I have only been on trips with the U.S. Ski Team as an athlete, so it will be great to see what it’s like on the other side,” he added.
The U.S. contingent, Wolter and Holmes included, will first head to Falcade, Italy, for a few FIS tune-up races March 11-12. Events include a 10km individual start classic on Saturday and a 15km freestyle pursuit on Sunday.
The OPA Cup Finals begin Friday, March 17, with a freestyle sprint. “With all the Central European countries competing, it’s a great steppingstone back to the World Cup,” said SVSEF XC Gold Team Coach, Chris Mallory.
The weekend of March 18-19 will include a 10km individual start freestyle on Saturday and 15km classic pursuit on Sunday. Each athlete's start time for Sunday’s classic pursuit race is determined by their time back from Saturday’s winner.
For example, if second place finished 20 seconds behind the winner on Saturday, they will start Sunday’s race 20 seconds behind and so on. Then whoever crosses the line first, wins the pursuit race.
“Classic distance is one of Peter’s strengths, so look for him to move up in the results on Sunday,” said
As Wolter thinks ahead to the races, he knows it will be great to have Holmes there as a wax tech and coach to help make the situation feel more normal. “That is always important for the mental game when you step it up to the next level,” he said.
“And stepping up to the next level is what both Peter Wolter and Peter Holmes are doing,” “We can’t wait to see how this all plays out!”
Check out the Falcade, Italy FIS Races on March 11-12 at https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=CC&eventid=52630&seasoncode=2023.
Follow the Dobbiaco/Toblach, Italy, OPA Cup Finals March 17-19 at https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=CC&eventid=53228&seasoncode=2023.